Surprise, surprise Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes is injured again. At age 30 with an alarming amount of leg injuries in the recent past, Reyes was a risky pick at his ADP of 43.8, and he didn't reward owners' faith by hitting the DL after one at-bat.
Fantasy pitching waiver pickups
If you're a Reyes owner it's possible that you drafted insurance. But maybe you didn't. If that's the case, Sportsworldnews.com is here to help you find someone that maybe, just maybe, can fill the void.
Jimmy Rollins, SS Philadelphia Phillies
Hurry up and grab him Reyes owners! Rollins smoked a grand slam on Opening Day, and those who read my deep sleepers column but still doubted probably hustled to their computers. At 44 percent ownership though, it seems like there are doubters. You don't have the luxury of doubt anymore, so go grab him.
Rollins has a lot to prove after a rough 2013 season, but as I've spelled out before his power outage was a little fluky, since his fly ball dip was caused by an uptick in line drives, not grounders. His speed never left either, so if Reyes misses a lot of time it's reasonable to expect Rollins to pick up significant slack.
Jonathan Villar, SS Houston Astros
The speedy Houston shortstop is best known for cramming his face into a rear end in one of the best gifs of 2013, and possibly ever. The "Butt Slide" shouldn't mask his awesome potential as a source of steals though, which was your primary reason for drafting Reyes.
I'm aware that Reyes is a former silver slugger whose doubles and triples make for good slugging numbers-that's why he goes in the third or fourth round despite his injury risk. That said, Villar swiped 18 bags in just 58 games last season, and topped 30 stolen bases three times in his minor league career. The Astros are really bad, and he might be a batting average bust, but at 16.5 percent ownership he's eminently available.
Erick Aybar, SS Los Angeles Angels
This pickup is as boring as it gets, and he did stink last year, but Aybar's just two years removed from a 30-steal season. He's low-risk in terms of batting average, with .271 in 2013 qualifying as a rough season, and he gets a lot of at-bats. He's not going to make you forget Reyes any time soon, but he could get you by if you drafted well, or are close to a deal for a real SS.
Stephen Drew, SS Free agent
Reyes' MRI is today, and if things don't go so well don't rule out the Jays reaching out to Stephen Drew. They are desperate to win, and he profiles as a good defender which should help their shaky rotation in real life. Fantasy-wise, he's not great but he has pop, can steal a little, and will get all the at-bats.
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