James Jones (OF, SEA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Very Deep and AL-Only Leagues

ANALYSIS: James Jones was traded to the Oakland Raiders this offseason and will be catching passes (maybe) from Matt Schau.... Wrong sport? Oh, sorry... James Jones is actually the rookie full-time center fielder for the Mariners and has hit well after getting the call due to inept play from a platoon of Seattle outfielders including demoted rookie Abraham Almonte. A career .282 hitter in six minor league seasons, Jones has shown the ability to draw walks, and wreak havoc on the base paths, averaging 28 steals the past three seasons. Jones is already at twelve SB in 182 PA, and more impressively he's only been caught stealing once.  The Mariners seem content keeping him in the leadoff spot in most games (batting second on a few occasions) which will only increase his potential value. The walks and OBP will come with time and better plate discipline, but he can immediately help in runs and steals for any fantasy managers desperate in those categories in very deep and AL-Only leagues.