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Week 23 Waiver Wire Pickups: Outfield

Welcome to the Back From The Dead edition of Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups. We are officially in the fantasy baseball playoffs. While there are a slew of interesting prospects being called up this month that may potentially help championship-bound fantasy squads, there are plenty of veterans in the midst of shocking comebacks at the moment.

Just when you thought they were out, they get pulled back in. All of the guys on this list are must-own assets moving forward and their ownership generally reflects that. Many of them may already be owned in your league. But if any of them, I repeat, any of them are available in your league, it's time to take the plunge and pick up these sluggers without hesitation. Now let's examine some of these baseball zombies.

Editor's Note: RotoBaller offers the best Premium MLB Subscription - only $14.99 for the rest of season (plus playoffs), or less than 25 cents a day. All the tools you need to help win your seasonal and daily leagues: daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids. Plus advanced tools for Hitter & Pitcher Streamers, Matchup Ratings, and Under-the-Radar Surgers for AVG, HR, Ks, plus

 

Week 23 Outfield Targets

Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins

Owned in 35% of Fleaflicker Leagues

OK, who else forgot this guy even existed? After two injury-plagued and horribly unproductive Major League stints to begin his career, Byron Buxton is back at it again. The young phenom, who was a top prospect back in 2015 and 2014, was called up with the expanded September rosters and has been swinging a hot bat since his arrival. Specifically, he's gone 10-for-22 with three homers and nine RBI, which is promising considering his past MLB struggles. Buxton's Triple-A numbers are also very encouraging this year, as he's gone .305/.359/.568 in 49 games. Will this be the month that the rookie finally figures things out in the big leagues? Time will tell, but don't wait too long on it. He has the potential to be one of the most productive outfielders in the game once he can get the MLB experience under his belt. If he hits anywhere near Brian Dozier in the Twins lineup, his counting stats should be just fine.

Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers

Owned in 41% of Fleaflicker Leagues

Look who's back. It's Yasiel Puig! Instead of continuing his ferocious downward spiral into oblivion, the embattled Cuban slugger completely rebounded at Triple-A Oklahoma City. In two levels of the minors, Puig slashed a tremendous .358/.422/.605 with five long balls and 14 RBI in just 24 games. That was evidence enough for the Dodgers to look past his well-published record of clubhouse disruption and bring the outfielder back to the big leagues for the final push. When Puig is seeing the ball well, he is one of the most valuable outfielders in the game, making him an automatic waiver wire pickup in all leagues. Seriously, pick this guy up immediately. Now, there is a downside. The Dodgers plan to use Puig against mainly left-handed pitching and platoon him in right field with Josh Reddick. Even still, he's worth owning and stashing on your bench. Since being recalled, he's 3-for-7 with a three-run homer.

Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins

Owned in 77% of Fleaflicker Leagues

I know, the ownership is far too high to include in a waiver wire article. In all likelihood, the surprise news of Giancarlo Stanton's sudden activation from the DL led to an all out stampede of waiver claims in your league. After all, it's no secret that Stanton is an MVP-caliber baseball monster who should be unequivocally owned for as long as he is able to walk onto a baseball field. However, there is a catch. Stanton surpassed a few steps of the rehab process. As a result, it appears that he will be used mainly in pinch hit situations. But that's just for the time being. As the month progresses and the rehab progresses, Stanton will undoubtedly enter into a starting role by season's end. If your team is in the playoffs right now, there is no reason to leave this guy on the wire. If your league mates still haven't heard the news of his activation, take advantage now. He's already 1-for-1.

Carlos Gomez, Texas Rangers

Owned in 21% of Fleaflicker Leagues

Of all the zombies on this list, Gomez may be the zombiest. After being left for dead by the Houston Astros, Gomez has somewhat rebounded with the Rangers. Well, he's still batting .200 in 45 at bats. But things are starting to come together. In the past week, he's gone 6-for-20 (.300/.462/.550) with a dinger, five RBI and three stolen bases. Now that's the CarGo we all know and love. With Carlos Beltran occupying the DH spot, Gomez figures to be an everyday starter so long as he's able to continue producing at the dish. On a loaded Rangers roster, Gomez will have plenty of chances to drive in runs and cross the plate himself (especially when he's able to swipe bases effectively). Of course, anything after this point will be too little too late for a disastrous 2016 campaign. Still, he may redeem himself for fantasy owners who need that one little push to help them cross the finish line in the 2016 playoffs.

More Options: Ender Inciarte (56%), Michael Saunders (49%), Randal Grichuk (42%), Curtis Granderson (41%), Jayson Werth (37%), Jose Peraza (21%), Chris Owings (16%), Scott Schebler (13%), Jarrod Dyson (12%), Jefry Marte (10%)

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jose Altuve

Won't Participate in World Baseball Classic
Harrison Bader

Agrees With Giants on Two-Year Deal
Paddy Pimblett

Drops Decision
Justin Gaethje

Becomes the New Interim-Lightweight Champion
Song Yadong

Suffers Unanimous Decision Loss
MMA

Sean O'Malley Gets Back In The Win Column
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Extends His Win Streak
Derrick Lewis

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
Nathan Eovaldi

Doesn't Expect Any Limitations in Spring Training
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win
Scott Wedgewood

Activated From Non-Roster List
Nikita Zadorov

Questionable for Monday
Stephen Halliday

Injured Sunday
Jack St. Ivany

Exits With Upper-Body Injury Sunday
Brock Boeser

Takes Hit to the Head
Evgeni Malkin

Suffers Apparent Injury in Sunday's Win
Sam Merrill

Still Uncertain to Play Monday
Deni Avdija

Could Miss Second Straight Game Monday
Zaccharie Risacher

Misses Ninth Straight Game Monday
Kristaps Porzingis

Still Out Monday Against Pacers
Austin Reaves

Not Ready to Return Monday
Kris Dunn

Exits Early Sunday with Ankle Injury
Cason Wallace

Sidelined Midgame by Groin Issue
Paul George

Resting Versus Charlotte
Joel Embiid

Won't Play on Monday Night
Kawhi Leonard

Will Face Brooklyn on Sunday
Norman Powell

is Cleared for Sunday's Contest
Kasparas Jakucionis

Upgraded to Available
Jalen Green

is Ruled Out for Sunday's Game
Aaron Wiggins

to Suit up on Sunday
Jose Alvarado

is Making his Return on Sunday
Trey Murphy III

is Available for Sunday's Game
Ja'Kobe Walter

is Returning on Sunday
Immanuel Quickley

is Cleared for Sunday's Game
Norman Powell

is Upgraded to Probable on Sunday
Davion Mitchell

is Downgraded to Out
Philipp Kurashev

Joins Sharks for Road Trip
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Placed on Injured Reserve
William Nylander

Doesn't Have Timeline for Return
Teuvo Teravainen

Remains Out Sunday
David Kampf

Scratched on Sunday
Kris Letang

Expected to Return Sunday
Linus Ullmark

Dresses as Backup Sunday
Matthew Stafford

Plans to Return in 2026
Jonathan Kuminga

is Dealing with Bone Bruise
CFB

Arthur Smith to Become Ohio State's Offensive Coordinator
Bo Nix

Sidelined for 12 Weeks With Broken Ankle
Jose Altuve

to Mainly Play Second Base
Nicolas Hague

Out Week-to-Week
Yu Darvish

Considering Retirement
Simon Edvinsson

Misses Second Straight Game
Alexandre Texier

Cleared for Original Six Matchup
Anze Kopitar

Still Out Saturday
Drew Doughty

Set to Rejoin Kings Lineup Saturday
Matt Boldy

Expected to Return Saturday Night
Brad Marchand

Available Saturday
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Finalizing Deal to Make Mike McCarthy Their Head Coach
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Signs Seven-Year Extension With Guardians
Gunnar Henderson

is Fully Healthy Heading into Spring Training
Bo Horvat

Rejoining Islanders Lineup Saturday
Tyreek Hill

Dolphins Expected to Release Tyreek Hill
Paddy Pimblett

Set For Interim Lightweight Title Fight
Justin Gaethje

An Underdog At UFC 324
Song Yadong

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Sean O'Malley Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Derrick Lewis

Returns At UFC 324
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Philip Rivers

Interviewing for Bills Head-Coaching Job
NFL

Fernando Mendoza Officially Declares for NFL Draft
CFB

Arch Manning Undergoes Foot Surgery
Dalton Kincaid

Played Through Torn PCL
CFB

College Football Playoff Expected to Remain a 12-Team Field in 2026
Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Hire Jesse Minter as Their Head Coach
Indianapolis Colts

FBI Investigating the Death of Colts Owner Jim Irsay
MacKenzie Gore

Rangers Acquire MacKenzie Gore From the Nationals
Brandon Sproat

Dealt to Brewers in Four-Player Trade
Jett Williams

Brewers Acquire Jett Williams From Mets
Freddy Peralta

Mets Acquire Freddy Peralta From Brewers
Kyle Tucker

Expected to Bat Second or Third in Dodgers' Lineup
Brandon Aiyuk

has "Played his Last Snap as a Niner"
Cody Bellinger

Signs Five-Year, $162.5 Million Contract With Yankees
Adam Scott

Looks to Overcome Putting Woes at American Express
Billy Horschel

Looking to Rebound at The American Express
Josh Allen

Might Need Foot Surgery
Russell Henley

Looks to Build on Strong Start at The American Express
Jason Day

Looking to Start 2026 Strong at The American Express
Wyndham Clark

Looking to Regain Form at The American Express
Sam Burns

Looks to Continue Success at The American Express
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at The American Express
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looking to Build on Strong Fall in Season Debut
Kurt Kitayama

Hopes To Continue Strong Start to 2026 Season at American Express
CFB

Princewill Umanmielen Expected to Sign with LSU
Scottie Scheffler

Returns To American Express After Missing Last Year's Edition
Robert MacIntyre

Keeps Momentum Rolling Heading Into American Express
Brian Harman

Can Challenge at American Express if His Putter Stays Hot
Ben Griffin

Outstanding Form Continues Heading Into American Express
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Playing Well Following Outstanding Finish to 2025 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Get a Jump Start on His 2026 Season
Blades Brown

Set to Make First PGA Tour Appearance of 2026
Kevin Roy

Has Some Confidence Heading to Southern California
Min Woo Lee

Poised to Make Bigger Impact in 2026
Max Homa

Needs a Better Start for 2026
Tony Finau

Trying to Reverse Disturbing Trend
Cam Davis

Aims for More Accuracy at American Express
Luisangel Acuña

Luisangel Acuna Sent to White Sox in Trade
Luis Robert Jr.

Mets Acquire Luis Robert Jr. from White Sox
Los Angeles Chargers

Mike McDaniel Expected to Become Chargers Offensive Coordinator
Carlos Beltran

Andruw Jones Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

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