American League only owners that are big into veteran baseball players have to be happy with several players getting close to making their 2012 major league debuts in the next couple of weeks. As always, the key is to try and grab players a week or two before they are going to have any value so you don;t get into a bidding war once the player is at the major league level.
Outfielder Hideki Matsui is bating .133 in Triple-A in 30 at bats with four RBI and should be up with the Tampa Bay Rays or in the next week or so to fill in at left field and at designated hitter. Vladimir Guerrero is in extended spring training with the Toronto Blue Jays and should be ready for action in a month or so. With Adam Lind demoted to the minor leagues last week, the Blue Jays are in need of another bat for their lineup. Second basemen Brian Roberts (BAL) just started rehab at Double-A, but there is no timetable for his return to the major leagues. Roberts last played in the big leagues on May 11th, 2011 so there is no guarantee he is back this season, but if you are desperate for middle infield help and have bench space, there are few alternatives at this point of the season if you are in a semi-deep league.
Here is a look at some other players that might be out on the waiver wire in your fantasy baseball league in week 8 to consider adding with your FAAB budget or waiver claim.
American League Only:
2B – Orlando Hudson (CWS) – recently signed by the Chicago White Sox after being released by San Diego, Hudson started at third base last night and hit ninth in the order, going 1-for-4 with one RBI. Hudson batted .211 with the Padres in 123 at bats with one home run, 11 RBI and three steals.
C/1B/3B – Yan Gomes (TOR) – he could qualify at several different positions depending on your league requirements. He is batting .294 in 17 at bats with two home runs and five RBI. With Brett Lawrie back in action, Gomez moves into more of a super utility type role that should at bats until Guerrero joins the team.
National League Only:
2B – Alexi Amarista (SD) – the Padres youth movement started last week with Everth Cabrera taking over at shortstop and Amarista moving in at second base. Amaristsa is batting .174 in 23 at bats with a stolen base. Amarista was hitting .278 at Triple-A with one home run, 18 RBI and four stolen bases. He doesn’t offer much outside of a few stolen bases and keep in mind also that prospect Jedd Gyorko has been moved to second base, was recently promoted to Triple-A and will be getting a call up at some point as well.
3B - Josh Bell (ARI) – promoted from Triple-A where he was hitting .381 in 97 at bats with four home runs and 30 RBI. He had little success in the major leagues when he was with Baltimore from 2010-2011 with a .203 batting average and 81 strikeouts in 227 career at bats. So for in a small sample size, he has whiffed three times in seven at bats in Arizona. With Ryan Roberts in an utility role now, if Bell fails at the major league level again, the D-Backs may have to turn to Matt Davidson (.285, 10 home runs) at AA.
Here is a look at the most added players at CBS:
1. Matt Adams
2. Dayan Viciedo
3. Felipe Paulino
4. Raul Ibanez
5. Jonathan Lucroy
6. James McDonald
7. Andy Dirks
8. Mitch Moreland
9. Andy Pettitte
10. Dale Thayer
Here is a look at the most added players at Yahoo:
1. Ernesto Frieri
2. Jonathan Lucroy
3. Anthony Bass
4. Drew Smyly
5. R.A. Dickey
6. Willie Bloomquist
7. Andy Pettitte
8. Addison Reed
9. Jeanmar Gomez
10. Felipe Paulino
Here is a look at the most added players at ESPN:
1. Jonathan Lucroy
2. Ryan Vogelsong
3. Dayan Viciedo
4. Justin Morneau
5. Andy Pettitte
6. James McDonald
7. Bud Norris
8. Mitch Moreland
9. Alfonso Soriano
10. J.P. Arencibia
