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Giants Denard Span Gaining Steam: Deep Waiver Wire Add

By Brad Kelly

Aug 13, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Denard Span (2) hits a two run RBI single against the Baltimore Orioles in the second inning of their MLB baseball game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Denard Span (2) hits a two run RBI single against the Baltimore Orioles in the second inning of their MLB baseball game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denard Span has turned things around over the last month or so for the Giants. Now on a tear, should he be back o/n fantasy owners’ waiver wire radar?

*****Update 8/31*****

Span was forced to leave Tuesday’s game due to a stiff neck. This of course serves as a blow to his current value, and owners should take and wait approach moving forward. 

Things have not gone well for the San Francisco Giants over the second half of the season, and the team has looked the polar opposite of team that was, deemed by many,  as one of the best teams in MLB. One player that they can not blame their struggles on over the second half is, Denard Span, who is playing well, and more importantly, looks healthy.

Span has never been a monster fantasy contributor, but he has provided solid fantasy value over since he debuted in 2008. While he has never got the attention he deserved, injuries have been the only negative strike when looking at his track record. When he went to the Giants this offseason, it looked like a great addition, as Span would lead a solid Giants lineup. But, the injury bug struck again this season.

Outside of a .290 AVG in May, Span got off to a dreadful start to the season, highlighted by a .215 AVG performance in June. On the season he currently sits with a,  .277/ 9 HR/46 RBI/12 SB/.733 OPS line. On the surface that is a respectable line, but most of his production has come in August.

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Span has suffered a myriad of injuries, and this season, it was a cranky neck issue that slowed him. Coming off his solid May, the neck injury had to play a big part in his rough June, and was the cause Span missing time this season. However, now nearly two months removed from when he suffered the injury, it should come as no surprise to see him look like his vintage self now healthy.

In August, Span has slashed a, .346 AVG/5 HR/15 RBI/3 SB/.912 OPS line. He has also added in seven doubles, and has not been caught on the base paths, so things are clicking. It remains to be seen if the Giants can recover and make the playoffs, but Span’s recent surge will surely help propel the team’s chances.

The risk of injury lies with every player, but even more so with Span, so there is some risk involved in adding him. Yet, adding Span for the home stretch could serve as a quality waiver add. He will always provide solid AVG, but to see over half of his HR this season come in August, and the fact that he is running again, fantasy owners have to believe that Span is feeling good.

Next: Padres Manuel Margot: Waiver Worthy if Promoted in September?

Add Denard Span as a OF5 or UTIL player and ride his hot streak heading into September. The Giants still have top-heavy lineup so the counting stats should be there. He may be underappreciated by the baseball community, but fantasy owners should not ignore him.

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