Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Search: Week 18

Week 18 of most fantasy baseball formats begins tomorrow, time to scour the waiver wire for roster upgrades or replacements. Some notable losses to injury were Johnny Damon, Chris Coghlan, Joel Pinero, Joe Mauer, Jason Bay, Shane Victorino, Milton Bradley and Ben Zoebrist. We’ll try and look at suitable pick-ups for each spot in the lineup. We’ll select players who have been hot in the last week to month, and will be typically owned by half of the leagues or less out there. Taking a look at batting first:

First Base

 Lyle Overbay- TOR: With his job safe now that Brett Wallace has been traded, he is rewarding management with a decent last month.
Melvin Mora- COL: If you need a spot start 1B Mora would make an adequate addition, and soon as he cools though, take notice. Mora may be eligible in your league for 2B and 3B.
Ike Davis – NYM: Not a great week at the plate, but still leading all rookie with 52 RBIs and his 15 are right there at the top as well.
Michael Morse – WAS: Hit .400 this week, though no power.  Adam Dunn trade never happened, so playing time will continue to be an issue.

Second Base

Jeff Keppinger- HOU: With the trade of Berkman, Keppinger has recently been slotted as the #3 hitter. He has always maintained a plus .300 average, so this could afford him some decent production. (SS/3B)

Third Base

Chris Johnson- HOU: OK, Johnson has gone from watchable to pretty much get on your roster. This is the 2nd week in a row is has batted near .500, also providing weekly line of  3Rs, 2HRs, 5RBIs and 1SB. Roster him!

Short Stop

Ian Desmond- WAS: A highly touted rookie who hasn’t provided eye-popping stats, but plays a scarce position and will provide some steals. a possible consideration for keeper in those formats. (2B)
J.J. Hardy- MIN: Hardy looks like he has found his productive swing again, albeit no power. Still he has maintained close to a .350 avg. for about a month so if you are hurtin’, you might wanna give him a shot. And if his power returns…score!

Outfield

Dexter Fowler- COL: Leadoff man for the Rox, that’s always a plus for Run and Stolen Base production. He has had a solid month and batted plus .300 this week.
Mike Stanton- FL: A rookie noted for his power. It’s been his avg. that has kept him on the waiver wire inmost leagues. Well this week he hit .292 with a couple more bombs for nine on the year. His numbers could really start to rise as he gets more comfortable. In keeper formats definitely take a closer look.
Matt Joyce- TB: I watch an absolute moonshot against the Yankees last night. This guy has serious power. Playing time has been the issue, but it’s been regular lately. He sports a career .500 slugging percentage in 350 plus at bats you know the power is legit.

Catcher

Yorvit Torrealba- SD: Was 6 for 11 this week, so still keeping avg. conscious owner happy.
Kurt Suzuki- OAK: A very capable player, who won’t deliver anything spectacular but is consistent.
Carlos Ruiz – PHI: Has been on an a tear this week 3Rs, 1HR, 7RBIs, 1SB and batting .400. Not likely to maintain these numbers but could keep them close.

Now let’s switch to pitching:

Starters

Bronson Arroyo- CIN: Just about 50% owned, Arroyo has returned solid dividends for owners over the last month. 4Ws, 19Ks, 3.02ERA, 0.89WHIP.
Vincente Padilla- LAD: Still available for the stretch run. He is very likely available in your league and has provided a line of 2 Ws, 27 Ks, 1.42 ERA and .85 WHIP in his last 31 innings.
WadeDavis- TB: Perhaps with prospect Jeremy Hellickson looming over his shoulder, Davis has delivered an admirable line. Over the last month he has 4 Ws, 18Ks, 3.03ERA and 1.19 WHIP.

Closers

Joel Hanrahan- PIT: With the trade of Octavio Dotel, Hanrahan is more than likely to get the job.
Drew Storen -  WAS: Another trade likely promotes this man. Considered for a long time to be the closer of the future, Matt Capps no longer stands in the way.
Chris Perez – CLE: And after another trade, Kerry Wood, another promotion. OK, Perez actually has done this job most of the year, but Wood was an obstacle.

Relievers

Sean Marshall- CHI: If his 2nd half is a good as his first his line would look something like 10-12 Ws, 120Ks, 1.80 ERA and1.00 WHIP. Pair him up with another quality reliever and you have a staff ace in the two.

Other mentionable relievers are Hong-Chih Kuo,  Luke Gregerson, Johnny Venters and Scott Downs.