With the default trade deadline having passed on all of the major platforms, fantasy owners’ sole recourse to improve their rosters down the stretch is our old friend, the waiver wire. It can be instructive to consult recent transaction trends, but sometimes it’s better not to follow the wisdom of the crowds. Today, we’ll discuss a few of the most popular pickups and whether or not you should be adding them to your roster.
For even more options to improve your roster, be sure to check out RotoBaller’s waiver wire pickups list.
Eddie Rosario, OF, Minnesota Twins
Rosario hasn’t gone deep again since we talked about him last week, but he has logged three more multi-hit games in that time. The little-known outfielder has been among the game’s best hitters in the second half, slashing .336/.375/.627 with six home runs and 39 R+RBI in 31 contests. An improved plate approach – he’s shaved six percentage points off of his strikeout rate since the break – suggests a legitimate breakout could be in the offing. Add.
Cory Spangenberg, 2B/3B/OF, San Diego Padres
Like Rosario, Spangenberg is a low-profile player who has been quite productive recently. The Padres’ Swiss Army Knife missed the first few weeks of the season and then stumbled out of the gate, hitting just .240/.262/.306 through June 8. Since then, he’s produced a .295/.365/.505 line with 11 homers, five stolen bases, and 73 R+RBI in 59 games. Four of those home runs have come in the last week. Add.
Trevor Bauer, SP, Cleveland Indians
Bauer has reliably provided strikeouts in bunches all season, but it’s only recently that he stopped wreaking havoc on fantasy owner’s ratios. In a win over the Royals on Saturday, Bauer logged his fifth straight quality start and brought his ERA to a season-best 4.50. His peripherals don’t look much different during this recent run, though, and given his well-established inconsistency, it’s best not to put your faith in him. Avoid.
Andrew Cashner, SP, Texas Rangers
In contrast to Bauer, Cashner has provided passable ratios this season despite never striking anyone out. His putrid 2.6 K-BB% is easily the worst of any regular starting pitcher this season. It’s something approaching a miracle that he’s produced a 3.31 ERA to this point. Limiting home runs has helped, but five of the 10 bombs Cashner has allowed have come in his last seven starts. Avoid.
Kyle Bishop is a lead MLB columnist at RotoBaller.com. His articles are your secret weapon for winning fantasy leagues.
