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As the August 1st trade deadline approaches, the internet has been abuzz with all the rumors and whispers regarding which players could be on the move. These moves are particularly of interest to single-league owners, where trades potentially bring in new players to the waiver wire. Trades also create new opportunities for different players to receive the lion's share of playing time at a position suddenly empty.
Here are some players to consider claiming after the big ticket prizes are gone, all owned in 25% of Fleaflicker leagues or less.
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American League Waiver Wire Targets
Hitters
Justin Morneau (1B, CWS) - 1% Owned
In his first action since last year, first baseman Justin Morneau has been decent despite the time off. Back in the American League for the first time since 2013, he's hitting .233 with one home run and four RBI in 30 at-bats for the White Sox. That's not going to light the world on fire, but it's a start. Morneau revived his career in 2014 when he led the National League in batting average with a .319 mark, and was off to a .310 mark before injuries cut short his 2015. With him receiving starter's at-bats in the near future, he's a worthy bench stash investment at the very least.
Jake Smolinski (OF, OAK) - 4% Owned
Outfielder Jake Smolinski might be a bit long in the tooth to have a big breakthrough, but that could be what we are seeing. After failing to make any traction in the Majors in the years prior, he's hitting .317 with six home runs, 22 RBI and one stolen base in 120 at-bats this season. After hitting .248 with three home runs, 15 RBI and six stolen bases in 145 at-bats in Triple-A prior to his call-up, these results are a bit of a surprise. But with a .281 average, 21 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 620 career Triple-A at-bats, maybe Smolinski's just a late bloomer.
Jett Bandy (C, LAA) - 2% Owned
Rookie catcher Jett Bandy is making a case to be the Angels' starting catcher of the future. After following up a successful 2015 at Triple-A with more solid production there this year, he has continued to hit as a member of the big league club. Over 39 at-bats, he's hitting .308 with two home runs and six RBI as he splits time behind the plate with the .221-hitting Carlos Perez. With veteran Geovany Soto due back sometime in August, if Bandy can keep hitting, it won't be him who is shipped back to the minors, giving him serious two-catcher league appeal.
Delino DeShields (OF, TEX) - 13% Owned
After struggling out of the gate this season and getting himself demoted, outfielder Delino DeShields is back for a second try at sticking in the Rangers' outfield. In his first four games back, he's hitting .308 with one home run and one stolen base, which is a far cry from the .217 average he put up his first 30 games. DeShields was fairly useful as a fantasy player last season when he hit .261 with 10 triples, two home runs and 25 stolen bases, and that potential still exists. As one of the few speed options possibly still available to deep leaguers, he is a must-own to see if he returns to form.
Joey Gallo (3B/OF, TEX) - 23% Owned
Rookie Joey Gallo is getting his first taste of action with the Rangers this season as they look to fill the hole left by the recent injuries to Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo. Though he continues to struggle to hit for average, his big-time power keeps showing up right on cue as he leaves Triple-A with a .246 average and 19 home runs in 244 at-bats. After hitting barely hitting above .200 anywhere outside of Double-A last season, the chances of Gallo turning into another Chris Carter or John Singleton is decent. Whether that has value to you or not is negligible, but as one of the name's top prospects, he should be owned in any deep league he's still available in.
Pitchers
Matt Boyd (SP, DET) - 3% Owned
Starting pitcher Matt Boyd was a disaster during his first three attempts at sticking with the Tigers this year, going 0-2 with a 6.44 ERA in 29.1 innings. Fourth time though, things have been quite different. Since returning July 9th, the results have been the exact opposite, with him going 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA in 15.1 innings. He's still working on building his pitching count above 80, but if he can keep himself closer to the pitcher who has a 2.25 ERA in 64 Triple-A innings this year, he could help fantasy teams.
Tyler Skaggs (SP, LAA) - 24% Owned
On Tuesday, starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs made his first start since 2014, and did he ever look like the pitcher the Angels were hoping for when they traded for him back then. He held the Royals scoreless over seven innings, allowing only three hits and one walk, striking out five. As great as this outing was, Skaggs hasn't pitched in the Majors in well over a year and was more potential than production when he was injured, so keep expectations tempered. That said, he should provide a boost to pitching-depleted teams as he looks to builds towards a full season next year.
Darren O'Day (RP, BAL) - 19% Owned
Elite relief pitcher Darren O'Day quietly returned from the disabled list Sunday, immediately returning to fantasy gold. He pitched a perfect inning, striking out all three batters he faced to pick up the win. Though his season stats are rather pedestrian for a pitcher who hasn't had an ERA north of 2.00 since 2013, there is little reason to think O'Day won't spend the next two plus months pushing that ERA as low as he can.
Cam Bedrosian (RP, LAA) - 7% Owned
With many a club looking towards the bottom-dwellers for relief help at the trade deadline, Angels' closer Hudson Street has found his name among those floating around in the rumor mill. With those rumblings picking up steam, so have those regarding who would inherit his closer role. While Joe Smith seems like a logical choice based on experience, there is absolutely no denying that reliever Cam Bedrosian is the most deserving based on stats alone. On a team going nowhere, the Angels should look to the future and pass the torch to Bedrosian and his 0.97 ERA and 10.5 K/9 in 37 innings this season.
Dylan Bundy (SP, BAL) - 13% Owned
After making this list recently as a reliever, Dylan Bundy is now in the starting rotation and it was worth the wait. After a rough first start, his second outing was much better, as he gave up zero earned runs on five hits and zero walks over five innings, striking out five as he picked up the win. On Wednesday, he was no-hitting the Rockies for five innings before finally ceding three ER on two hits, while striking out eight. Once a top-three prospect, he has had to overcome injuries and growing pains to get to this point. Though he still has much to prove when it comes to fantasy value, Bundy's current 3-2 record with a 3.30 ERA and 8.0 K/9 are a good start.
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