Week 8 Waiver Wire
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Shallow Waivers
*These guys could be available and need to be picked up in most leagues

Adam LaRoche and Dayan Viciedo are two guys who may have been dropped due to early season struggles (and an injury as well in Viciedo’s case) who should be picked up in all formats if they’re available – nothing else to say really.

MI Jurickson Profar (TEX) – The future may be now as Profar is apparently in Arlington and might get called-up if Kinsler has to go to the DL for a rib injury.  If he looks good, I could see the Rangers finding room for him when Kinsler returns, possibly moving Kinsler to 1B and Moreland to the OF (sharing time with Murphy, Martin, and Cruz).  If you can pick up minor leaguers, I’d do it as Profar is the top prospect in baseball.

2B/OF Emilio Bonifacio (TOR) – Bonifacio is playing every day (at least while Rajai Davis is out) and has finally started hitting.  It was only a matter of time.  Boni is only a .250-.260 AVG guy, but he should still steal 30+ bases this season.  Grab him if someone gave up on him and you need steals.

1B Mitch Moreland (TEX) – What can you say?  He’s been on fire lately, and is hitting .290 on the season with 10 HR.  Get him in all leagues.  I’d drop Hosmer and Ike Davis for him.

SP Scott Kazmir (CLE) – He would have been on last week’s Waiver Wire post, but I didn’t have time for it last week.  If he’s still available, make sure you get him as he 2-starts next week (vs. SEA and BOS – neither is great against lefties).  He’s also someone who could easily end up being a guy you want to keep.  His velocity is in the mid 90s again and his control has returned.  Take a flier.

SP Jeremy Guthrie (KC) – He’s probably not available unless you’re in a 10-team league given his hot start, but if he is go get him as he 2-starts against the Astros and Angels this week.

SP Julio Teheran (ATL) – He may have finally figured things out as he’s had 4 good starts in a row now and only allowed 1 walk through those starts.  He’s definitely worth throwing out there this week as he has a 2-start against the Twins and Mets – not exactly offensive powerhouses.

SP Brandon McCarthy (ARI) – I’m hesitant to definitively say “he’s back” despite throwing 17 straight scoreless innings in his last 2 outings as they came against the light-hitting Phillies and of course the Marlins.  Having said that, he’s been a quality pitcher and has a 37 K:8 BB ratio, so I’d be inclined to add him in any league where you need pitching.  Keep in mind, given his lack of Ks he’s not someone you should break the bank for, especially if he relapses.  Also, be prepared for him to miss starts at some point due to an injury as usual.

Deep Waivers
*These guys are likely available and worth a look in deeper leagues

RP Joel Peralta (TB) – I said it weeks ago – Rodney has reverted back to his old self.  He no longer has even decent control, which was the impetus behind his breakout last season.  Peralta is a 37 year-old set-up man who has never really closed before, but so was Raffy Betancourt before he became a closer late in his career.  Granted, Rodney hasn’t completely imploded yet, and I think they really want to keep him in the closer’s role, but eventually they might have no choice but to make the move.  Peralta has been money this season, as usual, and is one of the better guys to speculate on for saves at some point.

RP Pedro Strop (BAL) – Though Jim Johnson has been fine overall this season, he’s had 2 bad outings in a row including a meltdown yesterday in a blown save.  To the contrary, Strop hasn’t given up a hit in 7 of his last 8 outings.  I don’t think a change is imminent, but if Johnson has another blown save or two things could change quickly.

3B Josh Donaldson (OAK) – He’s hitting .325 with 6 HRs in the middle of the A’s lineup at a pretty weak position… need any further reason to pick him up?  For the record, I expect him to hit about .260 with another 10 HRs the rest of the way, so he’s due for some regression sooner than later.

OF Leonys Martin (TEX) – He has 4 steals in his last 4 games while starting just about every day.  The caveat is that while he starts, he’s often replaced halfway through games by Craig Gentry so he has a lot of 2 AB games.  Still, in deeper leagues, he could definitely be useful if he’s finally starting to steal some bases as he’s hitting .280 to boot.

OF Jimmy Paredes (HOU) – Paredes is going to the every day RF going forward for the Astros, at least until manager Bo Porter can figure out if he’s a part of their future plans or not.  Paredes hit 13 HRs and stole 39 bases last season in the minors while hitting over .300.  He’s not a top prospect, but his 5 category appeal makes him someone you should take a flier on if you have an open roster spot and need an OF.

3B Eric Chavez (ARI) – He’s getting every day ABs while Aaron Hill is out and has responded hitting .325 with 5 HRs.  It won’t last, but ride him while he’s hot!

SP Vidal Nuno (NYY) – With Pettitte heading to the DL, Nuno is being recalled to take his spot in the rotation.  Week 9 he gets a 2-start against the Mets and Red Sox, which is pretty favorable.  He’s worth a flier based on what he’s done in the minors as well as his 8 scoreless innings in the majors so far this season.

SP Eric Stults (SD) – He’s given up 1-2 runs in 3 of his last 4 starts (3 runs in the other).  He’s a decent match-up pitcher, but his lack of Ks and modest stuff make him more of a 4+ ERA pitcher.  Still, in the right match-ups, you could do worse.

SP Roy Oswalt (COL) – He’s being moved to AA where he will get at least 4-5 starts in before likely being added to the Rockies’ rotation.  It’s not yet the time to add him unless you’re in a really deep league, but keep him in mind in a few weeks.

Streamers
*These are starters who you can pick up and start this week based on their skills combined with a favorable match-up, though not likely someone you will end up keeping

SP Chris Capuano (LAD) – He faces the Cards, who are putrid against lefties, this week.

SP Tyler Cloyd (PHI) – He faces the Marlins, who are putrid against everyone, this week.  He 2-starts next week as well, but I wouldn’t risk it.

SP Mike Leake (CIN) – As usual, he gives up a lot of hits, but not a lot of runs.  Leake is a solid start against the Mets this week as they struggle against righties.

Two-Start Pitchers for Weeks 8+9 (May 20-26, May 27-June 2)
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To help you prepare for waiver claims and setting your lineups for week two of the season, check out our two-starter lists for the next two weeks! We’re the only site giving you two-starters a week in advance. Having the two-starters a week early gives you a decided advantage when making waiver claims!

Two-Start Pitchers for Week 8 (May 20-26)

Two-Start Pitchers for Week 9 (May 27-June 2)

Two-Start Pitchers for Weeks 7+8 (May 13-19, May 20-26)
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To help you prepare for waiver claims and setting your lineups for week two of the season, check out our two-starter lists for the next two weeks! We’re the only site giving you two-starters a week in advance. Having the two-starters a week early gives you a decided advantage when making waiver claims!

Two-Start Pitchers for Week 7 (May 13-19)

Two-Start Pitchers for Week 8 (May 20-26)

Week 6 Waiver Wire
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Shallow Waivers
*These guys could be available and need to be picked up in most leagues

OF Michael Saunders (SEA) – Saunders has been on fire since the season began, but some may have missed that as he hit the DL for a couple weeks and just came off it (still red hot) a few days ago.  This is an elite talent who should be a 20/20 threat with upside.  The big thing to be excited about is that he’s hitting .300 with a BABIP under .300!  He’s not getting lucky on batted balls in play, he’s striking out less.  I’d add him in all formats, even the shallowest of mixed leagues… helping in 5-categories, he’s the kind of pick-up that could help turn your team into a contender.

SP Phil Hughes (NYY) – I wrote about him a few weeks ago saying I’ve never been a big fan of his, but since a bad first 2 starts of the season, he’s rattled off 4 straight superb starts, allowing 2 runs or less in each.  his strikeout rate is over 8 K/9 while his walk rate is under 2 BB/9… and he plays for the Yankees.  That is a recipe for success.  He’s been unlucky on batted balls in play (opponents BABIP) and in allowing HRs, but don’t be fooled… he’s pitching very well and should be added in all formats.

SS Dee Gordon (LAD) – Hanley went on the DL, and Gordon finally got the call.  If Gordon can hit even .250, his steals should provide a lot of value at SS while he plays.  There’s a chance he gets to keep the SS job even after Hanley gets back as they can move Hanley to 3B for Cruz/Uribe, and that’s why he should be added in shallow mixed leagues as well if you have someone you can afford to drop.

RP Kenley Jansen (LAD) – There’s a pretty good chance someone drafted Jansen, and is probably still holding onto him… but in case someone got impatient or dropped him for a newly-annointed closer, go get Jansen now.  League is REALLY struggling right now, while Jansen has been very good.  It should only be a matter of time now before they make the switch… get Jansen before he becomes a closer and thus, too expensive.

Deep Waivers
*These guys are likely available and worth a look in deeper leagues

OF Marcell Ozuna (MIA) – Ozuna is a bit of a crapshoot.  He has exciting power, showing the ability to hit around 25 HR in the minors, but he only has 47 ABs at AA.  He skipped AAA altogether, and barely had time in AA – that will likely lead to extended periods of struggling in the majors.  Still, his power is intriguing and he hasn’t looked overwhelmed in the majors yet.  Don’t go overboard, but it’s better to take a shot on an unknown talent rather than known mediocrity.

OF Delmon Young (PHI) – Young came off the DL and went right into the Phillies’ starting lineup.  He doesn’t have a high upside, but he’ll hit for a .270-.280 AVG with 15-20 HRs… deep leaguers could certainly do much worse.

OF Nolan Reimold (BAL) – Reimold is playing close to everyday between LF and DH.  We all know he can produce when he gets playing time, so now may be the time to pounce on him before he becomes a potential shallow mixed league option.

OF Aaron Hicks (MIN) – Hicks looked flat-out overwhelmed when he started in the majors this season after not having played above AA, but he’s turned it around in recent weeks.  Even though his overall numbers don’t show it, he’s been hitting much better (has had a hit in 9 of last 11 games) and hit his first HR to go along with 3 steals.  He’s still not a shallow mixed league option, but deep leaguers should take notice.  He can still be a source of 20+ steals with a solid AVG.

C  Wilson Ramos (WAS) – He just came off the DL so owners in deep leagues might want to keep tabs on him.  He’s a much better offensive option than Suzuki, and eventually he is likely to end up getting the majority of starts even though he’s only starting half the time right now.  Keep an eye on him.

Streamers
*These are starters who you can pick up and start this week based on their skills combined with a favorable match-up, though not likely someone you will end up keeping

I told you about Kyle Kendrick, Andrew Cashner, and David Phelps in last week’s waiver wire article.  Kendrick and Cashner both have favorable 2-starts this week, while Phelps has a decent 2-start next week (and might become someone you hold onto as well).  Here’s a couple more options in case better options are no longer available:

SP Robero Hernandez (aka Fausto Carmona) (TB) – The underlying statistics behind his crappy ERA say he’s actually pitching very well thus far this season.  He has a 2-start this week against Toronto and San Diego… deep leaguers might want to take a shot on him.

SP Eric Stults (SD) – He has a solid skillset and faces the Marlins this week… ’nuff said.  He also 2-starts next week, though I’m not sure I’d recommend that as of right now.

Two-Start Pitchers for Weeks 6+7 (May 6-12, May 13-19)
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To help you prepare for waiver claims and setting your lineups for week two of the season, check out our two-starter lists for the next two weeks! We’re the only site giving you two-starters a week in advance. Having the two-starters a week early gives you a decided advantage when making waiver claims!

NOTE: Teams have a lot of 5-game weeks coming up…beware of skipped fifth-starters! I have projected where I believe pitchers will be skipped, but things could always change.

Two-Start Pitchers for Week 6 (May 6-12)

Two-Start Pitchers for Week 7 (May 13-19)