Here is a look at some potential players to target in your fantasy baseball league that might be out there on the waiver wire for week 16.
American League only:
SS – Yunel Escobar – The trade from Atlanta to the Blue Jays can only help Escobar after hitting a miserable .237 in zero home runs and only 19 RBI. Last year, Escobar hit .299 with 14 home runs and 76 RBI and hit .321 after the All-Star break.
National League only:
SS – Alex Gonzalez – The other side of the Escobar trade that took place on Wednesday. Gonzalez comes to the Braves after having a career first-half while with Toronto, hitting 17 home runs and 50 RBI with a .257 average. He’ll fill a hole at shortstop in the real world, but to think he’ll repeat those power number during the second half is unrealistic. Gonzalez is hitting seventh in Atlanta’s line up tonight.
SP – James McDonald – McDonald is set to replace John Ely in the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation. You can read more about him here.
RP – Ernesto Frieri – just called up by the San Diego Padres, this is a guy to consider adding, especially if you league has specific relief pitcher designations for your rosters. Frieri who will turn 25 next week, had 37 2/3 innings in Triple-A with 49 strikeouts and a 1.43 ERA to go along with 17 saves. He is likely to take the spot of Mike Adams in the bullpen with Adams headed to the disabled list.
1B – Brad Eldred – called up by the Colorado Rockies with Todd Helton going on the disabled list, Eldred will serve as the right-handed hitting platoon mate to Jason Giambi giving him more value in leagues that have daily transactions. Eldred was hitting .267 with 22 home runs and 64 RBI in 266 at bats in Triple-A before being called up.
12/15 Team Mixed League:
SP – Travis Wood – How can I not recommend the Cincinnati lefty after pitching 8 2/3 perfect innings in his last outing before the All-Star break against Roy Halladay? He only has three major league starts so far with three no decisions, but has pitched 20 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.18 to go with a .68 WHIP.
