It’s hard to believe that we’re nearing the one-third mark of the 2020 season. What was once a marathon is quickly starting to look a bit more like a sprint? It has been a busy week with the “closer carousel” starting to spin, several high profile call-ups, and the big trade of Brandon Belt to the Jays. Toss in the Wandhr Franco contract extension and it’s time to spend like the proverbial drunken sailor. As busy as the baseball world has been, it is important to remember the single most important move you can make this week, which would be making a trek to your local florist and taking care of business. With the reminder (and we do need reminding) to honor the special women in our life taken care of, let’s now move forward and give the potential Waiver Wire acquisitions the once over.
Brandon Belt, 1B, TOR (CBS: 8% owned)
Travis Shaw and Rowdy Tellez weren’t getting it done in Toronto and buoyed by their surprisingly strong start, the Jays made the decision to upgrade this week and have turned to Brandon Belt in an effort to provide some stability at “the other hot corner”. For years we’ve watched Belt struggle in AT&T/Oracle Park, and it’s high time (isn’t it always high time?) we got to see Belt produce at a level fitting of his HOF stature.
Alec Bohm, 3B, PHI (CBS: 16% owned)
The Phillies have turned to Alec Bohm in an effort to kick-start their struggling offense. It appears that Scott Kingery will be replacing Adam Hasely in centerfield, freeing up a spot in the Philly infield for Bohm. When you mash eight homers to start the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, you knew it was only a matter of time before the phone would be ringing.
Diego Castillo, RP, TAM (CBS: 12% owned)
Nick Anderson has been struggling of-late and although he’s still looked upon by the Rays as the principle option for saves, don’t forget about Diego Castillo. Castillo is off to a strong start and those eight saves, 17 holds, and 81 strikeouts in 68 2/3 IP in 2019 shouldn’t be forgotten.
Jaylin Davis, OF, SFG (CBS: 1% owned)
It eventually had to occur, and this past week it did just that. The Giants were forced to put Yusiel Puig on the IL, after he was forced to undergo emergency dental surgery to remove splinters as a result of his incessant bat licking. The Giants will turn to Jaylin Davis in the interim. The former Twin hit 35 homers and swiped ten bags between two levels in the Twins and Giants high Minors in 2019. Who knows? With any success, Davis could become a candidate to fill the current vacancy at first base. He’s definitely worth a look in deeper formats until at the very least Puig heals and figures out that “Louisville” is not a brand of dental floss.
Brian Dozier, 2B, SDP (CBS: 7% owned)
How many of us actually remember that Brian Dozier was signed by the Padres this off-season? Jurickson Profar is struggling both at the dish and in the field and with the Padres ramping things up for hopefully a deep playoff run, every win is important in that strong NL West. Dozier did hit 20 homers last season in limited at-bats as a Gnat. He’s one sleeper that you don’t want to be dozing off on!
Wander Franco, SS, TAM (CBS: 28% owned)
The tenuous grip on first place currently being enjoyed by the Rays has forced them to look to the future and that future rests in the hands of one Wander Franco. The shocking news of the recently inked 8-year $120 million extension is still reverberating through the Pirates locker room. Who saw this coming? Certainly not me or the 1400 season ticket holders (now up to 1403) in St. Pete’s. He’s already shown power and with those stellar on-base skills should be joining the Rays any day, as he begins his HOF march.
Logan Gilbert, SP, SEA (CBS: 8% owned)
The combination of the Mariners rotation struggling to get out of the second inning, and the amazing start by Gilbert at Triple-A, bodes well for a call-up any day now. Beat the crowd to the rush in Redraft Leagues and get him rostered now.
Hunter Harvey, RP, BAL (CBS: 21% owned)
What has essentially been a job share to start the season between Hunter Harvey and Mychal Givens, is now a one-horse race. Mychal Givens imploded; costing the O’s a pair of victories. Full marks go to my esteemed colleague, Rich Wilson, for his off-season call that Harvey would be closing sooner rather than later. The long-term search for saves in Baltimore is now a thing of the past, with Harvey now firmly entrenched in the ninth inning.
Nick Madrigal, 2B, CWS (CBS: 29% owned)
Yeah, he won’t hit for power, but it’s not like Leury Garcia was parking ‘em in the bleachers on a regular basis at Guaranteed Irate Field. Madrigal got the call on Friday, and already has four stolen bases on his resume. It’s time to let the vision of those 35 stolen bases he accrued in 2019 and that amazing ability to get on-base dance in our head and on our Fantasy rosters.
Luis Patino, SP, SDP (CBS: 10% owned)
The Padres are definitely all-in and with the success enjoyed by MacKenzie Gore since his callup at the end of April, the Padres will be looking to the 20-year-old phenom Patino to repeat that success. When you’ve yet to allow an earned run in six starts at Triple-A, and have compiled an amazing 68 strikeouts in 39 IP, you’ve earned the right to flash that all-world stuff at the big league level.
Ryan Pressly, RP, HOU (CBS: 15% owned)
When your closer, Roberto Osuna, blows three save opportunities in one week, it might be time to allow your stud setup man (if even on an interim basis) to work the ninth inning?
Clarke Schmidt, SP, NYY (CBS: 5% owned)
When you’re currently in fourth place and your team ERA is more than five, it’s time to make a move. The Yankees did just that, calling up Clarke Schmidt. He has been mowing ‘em down at Triple-A and looks to be facing off against Baltimore and Detroit in a rather juicy two-start week. Will this be the beginning of a long run in the Yankee rotation or am I over-estimating his skill set and simply full of Schmidt?
Five under Five
Bobby Bonilla, OF, NYM (CBS: unowned)
The horrific start by the Mets is cause for the organization to reach deep and reactivated “Bobby Bo”. They’re already paying him, so why not get him back on the field?
Keon Broxton, OF, MIL (CBS: 2% owned)
I know I’m going to catch some serious flak from partner-in-crime Rich Wilson, but Ryan Braun is definitely heading to first base on a full-time basis, replacing the ineffective tandem of Justin Smoak and Logan Morrison. This leaves an opportunity for former stud outfielder Keon Broxton to patrol the outfield and replicate that stellar 20/20 2017 campaign.
Lewin Diaz, 1B, MIA (CBS: 2% owned)
How much longer will the Marlins be willing to endure Jesus Aguilar and that putrid .185 BA? My guess is not much longer. It’s time to see what Diaz can bring to the Marlins offensive offense. If it’s anything like what we’ve witnessed thus far in 2020 at Triple-A New Orleans, it’s time to beat the inevitable Waiver Wire rush and invest a buck or two to ensure he’s safely stashed on your bench.
Cedric Mullins, OF, BAL (CBS: 1% owned)
So what if Mullins cost me a shot at winning the 2019 Steak and Liquor title. Am I bitter? Not at all. Okay…maybe a little. Quit lying, Tim…you lost a wager to Rich Wilson!! What in the Sam Hill was I thinking? Why am I recommending, Mullins, yet again? I’m stubborn. Pig-headedly Scottish heritage-type stubborn.
Ryne Stanek, RP, MIA (CBS: 3% owned)
Brandon Kintzler started the 2020 campaign with 49 career saves. Seven weeks into the 2020 season he’s upped that career total to fifty. His ERA is currently north of 5.00. Need I say more?
