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Managers can easily make decisions to affect their team positively, but often they're too hesitant, cautious, or even scared. Sometimes you have to make the hard choice to choose a player in the right circumstance to produce. These are the best players when we start streaming. We look at the matchups and other variables to put our team in the best position to succeed. That is the best we can do. There is no need to be scared about making these types of choices. No Fear, Just Fantasy.
Some outfielders would be better suited to stream for a hot bat. Others need to be replaced just because they are no longer on the field (IL). That is a situation that is affecting many owners, and there is nothing you can do except find a suitable replacement as quickly as possible or risk losing valuable counting stats. In this article, I’ll discuss waiver wire targets for the outfield in week 14. This week we cover a few guys that are on a little hot streak while a couple of other players have enticing matchups.
Even in the first few weeks, ownership can change quickly. Be quick to check your leagues for their availability. Key points - this list will focus on players who are owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. When you want to chat it up regarding outfielders, prospects, or dynasty leagues, message me directly on Twitter @EllisCan2.
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Outfield (OF) Waiver Wire Options
Brandon Dixon (1B/OF, DET) — 1% Owned
Brandon Dixon hasn’t been anything special recently, but at some point, you’ll start to need guys that get consistent playing time. Dixon provides that on a weakened Detroit Tigers offense. The hope is that he will rekindle the flame that brought a .333AVG in April and a .305AVG in May. Thus far he has 10HR on the year with 31 RBI. With a 45.6% fly ball rate, Dixon has shown the ability to contribute to the category.
This week he is lined up with a seven-game slate on the road against the White Sox before returning home to face the Red Sox. In all, he’ll face four right-handers and three lefties. While the series against Boston might be daunting, that shouldn’t stop you from playing him against the three righties in Chicago, if you can, against whom he is batting .248.
Bryan Reynolds (OF, PIT) — 37% Owned
Reynolds has been a pleasant surprise for Pirates fans. He is contributing mostly in the batting average category (.362), but six homers to go with a .422OBP that will allow him to accrue plenty of runs. That hasn’t changed over the last couple of weeks either as he has one tater and a .353 batting average.
He’ll enjoy a week of home cooking while hosting both the Cubs and Brewers. Reynolds will get the chance at seven games this week with six against righties and only one against a southpaw. That doesn’t affect him as he hits .364 and .358, respectively, against them. Reynolds is a solid option to hold the line. He’ll maintain a spot and won’t hurt you. He’ll offset a power hitter that might be a drain on your batting average.
Randal Grichuk (OF, TOR) — 22% Owned
Speaking of a low-average power guy, Grichuk is the perfect example of that guy. He's a power guy all the way. In the last two weeks though, in addition to the three bombs, he’s also been able to pull off a .288 average. We want Grickuk to keep this momentum going into the coming week with a game versus the Royals before hosting the Red Sox and Orioles. He is predominantly a lefty-crusher (.270AVG), and unfortunately, there are only two games against southpaws this week. However, the Orioles are known for handing out free long-distance calling cards so he should be considered in those games as well. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that he’s hitting .271 even against right-handers at home this year.
Adam Eaton (OF, WAS) — 45% Owned
At 30 years old, Eaton has become just a guy. He hasn’t hit double-digit homers and stole double-digit bases in a few years, primarily due to injuries. Eaton has the opportunity to reach that this year. If he does, it will just be barely as he has six homers and five stolen bases thus far to go with a .274 batting average. He’s poised to accumulate quite a few runs hitting in the top-third of the Nats batting order. Over the last two weeks, he’s tallied nine with a .310 batting average. This week, Eaton will host the Marlins and Royals. He only gets six games this week, and they’re all against right-handers. It is the weaker of the two splits for him, but he’s still hitting a serviceable .269 against them. If you need runs, which is still a category, you could do worse than Eaton at home.
Anthony Santander (OF, BAL) — 0% Owned
The Orioles offense has lacked quality options the entire year, which ultimately led to Santander getting an opportunity. He’s now getting regular at-bats and providing as well. In the last month, he’s hit five homers with 12RBI and a .288 average. He’s been solid at the plate with only a 15.4% strikeout rate to go with a .500 slugging. This week he’ll be on the road for a series in Tampa Bay before heading north to Toronto. He’ll face five right-handers and one lefty. Coincidentally enough, Santander is squaring up righties at a rate of a .340 average.
Leury Garcia (SS/OF, CWS) — 11% Owned
Garcia has been swinging the bat quite well the last couple of weeks to the tune of a .386 average. Over that time he’s got 10 runs, one homer, and a stolen base. It isn’t all roses with Garcia. It isn’t helping that he has a 38%Chase, 54%Ground-ball, and a12.3%Swinging Strike rates, but in deeper leagues, I’m willing to ride the positive tracks until they dry up. Garcia will also enjoy the pleasures of home-cooked meals and sleeping in his own bed this week, which accounts for something. The White Sox will host the Tigers and Cubs, allowing Garcia to face only one right-hander and five left-handers during the six-game slate. Garcia will be licking his chops because he has a .329 average against southpaws this year.
Avisail Garcia (OF, TB) — 32% Owned
Garcia was on a bit of a slump until a homer on Sunday, adding only two stolen bases and a .159 average over the last couple of weeks. The hope is that the Orioles will be the elixir that helps rekindle some momentum. Also, he does have three games against his preferred split (.295AVG against righties). If you’re able to stream against select games, I’d choose Orioles and right-handers to increase the odds of success with Garcia.
Eric Thames (1B/OF, MIL) — 4% Owned
Thames has not been getting consistent playing time, but when he’s in there, he’s providing production. In the last two weeks, he’s given owners two taters, seven RBI, and a .355average in only 31 at-bats. He’s also pitched in a stolen base. This week, the Brewers are at home to face the Reds and Pirates which have their fair share of guys that enable production. Should Thames start the entire week, he’d get six right-handers and only one lefty. 10 of his 11 homers this year have come off of righties, which is encouraging. Even his .268 batting average against them isn’t something to prevent you from buying in. The only question is the playing time. You’d need to be able to make adjustments to your lineup daily.
Alex Verdugo (OF, LAD) — 39% Owned
The games in Coors did wonders for Verdugo’s stat line. It was a perfect match with his quality plate discipline that led to an overall four bombs, eight RBI, a stolen base, and a .345AVG over the last two weeks. He returns home this week for a six-game slate against the Diamondbacks and Padres. The park isn’t as power friendly, but he’ll get even splits with three games against left-handers (.342AVG) and three against righties(.289).
Oscar Mercado (OF, CLE) — 47% Owned
Mercado continues to provide and the last couple of weeks have been no different with one homer, three stolen bases, and a .333 batting average. He should still be owned in more than half the leagues for the stolen base potential alone.
More Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
