Fantasy Baseball: Mets T.J. Rivera worth a waiver wire add?

T.J. Rivera is one of the few Mets that is swinging it well right now. But, is the utility man worth a waiver wire add moving forward?

The first half of the Mets’ season has been tough to watch. Between ineffectiveness and injuries yet again, the team sits seven games under .500 and well behind the Nationals in the NL East.  While there have not been too many bright spots for the Mets this season, T.J. Rivera has certainly done his part. But, is he worth being a waiver wire add?

T.J. Rivera joined the Mets in 2011 out of Troy University and methodically made his way through the minor league levels via his bat skill. He posted multiple .300 + AVG seasons in the minors with ease and forced the Mets to promote him last season after he was posting a cool .353 AVG at AAA.

The Mets have a lot of moving parts because of injuries. They are rarely ever at full strength but a cloud of uncertainty hovers over the fantasy value of players like Rivera. Since Rivera has been promoted and demoted already twice this season,  it is easy to see why things can get murky. But, Rivera is playing so well right now though that the team will have to keep him up.

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Last season. Rivera posted a .333/3 HR/16 RBI/.821 OPS over 105 at-bats in the big leagues. A small sample size, yet it continues the narrative that Rivera can swing it.  In 2017, things have been even solid again as he currently sits with a .284/4 HR/19 RBI/.758 OPS line over 162 at-bats.

Over the last two weeks, Rivera has seemingly hit his stride as he sits with a .333/2 HR/5 RBI line. He is getting a full slate of playing time all over the field, he has even played left field for the Mets, but it clear that he is settling in nicely. Looking closer at his batted ball data, it is clear to see the key behind his success this season as he is posting 25% LD, 52% Med and 30% Hard contact rates. He is squaring the ball up.

Rivera can play first, third or second base, so with Neil Walker still weeks away, third base wide open, and Jose Reyes still not being able to pick it up and hit it, the options are all around for Rivera to produce.

In terms of fantasy value, Rivera can provide solid AVG numbers, decent pop, and even though they are missing Yoenis Cespedes, Rivera is still hitting the middle of the order so the counting stats should be there. He also has the advantage of providing dual eligibility for fantasy owners, so if owners can add him and insert him into the MI or 2B spot of their lineups, he is all the more valuable.

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The Mets may not be going anywhere this season, but T.J. Rivera has earned his spot as a starter on the big league club.  For fantasy owners, he serves as a solid waiver wire add that can offer solid all around numbers, is swinging a hot bat and is getting at-bats in the middle of the lineup.

Give him a closer look.