Welcome back to the weekly waiver wire/FAAB article! Can you find replacements for the rash of new injuries to the likes Eloy Jimenez, Mitch Haniger, Max Fried, and Robbie Ray with Joey Gallo, Ji-Hwan Bae, and Seth Lugo? Is the backend of your roster still suffering after your drunken inattention caused you to throw value sheets to the wind late in the draft? Find out answers to questions like those and more within.
As a reminder, you can check last week’s post to gain an understanding of the loose methodology here (plus, find previously discussed dudes that are likely still available in a lot of leagues). I do want to point out that I continue using the CBS ownership percentages to roughly determine waiver wire availability.
A couple of twists for this week as we hone in on the final format. First, I have added some AL and NL Only-league guys to evaluate. The FAAB percentages listed next to the Only-league picks are tailored for that format; if you are interested in them in your 12 or 15 team league, they should all be 1% FAAB dudes.
Secondly, I added a “Quick Hits” under each category of other available players I like picking up that have either previously covered or just warrant a mention in case the others are either taken or not to your liking.
As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment.
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Logan O’Hoppe (LAA) (CBS Ownership: 44%) – Since being covered last week, O’Hoppe has cranked out homers in Seattle and Oakland and currently sits third in the Razzball Player Rater for catchers. He easily has the hit tool to be a top 8 catcher this season and can beat Max Stassi out for the majority of playing time. (5-10% FAAB)
Francisco Alvarez (NYM) (CBS Ownership: 42%) – IT’S HAPPENING!! With Omar Narvaez out roughly eight weeks, Alvarez is going to get a lot of run at catcher and DH for the Mets. If he doesn’t go back down, he could sniff 30 homers with his bananas power. BUY BUY BUY if available in your league. (10-15% FAAB)
Quick Hits: Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 50% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Mitch Garver (TEX, 35% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jonah Heim (TEX, 34% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Elias Diaz (COL) (CBS Ownership: 28%) – Diaz will likely be a permanent fixture and mascot of this article as every time he has Coors Field games upcoming, he will be a great option. He spends the early part of the week in Coors against the Cardinals and their atrocious starting pitching. (1-3% FAAB)
Blake Sabol (SFG) (CBS Ownership: 16%) – Sabol is finally on the board with a monster homer he hit off Lance Lynn. He keeps playing every day and swinging hard. The Giants are going to let him figure it out and get full playing time. (3-5% FAAB)
Quick Hits: Shea Langeliers (OAK, 20% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Mike Zunino (CLE, 18% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Reese McGuire (BOS, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only League Adds
Gary Sanchez (SFG) (CBS Ownership: 3%) – Sanchez signed a minor league contract with the Giants this week. As you may have noticed, I love Blake Sabol a lot, but if he slips up and can’t stick on the roster as a Rule 5 pick, The Kraken will be lurking. (1-3% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
Luis Rengifo (2B/3B, LAA) (CBS Ownership: 51%) – Rengifo might be only hitting .150 so far, but that is coming with a .176 BABIP and 19.2% BB rate. He’s playing every day and should be a viable 2B/MI due to volume once the BABIP Gods shine favor upon him. (3% FAAB)
Brian Anderson (3B/OF, MIL) (CBS Ownership: 27%) – Anderson is off to a scorching start, ranking only second behind Adam Duvall overall in the Razzball Player Rater. He’s always had solid plate skills but was crushed by the soulless experience of playing for the Marlins. The new team, role, and home park have lifted Anderson into 3B relevancy given how shallow the position is. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Josh Rojas (3B, ARI, 56% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Isaac Paredes (1B/2B/3B, TBR, 46% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brice Turang (2B/SS, MIL, 44% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Jon Berti (2B/3B/SS, MIA, 37% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Elehuris Montero (3B, COL, 36% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Spencer Steer (3B, CIN, 26% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Elvis Andrus (2B/SS, CHW, 18% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
David Hensley (2B, HOU) (CBS Ownership: 17%) – Nothing intrigues me more than watching this big beef boy play the keystone for the Astros in Altuve’s absence. But even with his 6’6” frame and decent raw power scouting grades, the ISO and homers haven’t really been there throughout the minors plus he’s splitting time with Mauricio Dubón. Purely a playing time plug-in to try and generate some runs and RBI in a solid offense. (1-3% FAAB)
Jason Vosler (1B/3B, CIN) (CBS Ownership: 6%) – Another theme of this piece every week will be finding the Reds journeyman flavor-of-the-week just like tracking the Rockies’ home schedule. Vosler is filling in currently at 1B for Joey Votto, hitting in the middle of the order, and smacking the ball hard. (1% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Michael Massey (2B, KCR, 27% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Gio Urshela (3B/SS, LAA, 1% FAAB), Wilmer Flores (1B/2B/3B, SFG, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Dominic Smith (WSH, 10% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jesus Aguilar (1B, OAK, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Aledmys Diaz (1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, OAK, 6% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), LaMonte Wade Jr. (1B/OF, SFG, 3% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only League Adds
Addison Barger (SS, TOR) (4% CBS Ownership) – The Blue Jays’ 2B situation is still relatively unsettled as Santiago Espinal and Cavan Biggio are splitting the keystone in a platoon (Whit Merrifield is primarily playing in the corner OF). Barger needs to be moved off SS anyways according to scouts and has the type of sweet stroke that could be the last piece to pushing this Toronto lineup over the top. He’s currently parked in AAA, but just a few more hot weeks of hitting or an injury away from being ready. A priority pickup and stash if he’s not already owned in your league. (3% FAAB)
Kody Clemens (3B, PHI) (0% CBS Ownership) – Just a pure volume play with Darick Hall now slated to miss two months with a thumb injury. Clemens is locked into regular at bats against right-handers. Although this Phillies lineup is starting to get thin at the bottom, so the run production could get a little dicey. (5-10% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Joey Gallo (MIN) (42% CBS Ownership) – A few guys in my leagues basically had a draft strategy of “no shift rule equals LEFT-HANDED BATS GOOD,” hit on Gallo, and benefitted greatly. He looks great for the Twins so far and is back to the old-ish Joey Gallo. Here’s to hoping his struggles last year were all left behind in the Bronx. (5-7% FAAB)
Dylan Carlson (STL) (39% CBS Ownership) – Between Oli Marmol going full Nathan Shelley-evil-heel in the media against Tyler O’Neill and Lars Nootbaar’s thumb injury, Carlson’s playing time looks to benefit greatly over the next few weeks. He will hit in the bottom of a fantastic lineup and have plenty of opportunities to knock in runs. Overall, I think Carlson is a better real life player than fantasy due to his eye at the plate and defense. But with the boost in playing time and three games at Coors next week, he’s a definite add. (3-5% FAAB)
Trevor Larnach (MIN) (25% CBS Ownership) – If we had waited a day or two last week to run this column, Larnach would have been featured. He has spent all season primarily hitting third or fourth in the Twins’ lineup and always had a great bat coming up through the draft and minors. His only drawback is that he has Byron Buxton Syndrome and is made of paper, so an IL trip will be inevitable. (5-7% FAAB)
Ji-Hwan Bae (PIT, 2B/OF) (CBS Ownership: 25%) – Much like Larnach, Bae had a murky view at playing time coming into the season early. He does hit at the bottom of the Pirates’ order, but is starting pretty much every day at CF or 2B and can easily swipe 25-30 bags with full playing time. I’ve included him in OF as he will be eligible there, but is a better 2B if he qualifies there for you. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Eddie Rosario (ATL, 58% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Garrett Mitchell (MIL, 56% CBS ownership, 5-7% FAAB), Austin Hays (BAL, 56% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jake Fraley (CIN, 49% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Seth Brown (OAK, 44% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Oswaldo Cabrera (NYY, 42% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jurickson Profar (COL, 42% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Jorge Soler (MIA, 39% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Trayce Thompson (LAD, 37% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), TJ Friedl (CIN, 16% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Myles Straw (CLE) (18% CBS Ownership) – Without the new MLB rules to increase steals, I wouldn’t touch Straw with a ten-foot pole. However, if you are slipping behind in SBs, he can help you quickly as he honestly could shoot well past 50 steals with full playing time (should be doable with his defense) in his best prime Billy Hamilton impression. Straw will be a major drag on your power categories, so just be careful. (3-5% FAAB)
Gavin Sheets (CHW) (5% CBS Ownership) – Sheets is the main beneficiary of the Eloy Jimenez injury and will inherit the strong side of a DH platoon with Jake Burger and continue his pinch-hitting duties against righties. If you are in a daily lineup league, Sheets will be playable against all righties when starting and hitting in the middle of a respectable White Sox lineup. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Alek Thomas (ARI, 25% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 22% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jose Siri (TB, 18% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Lane Thomas (WSN, 17% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Carpenter (SDP, 12% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Robbie Grossman (TEX, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Matt Vierling (DET, 5% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only League Adds
Alec Burleson (STL, 9% CBS Ownership) – Take the information from Carlson’s blurb above, and copy it down here. The only exception is that Burleson is probably a better fantasy player than real life player because he is all bat and no glove. With three games in Coors next week, he’s a must add in hopes he pops a big game or two. (5% FAAB)
Jake Lamb (LAA, 0% CBS Ownership) – Lamb just can’t stay away from finding his way into playing time as he bounces around the league like a corner version of Octavio Dotel. Jared Walsh is still on the IL with a strange injury causing headaches and insomnia plus was recovering from offseason thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, so can’t be necessarily counted on to return soon. Lamb will eat up lots of those bats against right-handed pitching until Walsh returns. (1-3% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Aaron Civale (CLE) (CBS Ownership: 53%) – Civale is by no means a terribly good pitcher, his skills are very middling, but he pitches for a good Guardians team that juices every last ounce out of a pitcher’s talent. That alone makes Civale ownable, but you will have to manage the matchups to avoid good offenses. (1-3% FAAB)
Seth Lugo (SDP) (CBS Ownership: 40%) – I’ve always loved Seth Lugo, the reliever, due to his nasty stuff but was unsure of Seth Lugo, the starter, as it was questionable whether he could be properly stretched out. He looked great enough (sure, against the Rockies) in his start this week that a lot of concerns are soothed enough to grab shares and see if he sticks in the rotation all season. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Matthew Boyd (DET, 55% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Kenta Maeda (MIN, 54% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), MacKenzie Gore (WSN, 51% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ross Stripling (SFG, 48% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Nick Martinez (SD, 42% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Tylor Megill (NYM, 26% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Domingo German (NYY, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Anthony DeSclafani (SFG, 21% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Kyle Gibson (BAL) (CBS Ownership: 37%) – I know this is gross, but if you are in a deep league, Gibson is here to give you some volume. He won’t be pitching in front of the Benny-Hill-theme-song-inspired Phillies defense anymore, so expect the ERA and WHIP to return to league average-ish acceptable levels. (1% FAAB)
Bryce Elder (ATL) (CBS Ownership: 7%) – Of the Jared Shuster, Dylan Dodd, and Elder threesome the Braves keep rolling the dice on in the fifth starter spot, Elder is my favorite. He shut down the dazzling Cardinals offense this week and all projections point to him having 8+ K/9 and roughly 4.00 ERA. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Wade Miley (MIL, 19% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Muller (OAK, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryne Nelson (ARI, 15% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Bailey Falter (PHI, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brad Keller (KCR, 9% Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Braxton Garrett (MIA, 8% Ownership, 1% FAAB), Chris Flexen (SEA, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Johan Oviedo (PIT, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only League Adds
Matt Strahm (PHI) (CBS Ownership: 2%) – Strahm looked really good shutting down the Yankees in a spot start this past week. Sure, he only went four innings and didn’t qualify for the win, but he also wasn’t stretched out as he has become the “pull in case of emergency” arm for a Philly pitching staff ravaged by injuries. Whether Strahm settles into being a five-and-dive spot starter, opener, follower, or higher-leverage reliever, he should provide enough value in a NL-only league with ratios and Ks to be rosterable. (3% FAAB)
Joey Wentz (DET) (CBS Ownership: 3%) – Wentz is currently keeping the fifth starter role warm as Michael Lorenzen works his way back from a strained groin. He looked a little bit rusty in his start this past week against the Rays, but he kept his walks in check and flashed a 1+ MPH increase on his fastball. He’s always been lost in the shuffle of the Sisyphean pitcher-based rebuild in Detroit, but now has a couple more weeks to flash what he can do. (5% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
A.J. Minter (ATL) (CBS Ownership: 61%) – Raisel Iglesias has yet to resume throwing, and shoulder injuries are no bueno. Minter is the guy in high leverage situations for the Braves, leading to saves and wins. He needs to be owned in all leagues until Iglesias comes back. (5-7% FAAB)
Evan Phillips (LAD) (CBS Ownership: 52%) – Phillips has always had the best skills in the Dodgers bullpen of all the jamokes turned wizards they have. Now Dave Roberts has passive aggressively anointed him closer, and you could be looking at a delicious 25+ saves for rest of season. (7-10% FAAB)
Scott McGough / Andrew Chafin (ARI) (CBS Ownership: 27% / 16%) – I covered McGough last week and still really like his skills despite his recent struggles. The splitter that he throws is downright nasty but seemingly difficult to control. Chafin has been arguably ownable in 12 team leagues the past two years just as a reliever to stabilize ratios and pick up a handful of saves. These guys are in a share of the closer job right now as McGough throws from the right and Chafin from the left. With how chaotic saves are going to be this year, each of them has a chance to put up 10-15 saves for an improved Arizona team. Double digit saves out of anyone this year is going to be more than valuable enough to be rostered. (3-5% FAAB each)
QUICK HITS: Michael Fulmer (CHC, 48% CBS Ownership, 5% FAAB), Dany Jimenez (OAK, 34% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB) Reynaldo Lopez (CHW, 30% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Hunter Harvey (WSN) (CBS Ownership: 4%) – Kyle Finnegan is already on the ropes and just barely hanging on to the Nationals closer job after a rough 5 ER outing this week. I’m putting my money on the guy in the Nats bullpen with the most electric stuff to possibly pick up the closer job. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Matt Bush (MIL, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jonathan Hernandez (TEX, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Adbert Alzolay (CHC, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Adam Cimber (TOR, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Shelby Miller (LAD, 0% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only League Adds
Carl Edwards Jr. (WSN) (CBS Ownership: 1%) – As outlined above, Finnegan is not looking long for the closer job in Washington. All signs would point to Harvey taking the next shift as closer, but there is a chance that Dave Martinez will go with the more veteran Edwards. Even if Edwards doesn’t get the job, he can easily move up to the #2 option and pick up a handful of saves. (1% FAAB)
Jose Quijada (LAA) (CBS Ownership: 0%) – A week has passed and guess what, the Angels bullpen is still a raging inferno of pain. Quijada picked up the most recent save opportunity and appears to be the more trusted lefty in the bullpen for saves over Aaron Loup right now. (1-3% FAAB)
