The tragic death of Jose Fernandez in a boating accident yesterday morning was a sobering reminder of how trivial this game truly is. And yet it was also an affirmation, because baseball is how he found his way into so many lives. Fernandez’s joyous nature and enthusiasm for the game was as plain as day to anyone who ever watched him on the field. He was a truly special talent and, by all accounts, a special person as well. We are all poorer for his untimely passing.
This game we play is, at the end of the day, just a distraction. Distractions are important; anything that brings us pleasure or happiness can and should matter to us. Events like yesterday’s shouldn’t make anyone feel guilty for caring so much about an ultimately frivolous pursuit, but they should offer a healthy dose of perspective. If you’re still in the race as we enter the final week, enjoy that you’ve gotten this far, and remember that even if you fall short, it’s just a game. Good luck, and thanks for reading all season.
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Week 26 Corner Infield Waiver Wire Targets
Logan Forsythe, 1B/2B, Tampa Bay Rays (50 percent owned)
Since the end of July, Forsythe’s hit .282/.368/.492 with 10 home runs and 56 R+RBI in 46 games. Overall, he’s sitting at .273/.343/.462 with a career-best 20 homers in a pretty solid sequel to his 2015 breakout. The Rays close out their season with road series against the White Sox and a Rangers squad that will likely be resting players after clinching the AL West title. Unsurprisingly, given Tropicana Field’s pitcher-friendly tendencies, Forsythe has hit significantly better away from home this year.
Ryon Healy, 3B, Oakland Athletics (31 percent)
Even with a final slate of games in a couple of pitchers’ parks (Angel Stadium and Safeco Field), Healy gets a nod in this space for the second straight week. He’s simply hitting too well to exclude - .341/.376/.602 with six homers and 31 R+RBI in 22 September contests. He also gets to face some pretty mediocre starters, like Jered Weaver, Alex Meyer, and Ariel Miranda.
Yangervis Solarte, 1B/2B/3B, San Diego Padres (20 percent)
Solarte returned to the lineup yesterday after missing a little over a week of action due to his wife’s passing from cancer. That horrific event came during what has been the best season of Solarte’s career. The Padres host the Dodgers and then finish the year on the road at Arizona, and the only quality starting pitcher they’ll face is Kenta Maeda. Hopefully baseball can help him through the grieving process. Just one more reason to root for someone who has become one of my favorite players.
Adonis Garcia, 3B/OF, Atlanta Braves (18 percent)
The Braves have actually been hitting pretty well recently. That’s partly attributable to Garcia, who’s hitting .293/.336/.468 with nine homers in the second half. He’s recorded multiple hits in 11 of his last 24 games, while failing to reach base in just four of those contests. The Braves will finish 2016 at home, hosting the Phillies and Tigers. Apart from Justin Verlander on Sunday, they don’t have any especially tough matchups.
Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Kansas City Royals (4 percent)
The Royals will be eliminated from the playoff picture in the next day or two, ending their bid for a World Series repeat and third straight AL pennant. One of the bright spots to emerge in 2016 was Cuthbert, who filled in admirably for the injured Mike Moustakas at third base. He’s hit .368/.500/.579 over the past week, with a home run and stolen base to his credit. Kansas City visits Minnesota and Cleveland to end the year. Jose Berrios and Kyle Gibson (both with ERAs over 6.00) will pitch in the Twins series, and the Indians could very well be resting players.
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