The Wire Troll: Wade Miley Sent to B-More
Wade Miley is pitching better — just in time to be traded. (Sportsinformationtraders.com)
Welcome back to another week of Fantasy baseball waiver wire picks. Apologies for missing last week’s column, but we were in Spain celebrating a special birthday. Not to worry, though; we are back in full force now.
This week, the Yankees continued to look towards the future by peddling Andrew Miller; Jonathan Lucroy put the kibosh on a proposed deal that would have made him an Indian; and Trevor Story is dealing with a jammed thumb for the Rox.
And now to this week’s picks…
Wade Miley, SP, Baltimore Orioles (ESPN: 4.5 per cent; CBS: 18 per cent): Moments before we went to press, Baltimore just traded for Miley, and after he brought a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Cubs on Saturday, his trade value was definitely on the rise. It’s been a tough year for the veteran southpaw as his ERA is at its highest level yet — despite a WHIP that’s at its lowest point since 2013. Even when he gets an out, it’s sometimes it’s a ball hit pretty damned hard (see video below). But after seemingly bottoming out in June, Miley turned the corner this month with a 3.45 ERA over five starts. Just beware that a move to a tougher pitcher’s park in B-More could hurt him.
Leonys Martin, OF, Seattle Mariners (ESPN: 11.2 per cent; CBS: 33 per cent): Despite missing some time earlier this season, Martin has already topped double digits in both homers and steals. He’s not going to hit for a high average (and his BABIP is about normal for him, so don’t expect any relief there), but with a .325 wOBA, he’s enjoying his finest season yet and is certainly hitting much better this year than he did in his final campaign with Texas in 2015.
Edwin Diaz, RP, Seattle Mariners (ESPN: 10.4 per cent: CBS: 13 per cent): Still on our Seattle theme, have you noticed Diaz’s K rate? Um, 17.5/9. What??? Toss in a 1.90 ERA and plenty of holds and you’ve got yourself a very appealing setup man for Fantasy purposes.
Jake Barrett, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks (ESPN: 2.1 per cent; CBS: 9 per cent): Long considered the closer of the future in Arizona, Barrett is finally getting his shot to earn saves with Tyler Clippard struggling. Barrett is enjoying a superb rookie campaign, although the home runs have been a bit of a concern. Seeking saves? Here’s a very inexpensive option with upside potential.
Adalberto Mejia, SP, Minnesota Twins (ESPN: NA; CBS: 2 per cent): Mejia was sent to the Twins last week for Eduardo Nunez and arriving in the Minnesota organization should expedite the youngster’s timeline for landing in the bigs. Mejia’s been a splendid control pitcher over his career, and he’s regularly been among the Giants top 15 or 10 prospects over the past few years. He began the season at Double-A and earned a promotion after showing he was an unhittable workhorse. His ERA — not surprisingly — has soared in the PCL. Still, Mejia could very well factor into the Twins’ plans down the stretch so keep an eye on him — especially in keeper leagues.
Chase Headley, 3B, New York Yankees (ESPN: 2.9 per cent; CBS: 12 per cent): Headley hasn’t exactly returned to form since coming to the Yankees in mid-2014, but fortunately for him, the team does not really have any internal solutions — especially since dealing Eric Jagielo for Aroldis Chapman. However, Headley is enjoying a better campaign this year, having already nearly matched his 2015 home run output. He’s picking up the pace lately, with hits in five of six, including three multi-hit efforts to cap his finest month of the season (.284/.341/.514, with five homers and 15 runs).
Tim Beckham, SS, Tampa Bay Rays (0.4 per cent; CBS: 1 per cent): Tampa Bay’s first round pick from 2008 finally seems to be settling in as a big leaguer after playing 664 games in the minors. His six-game hit streak (which included a five-hit effort a week and a half ago) was snapped on Sunday, but he still managed to drive in a run. Beckham’s been flashing some power lately, but the strikeouts continue to be a major issue and that will need to be addressed before he becomes a fixture.
Others to Consider
Tony Watson, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates (26.9 per cent; CBS: 40 per cent): The Pirates’ ninth rounder in 2007 is going to get a chance to close now that Mark Melancon has been shipped to Washington.
Greg Garcia, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals (ESPN: 0.6 per cent; CBS: 1 per cent): We recommended Garcia in June last year, but he never really saw enough action to prove his value. Now that Aledmys Diaz is hurting, Garcia will get a chance to play more, making him an interesting short-term option.
Jordan Lyles, RP, Colorado Rockies (ESPN: 0.1 per cent; CBS: 1 per cent): Since Lyles has come back to the bigs, he’s pitched exclusively out of the bullpen, but sure has looked sharp. He put up a 0.84 ERA with two wins and a save in July. Could Lyles get another look in the rotation?
Jedd Gyorko, 2B/1B/3B/SS, St. Louis Cardinals (ESPN: 34.6 per cent; CBS: 35 per cent): Gyorko is excelling as a super sub, currently just four runs back of his entire 2015 output — in 235 fewer plate appearances. He’s enjoying a career year and deserves plenty of PT down the stretch.
Bryan Shaw, RP, Cleveland Indians (ESPN: 1.3 per cent; CBS: 2 per cent): One of the more dependable options in the Tribe pen, Shaw has been flawless for six weeks except for one meltdown. His ERA is at its highest ever this year, but he remains a workhorse that will get you Ks and holds.
Now it’s your turn. Let us know in the comments below who your favourite Fantasy baseball waiver wire pick of the week is.
