Every Tuesday of the MLB season, I’ll take a look at some of the best waiver wire options that are generally owned in less than 50 per cent of fantasy leagues. Plus a bonus Blue Jays player.
This week, we turn our attention to a couple of Mets and a speedster in Texas. Enjoy!
SP – David Peterson, New York Mets
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost – 1 point
Yahoo! Leagues – 21% owned
Reliable may be the best word to describe David Peterson at this point in 2020. The Mets lefty has won three of four starts with a sub-three ERA and has pitched at least five innings in each appearance. The strikeouts won’t blow you away, but he has also only allowed two homers and he keeps run totals down.
Keep an eye on a shoulder tightness issue that was bothering Peterson back on Aug. 13th. Roll him out in season leagues and DFS contests if healthy.
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Catcher – Pedro Severino, Baltimore Orioles
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost – 2 points
Yahoo! Leagues – 49% owned
The most added catcher this weekend was Baltimore’s Pedro Severino by a long shot. It looks like the majority of backstop duties have landed on the 27-year-old Dominican’s shoulders as teammate Chance Sisco is seeing more time at DH.
Severino’s been slugging for power, RBIs, average and even a stolen base as he’s currently ranked in the mid-80s for all of fantasy baseball. His ownership continues to steadily rise, so if you’re in need of a backstop don’t wait.
1B / OF – Dominic Smith, New York Mets
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost – 1 point
Yahoo! Leagues – 49% owned
Back to New York here with Dominic Smith. First base and outfield eligibility strengthen the argument to get this red-hot batter into your fantasy lineup. Smith’s ownership has increased nearly 30 per cent over the past couple of days and it’s easy to see why. As of Sunday he’s hit safely in eight of his last ten games, and during that stretch clobbered five home runs as well as driving in 11-runs.
I can’t think of a reason to not scoop up this Met.
2B / 3B / OF – Nick Solak, Texas Rangers
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost – 1 point
Yahoo! Leagues – 37% owned
I’m a sucker for triple-eligibility players, and that makes Nick Solak a smart acquisition. The versatile utility man contributes nicely to the steals category, swiping three bags in as many attempts. Up until Aug. 16th he had hit safely in six of seven games with multi-hit efforts in four of those.
Solak won’t give you power numbers, but he will deliver average, and seems to be settling in on a more regular basis at second base.
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SS / 2B / OF – Chris Taylor, L.A. Dodgers
Sportsnet Fantasy Baseball Pool Cost – 2 points
Yahoo! Leagues – 30% owned
Chris Taylor provides shortstop help along with second base and outfield depth. This multi-tool Dodger was a preseason fantasy darling a year ago and he never lived up to the breakout hype. Lowered expectations make Taylor a valuable swing-man waiver wire grab, especially in deeper leagues.
Over his career the 29-year old has flashed above average power, extra base knocks, and sprinkled in some stolen bases too. Since Taylor’s been on a decent stretch during the past week he might be worth a short-term add.
Blue Jays Player to Add
RP – Anthony Bass
If you’re in need of a closer and want a Blue Jay on the roster then Anthony Bass could be the reliever for you. Bass is 3-and-1 in save attempts since taking over from the injured Ken Giles and seems to have a lock on the job at the moment.
Back tightness made the right-hander unavailable on Sunday, but he pitched well Monday with a two-strikeout inning against Baltimore.
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