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Welcome back to the Outfield Waiver Wire, where we look at the best outfielders available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Consider this column your recommendations for Week 16 outfield waiver wire pickups.
We're past the halfway point of the season, but there are still plenty of guys who can help you floating around on the waiver wire. Not every move can be a blockbuster. Value is value, wherever you can find it. This column is designed to help you do just that.
Let's get down to business.
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Week 16 Outfield (OF) Waiver Wire Targets
Melky Cabrera, OF, Chicago White Sox (49% owned)
Cabrera is usually good for a couple of prolonged stretches of usefulness every season, and heywouldjalookitthat, we’re in one now. Over the last six weeks, the Melkman has hit .340/.382/.497 with five home runs and 45 R+RBI over 34 games. He’s collected multiple hits in just under half of those contests, including a 4-for-5 showing on Saturday. As I’ve said before in this space, few players encapsulate the “boring vets win fantasy leagues” mantra than Cabrera does. You’re never excited to pick him up, but it’s usually a net gain.
Odubel Herrera, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (48%)
Herrera, like most of his teammates, struggled immensely during the first half of the season. It got so bad that rumors of a demotion swirled, though the team settled for a brief benching. Since returning from that hiatus, Herrera has hit .317/.343/.535 with five homers and 36 R+RBI in 36 games. He still isn’t running much – 1-for-3 during this hot streak and 5-for-1o on the season – but fantasy owners who stayed patient will take it. If the guy in your league had less chill, by all means grab the ODB. Then petition your commissioner to make bat flips a category.
Tommy Pham, OF, St. Louis Cardinals (43%)
If Pham is still eligible to be included in this column next week…I don’t even know. The steady rise of his ownership rate means at least some folks out there are paying attention, but it really should be significantly higher already. He’s been one of the best hitters in baseball over the last month – third-best, according to Yahoo’s 5x5 rankings. His numbers during those 25 games: a cool .344/.400/.644 with six homers, six steals, and 42 R+RBI. Yeah, of course the BABIP is going to come down, but Pham’s produced a .272-98-25-70-16 line over 602 career plate appearances, with less than half of them coming this season. There’s a legit bat here, and he’s finally getting to play every day.
Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (40%)
After stumbling out of the gate and then landing on the disabled list, fantasy owners abandoned Pederson in droves. Those who stuck it out have been rewarded, as Yung Joc has been red-hot over the last month. He’s hit .348/.469/.773 with seven homers and 33 R+RBI, and is walking nearly as often as he’s striking out. That stretch has pushed his season-long rate stats up to about the level of last year. The Dodgers have the hottest lineup this side of Houston in recent weeks, and Pederson’s one of the few widely available components of it.
Denard Span, OF, San Francisco Giants (5%)
At the end of May, Span’s slash line checked in at an atrocious .231/.273/.380. He had three home runs, no stolen bases, and was toiling as leadoff man for an anemic offense. Beginning with a five-hit game on June 2, Span has since hit .322/.377/.486 with three homers, four steals, and 24 runs scored. Those in deeper and NL-Only leagues could certainly do worse.
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