FAAB Week 5: Give Me Liberatore Or Give Me Death

Hello out there, Razzballers! Once again, we had another great week of baseball action that brought us fantasy standings chaos, injuries, and new entrants to our game via callups.

And THE BIG ONE occurred this week with the promotion of certain future Hall-of-Famer (at least it seems that way if you’ve been trying to trade for him) Nick Kurtz in Sacramento. Now, you may notice that the former Demon Deacon is absent from my suggestions below, and that’s because he is already rostered in a whopping 83% of CBS leagues. That means there’s no way he’s available in any 12- or 15-teamers plus was likely already scooped up in 10-teamers too.

For leagues that require promotion to the big leagues before entering the player pool, like TGFBI, hosted on NFBC, is, the question this weekend is what to lay down on the uber prospect. It’s a hard balance to achieve because logically, it’s really tough to warrant dedicating much more than 20% of a FAAB budget on any given player, no matter the talent level. Especially in a contest like TGFBI that doesn’t allow zero-dollar bids, going for broke on Kurtz can leave you, well, broke.

So if you’re in a lucky situation where you have the chance to bid on Nick Kurtz this weekend, first, know that you are unlikely to get him. Unless you are ready to lay down the hammer in late April on a player with all your FAAB monies, there’s no way to guarantee bringing him home. Plus, although I do love Kurtz, let’s not overlook that he was mashing in the PCL, a notorious hitters league, and is a power-only cold corner player (and remember the fervor over Coby Mayo last season?). My suggestion would be to aim for a bid in the 20-25% range and be pleased knowing that if you can’t secure Kurtz with that bid, the league member that did really had to hamstring their FAAB budget rest-of-season. You could tick that bid up a few notches to 30% if in a league with zero-dollar bids. But hold steady because there are more players coming, and pitcher injuries have only started to happen.

So good luck out there this weekend, Razz folks! On to the actually available players…

The stats and roster rates below are updated as of noon central time on 4/25.

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

Agustin Ramirez (MIA, 36% CBS Rostership) – Make sure to tune into the latest Cards & Categories pod in which Jeremy and I discussed Ramirez in further detail. Jeremy is the Top 100 Hitters writer and had great insights and enthusiasm for what the rookie catcher brings to South Florida. Although an injury opened the opportunity for Ramirez, there shouldn’t be much worry about his arrival being temporary because 1) the currently injured backstops in Miami are Rob Brantly and Nick Fortes, neither of which should hold back Ramirez, 2) the Marlins were likely going to call up Augustin at the Super 2 deadline. The 23-year-old almost broke in with the Yankees during 2024 before being dealt for Jazz Chisholm. He boasts a premium bat at catcher that could provide 15-20 homers and steals apiece over a full season with a .250-ish average over a full season. Ramirez could be prime JT Realmuto with a tick less batting average on a (somehow) even more miserable Marlins team. All caveats regarding the temperamental nature of rookie backstops apply here, but do be aggressive if in dire straits for a catcher. (5-7% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Ryan Jeffers (MIN, 48% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Joey Bart (PIT, 43% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jonah Heim (TEX, 32% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Dillon Dingler (DET, 21% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Edgar Quero (CHW, 15% CBS Rostership) – He is who we thought he was. Quero is slashing .333/.429/.417 over his first 28 plate appearances with four RBI and a run scored while getting number-one catcher playing time. That’ll do, pig. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Miguel Amaya (CHC, 16% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Danny Jansen (TBR, 8% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jose Trevino (CIN, 6% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

INFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Luke Keaschall (2B, MIN, 39% CBS Rostership) – I muted my expectations for Keaschall a bit last week despite dedicating a whole song chorus to him. Sometimes I get a little over my skis for players like this that were young for the level in the minors and had some draft pedigree, but might not have been known to mainstream normies. Well, maybe I should have let all my love for Luke flow out last week because the 22-year-old is already regularly hitting third in Minnesota while cycling between 2B and DH. The Twins have no incentive to not play him if he’s one of their best nine bats. Keaschall’s .368/.520(!)/.526 slash line over his first 25 plate appearances with five steals is buoyed by solid HardHit and Barrel rates. (5% FAAB) Goodnight, sweet prince.

Gavin Lux (2B/OF, CIN, 36% CBS Rostership) – Well, hello post-hype breakout candidate of the year. Lux is playing regularly in Cincinnati, where the warm weather is yet to come and turn Great American Ballpark into a launching pad. Get a taste of what might be in store all summer as the Reds have seven games at home next week. Do be mindful the bid requirement could increase over the weekend because the Redlegs visit Colorado, which will likely boost Lux’s already solid .316/.419/.418 slash line through 93 plate appearances. If in an OBP league, Lux and his 15.1% BB-rate make him an upper-tier 2B option, so bid more. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Connor Norby (3B, MIA, 42% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Zach McKinstry (3B/SS/OF, DET, 47% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Nolan Schanuel (1B, LAA, 46% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Gabriel Arias (2B/3B/SS, CLE, 40% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Caleb Durbin (2B/3B, MIL, 34% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Michael Toglia (1B, COL, 43% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jose Caballero (2B/3B/SS/OF, TBR, 41% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Dylan Moore (2B/3B/SS/OF, SEA, 40% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2B/3B/SS, PIT, 30% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B, PIT, 27% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Luke Raley (1B/OF, SEA, 26% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Eric Wagaman (1B/3B, MIA, 11% CBS Rostership) – Every once in a while, a player comes along that forces you to throw everything out the window and just enjoy the ride. Wagaman, a 27-year-old that has looked like a career Quad-A player, is on one right now, batting .274/.329/.466 with three taters over his first 79 plate appearances. All of the underlying metrics support the output (.401 xwOBA, .324 xBA, 50% Hard-hit rate, .288 BABIP) as he has a stranglehold on a premium lineup spot (typically hitting in the two- or three-hole) for the Marlins. This guy is about to make sure Deyvison De Los Santos doesn’t accrue service time so long as he continues hitting. Ride Wagaman’s hot streak but do start prepping for alternative options because it’s not likely to last long, but hey, if it does, this is free money. (3-5% FAAB)

Jon Berti (2B/3B, CHC, 4% CBS Rostership) – SAGNOF strikes again. Berti is regularly manning the hot corner for the Cubs, and steals are steals. This guy and his 83.2% (104-for-125) career stolen base success rate are gonna garner lots of green lights. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Tim Tawa (2B/OF, ARI, 4% CBS Rostership, 3%), Lenyn Sosa (2B/3B, CHW, 3% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jace Jung (3B, DET, 12% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Spencer Horwitz (1B/2B, PIT, 10% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Will Wagner (2B/3B, TOR, 9% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Oswaldo Cabrera (3B, NYY, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Ben Williamson (3B, SEA, 4% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Jose Tena (3B, WSN, 2% CBS Rostership) – In the most Colorado Rockies move ever, the Nationals brought in Paul DeJong to block Jose Tena after the latter seemed to be coming into his own with a .304/.339/.426 slash line over 121 plate appearances through Sept. 15 last year before tiring and fading down the last two weeks. With DeJong shelved due to a broken nose suffered on a scary HBP to the face, Tena gets some runway to shine finally. The 24-year-old, who came over in the Lane Thomas deal, is a classic Cleveland infielder prototype with a little pop and a touch of speed. Over a full season, he’d be a 10/10 lock for homers/steals with the upside for more development because I love his smooth lefty-handed swing. (5% FAAB)

Ben Rortvedt (TBR, 0% CBS Rostership) – I’m taking great liberty with the definition of an infielder here, but there’s not a great place in my format to discuss an AL-Only catcher worth adding. I used to analyze Only League catchers for a hot minute, but I have better things to do like shoving glass shards into my eyes. Rortvedt is starting to slowly push Danny Jansen aside in Tampa and get more looks against right-hand pitchers. The Rays have a fantastic schedule next week for their left-handed batters like Rortvedt, with six tilts with Yankee Stadium dimensions (three in Tampa, three in the Bronx). (3% FAAB)

OUTFIELDERS

10/12 Team Adds

Pavin Smith (1B/OF, ARI, 49% CBS Rostership) – Sayonara, friend. With Smith rapidly approaching the 50% roster rate, which is my (not very bright) line for consideration here, this is likely the last time I get to write a blurb him. The 29-year-old is slashing .365/.487/.698 (221 wRC+) with four taters and looks determined to secure his first All-Star nod. Sure, that line is propped up on a .514 BABIP, but when a batter is hitting the snot out of the ball and producing a gaudy Savant page, yeah, the BABIP will be high cause no fielder desires to interfere with a piss missile. (5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Kameron Misner (TBR, 35% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jo Adell (LAA, 23% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), J.J. Bleday (ATH, 48% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Ryan O’Hearn (1B/OF, BAL, 28% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Andrew Benintendi (CHW, 24% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Alek Thomas (ARI, 10% CBS Rostership) – It’s an Arizona double-dip this week in the outfield. Thomas shoved Jake McCarthy aside to claim the centerfield job. Thomas should be a steady performer with regular playing time, with a baseline of roughly 15 homers/steals apiece and a .260 average plus growth for more as he’s a former top prospect and finally putting everything together at 25 years old. (3-5% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Trevor Larnach (MIN, 19% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Kyle Stowers (MIA, 19% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jake Fraley (CIN, 15% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Tommy Pham (PIT, 19% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Max Kepler (PHI, 19% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 16% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jake Meyers (HOU, 15% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Harrison Bader (MIN, 13% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Mickey Moniak (COL, 10% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Alex Verdugo (ATL, 8% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Miguel Andujar (ATH, 7% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Johan Rojas (PHI, 4% CBS Rostership) – Thanks to Brandon Marsh’s latest trip to the IL, Rojas is the everyday centerfielder in Philly. His .317 batting average won’t stick as it’s inflated by a .464 BABIP. But the 24-year-old is hitting the ball harder with a 41.4% HardHit rate so far compared to 27.7% for his career prior. There’s a possibility Rojas starts rounding out his game and carves out more than a short-side platoon/defensive sub role for the Phillies. (5% FAAB)

Drew Waters (KCR, 2% CBS Rostership) – Mercifully for all of us ball watchers out there, Drew Waters might finally be ending the MJ Melendez experiment in Kansas City. The batting average for Waters is never going to be pretty because he doesn’t seem capable of striking out at less than a 30% clip, but the power/speed combo is there and could produce double-digits in both categories rest-of-season. (5% FAAB)

STARTING PITCHERS

10/12 Team Adds

Matthew Liberatore (STL, 40% CBS Rostership) – In a scene straight out of Mean Girls, looking at the lanky southpaw’s roster rate makes me think the question, “how many of you have ever felt personally victimized by Matthew Liberatore?” would prompt a lot of raised hands. The former first-round pick and big-time prospect entered this season with a grody 4.99 career ERA across 182.1 innings and looked bound for a relief role. However, the 25-year-old appears to be a totally different arm to open 2025, pitching to a 3.60 ERA, 1.86 FIP (!!), and 1.00 WHIP with a 22.4% K-BB rate. In this past weekend’s matchup with the Mets, Adam Wainright comped Liberatore to Clayton Kershaw in terms of effectiveness now — which, I know, not a neutral source — but that does encompass where this could be headed. The matchup for Liberatore isn’t great this week with a road start at Cincy, but that might keep the price down. We could be looking at a major star turn here, as the Liberatore is riding a solid six-pitch mix that is unlocking his handcuffs (kinky!). (5-7% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Griffin Canning (NYM, 42% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jordan Hicks (SFG, 39% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Luis Ortiz (CLE, 35% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Brayan Bello (BOS, 49% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Tobias Myers (MIL, 40% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Zebby Matthews (MIN, 40% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Ben Brown (CHC, 34% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Quinn Priester (MIL, 32% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Shane Smith (CHW, 29% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Tony Gonsolin (LAD, 21% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Ryan Gusto (HOU, 9% CBS Rostership) – With a solid 2.78 ERA over 22.2 innings to open the season, Gusto has solidified the backend of the Houston rotation. I wanted to chalk the performance up to a lucky start, but I think there’s something here. Gusto works a six-pitch mix that rates as a 108 Stuff+ overall, providing plenty of options to retire both right- and left-handed batters along with the ability to work through the order two or three times. The 26-year-old is also rocking a 1.10 WHIP, 2.67 FIP, and 21.1% K-BB rate, suggesting he’s actually a formidable pitcher. (5-7% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Ben Lively (CLE, 15% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), J.T. Ginn (ATH, 14% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Chad Petrick (MIL, 11% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jack Kochanowicz (LAA, 8% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Hart (SDP, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Steven Matz (STL, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Colin Rea (CHC, 4% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Sean Newcomb (BOS, 2% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

Only Team Adds

Robby Snelling (MIA, 9% CBS Rostership) – Can you Snell what the Rob is cookin’? The feast looks like it might be something special, as the 21-year-old southpaw has blitzed the Southern League with a 1.61 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 30.6% K-BB rate in 22.1 innings. His roster rate is typically a little higher than I suggest for Only League pickups, but that is driven by the dynasty love for Snelling right now. He was the main piece in the Tanner Scott trade last year and looks poised to make an impact this year as the Miami pitching machine has seemingly cranked out another hit. Add and stash Snelling now while you can in NL-Only leagues and even some 15-teamers. (3-5% FAAB)

Kyle Gibson (BAL, 4% CBS Rostership) – I totally forgot that Gibson re-joined with the O’s late in the spring to “bolster” the rotation. It sounds like the 37-year-old would have been up to make a start last week in Brandon Young’s stead except for the main antagonist in a 37-year-old’s life — a balky back. Between Young’s tough debut, Dean Kremer and Cade Povich’s general suckitude, and Charlie Morton’s DFA any day, Gibson, aka the Tommy Pham of the mound (I mean, in general baseball terms, probably not in attitude), should enter the Orioles’ rotation soon. (3-5% FAAB)

RELIEVERS

10/12 Team Adds

Luke Weaver (NYY, 48% CBS Rostership) – Devin Williams (7.88 ERA, 2.12 WHIP over eight innings) might be toast between his achy back and the pressure cooker that is the New York Yankees organization. Great year for top closers. I definitely didn’t preach a strategy this spring of getting a stud reliever to help rack up Ks on a pitching staff. Nope, definitely not. (5-7% FAAB)

Cade Smith (CLE, 40% CBS Rostership) – Yo, Emmanuel Clase might be like busted busted, as he’s nursing a shoulder injury and has had his arm slot drop. Smith has already notched two saves in Clase’s stead and might just flat out be a better reliever at this point anyways, as he’s been untouchable with a 1.83 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 34.8% K-rate since debuting last year. (5% FAAB)

Dennis Santana (PIT, 31% CBS Rostership) – I ain’t afraid of no David Bednar. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Tommy Kahnle (DET, 45% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Emilio Pagan (CIN, 40% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Kirby Yates (LAD, 40% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jason Adam (SDP, 37% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Lucas Erceg (KCR, 31% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Chris Martin (TEX, 30% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Justin Slaten (BOS, 23% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)

15 Team Adds

Jesus Tinoco (MIA, 6% CBS Rostership) – He is risen indeed! Tinoco has always been the most talented reliever (2.23 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and 8.9 K/9 since joining the club) in the Miami bullpen and is finally back from an early season IL stint. He’s already pocketed two saves and should be in line for future ones too. I don’t have much faith in Calvin Faucher or Anthony Bender at this point. (3-5% FAAB)

Will Vest (DET, 7% CBS Rostership) – Vest picked up two consecutive saves this week to enter the Detroit Tigers 2025 save carousel. He’s a solid reliver (2.71 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 9.1 K/9 over 129.1 innings since start of 2023) that can massage ratios and pocket a save occasionally. (3% FAAB)

Ryne Stanek (NYM, 6% CBS Rostership) – Just like Clase and Williams, Edwin Diaz, and his crooked legs, doesn’t look right to start 2025 with a 4.91 ERA over 11 innings. Stanek should be next in line for Mets’ saves, so add him now. (3% FAAB)

QUICK HITS: Craig Yoho (MIL, 12% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Strahm (PHI, 12% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Yimi Garcia (TOR, 11% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Seranthony Dominguez (BAL, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Phil Maton (STL, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Shelby Miller (ARI, 4% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)