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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

Zach LaVine

Will Not Play Tuesday in New York
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return
Bilal Coulibaly

Ready to Return to Action Against Portland
Deni Avdija

Draws Another Questionable Tag on Tuesday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Will Not Play Tuesday Against Clippers
Lauri Markkanen

Available Tuesday Night
Will Zalatoris

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Farmers Insurance Open
Adam Scott

Can Continue Hot Start to 2026 Season at Farmers Insurance Open
Keith Mitchell

Hoping For a Strong Finish at Farmers Insurance Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Continue Strong Start at Farmers Insurance Open
Tom Hoge

Can Continue Hot Start to 2026 Season at Farmers Insurance Open
Harris English

Has a Chance to Repeat as Winner at the Farmers Insurance Open
Patrick Cantlay

Continues Playing Well and Can Compete at Farmers Insurance Open
Ludvig Aberg

Looks to Bounce Back After Withdrawing at American Express
Drake Maye

Expected to be Fine for Super Bowl
Xander Schauffele

is The Best Fit at Torrey Pines This Week
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Brian Daboll as New Offensive Coordinator
Justin Rose

Making 16th Start at Farmers Insurance Open
Maverick McNealy

is a Smart Play at Torrey Pines
Buffalo Bills

Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach
Brooks Koepka

Making PGA Tour Return at Farmers Insurance Open
CFB

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Signs with Michigan
Teuvo Teravainen

Set to Return Tuesday
CFB

Darian Mensah Reaches Settlement with Duke, Expected to Land at Miami
Simon Edvinsson

Out Until Olympics
Josh Norris

Won't Play This Week
Zeev Buium

Lands on Injured Reserve
Brock Boeser

Canucks Place Brock Boeser on Injured Reserve
Sean Durzi

Hurt on Monday Night
Lauri Markkanen

Expected to Return Tuesday
Keyonte George

Resting Tuesday
Malik Monk

Tagged as Questionable for Tuesday
Zach LaVine

Iffy for Tuesday's Action
Kawhi Leonard

Questionable Tuesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Without Timetable for Return
Devin Booker

Unavailable This Week
Anthony Edwards

Won't Play on Monday Night
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Not Expected to Play on Tuesday Night
Jalen Green

Questionable to Suit Up on Tuesday
Santi Aldama

Back in Action on Monday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Not Drawing Interest on Open Market?
Tre Jones

Sidelined Versus Lakers
Jonas Brodin

to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Sam Merrill

Won't Play Monday
Kasperi Kapanen

Returns From Three-Game Absence Monday
Lawson Crouse

Available Against Lightning
Draymond Green

Considered Questionable for Monday
Carson Soucy

Won't Play Monday
Rasmus Ristolainen

Returns to Flyers Lineup
Al Horford

Ruled Out for Monday's Matchup with Minnesota
Ryan Pulock

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Shedeur Sanders

Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
Stephen Curry

Questionable on Monday
Simon Holmstrom

a Game-Time Call Monday
Framber Valdez

Among Many High-End Pitchers on Free-Agent Market
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
Philipp Kurashev

Joins Sharks for Road Trip
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Placed on Injured Reserve
Matthew Stafford

Plans to Return in 2026
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
Yu Darvish

Considering Retirement
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
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

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