64/60 Waiver Wire Roundup

Every week owners search the Waiver Wire for various reasons. Some are attempting to cover a recent DL stint. Some may be looking for the missing piece to the puzzle and some may simply be attempting to replace a struggling player. In a 12 X 25 league such as are more often than not few people provide much excitement. Often times you are simply hoping for a minimal return on investment until something better comes along. As a service to my peers we here at the Factory have surveyed the Waiver Wire in full detail to find players who may be able to provide a very strong impact and a worthy of consideration for a permannent roster spot. I have targeted 10 players who could be the missing piece to someones puzzle or at least should provide modest returns. Please note these players are all available as of 7/6 at 4PM and the BCFP is not responsible for any increased blood pressure in the event that one of these players are no longer available. Players appear in no particular order.


Jason Bartlett SS Rays- Recently released by the Smackers, Bartlett was a Top 200 player to many coming into the season and though I wasn't that high on him I am still amazed as to how bad he has been. Bartlett currently has a stat line of .224/2/31/30/3/.636 which is at best pathetic. However beyond the surface Bartlett has had a BABIP of .260 well below his career mark of .320. Bartlett has also shown an improved batting eye with an increase in BB% from 7.8 to 10.4. Bartlett is a lifetime .280 hitter. Given the slow start he is unlikely to match that this year but even if he could manage to hit .265 on the year that is around a .270 AVG the rest of the way. At .270 his OBP would be in the mid .300 and a 25SB season is still a possibility. With the injuries to many SS and MI this season I know someone would be better served with Bartlett up the middle.


Hedeki Matsui OF Angels- Matsui has felt the effects of departing from Yankee Stadium and a very strong lineup. Matsui has a stat line of .257/10/24/46/0/.746. This is about your average FA pickup stat line. Matsui has had a bit of misfortune this season as his HR/FB rate has dropped from a career mark of 13.1 to 10.2 this season. One concern is a 23.9 K% up from a career mark of 15.2 this could be the beginning signs of a aging player. Matsui doesn't fit all teams needs but if you are struggling hitting the long ball or need some Run Production Matsui would be a good fit for your squad. Given his lineup spot Matsui is still a threat to hit 25HR and approach 90 RBI.


Jack Cust OF A's- Cust has only 145 PA under his belt after beginning his season in the minors but the early returns have been a .300/2/19/14/0/.822 stat line. Cust is no stranger to success averaging 28HR's from 07-09. Cust has always been a Adam Dunn type who Walks a ton but also swing and misses with regularity. Like Dunn, Cust will not keep up his .300AVG over an entire season early on he has benefitted from a .420BABIP compared to a career mark of .334 but his decrease in K% from 38.9 to 31.7 is very encouraging. Even with a AVG in the .250's or below Cust will still manage a OPS around .775 or better. Cust could be the best power option currently on the market and will likely bat near the middle of the A's lineup so he should be given some RBI oppurtunities.


Dexter Fowler OF Rockies- Fowler was a Keeper league target last season and in his rookie year he showed glimpses of that promise during the 09 campaign. The 2010 season didn't begin quite so well and before you knew it Fowler was back in Colrado Springs refining those skills that had made him a top prospect. After a slow start Fowler really started heating up and after about a month of mashing through Triple A pitching he is now back manning CF for the Rockies. Fowlers season stat line of .245/1/26/7/8/.756 isn't pretty but since his return on June 29th Fowler has a .417/0/8/3/2/1.367 just slightly better. Now Fowler isn't this player just as he isn't the player who was demoted. More than likely Fowler will hit near .270 with double digit HR potential and could swipe 20 bases on the season. If Fowler can continue to get on base and bat near the top of the Rockies lineup he could approach 70 Runs for the year. Fowler isn't the final piece to any puzzle but he can provide above average production in SB/Runs while not hurting your HR and AVG totals. Think of him as a David DeJesus type with more speed.


Pat Burrell OF Giants- Hell I had thought know one had picked him up after being released. The Giants in need of any offense decided to take a flyer on Burrell and thus far things have worked out well. On the season Burrell has a .256/7/19/24/0/.777 stat line which explains why he couldn't cut it as a DH in the AL East but since coming over to the Giants Burrell has a .316/5/10/11/.943 mark. Burrell may simply be one of those players who benefits from the NL. Burrell was a better than average fantasy performer just two seasons ago and with a career .333AVg and a 1.054OPS at Pac Bell park it is reasonable to believe this is more than a fluke. Burrell is a good RBI source if placed in the middle of the lineup and a threat to hit over 20HR on the season.


J.J. Hardy SS Twins- I had high hopes for him this season but with a .219/3/14/13/.601 statline at the All Star Break all hope is gone. Hardy has had some misfortune this season with a .242BABIP compared to a career mark of .275 and a decrease in HR/FB rate of 11% to 7.3% has only added to the misery. Hardy will likely finish the season with a average in the .235 range so with that in mind he likely isn't much better than a .250 hitter the rest of the way. But Hardy does have some pop for a MI and could still manage to hit 15 or so on the season. If you have been effected by a rash of injuries to your IF Hardy is worthy of consideration.


Cliff Pennington SS A's- Once again the recent injuries have forced me to focus on the very week SS position. Many had high hopes for Pennington coming into the season after a scorching final couple of weeks to the 2009 campaign. Sluggish out of the gate Pennington owners quickly rid themselves of a .220 hitter with little power. However Pennington has continued to grind it out and now has his average at .263. Pennington is not a HR threat with only 3 on the season but he does have nice SB potential with 12 on the season. Over the last month Pennington has hit at a .388 clip and has been a Top 100 performer.


Trevor Crowe OF Indians- Crowe's stat line of .255/1/25/19/10/652 won't demand much attention when searching the waiver wire. However if you struggle in SB and have enough power and run production, Crowe would certainly be worth adding. Crowe has elite level SB potential. Given the Indians youth movement he will be given every oppurtunity to play everyday. Think of Crowe as a younger Willy Taveras.


Tom Gorzelanny P Cubs- After a very strong start to the season Gorzelanny was sent of to the bullpen to make way for the MLB version of the Missing Link. Gorzelanny did nothing to warrant the demotion but it was simply a matter of numbers and Gorzelanny drew the shortest straw. Gorzelanny does have a troubling BB/9 of 4.63 that certainly needs corrected to maintain his early season success but a 9.13 K/9 rate shows his dominance potential. As a starter Gorzelanny has posted 5QS a 3.50 ERA 1.43WHIP and a K/9 rate of 9.05.


Brian Matsuz P Orioles- On everyones watch list to begin the season Matsuz was hot and cold, and even the most patient owners couldn't wait until the switch was turned on. Matsuz season stat line is 10 QS with a 4.56 ERA a 1.39WHIP and 6.97K/9. Over the last month however Matsuz has posted 4 QS with a 3.43ERA, 1.07WHIP and a K/9 of 6.41. Since the Orioles play in the AL East owners of Matsuz should expect some rough outings but this time your patience could be rewarded.