Although this is a waiver-targeted column, there is plenty of fantasy insight to be garnered from what we saw go down at MLB's trading deadline. Of course, the movement of big-name players opens up spots for unproven assets with the seller (some of those unproven guys are discussed below), but the buyer is also of interest to me.
Take Toronto. They haven't been to the postseason in over 20 years and their fan base is foaming at the mouth to get back into October. The franchise saw an opening to get there this season and went all-in. We all know what a crap shoot playoff baseball has become. Teams just want to make it ... even if they're the '10th best playoff team,' they have a decent shot at ending up in the World Series.
So, with that in mind, Toronto is making a run at it. I love it. Any time you have a chance, go for it. And, that goes for fantasy players, too. Get the title. Stop worrying about 2016 and beyond. Make the big trade. Flip a supposed future star. Worry about next year when next year comes around.
If you're still playing at this time of year, you're serious about fantasy baseball. Who knows when you may be this close again? As they say, flags fly forever, but just like the Blue Jays, you may have to sacrifice some of the long-term to reach the short-term mountain top. So, make those trades ... and, hit up that waiver wire, too!
(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
Rusney Castillo, OF, Boston
The Red Sox finally loosened the vice a bit on their jammed outfield when they sent Shane Victorino out West earlier this week. Alongside that move came a call-up for Castillo. He'd been down in Pawtucket for a little over a month since flaming out with the big boys earlier this year. It's not as if he found renewed hope and skill at Triple-A, but he did stabilize what had looked like a free fall. The Sox should play him in right-field every day moving forward and it's not impossible for Castillo to emerge as a solid average-solid power combo over the final two months. The bloom has worn off from what many were expecting back in March, but Castillo is still a decent shot at being a top 50 OF the rest of the way.
Suggested FAAB bid - $8
Wellington Castillo, C, Arizona
Back-to-back Castillo's??! We've broken fresh ground here at the 'Waiver Targets' column! Speaking of breaking fresh ground ... check out this Castillo's past week. In only three games (which is part of the issue), Castillo has slammed four home runs with six total hits. That damage has led to five RBIs and six runs scored, as well. He's nothing, but a veteran presence behind the plate, though, and even his run of hitting won't earn him much more playing time with the D'Backs. In a two-catcher league, you're more than welcome to cycle his way, but Castillo is a total placeholder who you only chase during the random hot streak.
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
Tyler Collins, OF, Detroit
Kudos to Detroit for coming to their senses and admitting defeat for 2015. They may have wanted to add talent at the deadline, but they quickly learned that they had close-to-zero minor league talent to make any kind of move. So, that meant it was time to flip. Both David Price and Yoenis Cespedes brought back prospects for the future, but in the present, the Tigers will have to claw their way to the finish line with a dimming crew of players. Collins will get a shot at filling Cespedes' shoes in left-field, but don't get too excited. He's a left-handed swinging minor league vet who will run into one every once in a while, but even if he found his way to eight or so shots over the wall, he'd likely do it with a .220-ish average. He'll be buried in the Detroit lineup, won't play against southpaws, and won't provide more than two columns of fantasy help.
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
Aaron Hicks, OF, Minnesota
Byron Buxton is once again taking his sweet time coming back from injury and the still on-going rehab process has allowed Hicks to re-showcase some of what once got execs and fans excited. After another big effort on Friday (three hits, a homer, and a walk), Hicks is one of the hottest hitters in baseball with five consecutive multi-hit games. He's also getting some chances in the upper-end of the Twins' order and figures to stay there for the immediate future. You can get an above-average batting mark, some thefts, and some RBI/runs production because of his spot in the order. Buxton is probably about two weeks away, but if Hicks keeps producing, don't be shocked if the Twins keep Buxton in the minors for some much-needed seasoning. I like Hicks as a 4th OF for the remainder of the season.
Suggested FAAB bid - $6
Tyler Holt, OF, Cleveland
David Murphy joined the traveling band of washed-up mediocrity in the Angels' outfield and it opened up a slot for Holt. Unfortunately, that slot is a back-up outfield in left, center, and right. He could be that 'sparkplug'-type player that we so often here about, but there's nothing long-term - or, even short-term - that excites. He may just be Shane Robinson, Part II ... and, Part I was a forgotten box office afterthought.
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
Marcell Ozuna, OF, Miami
As we proceeded through the week and were slayed with rumor-after-rumor, Ozuna's name popped up a few times. Teams were dumpster diving to see if the Marlins were sooooo disappointed in Ozuna's season that they would hand him off for a song. Correctly, Miami said 'no' to the overtures. Ozuna is still just 24 (!) and since his demotion, he's been absolutely raking at Triple-A. His first 80 at-bats have yielded a slash line of .325/.372/.575, including four homers and eight doubles. Confidence is building and a call-up is coming soon. I mean, seriously, right now the Fish are running out Ichiro, Don Kelly, and Cole Gillespie in their outfield, for goodness sakes! Snag Ozuna on the cheap.
Suggested FAAB bid - $5
Juan Uribe, 3B, NY Mets
Uribe shows true signs of becoming the classic deadline addition that no one talks about, but who goes on to be a key reason for a team landing in October. He's a vet who's proven to come up in big moments, he's got a job waiting for him, and he's been granted a heart-of-the-order batting slot with the Mets. Don't be shocked if he goes off for a couple of weeks. His early returns in Flushing have been all good and you could get a nifty homerun/RBI-return on a cheap investment.
Suggested FAAB bid - $4
Pitchers
Kevin Gausman, SP, Baltimore
The Orioles received call after call concerning Gausman, but refused to part with him in a big deal that could have netted the likes of Justin Upton or Jay Bruce. So, maybe now, the team will finally just leave him alone and let him pitch every five days?! Gausman has been punished by inconsistent messages from the coaching staff and that has muted his development and clouded his fantasy value. He's coming off 7.2 shutout innings against Atlanta and is due another start this evening versus Detroit. That's still a decent challenge for an opposing hurler, so pay close attention. I'm a big believer in his talent and if you could guarantee Gausman a spot in the rotation for the remainder of the campaign, I'd be all in on making him a bench addition. A good to above-average showing versus the Tigers should strengthen the O's belief in him and should also strengthen you bid.
Suggested FAAB bid - $4
Edward Mujica, RP, Oakland
First things, first ... the A's have a nearly a half-dozen options for their 9th inning. That's mostly because they have, well, very few options who look the part. The closet that anyone comes to the image of a closer is Mujica. On Friday, the veteran came in to put out some trouble in the 8th inning and after succeeding there, he coughed up the game in the 9th. That hiccup could be enough for Oakland to say, "OK, let's give another guy a shot. What do we have to lose?" That's, literally, how loose the team is playing it with their 9th. They're mostly just tossing a bunch of things against the wall and seeing what sticks. It's not a situation I want to be a part of, but if you're inclined to do some bidding, give an equal bid to all Oakland contenders ... Drew Pomeranz, Fernando Abad, Evan Scribner, etc. ...
Suggested FAAB bid - $3
Bruce Rondon, RP, Detroit
Rondon's situation is a lot Mujica's. He's perhaps the best bet for some 9th inning shots in Detroit, but one bad vomit and he may be totally on the outs. The Tigers don't have many other options as Neftali Feliz has been one bad outing after another. Rondon has the arm (10.6 K/9 over the course of 46 career appearances) and has been whispered as a 'future closer' for some time. In his first trip to the hill since the Joakim Soria trade, Rondon came into the 8th inning of a one-run deficit and held form with a perfect 1-2-3 run against Tampa. He's worth a last-gasp shot for those searching out saves at this late juncture.
Suggested FAAB bid - $5
Luis Severino, SP, NY Yankees
In an effort to soothe the pain of disappointed Pinstripe fans everywhere after a quiet deadline, New York announced on Friday that their top prospect was heading up to the bigs. CC Sabathia has been terrible, Michael Pineda is now injured on the DL-shelf, and Masahiro Tanaka has been less-than-expected (although still solid). The scene is now set for Severino to jump in and save the day. He had little more to accomplish in the minors. In his 11 Triple-A starts, he'd come up with seven wins, no losses, a sub-2 ERA, and a WHIP well-under 1 (and, in a truly amazing number, he's allowed just eight homers in 320+ innings of minor league work!). The righty is not an A+ prospect, but he is a good one. His fastball is the calling card, but his secondary pitch, the change-up, is still a work in progress. And, eventually, the Yanks would even tell you he's probably headed to the 8th or 9th inning. Dart throws are just that, but with such a big arm and with such a big need in the New York rotation, Severino is a dart throw I'd power up for. He'll make his debut next Thursday.
Suggested FAAB bid - $12 ... or, all of what you have left if you're pitching-hungry
You can hear Kyle each weeknight on 'The SiriusXM Fantasy Drive' from 7-10 ET, Sirius 210, XM 87.
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