Brett Gardner (OF, NYY) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Leagues

OWNED IN: 27% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Brett Gardner still produces but seemingly in bunches these days. Thus far he’s hit a few homers before a streak of games alternating zeros with by multi-hit days. In the end, if he continues his .336 OBP, it will be enough to get him into position to tally some steals. Also helpful is that he has increased his contact rate to an excellent 90.2% and lowered his swinging strike rate to an equally impressive 3.5%. He only has five games this week with two against the Diamondbacks before returning home to face the Twins.

Keep in mind that the games in Arizona will cause some players to get crunched out of the lineup since they have to include a pitcher. Of course, there aren't very many left-handed hitting regulars, aside from the group of extras (Mike Tauchman, Tyler Wade, Mike Ford). Gardner might miss a game because of the shuffling, but he’ll still give you a chance for steals with some newfound power pop.