FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Week 5)
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.
Note: I have a large family event I going to attend this weekend, so a limited waiver wire article early this week. Also, I’ll likely not have the Sunday night chat. There is a chance my family annoys me enough and I’ll leave early but I’m not counting on it. Finally, all the players are ranked but some are missing blurbs because of a lack of time.
Batters
Luke Keaschall: Pitchers haven’t found a hole in Keashall’s game, so he continues to get on base (.520 OBP). Once on base, he just steals bases (5 SB in 25 PA). The only issue with Keaschall will be his playing time once some players come off the IL. Broken arm, likely out for months.
Chandler Simpson: Started in four of five games while getting on base (.350 OBP) and stealing bags (2).
Caleb Durbin: Started in six of the last seven games at third base while batting ninth. The 25-year-old is hitting a solid .261/.346/.435 (1 HR, 1 SB) with no strikeouts in 26 PA so far.
Noelvi Marte: Started in five of the last six games at third base. He is putting up competitive at-bats while hitting .310/.375/.621 with 2 HR and 2 SB. The improvement is from cutting his walk rate from 31% to 13% this year. The strikeout might return since his swinging strike rate dropped from just 15% to 14%.
Austin Hays: Eight starts in the last nine games since coming off the IL (361 AVG, 3 HR).
Kameron Misner: Strong-side platoon bat hitting .349/.394/.635 with 3 HR and 1 SB.
Heston Kjerstad: Started in eight of the last 10 games while batting .228/.274/.421 with 3 HR.
Jeff McNeil and Luisangel Acuña: McNeil is batting eighth after coming off the IL. I think Acuna is the better hitter, but McNeil might get a week or two to prove himself.
Gabriel Arias: Schneemann (.765 OPS) has been starting some at second base, so Arias (.807 OPS) has only started in three of the last five games.
Eric Wagaman: Playing and solid (.274/.329/.466, 3 HR, 1 SB).
Ben Williamson: Seven starts in nine games since being promoted, while hitting .303/.361/.424 with 1 HR.
Angel Martínez: Eleven starts in the last 12 games in the outfield. So far, he’s hitting .359/.350/.487 with 0 HR and 1 SB.
Jake Mangum: On the IL with a strained groin.
Catchers
Agustín Ramírez: Must add in all leagues. He has the speed, power, and ability to make contact to produce like peak Realmuto.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heston Kjerstad LF BAL | 32% | 35% | 3% |
| Austin Hays LF CIN | 28% | 55% | 27% |
| Trent Grisham CF NYY | 28% | 35% | 7% |
| Kameron Misner CF TB | 28% | 34% | 6% |
| Chandler Simpson SS TB | 26% | 58% | 32% |
| Pavin Smith DH ARI | 25% | 48% | 23% |
| Gabriel Arias 2B CLE | 25% | 39% | 14% |
| Jake Mangum RF TB | 25% | 27% | 2% |
| Ryan O’Hearn DH BAL | 24% | 27% | 3% |
| Luisangel Acuna 2B NYM | 24% | 27% | 3% |
| Gavin Sheets DH SD | 22% | 25% | 3% |
| Caleb Durbin 3B MIL | 21% | 34% | 13% |
| Andrew Benintendi LF CHW | 21% | 24% | 3% |
| Gavin Lux LF CIN | 20% | 35% | 15% |
| Jeff McNeil 2B NYM | 17% | 19% | 2% |
| Luke Keaschall DH MIN | 16% | 40% | 24% |
| Noelvi Marte 3B CIN | 13% | 37% | 24% |
| Jake Fraley RF CIN | 11% | 15% | 4% |
| Jake Meyers CF HOU | 11% | 14% | 3% |
| Agustin Ramirez C MIA | 10% | 36% | 26% |
| Edgar Quero C CHW | 9% | 14% | 5% |
| Mickey Moniak CF COL | 4% | 9% | 5% |
| Alex Verdugo LF ATL | 4% | 8% | 4% |
| Jose Trevino C CIN | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Eric Wagaman 3B MIA | 1% | 11% | 10% |
| Angel Martinez CF CLE | 5% | 7% | 2% |
| Tim Tawa 2B ARI | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Ben Williamson 3B SEA | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Drew Waters LF KC | 1% | 2% | 1% |
Starters
Landen Roupp: Among the 129 pitchers with 20 IP, his 17.7% K%-BB% ranks 38th. Just based on that, he needs to be rostered in all leagues.
Matthew Liberatore: Has a 3.60 ERA, but his ERA estimators are closer to 3.00. The key will be keeping his 1.0 BB/9.
Ryan Gusto: In 14 IP as a starter, he has a 3.86 ERA (3.37 xFIP), 8.6 K/9, and 1.23 WHIP. As long as he can keep up these numbers and stays in the rotation, he’s a solid starter.
J.T. Ginn: Home runs (2.6 HR/9, 6.16 FIP) have been his downfall, even with a 61% GB%. His ERA estimators (3.41 xFIP, 3.45 SIERA) point to a better pitcher. Lined up for two starts next week at Texas and at Miami. Placed on IL w/elbow inflammation
Andrew Abbott: His Friday start in Colorado will make this ranking look great or about 20 spots too high. The key will be him keeping the walks down.
Jose Quintana, Andrew Heaney, Jake Irvin: The trio are 4.00+ ERA talents, who are outperforming their projections with no noticeable changes. Fine streaming options.
Tobias Myers: Last season, he was a solid 4.00 ERA talent but struggled in his debut (4 IP, 2 HR, 4 BB, 2 K). Feel free to roster to see if the magic returns, but don’t start.
Griffin Canning: Canning took a step forward with the Mets by raising his groundball rate from 41% last season to 53% this year. The change is from his four-seamer, going from a 30% GB% last year to 57% GB% this year. He made this change by attacking the bottom of the strike zone.
2024
2025
Chris Paddack: Since his first disaster start (9 ER in 3 IP), he has a 3.32 ERA (4.20 xFIP), 8.5 K/9, and 1.37 WHIP in 19 IP.
Chad Patrick: A 97% LOB% has him with a 2.11 ERA with his ERA estimators in the low 4.00’s. His high walk rate (3.8 BB/9) means a 1.31 WHIP. The WHIP does as much ratio damage as a 4.40 ERA.
David Festa: Optioned to the minors.
Dean Kremer: Got some love because of his two starts against the Nationals (5 IP, 5 ER, 4 K, 11 H) and Detroit. Not much talent here (6.84 ERA, 4.32 xFIP) to gamble on.
Steven Matz: He’s been suppressing hard contact (0.0 HR/9, .237 BABIP) to keep his 1.86 ERA under his ERA estimators (4.07 xFIP). It’s unclear if/when he’ll start again.
Logan Henderson: Optioned to the minors.
Rehabbing Starters
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landen Roupp SP SF | 40% | 55% | 15% |
| Luke Weaver RP NYY | 40% | 47% | 7% |
| Dean Kremer SP BAL | 39% | 40% | 1% |
| Tobias Myers SP MIL | 33% | 38% | 5% |
| Jose Quintana SP MIL | 31% | 53% | 22% |
| Griffin Canning SP NYM | 30% | 41% | 11% |
| JP Sears SP ATH | 30% | 40% | 10% |
| Andrew Heaney SP PIT | 29% | 50% | 21% |
| Luis Ortiz SP CLE | 28% | 35% | 7% |
| Matthew Liberatore SP STL | 25% | 39% | 14% |
| Jake Irvin SP WAS | 25% | 36% | 11% |
| Andrew Abbott SP CIN | 24% | 63% | 39% |
| Quinn Priester SP MIL | 21% | 30% | 9% |
| Clayton Kershaw SP LAD | 21% | 23% | 2% |
| Osvaldo Bido SP ATH | 20% | 22% | 2% |
| David Festa SP MIN | 20% | 22% | 2% |
| Tyler Anderson SP LAA | 17% | 35% | 18% |
| Logan Allen SP CLE | 14% | 17% | 3% |
| Lance McCullers SP HOU | 13% | 16% | 3% |
| J.T. Ginn SP ATH | 11% | 13% | 2% |
| Logan Henderson SP MIL | 9% | 21% | 12% |
| Chad Patrick SP MIL | 8% | 11% | 3% |
| Chris Paddack SP MIN | 8% | 9% | 1% |
| Ryan Gusto RP HOU | 5% | 10% | 5% |
| Patrick Corbin SP TEX | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Steven Matz RP STL | 4% | 6% | 2% |
Relievers
Luke Weaver: Good reliever who could now be the closer.
Justin Slaten: Good reliever who is sharing closer duties.
Will Vest: Good reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Tommy Kahnle: OK reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Jesus Tinoco: Below-average reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Jordan Leasure: Good reliever who may be closer.
Camilo Doval: Below-average reliever who is close to becoming the closer.
Cade Smith: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Abner Uribe: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Shelby Miller: Good reliever who is the backup closer.
Fernando Cruz: Good reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Garrett Whitlock: Average reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Tyler Rogers: OK reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Evan Phillips: Good reliever who is off the IL.
Craig Yoho: Great reliever who will need to prove himself in the majors first.
Mark Leiter Jr.: Good reliever who is a few steps away from closing.
Jalen Beeks: OK reliever who is a couple of steps away from closing.
Jack Dreyer: I have no idea why this average reliever continues to get added.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tommy Kahnle RP DET | 35% | 44% | 9% |
| Cade Smith RP CLE | 29% | 38% | 9% |
| Justin Slaten RP BOS | 19% | 21% | 2% |
| Camilo Doval RP SF | 18% | 27% | 9% |
| Abner Uribe RP MIL | 10% | 12% | 2% |
| Tyler Rogers RP SF | 9% | 11% | 2% |
| Craig Yoho RP MIL | 6% | 12% | 6% |
| Garrett Whitlock RP BOS | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Jack Dreyer RP LAD | 4% | 9% | 5% |
| Jesus Tinoco RP MIA | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Evan Phillips RP LAD | 4% | 6% | 2% |
| Fernando Cruz RP NYY | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Will Vest RP DET | 2% | 7% | 5% |
| Shelby Miller RP ARI | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Mark Leiter RP NYY | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Jordan Leasure RP CHW | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Jalen Beeks RP ARI | 0% | 2% | 2% |
Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.
I wouldn’t say Doval is a below average reliever. He isn’t elite or anything but I’d say firmly average
On the whole? Sure. This year? Def below avg… 6% K-BB is horrendous. A .176 BABIP and 0 HR are saving him