Week 2 Waiver Targets by Kyle Elfrink

Sing it with me ... 'We're walkin' in a waiver wonderland!' This first weekend of the MLB season provides fantasy leagues everywhere with their most active bidding wars. Of course, all the hectic action arrives after just five or six games of play and results. Nearly everyone overstates the early returns and they also tend to buy into emerging storylines. Come July, such performances or reports wouldn't shake the bushes, but the intense focus of April lends itself to a lot of overzealous assumptions. Simply put, the 'undrafted,' of 10 days ago have turned into 'must-haves.'

It's ridiculous on its face, as very few of the guys that are added in early-April ever prove to still be on winning rosters come October. But, that never stops the race to the wire that takes place in this first go-around every season. With so many clawing at the starting line, here's a run-through of some of the names you might come across in your league.

(Note: To make the list, I'll apply a loose definition that says you have to likely be unowned in a vast majority of 12-team mixed leagues. At the end of each player note, I'll also provide a suggested bid for those that use FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) for their waiver process (based on a $100 budget). Understand that this is only a suggestion ... if you just lost you're a starting outfielder to injury and you have an immediate need or gaping hole in your lineup, you will find it necessary to bid more in order to get that week's top available outfielder.)

Hitters

Jose Iglesias, SS, Detroit

You'll hear a lot about Iglesias' mitt. You'll never hear about his bat. That's been the scouting report on him for a few seasons now. Do not let one week erase that from your memory. Iglesias is off to a good start with plenty of singles that have led to some home plate touches in Week 1. But, as a 9th-slot hitter, his opportunities to do anything that matters are quite limited. Oh, and did I mention his shins? They're in terrible condition. Let someone else play the bidding fool.

Suggested FAAB bid - $1

Jake Lamb, 3B, Arizona

When the Diamondbacks made the decision to start high-priced rookie, Yasmany Tomas, in the minors, Lamb became a name to keep an eye on. He struck while the attention was hot, driving in seven runners in the first two games of the season. Since, he's been in-and-out of the lineup and the attention has waned, as well. Lamb has some pedigree with a line of strong minor league results, but he still looks a bit over-matched in the bigs. There's not enough power to survive what could be a shriveling batting average. He may fall into some cheap runs, but there will be lengthy runs of desperation for a player who swings away and hasn't shown much discipline at the plate. Arizona isn't willing to make him their everyday guy at the corner, why would you?

Suggested FAAB bid - $2

Nick Markakis, OF, Atlanta

A good portion of owners avoided Markakis in the preseason because of an offseason neck surgery. There was some question about his availability for Opening Day, so for those drafting in early-to-mid-March, Markakis might have gone unmentioned at the draft table. With his status now relatively clear (he's playing), the vet is a solid grab to help your outfield depth. He's hit double-digit homers for nine straight seasons and that should continue. Another 80+ runs is also very possible as he makes a home in the 2-spot of the Braves' order. All of that, plus the expected .270 average makes him an absolutely safe grab if he happens to be available.

Suggested FAAB bid - $7

Cameron Maybin, OF, Atlanta

Two things happened last Sunday ... 1. A shocking move by Atlanta sent Craig Kimbrel to San Diego and, 2. Fantasy players rushed to their waiver wire to add Atlanta's new fireman, Jason Grilli (see below). A third thing occurred in some circles ... Maybin was a quick add. He was buried for dead in a packed San Diego outfield, but things are OPEN for business in Atlanta. Initially, he was used as a late-game defensive replacement in centerfield for Eric Young, Jr. But, on both Wednesday and Friday, Maybin was in the starting lineup. In that second game, he even led off (and homered). Now, understand that Maybin has always been a fantasy tease. He looks the part, he has performed like the part previously, and he is still just 28. But, all in all, you've got to be thoroughly desperate to roster him. He's got major contact issues, he's infinitely injury-prone, and he's stuck in a lineup that struggles one through nine. Low-ball FAAB, only.

Suggested FAAB bid - $3

Kendrys Morales, DH, Kansas City

It seems like an eternity since Morales exploded for over 30 homers, over 100 RBIs, and a batting mark above .300. Actually, it doesn't just seem like an eternity ... it has been an eternity! 2009 to be exact. Since that crazy-good year, Morales has bounced from Anaheim, to Seattle, to Minneapolis, back to Seattle, and now, in Kansas City. His pop was curiously absent all of last season (a .338 slugging percentage??), but he's got an everyday spot in K-C. He's batting 5th, thus far, and that means he's after a group of players who all show some upside (Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, and Eric Hosmer). The average may sit around .260, but this is a simple add that will get you 15-20 homers and close to 80 runs driven in.

Suggested FABB bid - $8

Pitchers

Clay Buchholz, SP, Boston

Been here, done that. Buchholz will always be an enigma. On some nights, he has Cy Young-winning stuff. Other nights, we don't know what he brings to the table because he's gone by the 3rd inning. Tack on some injury issues to boot and you have a guy who is constantly riding the fantasy bus between active roster and waiver fodder. Let someone else deal with his unpredictable nature.

Suggested FAAB bid - $8

Miguel Castro, RP, Toronto

The Brett Cecil Experiment seems to be over before it started. But, honestly, the goals and plans of the Blue Jays' bench are up in the air. Castro stunned everyone in spring training, pitching beyond his 20 years. He throws hard, harder, and hardest, touching 100 mph, on occasion. Such a simplistic approach can be effective for a while, but he must add movement to all that heat if he's going to succeed. For now, he's an expensive and very unproven bid. He's the kind of player that can win you a season if he succeeds. Bust potential is absolutely there, but since Toronto has so few options beyond him, I'd say go for it, live a little!

Suggested FAAB bid - $20

Odrismer Despaigne, SP, San Diego

Ian Kennedy is down for at least 15 days following a hamstring injury in his first appearance of the year. Despaigne is the next man up, but only for the time-being. All word out of San Diego is that Kennedy is going to miss just 2-3 turns in the rotation. Despaigne doesn't have an elite or even above-average pitch in his arsenal, so he's an unexciting play, as is. Just about the only interest I would show in the guy is if he were set for Petco start, in a head-to-head with a light-hitting opposition. Even then, you'd be lucky to get five strikeouts in six innings of work. There's too little upside here.

Suggested FAAB bid - $2

Jeurys Familia, RP, NY Mets

Bobby Parnell is still rehabbing and aiming to return in early-May. Jenrry Mejia was effective in the 9th over the final months of 2014, but his 2015 started with an achy elbow that turned his Opening Day bullpen warm-up into a DL audition. New York didn't pause at all and sent Mejia there. Familia is the new guy. His fastball-slider combo will always play and he has the chance to get some run here. I still think that Parnell is an iffy bet for effectiveness and health. Plus, it's a loooonnnnggg season. Stashing Familia even after Parnell's return would be worthwhile. As a wild card pick, I'd take a shot on Familia becoming '2015's Outta of Nowhere for 30 Saves'-guy.

Suggested FAAB bid - $8

Jason Grilli, RP, Atlanta

Here's the jewel of the week. When the news broke last Sunday that Craig Kimbrel was headed west, a portion of leagues had either already run their waiver period or they were not scheduled for a run until after the season started. That means Grilli is heavily sought-after this weekend. With a history of closing games (33 close-up's with Pittsburgh in '13), the old right-hander is in a perfect spot with the Braves. Do understand that with the way Atlanta is gearing towards the future, Grilli could easily be flipped in a deadline deal mid-summer. But, that's something to worry about then. Until that point (if it even comes about), you have to bid with the feeling that you could get 20 saves in the next three months. For those who made the draft day claim of 'I'll just grab someone in April,' here's your guy.

Suggested FAAB bid (for those who need a closer) - $30

Justin Masterson, SP, Boston

This other Boston righty becomes particularly interesting because of his 2-start week coming up. As with Buchholz, his first effort of the new year came against Philadelphia. For all intents and purposes, Masterson was just 'OK,' as he started strong before allowing some damage in his 6th inning of work. The top attraction is the ability to rack up some K's (remember, he had 195 of those in just 193 innings, two years ago) and he toppled the Phillies for seven. The week to come features a pair of home matchups - one versus Washington and the other a Fenway tilt with Baltimore. Those are shaky head-to-head's, for now, although the weakened Nationals lineup can be had. I'd like to see a run of three to four starts before buying in on Masterson.

Suggested FAAB bid - $4

Edinson Volquez, SP, Kansas City

Volquez is mostly 'just a guy.' But, he's also the guy who plastered up eight effective innings in his first appearance against Chicago last week. His career has veered from strong to lost at sea and often, it seems that his attitude and dispensation has as much to do with succeeding as anything else. In Pittsburgh, they found the key to unlock the door and they discovered a way to manage him through a season. He's the typical pitcher that KC loves to slot in their back-half of the rotation ... he can eat some innings and he can keep the opposition under four runs. He used to rack up some strikeouts, but that number has dissipated in the past two years (7.0). He's low piece of fruit for a fantasy owner who's dealing with an ugly staff or a run of injuries.

Suggested FAAB bid - $4

You can hear Kyle each weeknight on 'The SiriusXM Fantasy Drive' from 7-10 ET, Sirius 210, XM 87.

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