FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 1)

In the article, I cover the players using CBS’s (about 40% or less initial roster rate) and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both hosting sites have the option for daily and weekly waiver wire adds. CBS uses a weekly change while Yahoo looks at the last 24 hours. Yahoo is a great snapshot of right now while CBS ensures hot targets from early in the week aren’t missed. The players are ordered for redraft leagues by my rest-of-season preference grouped by starters, relievers, and hitters.

Batters

Note: Teams will have only played two to three regular season games when I published this list. My guesses for playing time could be off in a day or two. We’re all guesstimating right now.

Spencer Torkelson: After struggling in ’24 (.669 OPS), he was on fire this spring (1.069 OPS) and has been on base seven times in 10 PA as I write this. He needs to added to see if the breakout is real. It might now or never.

Victor Scott II: Scott won the Cardinals centerfield job and could be a great source of a steals (94 SB in ’23) if he can get on base (career .214 OBP).

Lars Nootbaar: While Nootbaar doesn’t dominate any category, he’ll contribute across the board (Steamer600 of 21 HR, 11 SB, .256 AVG) while leading off.

Joey Ortiz: I’m surprised he’s down here, especially since he’s going to be dual qualified soon. Balanced Steamer600 projection of 14 HR, 12 SB, 253 AVG.

Kyle Manzardo: I suspect Manzardo to be one of the most targetted players this weekend because of his Opening Day power outburst (2B, 3B, and HR) and productive Spring Training (.321/.357/.642). The swing-and-miss is still part of his game and could limit his playing time when he slumps.

Otto Lopez: I’m surprised by the draft hate for Lopez. He’s going to play every game and has the potential to hit 10 HR with 30 SB.

Alan Roden: I love the talent but I’m worried about his playing time once Varsho can play in the field. The decision might be who is hitting better, Roden or Will Wagner. Ranked high based on possible upside.

Jacob Wilson윌슨: Historically, 23-year-old has been a low-power, high-contact bat but did hit 4 HR during Spring Training. Take a chance now to see if he can channel his power.

Max Kepler: Expects to play every game with 20 HR power. Safe.

Tommy Pham: Solid outfield option as long as he stays out of trouble.

Michael Massey: Started at second base and hit fifth in his first two games. Solid backup plan.

Gavin Lux: To be fantasy-relevant, he must play almost every game. It was nice to see him hitting cleanup and playing left field on Opening Day with Hays on the IL.

Nolan Schanuel: Solid bat who will play every day. He doesn’t provide the power desired from a first baseman (13 HR in 607 PA in ’24).

Brett Baty: After a great Spring Training (.353/.441/.745, 10% K%), he will get some run at second base with Jeff McNeil hurt. Also, he sat on Opening Day against a lefty starter. I not sure how to rank him but I put him at the top of the platoon bats for possible upside.

Max Muncy (SS, ATH): Muncy has the Athletics’ second base job with Zack Gelof on the IL. Muncy is a respectable prospect (8th in the organization). While not a difference maker in either category, he is a power/speed threat but likely a batting average sink because of an elevated strikeout rate.

Luke Raley: When he has faced righties over his career, he has been dominant (.804 OPS) but useless against lefties (.571 OPS).

Jonathan Aranda: Against a lefty starting on Opening Day, Curtis Mead got the start instead. Over his career, Aranda has a .457 OPS against lefties and .717 against righties.

Ryan O’Hearn: Power-hitting, platoon first baseman. Gamble on the upside of others for now, settle for safety later.

Mike Yastrzemski: Yaz is not the player I’m targeting this early in the season. For years, he has provided some power while only facing righties. I’d rather take a chance on a regular breaking out.

Austin Hays: Hays was supposed to bat cleanup for the Reds but is now on the IL. It’ll be interesting to see if Lux or Hays plays more once Hays is healthy.

Josh Smith: I don’t get the demand (maybe the multi-positions), especially since he is a bench bat. And now hurt.

Tyler Freeman: Traded to Colorado to help fill in at second base for the injured Thairo Estrada. On Opening Day, Freeman wasn’t in the lineup against a lefty, and Kyle Farmer was starting instead.

Catchers

Alejandro Kirk: Depending on a league’s depth and if it’s a two-catcher league, I could see Kirk being a streaming option. For a catcher, he is a nice source of batting average.

Ben Rice: First, check your league rules to see if Rice is a catcher. In at least one of my leagues, he’s not. Solid bat getting DH at-bats.

Starters

Note: Besides Giolito, the following list is just guys who made their team’s Opening Day rotation. All should move up as those who didn’t make the cut (or got hurt) will be moving down.

Tylor Megill: After his first start (1 HR, 3 H, 6 K, 1 BB in 5 IP), it may be the last chance to add him. The changes he implemented at the end of last season seem to have stuck.

Landen Roupp: Earlier this week, I wrote up Roupp and discussed why I like his value. A must-roster in deeper leagues to see how he does over his first few starts.

Drew Rasmussen: Wait to see if he can get back to his 2022 production level (2.84 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 7.0 K/9) after elbow surgery.

Jack Leiter: He seems to have his walks under control after struggling with them in previous seasons. He might end up as a draft-day steal.

José Soriano: It would be interesting to see if he can repeat his 3.42 ERA from last season with his high-groundball nature (60% GB%).

AJ Smith-Shawver: Recently, I wrote up Smith-Shawver and liked his upside if he keeps the walks in check.

Casey Mize: A disappointment over 291 career innings (4.36 ERA, 7.0 K/9), but revamped his pitch mix this spring, bringing back his splitter. It’ll be interesting to see if the change translates to the majors.

Kris Bubic: Returning from elbow surgery. While productive in his return (2.67 ERA, 11.6 K/9, 1.02 WHIP), he only threw out of the bullpen.

Richard Fitts: I don’t have a good read on him. He’s been inconsistent throughout his career, so it’s tough to pin down his talent level. Right now, I see him as a roster-and-bench player to see how his first couple of starts go.

Ben Brown: The issue with Brown is that he only has two pitches (both good), and hitters will get to him more. He has limited upside until he gets that third offering.

Luis L. Ortiz: Still a gamble at this point to see if the Guardians can fix him. It’s not that I’m against him; I like others more.

Sean Burke: An intriguing arm; I just wish he didn’t play for the White Sox. His biggest issue will be walks. Over his minor league career, he posted a 4.9 BB/9 and a 6.8 BB/9 this Spring Training.

Cade Povich: He’s in Baltimore’s rotation, but I’m not sure he’s a difference-maker. I’ll monitor his first few starts from either my bench or the waiver wire.

Chris Paddack: His strikeout and walk numbers point to a 4.00 ERA arm. The problem is that he is just too hittable, especially allowing too many home runs (career 1.4 HR/9). I’m not waiting for him to turn the corner.

Marcus Stroman: Good groundball rate, some strikeouts. Zero upside, so take some darts, and if they fail, settle for Stroman.

Tyler Mahle: In nine major league seasons, he’s had two productive seasons (2020 and 2021). Health has been a major issue the past two, with him throwing a combined 38 IP. Again, I want someone with more upside.

Griffin Canning: In 508 IP over his career, Canning has earned a 4.78 ERA (4.52 xFIP). Maybe the Mets can fix him, but I have my doubts. I’m going monitor his progress from afar.

Logan Allen로건: I was surprised to see Allen make the Guardians rotation. He struggled last season (5.73 ERA, 4.75 xFIP, 1.58 WHIP, 7.3 K/9). Monitor him on the waiver wire for changes.

Osvaldo Bido: I liked Bido more when he was in the spacious Oakland Coliseum. His 30% GB% will lead to a ton of flyballs. In the larger park, they were outs. More will go for home runs this year. On top of the home runs, his 3.9 BB/9 means there will be runners on base to score on the homers. Pass until he shows a new talent level.

Lucas Giolito: I’m out until he starts throwing after missing all of 2024. I have low expectations.

Connor Gillispie: He started for Miami on Friday and struggled with 4 BB and 4 ER over 5 IP. He has shown no reason to be fantasy relevant so far.

Relievers: Save-based ranks.

Note: All the arms in committees will be ranked higher as the goal is to get a closer. The odds are better for one to get the job than an established closer lose his job.

Mike Clevinger: OK pitcher who appears to be the closer.

Emilio Pagán: Good reliever who may have the upper hand in a closer committee.

José Alvarado: Good reliever in a closer committee.

Tony Santillan: Good reliever in a closer committee.

Blake Treinen: Good reliever in a closer committee.

Beau Brieske: Fine reliever in a closer committee.

Tyler Holton: Fine reliever in a closer committee.

Scott Barlow: OK reliever in a closer committee.

Taylor Rogers: OK reliever in a closer committee.

Luke Jackson: OK reliever in a closer committee.

Graham Ashcraft: Below-average starter who is now in a closer committee.

Victor Vodnik: Below-average arm who may have lost his chance to close.

Justin Slaten: Great arm who is the backup closer.

Chad Green: Good reliever who is the backup closer.

Hayden Birdsong: Fine pitcher who is the team’s long reliever.

Ryan Johnson: Rookie middle reliever. Ignore.