Dan Haren: Waiver Wire Pickup
By Bill Pivetz
May 7, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Dan Haren (15) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Marlins have been one of the league’s worst team for years. The team tried to improve by signing big-name free agents, moving and building a new park and many other things. Unfortunately, none of that worked. I think the only thing the Marlins have going for them is that they aren’t the Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins’ pitching staff has improved in recent weeks. If you need help in the pitching department, look to grab Dan Haren off the waiver wire.
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Haren has been a serviceable pitcher throughout his career. His best season came in 2011, when he finished with a 16-10, 3.17 ERA and 1.024 WHIP. If this season were to end today, he would surpass his best ratio stats. In six starts, he has a 4-1 record, 2.68 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.
Haren has gotten lucky in the teams he’s faced in his six starts. He pitched against the Washington Nationals, Tampa Bay Rays and Phillies (twice), ranked 18th, 22nd and 30th in OPS. His next start will be against the Los Angeles Dodgers, ranked No. 1 in OPS all thanks to Adrian Gonzalez and Joc Pederson.
In fantasy, pitching matchups are the top priority when picking up a lesser-owned guy. So far this season, Haren has done what’s been asked of him against the worst teams in the leagues; and owners have noticed. He was owned in just 19.7 percent of ESPN.com leagues last week. Right now, he’s owned in 59.6 percent.
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Haren is even helping his own case in order to pick up the win. In his last outing against the San Francisco Giants, he had two RBI and two runs scored. Unfortunately, owners don’t get credit for those numbers, but they ultimately end up with the win.
While Haren may regress over the rest of the season, he has the skills to be more than serviceable for his fantasy owners. If he’s available in your league, drop a struggling pitcher like Taijuan Walker and pick up Haren.