Alejandro De Aza: Deep Waiver Wire Pickup
By Bill Pivetz
Jun 26, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder
Alejandro De Aza(31) hits a RBI double during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
When the move was announced, no one cared. It was a small transaction that didn’t raise a lot of eyebrows. However, a month later and it could be a difference maker between the two teams. The Baltimore Orioles traded Alejandro De Aza to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations and a prospects. For 2015, the Red Sox won the trade and, as a result, he should be picked up in deeper fantasy leagues.
In his first 30 games this season with the Orioles, De Aza hit three home runs, seven RBI, 34:7 K:BB rate and a .214 batting average. So, when the Red Sox decided to trade for him, no one was up in arms. He was joining a team with a lot of outfield depth.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle
However, the move up north must have flipped a switch for De Aza. In 20 games with Boston, he has three home runs, 11 RBI, 12:2 K:BB rate and a .317 average. In his last five games, De Aza has nine hits (five extra base hits), six RBI and a .474 average.
The Red Sox placed Shane Victorino and Dustin Pedroia on the 15-day DL. The team sent Cuban prospect Rusney Castillo back down to the minors. Brock Holt is getting time at second base and Jackie Bradley is playing right field. De Aza has been manning left field while Hanley Ramirez sits out with a hand injury after being hit by a batted ball.
Pedroia and Ramirez could return soon, so De Aza’s playing time could be limited. However, Ramirez has been fragile recently and could be on the DL sooner rather than later.
He has been picked up in 5.9 percent of ESPN.com leagues over the last week. If you own Ramirez and/or Victorino, De Aza becomes a nice handcuff in deeper leagues. In standard leagues, he should remain on the waiver wire. As long as Alejandro De Aza continues to get playing time, he will be an asset to the Red Sox and fantasy owners.