Since we last met, the bucolic fantasy baseball landscape has turned into a blistering hellscape of suffering. Team rosters and waiver wires have thinned out considerably as the likes of Tim Anderson, Joey Gallo, Zach Eflin, Kyle Farmer, Yoan Moncada, Orlando Arcia, Michael Harris, Kyle Bradish, Adam Duvall, Aaron Civale, German Marquez, Matt Manning, Brandon Woodruff, Oneil Cruz, Andres Munoz, Corey Seager, Jeffrey Springs, Seth Brown, and Mitch Garver have gone down with ailments of a variety of fashions.
I’m still in awe of that list of injured dudes I typed out. Not only are fantasy rosters missing foundational pieces but also glue pieces and then even possible pickups to fill for the injured players. Things are bleak out there, but let’s hope we can find some good possible replacements for you this week and get your team functional again.
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 Twitter (@mcouill7).
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Elias Diaz (COL) (CBS Ownership: 40%) – Look who’s back again. Not a bad upcoming week with three at home against the Pirates and four on the road at the Phillies. (1-3% FAAB)
Jonah Heim (TEX, CBS Ownership: 32%) – Mitch Garver was among the names in the fallen above. Heim was already pretty much getting full C1 at-bats but with Garver down, he could pick up a few more and provide a slight uptick in power numbers. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 47% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB) … That’s really it. Wow, this position got rough fast.
15 Team Adds
Joey Bart (SFG) (CBS Ownership: 23%) – Bart returned from the IL this week, and in case he got lost in the shuffle for you, he should be owned in all 15-team leagues just in case any semblance of a breakout happens finally. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Christian Vazquez (MIN, 30% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Shea Langeliers (OAK, 23% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Mike Zunino (CLE, 22% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Blake Sabol (SFG, 14% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Luis Campusano (SDP, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB) Reese McGuire (BOS, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only League Adds
Seby Zavala (CHW) (CBS Ownership: 2%) – With the recent rash of injuries to the White Sox, Zavala has started to see a little more playing time if Pedro Grifol shifts Yasmani Grandal into the DH spot. Zavala has good power and will be useful. (3% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Ezequiel Tovar (SS, COL, CBS Ownership: 60%) – This is more of a note that Tovar’s ownership is slipping as some owners are bailing on his slow start. If Tovar has found his way to your waiver wire, you can’t beat a Rockies player with full playing time especially when SS/MI players are dropping like flies. You can either stream him at Coors or dangle him as trade bait to someone forced to look further down this list for waiver options. (5% FAAB)
Edouard Julien (MIN, CBS Ownership: 34%) – It was only a matter of time before the crowded but oft-injured Twins roster cleared a spot for Julien to come up and shine. Most lineup projections don’t have him with starting gig right now, but he wasn’t called up to sit. Julien has flown through the minors with a great eye/walk rate and ability to do damage, putting up above average ISO and wRC+ throughout his time on the farms. (5% FAAB)
Ji-Hwan Bae (2B/OF, PIT, CBS Ownership: 32%) – We covered Bae last week, and he is still criminally under-owned now that Oneil Cruz is out for four months. Bae immediately moved up the order into Cruz’s batting spot, so some runs should be coming with those 25-ish stolen bases. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Brice Turang (2B/SS, MIL, 55% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Spencer Torkelson (1B, DET, 54% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Bryson Stott (2B/SS, PHI, 54% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Luis Rengifo (2B/3B/SS, LAA, 48% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jon Berti (2B/3B/SS, MIA, 35% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Spencer Steer (3B, CIN, 28% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Trey Mancini (1B/OF, CHC, CBS Ownership: 36%) – Mancini has quietly been playing every day in the middle of the Cubs order. With how thin 1B has been, he probably fills that need for a fantasy team, but the OF eligibility is a great added bonus for roster flexibility. His batted ball profile looks about the same as it always has been, but there’s a possibility that some Wrigley wind, the exodus from Wall-timore, and a lack of shifts boosts him a bit this summer. (1-3% FAAB)
Rodolfo Castro (2B/3B, PIT, CBS Ownership: 6%) – With Oneil Cruz going down, Castro should be the biggest beneficiary for more playing time. The bat has always popped and made hard contact on the Statcast metrics. With regular playing time, he might be able to put it together and take off. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Garrett Cooper (1B, MIA, 30% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Adam Frazier (2B/OF, BAL, 30% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Geraldo Perdomo (SS, ARI, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Gio Urshela (3B/SS, LAA, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Michael Massey (2B, KCR, 19% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), David Villar (2B/3B, SFG, 15% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Wilmer Flores (1B/2B/3B, SFG, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jason Vosler (1B/3B, CIN, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ramon Urias (2B/3B, BAL, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Dominic Smith (WSH, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jesus Aguilar (1B, OAK, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Edmundo Sosa (3B/SS, PHI, 6% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only League Adds
Harold Castro (1B/3B, COL, CBS Ownership: 2%) – Castro has 7 total games next week, 3 in Denver, and 4 in Philly. Despite his lack of a starting spot, if you are desperate for a little bit of volume, those aren’t bad parks for him to hit in. (1-3% FAAB)
Samad Taylor (2B, KCR, CBS Ownership: 1%) – Taylor was acquired by the Royals in the Whitt Merrifield trade last summer and has started his 2023 AAA season off with a bang (135 wRC+). His main carrying tool is speed/stolen bases, which pairs well with a batting eye that has yielded a walk rate over 10% at every stop in the minors. Taylor is currently only eligible at 2B but is a utility man and can play 3B, SS, and OF, so he’s just waiting to take over a free spot in the Royals lineup at some point this summer. (1% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Oswaldo Cabrera (NYY, 42% CBS Ownership) – With Anthony Volpe struggling and Josh Donaldson hitting the IL, Cabrera has started picking up starts on the infield at 2B and SS while usually hitting sixth in front of the magma-hot Franchy Cordero. Get in on the buy for this possible bench savior before the rocket takes off. (3-5% FAAB)
Jurickson Profar (COL, 37% CBS Ownership) – Profar really didn’t have a spring training ramp-up as he was unsigned and dealing with visa issues. He put together a nice hitting streak this past week and seems to have found enough of a groove to be useful. He’s hitting leadoff and playing LF every day for the Rockies, feels like I’m taking crazy pills seeing his ownership this low. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jorge Soler (MIA, 50% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jake Fraley (CIN, 46% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Eddie Rosario (ATL, 46% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Esteury Ruiz (OAK, 43% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Trevor Larnach (MIN, 41% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Lourdes Gurriel (ARI, 39% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Chas McCormick (HOU, 39% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 37% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Franchy Cordero (NYY, 26% CBS Ownership) – We all know this heater won’t last forever, but Cordero has carved out a role in the Yankees lineup until Harrison Bader returns later this month. All he does is hit the snot out of the ball, and as a left-handed batter, his spray chart is tailormade for Yankee Stadium. (3-5% FAAB)
Victor Robles (WSN, 18% CBS Ownership) – Listen, Robles is never going to live up to his original prospect hype, as he’s really a slapdick kind of guy that swings a wet noodle. However, the new MLB rules help emphasize his best offensive tool – speed. Robles is putting the ball in play and starting to swipe bags, just don’t expect anything outside of a decent average and stolen bases. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Trayce Thompson (LAD, 28% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Alek Thomas (ARI, 23% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Lane Thomas (WSN, 21% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), TJ Friedl (CIN, 20% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Matt Carpenter (SDP, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Alec Burleson (STL, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kerry Carpenter (DET, 11% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Nick Gordon (2B/OF, MIN, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Matt Vierling (DET, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Will Brennan (CLE, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Leody Taveras (TEX, 5% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB)
Only League Adds
Nelson Velazquez (CHC, CBS Ownership: 2%) – Velazquez started a game in the wind tunnel that was Wrigley Field this week and popped a big grand slam. The 24-year-old only has to edge out something called a Miles Mastrobuoni to find a sliver of playing time with the Cubs. (1-3% FAAB)
Brent Rooker (OAK, CBS Ownership: 5%) – With Seth Brown’s injury, Rooker looks to get a big boost in playing time. There’s nothing sexy here, just raw, unfiltered playing time from a three-true-outcomes bat. (3-5% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Taj Bradley (TBR, 50% CBS Ownership) – Bradley came up to spot start for Zach Eflin and was sent back down to AAA, but already flashed what he can do in his start this week. All of the projections have him slated for a K/9 in the mid-8’s, which feels too low considering that his pitch mix rated as a 127 Stuff+ in his start. Bradley is going to be well worth the stash as the Rays shuttle him back and forth from AAA and juice every option out of him before giving him a full rotation spot. (3-5% FAAB)
Kris Bubic (KCR, 47% CBS Ownership) – The Bubic bidding wildfire ran roughshod through NFBC leagues this week as he has started hot out of the gate with a new arsenal across the board. That new arsenal rates really well by Stuff+, and it feels like this is the biggest breakout pitcher of the year. Get in now before he is gone. (5-7% FAAB)
Brad Keller (KCR, 23% CBS Ownership) – Along with Bubic, it is clear that Keller also benefitted from the Royals finally axing hated pitching coach Cal Eldred. Keller is showing a new slider that is rating well in Stuff+ and should be available in most 15 team leagues. But his hot start along with arsenal changes are enough that I would feel comfortable trotting him out in a 12-team league. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Seth Lugo (SDP, 66% CBS Ownership, 5% FAAB), Kyle Gibson (BAL, 64% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Mitch Keller (PIT, 63% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB) Tylor Megill (NYM, 62% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Jhony Brito (NYY, 51% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Drey Jameson (ARI, 45% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Braxton Garrett (MIA, 11% CBS Ownership) – It was shocking to me that Garrett didn’t make the Marlins rotation to start the season considering he really turned a corner in 2022. All of the projections point to an ERA in the low 4’s and K/9 just over 8; however, he pitched 88 innings in 2022 at a 3.58 ERA and 9.2 K/9. I like him to keep going at his 2022 levels, which will make him viable in 12-team leagues too. (3-5% FAAB)
Griffin Canning (LAA, 7% CBS Ownership) – Canning has returned from the IL with a fastball sitting at his normal velocity and didn’t walk anyone (sure, it was against the Nationals, but he performed well). He has a two start week set up at the Yankees and home against the Royals. The start against KC is juicy if you can roll the dice against the Yankees. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Wade Miley (MIL, 34% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Alex Wood (29% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Zack Greinke (KCR, 22% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Matt Strahm (PHI, 18% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Kyle Muller (OAK, 16% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ryne Nelson (ARI, 15% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Johan Oviedo (PIT, 15% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Drew Smyly (CHC, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB),
Only League Adds
Ryan Weathers (SDP, 5% CBS Ownership) – Weathers has a planned two-start week against the Braves and Diamondbacks next week and been pitching much better this season as his fastball is up 2 mph. Even when Joe Musgrove comes back, Weathers has pitched well enough that he should stick in the Padres bullpen as a spot starter/long relief type and be decently useful in an only league. (3% FAAB)
Yosver Zulueta (TOR, 3% CBS Ownership) – Not only are Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi struggling as expected, but Alek Manoah and Chris Bassitt have also been shaky to the start the season for the Blue Jays. There isn’t much starting pitching talent left in Toronto’s minors on the 40-man roster with Nate Pearson shifting into a relief role and Ricky Tiedemann not being on the 40-man roster. According to Fangraphs, Zulueta has an upper 90’s fastball and an overall prospect grade of 45+. Projections have him at 8+ K/9 and a mid-4 ERA. He’s sitting ready across the border in Buffalo, waiting for the Blue Jays to throw in the towel on one of their awful-to-date starters. (1-3% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Aroldis Chapman (KCR) (CBS Ownership: 48%) – Face the inevitable facts, despite Aroldis being a shitty person, his stuff is back, and he’s going to take over the Royals closer job. Ugghhhhhh… (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Michael Fulmer (CHC, 51% CBS Ownership, 5% FAAB), Jorge Lopez (MIN, 39% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Reynaldo Lopez (CHW, 32% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Dany Jimenez (OAK, 30% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB) Adam Ottavino (NYM, 30% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Jose Quijada (LAA) (CBS Ownership: 9%) – We covered Quijada in the Only League Adds last week, and he has picked up another save since then. Risking sounding like a broken record, the Angels bullpen is broken; I don’t trust it or Carlos Estevez. If you have Estevez, I think it’s essential to pick up Quijada for the handcuff. Quijada also makes a viable standalone pickup as I could see him sniffing 10-15 saves with good ratios the rest of the season. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jose Alvarado (PHI, 20% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Rafael Montero (HOU, 19% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Eli Morgan (CLE, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Brash (SEA, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Matt Bush (MIL, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Adbert Alzolay (CHC, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jonathan Hernandez (TEX, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Steven Wilson (SDP, 5% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Carl Edwards Jr. (WSN, 4% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Hunter Harvey (WSN, 4% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Justin Lawrence (COL, 1% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Shelby Miller (LAD, 0% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Nick Anderson (ATL, 4% CBS Ownership) – There is certainly a timeline in which Anderson finds a groove, ignites for 3-4 weeks, and pops a handful of save holds as Raisel Iglesias works his way back and A.J. Minter pitches exclusively in high leverage situations. (1% FAAB)
Gabe Speier (SEA, 0% CBS Ownership) – Speier blipped on my radar after getting a hold last weekend for the Mariners, and my god, look at that glorious red. He’s the only lefty right now in a stacked Mariners bullpen, which should present the opportunity for plenty of high leverage work, and in turn, chunks of wins, saves, holds, and strikeouts with exquisite ratios. (1% FAAB)
