Wednesday’s Wide World of Waivers: God Help Me it is Andruw Jones

Welcome to May. We’re past the first month and I’m sure you’re looking a little closer at your league standings. It is still early but it isn’t that early. Big numbers on the waiver wire aren’t so easily written off as a fast start once May rolls around. It is a good time to survey your team and see what you might want to grab off the waiver wire. Last week’s suggestions aren’t exactly tearing it up. Borbon, Carmona and Overbay had disappointing weeks. The only bright spot was Fukudome who continues to hit like a madman. I’m looking to post a better mark this week so let’s get to it.

Andruw Jones, OF, CWS

Owned % Yahoo 43 ESPN 53 CBS 63

I can believe I am doing this but you can’t argue with the numbers Jones is putting up. Like most of the fantasy baseball world I had written off Jones but a 14 R, 8 HR, 13 RBI, 5 SB and a .288 BA line can change a lot of opinions. Looking a little closer I was surprised he is drawing more walks and making more contact than any other year in his career. Could this new patient Andruw Jones be on the verge of a comeback? I’m buying the the power but not 40 HR. He isn’t going to keep up a 36% HR/FB ratio. He should be good for around 25-30 HR. I’d also expect the BA to drop as the season drags on. Jones hasn’t topped .265 in the last 5 seasons and is a career .273 hitter. Still I’ll take a 30 HR and 15 SB season even if it comes with a .270 BA. Add Jones before your competition does.

Shaun Marcum, SP, TOR

Owned % Yahoo 49 ESPN 59 CBS 81

Marcum was out all of last year with an elbow injury and fell off a lot of players draft sheets. He’s healthy now and should be showing up on a lot more fantasy teams. Through six starts this year Marcum has 34 K’s, 1.09 WHIP and 3.12 ERA. Marcum has tallied only one win so far this season but has five quality starts in six games. If he keeps this up you he won’t be available for long.

AL-Only Leagues

Justin Smoak, 1B, TEX

Owned % Yahoo 19 ESPN 32 CBS 58

Who? Yeah, I know many of you have never heard of the guy. With the curtain coming down on the Chris Davis era in Arlington, Smoak will be given the opportunity to show why every is so high on this kid. To put is simply Smoak is an incredible hitter. He cruised though the minor leagues with a .411 OBP and .461 SLG%. Some impatient owners might be driven away by his .176 BA but keep in mind that is driven by .148 BABIP. The batting average will come up and you’ll be happy you grabbed Smoak now.

NL-Only Leagues

Dexter Fowler, OF, COL

Owned % Yahoo 12 ESPN 57 CBS 42

Fowler is starting to see regular playing time and it is paying off. The last week he hit .360 with three stolen bases and five runs scored. Hitting first or second Fowler will have plenty of chances to score runs and steal bases. Fowler should steal 30+ bases and still improving as a hitter. He’s a young player, only 24, but Fowler has tons of potential. Take him for the stolen bases but don’t rule out the chance Fowler matures into a complete hitter.

Thanks for stopping by. Next week I will review the four fine fellows presented today and give you four more waiver wire players to pickup. Until next week, keep watching that waiver wire!

Tom Huffman is one of a growing number of fantasy experts who write for the Cafe. You can catch up with Tom in the Cafe's forums where he posts under the name of Pogotheostrich.

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