The news that red-hot Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton will miss the next six-to-eight weeks with a torn ligament in his thumb hit his owners hard. They likely got him for a bit of a discount considering his No. 1 overall talent level, and he was producing like a monster.
They'll have to do without him now, but there are several outfielders owned in less than 50 percent of leagues that may be able to cover for him.
Melky Cabrera, Toronto Blue Jays (49.4 percent owned)
I have no idea why so few people own Melky. Sure he got pinched for juicing, but he's in a lineup full of mashers and plays half his games in a homer haven. He's tearing the cover off the ball to kick off 2014, batting .333 with four home runs (three against solid Yankees pitching), five RBI, six runs, and a stolen base for good measure.
The steroid hate has gone too far-even if his power tails off his big 2011 and 2012 seasons were so good that 2013 can be looked at as an off year. Pick him up now and you might have a Top 25 outfielder.
Dexter Fowler, Houston Astros (22.2 percent owned)
If you're keeping up with us, you'll see that I've been beating the drum a bit for Fowler. He's criminally under owned since he can easily go for 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases, and is guaranteed at bats in H-Town. He's probably their best player at this point!
Through six games (he missed a few with an illness) he's raking at a .381 clip with a home run, a triple, and two doubles already. He hasn't flashed the speed yet but believe me, it's there. Fowler is a potential stud-at 28 he's in his physical prime with lots of tools and nobody competing with him for at-bats. His skill set is different from Hamilton's but he could be a nice addition to any fantasy team.
Grady Sizemore, Boston Red Sox (31.1 percent owned)
Wow, didn't see this coming. Sizemore is getting regular at bats in Boston and is their legitimate center fielder. Really. Mock his injury history all you want, but you owned Hamilton who has a fairly lengthy rap sheet of his own when it comes to getting hurt. Sizemore's a faded star, but once was considered a real first rounder. In eight games he's hitting .500 with a homer and two doubles.
Pay attention to day games after night games (he's not playing in them), but he's a dual threat that can tide you over for as long as he's healthy.
Marlon Byrd, Philadelphia Phillies (31.1 percent owned)
Byrd is an unsexy pickup to most, but his production last year, coupled with his two home runs and six RBIs already this year point to another productive season ahead. He's hitting in the heart of a lineup with good veteran bats, in a ballpark that's conducive to homers. This is a guy who swatted 21 home runs as a Met last year, playing in the cavernous CitiField. He ain't Josh Hamilton but there's no reason he can't tide you over in the power department for a while.
Lucas Duda, New York Mets (10.3 percent owned)
Is it fun to own Duda? No. Will you be subjected to myriad 0-for-4 nights? Most definitely. Are there many better sources of home runs crawling around your waiver wire? Doubtful. The Mets flat-out don't like Ike Davis anymore, and are giving Duda every opportunity to wrest control of the first base job. That's really good, because he's outfield-eligible and will have home run opportunities nightly.
He won't replicate any of the other stats Hamilton puts up, but in a roto format home runs are home runs. Duda hits them, and he's going to get at-bats. Hold your nose and pick him up in deeper leagues where you're desperate.
For all waiver wire help follow @SportsWN
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
