Head-to-Head Points League Strategy: Waiver Wire Week 7

I sure did pick quite the season to own Albert Pujols for the first time. Reminds me of owning Brett Favre for the first time in 2010. Eesh ... that was painful.

Sure, it's nice that Pujols hit his first home run of the season, but, as I write this, he is currently the 883rd best player according to Yahoo! scoring. 883! That's 880 spots after I drafted him! 883! I didn't know they ranked that high. I mean, there are only 750 players on active rosters. He is worse than guys that aren't even playing!

Needless to say, Pujols has been the biggest disappointment on my Fake Teams H2H League team to this point, and to think, I was super excited to own him and Roy Halladay on the same team. Halladay is currently ranked 171. It's not as bad as 883, but it's not what I had expected.

Biggest surprise in my lineup? That would have to be David Freese. I thought third base was my biggest weakness leaving the draft, but Freese is actually the 47th ranked Yahoo! player. Not too shabby.

How about you? Who has been your biggest disappointment and biggest surprise to this point?

Week 7 Waiver Wire Advice Below:

All players in this post and pre/proceeding waiver wire posts are owned in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues (I’ll do my best to call out some players owned in less than 10-20% of leagues as well, for you deep leaguers out there in Fake Teams land).

Catcher:

Ramon Hernandez, Colorado Rockies - 20%

Everybody Loves Ramon. Well, maybe not everybody as he is only 20% owned. Hernandez will sit out at least one game of every three game series, yet he has still managed to outscore some much more highly touted catchers (Miguel Montero, Alex Avila, Russell Martin). The thin air at Coors Field is treating him well as he is in the Top 10 at the position in scoring.

AJ Ellis, Los Angeles Dodgers - 6%

You don't need your catcher to carry your team. You just need your catcher to contribute. Remember that song "Informer" by Snow? The one where no one new the lyrics and just kind of mumbled when they sang it? Let's pretend it was called "Contributor" and the lyrics were about fantasy baseball and AJ Ellis. Like Hernandez, he is also in the Top 10 at the position in scoring.

George Kottaras, Milwaukee Brewers - 2%

There has been some talk of George "Wu Tang" Kottaras seeing some regular ABs at first base after the season-ending injury to Mat Gamel. Do I think this will happen? No. Is it worth monitoring? Sure. What else do you have to do? Go to work Monday through Friday, mow your lawn, refinish your deck, constantly pull weeds from your yard to seemingly no end? Sorry, just venting.

Others to consider:

Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers - 20%, Ryan Doumit, Minnesota Twins - 10%, Josh Thole, New York Mets - 6%

First base:

Gaby Sanchez, Miami Marlins - 32%

Bust a move and grab Yo Gaby Gaby, a'ght, DJ Lance? Obscure children TV show reference? Check. There have been few first basemen more consistent than Sanchez the last few years. He'll get it together ... I think.

Laynce Nix, Philadelphia Phillies - 3%

Is it just me or does Laynce Nix look a lot like Jake Busey? Son of legendary lunatic, Gary Busey? I know! Totally. Anyways, Laynce Nix brings some power to a Phillies offense that's lacking Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.

Others to consider:

Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies - 21%, Yonder Alonso, San Diego Padres - 15%, Juan Rivera, Los Angeles Dodgers - 5%

Second base:

Mark Ellis, Los Angeles Dodgers - 6%

it's mandatory at this point.

Chris Getz, Kansas City Royals - 1%

Yuniesky Betancourt hit the DL this week, and Chris Getz has just been straight hittin'. With his platoon partner out and Johnny Giavotella still in the minors, the ABs in Kansas City should be Getz to get.

Others to consider:

Sean Rodriguez, Tampa Bay Rays - 7%, Jeff Keppinger, Tampa Bay Rays - 2%

Third base:

Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners - 26%

Seattle wised up and put Chone Figgins on the bench. That means Kyle Seager should see the majority of starts at third base for the Mariners. Considering recent injuries to Longoria, Sandoval, Zimmerman and Beltre, it's probably time to grab Seager now while you still can.

Chris Johnson, Houston Astros - 24%

Guess what? The Astros aren't quite as terrible as we all thought. Neither is Chris Johnson. In fact, last week he hit three long balls with one being a Grand Slam. Considering the aforementioned injuries, I'd grab Johnson. That's what she said.

Will Middlebrooks, Boston Red Sox - 16%

After last night's 3-5 performance with another two dingers and five more ribbys, I expect Mr. Middlebrooks' percentage owned number will be much higher by the time you read this. I also expect his stay in the majors to be much longer than originally anticipated if he keeps this up.

Shortstop:

Sean Rodriguez, Tampa Bay Rays - 7%

Reid Brignac is in the minors and Evan Longoria is on the shelf meaning ABs are of no concern for Sean Rod. You could do worse than owning a player eligible at shortstop, third base and second base seeing everyday ABs in a AL East lineup.

Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins - 0%

Jamey Carroll had been a recent fixture of this post the last couple of weeks, but apparently Ron Gardenhire doesn't play in points leagues. Brian Dozier was just called up this week and will see everyday ABs in front of Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham. It's not exactly the Big Red Machine. OK, it's not much at all. But he's a shortstop with upside.

Others to consider:

Maicer Izturis, LAA Angels - 6%, Alexi Casilla, Minnesota Twins - 4%, Tyler Greene, St. Louis Cardinals - 1%

Outfielder:

Vernon Wells, LAA Angels - 32%

Albert Pujols started hitting home runs the moment Vernon Wells started hitting in front of him. Coincidence? Absolutely. But, Wells should be good for some points via runs.

Josh Reddick, Oakland A's - 16%

Yoenis Cespedes got all the hype, but it's Josh Reddick that's getting all the points. I could see a 20/20 season from Reddick when 2012 is all said and done.

Yonder Alonso, San Diego Padres - 15%

The home runs might not be there, but Yonder Alonso has been a doubles machine with the second most two-baggers amongst outfielders. His average is on the rise and this might be the last time to buy low on Alonso.


Andy Dirks, Detroit Tigers - 1%

The Holy Grail of lineup spots has been passed on from Brennan Boesch to Andy Dirks. Dirks is now hitting in front of Miggy and Prince in the Tigers lineup and should/could be crossing home plate quite a bit.

Others to consider:

Ryan Sweeney, Boston Red Sox - 11%, Juan Pierre, Philadelphia Phillies - 8%

Starting pitcher:

Ricky Nolasco, Miami Marlins - 46%

It's a good year to be a Marlins pitcher not named Josh Johnson. Everyone has been burned by Ricky Nolasco once or twice, but what's the fun of fantasy baseball if you aren't gonna gamble a little?

Carlos Zambrano, Miami Marlins - 29%

Literally my least favorite MLB player. That being said, props where props are due and Big Z is dealin' again with 16 straight scoreless innings. His ERA is under 2.00, WHIP is close to 1.00 and record should improve if he keeps pitching anywhere close to as good as he has. But, yeah ... I strongly dislike him.

Jerome Williams, LAA Angels - 7%

After a beatdown from the Yankees, Jerome Williams has shut down the Orioles, Twins, Rays and Blue Jays. With a pitchers park, a fantastic defensive outfield and Pujols starting to heat up, Williams should be given a shot at the moment. Afterall, there have to be some starts vs. Seattle and Oakland on the horizon.

Others to consider:

RA Dickey, New York Mets - 29%, Jason Vargas, Seattle Mariners - 28%, Henderson Alvarez, Toronto Blue Jays - 16%, Derek Lowe, Cleveland Indians - 13%

Relief pitcher:

Rafael Dolis, Chicago Cubs - 21%

Carlos Marmol only had to walk like a 100 hitters before Dale Sveum decided to look to someone else in the 9th. It looks like he is turning to Rafael Dolis who has only walked like 99. Hey, it's an improvement and saves are saves.

Ernesto Frieri, LAA Angels - 16%

Scott Downs replaced Jordan Walden then got injured. LaTroy Hawkins replaced Downs then got injured. Enter Ernesto Frieri. If there was ever a season to point to to punt saves, my oh my this is the one.

Steve Cishek/Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins - 35%/9%

Heath Bell only had to blow like 100 leads before Ozzie Guillen decided to look to someone else in the 9th. Guillen has said Steve Cishek is the short-term closer, however Edward Mujica earned two saves over the weekend. Own both if you can, especially in leagues that credit points for holds.

Others to consider:

Any relief pitcher in consideration for save opportunities.

Hit me up with questions, comments or whatever floats your boat down below.