RADIO
Hunting for values and sleepers on the waiver wire is one of the most fun, and most challenging, parts of any fantasy baseball season. It can also make or break your teams.
This can be especially true at the infield corners - an area where the stars are readily scooped up, and finding a low cost alternative can often be difficult.
Here at RotoBaller, we're always looking for ways to help our readers succeed in all aspects of the game. With that aim in mind, each week I'll be bringing you my recommendations for which 1B and 3B options should be on your fantasy baseball waiver wire radars. Let's get started.
Top First Base Waiver Wire Option
Stephen Vogt - 1B/OF/C, OAK
ESPN: 5.6% owned, Yahoo: 41% owned, Fleaflicker: 21% owned
The difference in Vogt's ownership numbers between ESPN, Yahoo and Fleaflicker leagues is likely due to the fact that he's already catcher eligible in the latter two. Assuming continued health and playing time, he'll quickly earn that status in all leagues, adding a nice boost to his value. Even as a pure first baseman though, he's still an interesting ticket for waiver wire hunters.
He batted .358/.388/.532 through the first half of 2014 before an unfortunate foot injury knocked him off pace. Granted, no one expects him to approach that kind of production again this year. When paired with his white hot start to this season, it does make him difficult to pass by though. At worst, Vogt is a soon-to-be catcher eligible streak hitter living the good life right now. People have won fantasy leagues with much less.
Other 1B Notables
Mark Teixeira - 1B, NYY
ESPN: 46.6% owned, Yahoo: 82% owned, Fleaflicker: 22% owned
While his bat was conspicuously quiet in the season opener, Mark Teixeira could offer a cheap source of power if you're looking to scoop up a new 1st baseman. Yahoo fantasy owners seem to have caught on to his value already, but there's still a chance for our ESPN friends out there.
Well into his decline years, you'll need to be certain you can stomach the batting average risk if you choose to roster Teixeira. He hasn't hit above .260 since 2009 and turned in a putrid .216 batting average last season. He does have power, however. In 508 plate appearances, he crushed 22 home runs last year. It's likely he'll be able to approach that number again this season. If he continues to bat cleanup, he could be a low cost source of RBIs and Runs as well. As bad as the Yankees may prove to be this season, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner are still very much quality players. Batting cleanup behind them is situation any power hitter would envy.
Top Third Base Waiver Wire Option
Brett Lawrie - 3B/2B, OAK
ESPN: 30.1% owned, Yahoo: 99% owned, Fleaflicker: 26% owned
Sorry Yahoo owners, Brett Lawrie is an ESPN only play it seems. To be perfect honest, I don't understand how Lawrie's ownership numbers can be as low as they are, considering the upside he offers. Health has obviously been the limiting factor for the 3rd baseman throughout this point in his career. He's only averaged 101 games played per year over the course of the last three seasons.
Considering he's flashed 20/20 potential through those seasons and still retains 2nd base eligibility, it's tough to explain why the 25 year old Oakland A isn't worth a bench spot. Lawrie is a must add player in all leagues as far as I'm concerned. At worst, he costs you nothing. At best, he could carry your team on his shoulders. That's the definition of waiver wire value right there.
Other 3B Notables
Chase Headley - 3B, NYY
ESPN: 36.6% owned, Yahoo: 97% owned, Fleaflicker: 41% owned
ESPN players seem to be having all the luck this week. Fantasy owners should be very glad that Chase Headley chose to resign with the New York Yankees. Yankee Stadium is an absolute heaven for power hitters. It ranks second, behind only Coors Field, for lefties and sixth for righties.
Headley's power surge in 2012 might seem like a long way away, but I'd be willing to spend a waiver wire pick for the rights to see whether Yankee Stadium can help bring back that aspect of his game. He has a surprising amount of speed for a 3rd baseman and his on-base skills should keep his batting average from sinking too much under .250.
Mike Moustakas - 3B, KC
ESPN: 15.3% owned, Yahoo: 4% owned, Fleaflicker: 52% owned
Mike Moustakas probably shouldn't be on the radar of standard league players. Considering how many of our readers enjoy the thrill of deeper leagues, however, I decided to add him to the list. His value is twofold: lineup position and cheap, cheap power. First, let's discuss his power. Given a full healthy season, Moustakas looks to be a 20-22 home run hitter. He's never approached that 160-162 game number though, so he's more likely someone in the 16-18 home run range. Ned Yost seems committed to Moustakas as his number two hitter in the lineup.
Provided he doesn't hit himself back to the minor leagues, he's likely to stick in that spot. The extra at-bats it'll afford him, as well as the boosted Run numbers most number two hitters enjoy, are a nice feather in the cap for Moustakas owners. Considering he's only 26 years old, there's still upside for much, much more than we've seen from Moustakas through this point in his career. For owners in deep leagues who're on the hunt for power, even today's version might be well good enough.
