Edinson Volquez (SP, KC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues

OWNED IN: 24% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: After ten years of generally dismal pitching, Edinson Volquez seems to be finding some answers in the latter stages of his long career. Two horrific years with the Padres from 2012-13 looked like they might spell the end for Volquez. However, he was miraculously able to bounce back with the Pirates in 2014, posting a handsome 3.04 ERA (a career low) over 192 innings (his most since his lone All-Star season in 2008). By year's end, Volquez was the staff ace for a very strong Pirates team headed into the post season.

Naturally, there were plenty of skeptics regarding the veteran's stock moving forward in 2015. Well, Volquez quickly silenced the criticism in his first outing against the Sox by allowing only 1 ER in 8.0 IP with 4 hits, one walk and 5 K. Now that he's found a home on a dominant team in Kansas City that will offer a great deal of run support, Volquez is beginning to look like a much more attractive option heading forward.

There's still the very realistic possibility that Volquez will turn back into the pitcher that he has been for the previous 10 years of his career. It's also a possibility that things are finally clicking for the wily veteran and that 2015 could prove to be a career year for the old hand. In standard leagues, one should remain hesitant at the risky, yet tantalizing, acquisition. In deeper leagues, pick him up now before another dominant start attracts widespread attention.