It’s closer’s week. Several closers are hurt and/or struggling. Also, the trade deadline is approaching, so some more jobs will open up.

The projection guidelines:

• The ownership rates are from CBS since they have some quickdraw waiver wire leagues where players can be picked up at any time.
• The FAAB estimates are based on the 2018 15-team mixed NFBC leagues which used a $1000 FAAB budget. Owners are going to need to convert these values to their own league.
• The ownership values were taken from Saturday and lots can happen in between when they publish and FAAB bids run.
• Only players owned in 50% or fewer of CBS leagues are examined.

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Each week I look at the collection of starting pitchers owned in under 20% of leagues (consensus Yahoo/ESPN ownership from Fantasy Pros) with a few extra sub 10% discount options at the end, pointing out the options to consider if you need an extra arm or two at the end of your staff.

Let’s highlight my ten favorite starting pitcher options that may be available on your waiver wires, ordered by ownage %:

Under 20% owned

Sandy Alcantara (Miami Marlins, 16%) – With teammates Jordan Yamamoto and Elieser Hernandez getting all the attention, Alcantara is still an option for those looking for a high upside gamble off the wire. Alcantara’s biggest criticism has never been his stuff – a 95 mph fastball paired with two secondary pitches each earning close to a 15% swinging-strike should do the trick – but rather his raw command that suggests inconsistency and rampant volatility. However, among shadows of his unpolished control – three games of at least four walks in his last five – Alcantara has returned just six earned runs total in those five outings. He’s fanned a batter per inning across his last three starts as well, suggesting that the inevitable development may be happening right in front of us. Alcantara is sure to have his fair share of peaks and valleys ahead, but the toughest starts could be behind him.

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Welcome to an exciting all-Giants edition of the deep league waiver wire! It’s tempting to just completely ignore Giants hitters, but that just makes the guys worthy of your attention cheaper!

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6/24/19

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• @sporer – Host
• @justinmasonfwfb – Co-Host/Producer

CLOSER NEWS

• Jordan Hicks torn UCL (2:15)
  • John Gant
• Blake Treinen to the IL (6:30)
  • Liam Hendriks
  • Closer Strategy yr-to-yr
• TB Closer Role (14:30)
  • Jose Alvarado still on leave
  • Diego Castillo to IL
  • Emilio Pagan to swipe some saves?
  • Colin Poche
• Other closer news: (19:13)
  • Roenis Elias in SEA
  • Michael Lorenzen in CIN

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One trend I’ve noticed is some owners are starting to pack it in or succumbing to the grind. There is no reason to roster Montas with his suspension but he’s still on five rosters. Since more players are available on the waiver wire, teams down in the rankings can quickly make up ground.

The following players were dropped in more than 10 or more of the 38 NFBC Main Event leagues.

Demoted

• Leonys Martin (24): A .620 OPS. Anyone with an OPS under .650 is suspect for demotion.
• Kevin Cron (20): This demotion was a little weird since Cron was hitting good (.822 OPS). Maybe it points to the return of Jake Lamb off of the IL.
• Erick Fedde (12): 4.9 K/9 + 4.2 BB/9 = demotion
• Mike Foltynewicz (11): He’s got to work through several issues which have ballooned his ERA to 6.37.

Injured

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I thought it was going to be a slow week for bidding, but a few pitchers have seen their ownership jump quite a bit. Also, there is some movement with a couple of closers going down with injuries.

The projection guidelines:

• The ownership rates are from CBS since they have some quickdraw waiver wire leagues where players can be picked up at any time.
• The FAAB estimates are based on the 2018 15-team mixed NFBC leagues which used a $1000 FAAB budget. Owners are going to need to convert these values to their own league.
• The ownership values were taken from Saturday and lots can happen in between when they publish and FAAB bids run.
• Only players owned in 50% or fewer of CBS leagues are examined.
  Read the rest of this entry »

Each week I look at the collection of starting pitchers owned in under 20% of leagues (consensus Yahoo/ESPN ownership from Fantasy Pros) with a few extra sub 10% discount options at the end, pointing out the options to consider if you need an extra arm or two at the end of your staff.

Let’s highlight my ten favorite starting pitcher options that may be available on your waiver wires, ordered by ownage %:

Under 20% owned

Julio Urias (Los Angeles Dodgers, 18%) – With the news of Rich Hill relegated to serve his inevitable time on the IL, the Dodgers have a trio of options to consider replacing their lanky southpaw. The likely candidate to seize the rotation spot is Urias, an arm often viewed as a staple of Los Angeles’ future rotation. It’s been a rocky few years for Urias though his tumultuous career should not overlook his ability as a starter. His repertoire featuring a well-commanded heater matched with a deceptive slider, big curveball, and solid changeup illustrates an arm that can pay dividends the moment the Dodgers allow him to comfortably toss five frames. We may have to wait a game or two to get there – he’s slated to “open” tonight’s affair with the Giants – but his opportunity for innings could stick around through the summer.

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I’m been writing this column since the season’s start and today I ask, “What more should I change about its content?”. I’m sure everyone would like more of everything. More players. More on each player. More sources besides the NFBC. If I do more, what would you like to see less of? Just let me know.

As of the players listed below, they are the players dropped in 10 or more of the 38 NFBC Main Event leagues (a few extras added in).

Demotion

• Derek Fisher (25): With Yordan Alvarez being promoted and the big three on the IL returning, there was no room for him in the majors.
• Willians Astudillo (11): The fan-favorite can’t help his owners in the minors.
• Brendan Rodgers (11): The highly touted prospect was demoted after only hitting .246/.300/.277 in the majors.
• Cesar Puello (10): With Justin Upton returning from the IL, he expendable. And now on the Marlins.

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Welcome to an all White Sox edition of the deep league waiver wire!

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