Nelson Cruz will sit down the remainder of the season. In some leagues, the playoffs are approaching and for some owners, Cruz was their offensive battery. How do you replace 27 home runs and 76 RBI? Let's look at some of the options still available on waivers.
My ESPN league is a bit different. Instead of having three outfield spots, we had three spots designated specifically for one right fielder, one center fielder and one left fielder. Luckily, Allen Craig was my Util, but he now took over my right field duties. I happened to also have Jhonny Peralta, but I filled his space with Atlanta Braves' shortstop Andrelton Simmons. My new utility is Kansas City Royals' first baseman, Eric Hosmer, who has picked up the slack after the All-Star game.
If you are in need of an outfielder, here are some options in both ESPN and Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball Leagues.
Marlon Byrd: On ESPN %Owned- 99.8 ,Yahoo! %Owned- 60
He's hitting .279 with 17 home runs and 60 RBI. Byrd has a .327 OBP and .503 Slugging
Adam Dunn: ESPN %Owned- 94.8, Yahoo! %Owned- 77
If you want a true substitute for power and Dunn is still available, he's your best option. He's hit 26 home runs with 68 RBI. Though he's hitting .225, if your league counts OBP, Dunn is clutch drawing 57 BB for a .331 on-base percentage in 2013.
Raul Ibanez: ESPN % Owned-59 Yahoo! %Owned- 47
With 24 home runs and 58 RBI, Ibanez looks like he's back in his prime. He has a chance to finish well over 30 home runs in the season and is an improvement hitting over Dunn. Ibanez has a .251 batting average, but he's only reaching base 30 percent of the time.
Chris Carter: ESPN %Owned- 25.9 Yahoo! %Owned- 22
Put him up there with the Dunns and Ibanezes. Carter won't hit for a high average and is just barely reaching base 31 percent of the time, but he has 19 home runs and 52 RBI in the season. He is a power option.
Alfonso Soriano: ESPN: 100%, Yahoo!- 77%
With 18 home runs and 55 RBI, Soriano is another decent acquisition. He likely won't remain in the No. 2 hole of the Yankees' lineup, but his production should peak now as Robinson Cano will be protecting him as long as Alex Rodriguez is in the Yankees' lineup.
Not all of these guys will fit every team available. If your team hits for a high average, you can risk picking up any of these guys, but if you're looking for guys who hit for average and also have pop, then you're pretty much out of luck. I would suggest always checking waivers because some league owners might drop a player in the heat of the moment, allowing you to snatch up a steal.
