FAAB Week 13: Trying To Keep Our Cool

Hello Razzballers, hope you are all keeping cool out there this weekend (outside of you lucky Pacific Northwestern dwellers) as summer has taken hold across the lower 48.

While the temps have been rising, so have the tempers across MLB. Once again, the Dodgers and Padres hate each (but please, don’t break Ohtani in the bean ball wars!). Dave Martinez is in a feud with his own team amidst a losing stretch? Last night, the hatred between Zach Neto and Hunter Brown boiled over again, with Neto surviving a HBP to the bird bones in his hand. And I wouldn’t be surprised if we see bad blood between the Giants and Red Sox this weekend as Boston makes the split with Rafael Devers like official official.

It makes sense, really. These guys have been doing the regular-season-baseball thing for about three months now. We are only going to cross the halfway mark of the regular (and fantasy) season within the week. There’s a lot of tension and fatigue housed in those professional athlete bodies and managerial staff brains that are about to be blasted with extreme warmth (in my home of Chicago today, the temps are going to push 95 degrees all weekend with a 105 degree heat index). There’s tons of baseball left to go with plenty of chances to claw back roto points and win head-to-head matches if you play your cards right.

You may have also noticed that some of those scoreboxes have been pretty loaded of late. The run scoring is up a tick already over the last two weeks to 4.46 runs per team per game from 4.30 from Opening Day to June 6. That doesn’t seem like much, but we are only on the upslope of that trend as those temperatures keep rising. Remember that as you start looking at what roto categories might shift in your leagues, especially if you are working with an innings pitched cap and have already banked a boatload IP (congrats if you have while your leaguemates ratios degrade over the summer).

On to those suggested adds now…

The stats and roster rates below are updated as of noon central time on 6/20.

As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on BlueSky (@mcouill7.bsky.social).

CATCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

Ryan Jeffers (MIN, 39% CBS Rostership) – The limited number of options and low bids here aren’t because these backstops are total bums, it’s just that you likely don’t need a catcher right now. Led by Cal “That’s right, I’m on pace for a 60 HR/18 SB season” Raleigh, the catcher position is the strongest I can ever remember. Jeffers has continued to swing a solid stick, slashing .256/.373/.442 with two taters over 51 plate appearances this month. He’s likely only needed if you were rostering Ivan Herrera, who hit the IL this weekend. (1-3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Kyle Teel (CHW, 29% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Edgar Quero (CHW, 9% CBS Rostership) – The lack of power in Quero’s game is a bummer without a homer yet. But in a deep league, you can’t go wrong with a catcher that’s playing in a starting capacity and being a batting average asset (.276) with the knowledge that he’s 22 years old with upside. (1-3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Danny Jansen (TBR, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Pedro Pages (STL, 3% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

INFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Michael Toglia (1B, COL, 24% CBS Rostership) – The Rockies, who miraculously haven’t let me down since last week’s Colorado-heavy piece, are about to enter a glorious stretch of their schedule. Next week, they have a home series against the Dodgers then a road series at a now pitcher-friendly American Family Field (my theory is that it’s because of the volume of games with the roof closed there, with the odd indoor lighting hampering batters a la Tropicana Field). Then July will be a total boon for Rox bats with their series going as follows: vs. HOU, vs. CHW (!), @ BOS (hitter-friendly), @ CIN (verrrry hitter-friendly), All-Star Break, vs. MIN, vs. STL, @ BAL (hitter-friendly and hot). Toglia, who returned this week after last week’s piece was out (sorry, otherwise he would have been in there!), is coming off a monster series in Washington with three bombs and a .882 OPS over 18 plate appearances. There’s no reason the 26-year-old shouldn’t be re-entrenched at the cold corner after the team rightfully abandoned hope on the Keston Hiura experiment. Look for Toglia to continue doing his thang rest-of-season, fanning at a 30% clip while flashing power in line with a 40-homer season. (5-7% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Nolan Schanuel (1B, LAA, 46% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), J.P. Crawford (SS, SEA, 41% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jake Cronenworth (1B/2B, SDP, 39% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Zach McKinstry (3B/SS/OF, DET, 49% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Nathaniel Lowe (1B, WSN, 47% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Carlos Santana (1B, CLE, 31% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Gavin Lux (2B/OF, CIN, 31% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Christian Moore (2B, LAA, 30% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Hyeseong Kim (2B/SS/OF, LAD, 28% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Brooks Lee (2B/3B/SS, MIN, 27% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Otto Lopez (2B/SS, MIA, 22% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Tyler Freeman (2B/OF, COL, 8% CBS Rostership) – A Razzball-exclusive look into a day in the office of Rockies GM Bill Schmidt around June 1… “Hmm, why hasn’t my guy Warren been playing our former 20/20 man Nolan Jones? Oh shit! I forgot I traded Jones back to Cleveland for his buddy Tyler Freeman. Huh, what’s this? FanGraphs has Freeman pegged as a 50 Future Value player? That’s pretty cool.” **picks up rotary phone, deftly working it to call his desired number** “Yeah, hey, Warren. Let’s start Freeman more. What do you mean ‘where will he play?’ I dunno, stick him in Nolan’s old spot – RF and DH. We traded Jones for Freeman, makes perfect sense for them to just swap out jobs. Cool, thanks.” Since June 1, Freeman has been a mainstay in the Rockies lineup with an incredible .396/.500(!)/.583 slash line to go with a slam and three legs over 60 plate appearances while striking out just once. That’s peak Luis Arraez-level stuff (complimentary). Freeman is regularly hitting first or second now as there must have been another daydream gone right from Schmidt as Colorado slowly realizes the 26-year-old utility man just might be their best player. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Caleb Durbin (2B/3B, MIL, 18% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Cole Young (2B/SS, SEA, 15% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Max Muncy (2B/3B/SS, ATH, 12% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Eric Wagaman (1B/3B/OF, MIA, 10% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Otto Kemp (3B, PHI, 11% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Luis Urias (2B/3B, ATH, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Lenyn Sosa (1B/2B/3B, CHW, 4% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Casey Schmitt (1B/2B/3B, SFG, 3% CBS Rostership) – Schmitt is up to a .279/.367/.488 (144 wRC+) slash this month while looking solid since taking over the hot corner for a banged up Matt Chapman. He’s been producing steadily enough that the Giants might be forced to find a regular lineup spot for Schmitt even when Chapman returns, making the 26-year-old viable in 15-teamers too. (7% FAAB in NL-Only, 1-3% in 15-teamers)

Victor Caratini (C/1B, HOU, 3% CBS Rostership) – Given the roster rate, Caratini is likely still floating around in some AL-Only leagues, but that’s likely to end this weekend. With Yordan Alvarez having disappeared into a dark closet in the depths of Minute Maid Park, Caratini is playing six or so times a week at catcher, first, and DH. His switchy bat and regular run have allowed Caratini to find a groove over the last three Houston series, as he’s hitting .276 with two homers and seven RBI (yes, it was Bing Bong Park aided). That should allow him to stick so long as Yordan is shelved and be a volume-based backstop for super deep leagues. (7-9% FAAB)

OUTFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Jordan Beck (COL, 44% CBS Rostership) – Beck ended his homer drought this week and joins Toglia and Freeman from above for this run of the Rockies schedule that might pull teams out of fantasy cellars. Beck, Freeman, and McMahon are the three Colorado bats that aren’t going to have to worry about the whims Bill Schmidt’s roster management. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Mike Yastrzemski (SFG, 46% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Trevor Larnach (MIN, 41% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 30% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jake Meyers (HOU, 29% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Pavin Smith (1B/OF, ARI, 21% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jake Mangum (TBR, 20% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Dane Myers (MIA, 15% CBS Rostership) – Myers is exactly the type of player the Marlins were hoping to uncover in this (perpetual?) rebuild period, as the 29-year-old is well on his way to a breakout 2025. His 147 plate appearances leave him short of solid colors on the Savant page, but it’s going to be dripping in red once those shaded bars fill in. Yes, Myers is currently running a .410 BABIP but given his speed and ability to square up the ball, he’s the type of player that runs high BABIPs. I think his ZiPS line, which projects for a .353 BABIP, is on par with what the ceiling could be here – a slash line of .273/.334/.415 with what would pace to 15 homers and 20 steals over a full season. The Miami label next to Myers’ name will keep the price down, but he’s viable in most leagues right now while running hot with the ability to easily move up in the lineup. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Andrew Benintendi (CHW, 17% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Max Kepler (PHI, 16% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Luke Raley (1B/OF, SEA, 13% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Wenceel Perez (DET, 12% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 10% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Andrew McCutchen (PIT, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Alex Call (WSN, 5% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Ramon Laureano (BAL, 5% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Jakob Marsee (MIA, 1% CBS Rostership) – Remember Drew Stubbs? Marsee has a similar profile and plate approach with some pop, a good walk rate, lots of whiffs, and oodles of steals. The 24-year-old former San Diego farmhand (he came over in the Luis Arraez trade) is running wild in the minors, going 38-for-45 in steals this year after a 51-for-58 performance in 2024. With the trade deadline just a few weeks away, stash Marsee now if desperate for speed in an NL-Only league as Miami likely will work to clear a 40-man spot to let him debut soon. (3% FAAB)

Mauricio Dubon (1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, HOU, 2% CBS Rostership) – Thanks to his eligibility at every position, Dubon fits any roster. He’s been on an absolute tear since Brendan Rodgers hit the IL with an oblique injury, hitting .421 with two long balls across 21 plate appearances. A bat that’s eligible at every position is the golden goose of an Only league, so the winning bid to roster Dubon won’t be cheap. (7-9% FAAB)

STARTING PITCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

Luis Severino (ATH, 48% CBS Rostership) – Bing Bong Stadium in Sacramento has eaten Severino alive, as he sports a 6.79 ERA and 4.29 FIP at home compared to superlative 0.93 and 2.91 marks on the road. Next week features two starts for the offseason acquisition, one at Detroit and the other against his former mates, the Yankees. Those are good offenses, but Severino really seems to just hate Sacramento. (5% FAAB)

Edward Cabrera (MIA, 31% CBS Rostership) – This ain’t your daddy’s Edward Cabrera, as the Miami right-hander has pitched to a 2.12 ERA, 2.86 FIP and 11.2 K/9 over his last six starts while finally shaving his walk rate under 4.0 BB/9. If he can keep hovering around his current 10.2% BB-rate, the whole package works for Cabrera because it allows the Ks to play while giving him a shot at working five innings, which used to be a struggle, for wins. He’s working a sharp five-pitch mix that features four above-average offerings per Stuff+ and appears finally set to round into a frontline starter, just in time for Cabrera to enter his prime arbitration years. My man, get that money. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Kumar Rocker (TEX, 26% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Justin Verlander (SFG, 48% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI, 40% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Ben Casparius (LAD, 39% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Landen Roupp (SFG, 42% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Soroka (WSN, 35% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Charlie Morton (BAL, 31% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Michael Lorenzen (KCR, 29% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Brandon Walter (HOU, 21% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Logan Allen (CLE, 10% CBS Rostership) – At least the options have replenished a bit for deeper leagues after I lamented the lack of streamable pitchers last week. There will likely be a few more opportunities as we entered the portion of the schedule MLB devised to keep the A’s and Rays out of their outdoor minor league parks during peak heat. Allen has his picture featured next to the Webster’s Dictionary definition of “league-average MLB starter” (derogatory) but lines up for a decent two-start week at home against Toronto and St. Louis for those looking for two dice rolls at wins in a weekly league. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Sawyer Gipson-Long (DET, 17% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Ryne Nelson (ARI, 14% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Hunter Dobbins (BOS, 20% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Slade Cecconi (CLE, 19% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Aaron Civale (CHW, 17% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Adrian Houser (CHW, 16% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Eric Lauer (TOR, 6% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Didier Fuentes (ATL, 6% CBS Rostership) – I’ve been in love with this arm ever since Jeremy made him his prospect pick to click in our Cards & Categories NL East preview. In typical Atlanta pitching development fashion, Fuentes has breezed through the minors this season, firing a 2.83 FIP with an 11 K/9 in 39.1 innings across three levels. I thought they would park him at Triple-A for longer than his 4.2-outing this past week, but he made his debut last night and featured a 96-mph fastball and wicked curve. Stuff+ hasn’t updated as I write this, but both are plus pitches per Pitching Bot. Overall, it wasn’t a bad debut for Fuentes as one hanging curveball to Agustin Ramirez that resulted in a three-run bomb tainted the outing. The 20-year-old might have only been making a spot start, but if you have a bench spot to stash him while he marinates at Gwinnett, do so. (7-9% FAAB, but can go up to 13% if in an NL-Only and sitting on FAAB bucks and desperate for pitching help, 3-5% FAAB in 15-teamers)

Cam Schlittler (NYY, 1% CBS Rostership) – Continue to hold the line with Schlittler, as the Yanks appear to have developed another starting pitcher out of a ball of clay (see previously: Will Warren). The 24-year-old now boasts a 2.35 ERA with 24 Ks through his first 15.1 innings at Triple-A. In addition, he completely dominated Louisville in his last start June 19, working five frames with nine punchouts against just one free pass. Because of an Ottoneu roster crunch, I had to drop my Schlittler stash this week, which means he’s probably set to debut at any moment knowing my luck. (3% FAAB)

RELIEVERS

10/12 Team Adds

Orion Kerkering (PHI, 21% CBS Rostership) – Rob Thomson spins a wheel set up in his office, letting it flutter through all of his bullpen options. “KERKERING IT IS THIS WEEK!” Okay, okay, Orion deserves a little more credit than that, as he’s recently fulfilled the destiny of his prospect reports to complete 18 straight appearances without allowing an earned run. His 10.3% K-BB over that span is questionable but given the value of being the main saves option in Philly, he’s the best bet if seeking someone to rack up 15 saves rest-of-season currently on the wire. (5-7% FAAB)

Robert Garcia (TEX, 28% CBS Rostership) – If Kerkering’s scooped up in your league, Garcia is the next best shot for saves. Luke Jackson recently stole the last save, but Garcia is certainly the more talented of the two relievers that are capped by how many save opportunities a so-so Texas team is offering. (3-5% FAAB)

Calvin Faucher (MIA, 21% CBS Rostership) – Faucher has been a pretty solid reliever this season with a 3.81 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 8.3 K/9 and 46.1% groundball rate through 26 innings. He just closes for a Marlins team with a .397 winning percentage is all. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Tommy Kahnle (DET, 42% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jason Adam (SDP, 37% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Cade Smith (CLE, 32% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Randy Rodriguez (SFG, 27% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Abner Uribe (MIL, 25% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Bryan Abreu (HOU, 22% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Porter Hodge (CHC, 19% CBS Rostership) – Well, we’ve reached another ebb in which all closers (non-Rockies and White Sox edition) are rostered in shallower leagues thanks to Faucher’s recent bump. Hodge is on a rehab assignment and should be back before the month is over. He was the Cubs closer before his oblique injury, and while Daniel Palencia has been solid with 2.25 ERA over 12 appearances while going 7-for-8 in save opportunities since Hodge was shelved, it’s possible Craig Counsell pays deference to Hodge’s previous role and 2024 strikeout prowess. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Griffin Jax (MIN, 16% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Reid Detmers (LAA, 15% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Reed Garrett (NYM, 14% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Dylan Lee (ATL, 10% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Grant Taylor (CHW, 9% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Bryan Baker (BAL, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Phil Maton (STL, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Mark Leiter Jr. (NYY, 4% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Yariel Rodriguez (TOR, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Greg Weissert (BOS, 5% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)