So, have we found any true difference-makers in 2015?
Hitting-wise, the waiver wire has not provided many saviors. If you cycle around the infield, going position-by-position, you won't find a parade of great gets. At catcher, Caleb Joseph, is the best thing going, but he's set to ride the bench in about a month once Matt Wieters returns. Over at 1B, there's nothing that has emerged off the waiver wire. Moving to 2B, Devon Travis was an early revelation before fading and now coming up injured. Danny Espinosa has offered some pop and every day play. Washington also offers Yunel Escobar over at SS and 3B. No one was in on him coming into April and he's rounded up a .320+ average with nearly 25 runs scored. Shortstop has been a mess this year. There is nothing mind-blowing, but overlooked guys have become worthy of attention with Brandon Crawford and Zack Cozart leading the way. Finally, the outfield has offered a few light pluses ... Ender Inciarte, Nori Aoki, Andre Ethier, and Josh Reddick.
As usual, pitching has been the place to be on the waiver wire. There have been a load of relievers to emerge thanks to the massive amount of turnover we see every season in the 9th inning. On the front end of the game, many starting pitchers have emerged from relative anonymity. The list includes Nick Martinez, Alfredo Simon, Aaron Harang, Tim Lincecum, and Chris Young. Still, there's nothing there that looks like an absolute score for the remainder of the season.
Perhaps, the best waiver find is still to be found? Maybe it's in the pile of players presented below.
(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
Brandon Barnes, OF, Colorado
Barnes arrival back in the big leagues comes as a surprise. Earlier in the week when Corey Dickerson landed on the DL, it was Drew Stubbs who appeared to be ticketed for starts and, thus, a spot in this column. But, even the terrible Rockies couldn't stomach an even worse Stubbs (six hits in 51 at-bats?!) as their everyday outfielder. Cue Barnes. Barnes is no spring chicken (29 years old), so let's understand that you're not taking aim at a hitter ticketed for success. He swings like crazy (more than 60% of the pitches that are - and, are not - thrown across the plate) which leads to whiffs and some hard hits. The great news is that each of the next 19 games are scheduled for a hitters' yard (Coors Field and trips to Cincinnati and Philadelphia), so maybe Barnes can run into a spurt of short-lived success.
Suggested FAAB bid - $2
Rusney Castillo, OF, Boston
The Red Sox have issues. Their pitching and hitting have both proven to be hugely unpredictable over the first quarter of the season. Castillo has been in-and-out of the lineup at Triple-A, but the franchise could no longer defend having a highly-paid offensive player riding buses up and down the East Coast, instead of helping the team at Fenway. Castillo was called up Friday, manned right-field, and was slotted in the 8-spot. He came up with a hit and a run in his first four at-bats of the year. Over the course of his three hitless trips, he showed off major league-ready power by driving a couple of fly balls deep. He should showcase a solid power-speed combo and I expect him to move up in the order with consistent playing time to follow (don't fear a constantly-hobbled, Shane Victorino). Double-digit steals and homers, with a decent average, should be in the cards for the summer.
Suggested FAAB bid - $23
Todd Cunningham, OF, Atlanta
Of all of the outfielders featured in this opening run, Cunningham is the least attractive. He presents good speed, but he's just not much of a hitter. Over the course of six minor league seasons and over 2,000 at-bats, Cunningham has a sub-.280 career average while never hitting more than eight home runs in a single campaign. He's currently being given a nod at playing time for the Braves, but only those in NL-only leagues should be slotting him onto the roster. You can get some thefts, but all else will be below-average.
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
David DeJesus, OF, Tampa Bay
Let me say it for you ... What in the hell is this guy doing here? Shouldn't he be on a studio show talking, not playing, baseball?! You're not too far off, but, as of now, DeJesus is doing a whole lot of nice things for the Rays. He's playing every day for Tampa and he's coming up with hit after hit. In fact, he's 20-for-48 since May 4th. Somehow, he's also clubbed three homers, doubled four times, and driven in 10. All of this, of course, comes with the mandatory 'unsustainable' mention, but this is the rare outfielder who brings a track record, plays nearly every day, and won't force you to get in a bidding war with anyone because, well, you know, he's David DeJesus.
Suggested FAAB bid - $3
Joey Gallo, 3B/OF, Texas
It is only late-May and it's already a challenge to name all the outfielders that the Rangers have given a shot to. Let's do the roll call ... Carlos Peguero (back in the minors), Kyle Blanks (injured again), Ryan Rua (injured), Jake Smolinski (ineffective, but back up from the minors). Thankfully, Delino DeShields, Jr., has held up well and helped to wallpaper further issues. All of this leads to Gallo. He's been knocking on the door of the major league roster for the past year. Obviously, third base is being manned by the eternal, Adrian Beltre, so the Rangers made a decision this week to start giving Gallo chances in the outfield. In his first 25 games at Double-A, Gallo has clubbed his way to an average over .320 with seven HRs and 25 RBIs. He'll likely need some seasoning at Triple-A, but the call-up is going to happen sometime before the All-Star break. Strike now before the bidding jumps with a news update.
Suggested FAAB bid - $8
Jose Ramirez, SS, Cleveland
Ramirez had a bit of juice behind his name coming into the season. He got squeezed dry in April. Ramirez struggled from the get-go and concluded April with an unsightly .175 batting mark. Three steals failed to prop him up and most every league saw him jettisoned to the waiver wire. May has been slightly better. He's lifted his average ever-so-slightly (now at .200!) and he's moving in on 10 steals (he has eight). Cleveland has been playing him most every night and within the past week we've seen him return to the number-2 spot in the batting order. If you're looking for SBs and runs and need a middle infielder to do it, Ramirez comes cheap. Recall that he also suffered through a brutal first 30-40 games to being last year before giving a nice finishing kick that featured an OK average and plenty of steals.
Suggested FAAB bid - $2
Pitchers
Daniel Norris, SP, Toronto
Late in the week, Toronto manager, John Gibbons, gave every indication that Norris was closing in on a return to the rotation. And, that was to be expected. After all, since being demoted to Buffalo, Norris had rolled to 20 Ks in 18 innings over three starts. Things looked golden. And, then Friday night happened. Pitching versus Toledo, Norris took 88 pitches to cover four innings, finishing with four walks, five hits, and three runs allowed. The lack of control and efficiency is something that has been a bugaboo for the lefty. Pump the brakes on the promotion.
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
Charlie Morton, SP, Pittsburgh
The Bucs have taken their sweet time in bringing Morton back into their rotation. Now, they've decided the time is right and Morton will jump back on the hump on Monday for a start against Miami. That does mean he's aligned for a 2-start week with the follow-up appearance coming at San Diego. The righty should be over his hip surgery and he showcased some fine numbers in his rehab with more than a K-per-inning over nearly 21 frames. He's never been a picture of sturdiness (never reaching 172 innings pitched in any of his first seven seasons) and has also been mocked by inconsistencies. Still, he offers a tempting, cheap, and easy 2-start grab for your rotation.
Suggested FAAB bid - $4
Wandy Rodriguez, SP, Texas
This former-Pirate (He was! Look it up!) is finding some success in Texas. Three of his last four starts have seen him go at least six innings with just one earned run allowed in each of those three. After some April issues with walks, he's calmed down to allow just five freebies against 21 Ks in just over 25 May innings. He's scheduled to do work at Cleveland before a home tilt with Boston. The Indians feature a load of left-handed hitting bats in their usual lineup and the Red Sox have been prone to stretches of futility. On paper, the two starts set-up well, but you should hesitate before going in. Rodriguez has gotten stung in both of his home starts this year and in my estimation, both the Tribe and Sox feature enough big names in their lineup to always create some level of anxiety.
Suggested FAAB bid - $2
Shawn Tolleson, RP, Texas
Texas has concerns that extend beyond the above discussion of their outfield. Their 9th inning has also been a land mine. Neftali Feliz has been removed from the closers' spot for the time being. Over the past three games, the Rangers have had save opportunities arise. Tolleson was the first man up and did secure two saves. It's worth noting that he gave up some very hard-hit balls, though, proving fairly lucky to escape the pair of outings without allowing a run to score. With Tolleson unavailable to pitch on a third straight night, Friday's save situation landed in the lap of Ross Ohlendorf and he wrapped up things against New York. Keone Kela is still another name to keep an eye on and, remember, Feliz is still hanging around. Tolleson has a power arm, but control can prove fleeting. He should continue to get the first crack and, as we've seen before, if he runs with the chance he could hold on all season. I still believe Feliz is back in this role by July and with so many other possible arms taking aim at the gig, it's difficult to recommend putting too much helium in your bid.
Suggest FAAB bid - $12
Tsuyoshi Wada, SP, Chicago
Here's one final two-start pitcher you can take a gander at. Wada returned to the Chicago rotation last week and knocked out 4.2 solid innings at San Diego. He's expected to get the call twice this week with home chances against Washington and Kansas City. I like Wada as a back-end streamer for the rest of '15, but I'm not fired up about these two particular starts. He's still finding his footing and his two opponents are too challenging at this early stage. Plus, who knows what the weather is going to do to his outlook. Wada, who is a fly ball pitcher, is not a guy you want to be locked into on a sunny day with the wind blowing out at Wrigley.
Suggested FAAB bid - $5 (but, I would not necessarily roll him out immediately this week)
You can hear Kyle each weeknight on 'The SiriusXM Fantasy Drive' from 7-10 ET, Sirius 210, XM 87.
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