Sunday Night Waiver Wire & FAAB Chat

Jeff Zimmerman: Welcome.

Jeff Zimmerman: Here are the winning bids in the three 15-team Tout Wars leagues. One note. The bids are higher than expected because several teams got extra FAAB on the first of the month do to some league rules.

Jeff Zimmerman:

Yankee E: After Arrighetti’s performance this week, go with him, Schwellenbach, or an SP/RP reliever (Puk) for fifth SP spot in H2H playoffs?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d lean Schwellenbach

Yankee E: Trusting Chad Green at this point.  Likely have to shift to a holds reliever in an H2H league where both are separate categories.

Jeff Zimmerman: I do

Joe: Am I crazy to start Oller for a two step?

Jeff Zimmerman: You may have to beat a superior opponent by hoping for two great starts. At this point, do what it takes to win your league.

Yankee E: Added Jung after he was dropped recently.  Confident to start in H2H playoffs?

Jeff Zimmerman: Which one? Texas, yes. Detroit, no.

boaty: No impact on this year’s standings, but Leiter worth a spec add as a keeper if the only cost is dropping Verlander? Is Verlander toast?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d not worry about Verlander at this point and go young. There is a chance no one will roster Verlander and he can be drafted next year.

Yankee E: Norby is a must-start player at this point in a 12-team league?  Thank you for all of your information during the season.

Jeff Zimmerman: Probably but if he goes on a 5 for 50 run, don’t be surprised with his 33% K%.

Billy: Hail Mary needed for a first baseman for the last three weeks. Isaac Paredes, Seth Brown, or Ty France???

Jeff Zimmerman: France with that high school ballpark he plays in.

Guest: Thank you very much for doing these chats all season. Crews and Norby are available in my OC. What bids do you expect (a few contenders have around $300 left) and who would you prioritize?

Jeff Zimmerman: If I had $300, I’d go all in, but for $10, to get one. They can’t use the money next season. I expect insane bids.

Mike: Do I stick with Robert for the playoffs? Other OF options include Lane Thomas, Crews, Carpenter, Ward, or Toglia. I’m tempted to jump off this ship. Help?!

Jeff Zimmerman: No one sticks out as a huge upgrade over Robert, but I can understand letting him go.

Dan: Jeff: Appreciate your season’s worth of advice/insights. I’ve hung on to Rutschman all season. Useless for a month or so. Need power with playoffs coming up. Drop him for Raleigh?

Jeff Zimmerman: Sure

RGM: Do you like sears @hou Tuesday in a 12teamer?

Jeff Zimmerman: No, find another option

Cle streamer: Trust Cobb to make at least one start (CHW), maybe two, or roll with Jared Jones for one start?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m aiming for Cobb in several spots and hoping for better news on Monday. Teams have to be taking a chance on those great matchups (CWS, TB)

Tim: Where would Joey Ortiz rank on your list this week? The number look good over the last week and I could use cover for Jung with Bohm and Kim out

Jeff Zimmerman: Near the top, He’s got a higher Roster% for a reason.

Christina: All of the relievers on your list this week are taken and I need saves with only Martinez. I picked up Winckowski after his save the other night. Anyone else on the deep radar?

Jeff Zimmerman: Others in the Yankees bullpen

Jeff Zimmerman: Jesus Tinoco (MIA) could be an option

Stanley Streamer: With Faucher out, is there a decent relief guy out there? 12-team points. Holds and saves.

Jeff Zimmerman: Strahm, good and will get Holds and/or Saves

Cal: Horwirtz worth a pickup? Need a replacement for Seager.

Jeff Zimmerman: If he’s the best option, do it. Check to see if Story is available in your league.

Tim: Who do you prefer on dynasty going forward, Povich or Braxton Garrett? standard 5 plus QS

Jeff Zimmerman: Neither

Jeff Zimmerman: Povich I guess.

Kingpin: Standard 5×5 NL-only, currently in 2nd overall, looking for wins do I dare chance my ratios by starting Darvish with 2 starts @Sea & vHou over Schwellenbach with 1 start vLAD?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d use Darvish if he gives you a chance to win the league.

Daprez: Trust Taj Bradley at Philly this week in roto?

Jeff Zimmerman: No

Daprez: Is there any website that shows probable pitchers through the end of the season?

Jeff Zimmerman: I know RotoWire does but they are behind a paywall

TomTom: Is there any lead large enough to breathe a sigh of relief? I guess there is always some doomsday scenario where everything must go wrong, right?

Jeff Zimmerman: The leads exist where it’s over if the team is healthy. It’s tough to move a lot this late in the season, especially in shallower leagues (fewer teams to pass).

Rebecca: hi Jeff. Big fan of your work. What are we doing with Nestor Cortes and Schmidt in H2H playoffs?  Are they starting? Or more of this “piggybacking” nonsense?

Jeff Zimmerman: I haven’t heard. I’d assume the worst.

Stanley Streamer: Stram not available. There’s Bednar, Alvarado, and Doval. 12-team points. Holds and saves.

Jeff Zimmerman: No idea then

KAF: With Springs on the IL, I have Festa and Ginn as replacements. Which do you prefer?

Jeff Zimmerman: Festa

The Gyorko Store Called: Trust Pivetta vs NYY?

Jeff Zimmerman: Trust … no. He might be a team’s best option.

Ginn’s Juice: Did Ginn’s weaker start today push him down your list? Spence and Bido also face CWS…

Jeff Zimmerman: Ginn’s start was fine with 5 K and just 1 BB in 5 IP. Nothing to change my opinion of him.

Todd Gak: What is the timeline on this Seager injury?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m assuming he’s done since the Rangers have nothing to play for

B’Ryce Hammer, Smasher of Baseballs: 5 game Tatis or 5 game Carroll?

Jeff Zimmerman: Both

Mike: Where would Tellez rank on your hitter list?

Jeff Zimmerman: Near the bottom with the other platoon bats

Quick save: Best save spec: Manny Rodriguez, Collin Snider, Kanhle? (Or should I stream an sp)

Jeff Zimmerman: If you to start the pitcher, stream an SP

#1 fan: Pena or Story at ss?

Jeff Zimmerman: Pena

Monster: Story won’t be playing everyday right? Would expect some maintenance for him.

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes

Turn Two: NL only dynasty- for 25 – who would you bet on for saves Bednar or Puk?

Jeff Zimmerman: Bednar

david hamilton: do i have 2025 relevance? should i pack my bags to a new team or aaa?

Jeff Zimmerman: Not right now but a 90 wRC+ is a decent sub

Frank Thomas the Tank Engine: better bet for saves on the wire — Chris Martin or Cleavinger?

Otto: Concerned about B. Lowe finger? wondering might be worth cutting in a 12…. (rogers/norby/C.Keith. b. Rogers on wire) His rolling xwoba plunged right after he reportedly reinjured it on 8/19 and they mentioned limiting ABs

Jeff Zimmerman: An issue for sure. I’m just not sure the best way to value him. I might move on and at least add someone healthy

Like it’s hot: Which odd-man-out bat would you drop first: Crews, Gleyber, Toglia, Steer, Junior?

Jeff Zimmerman: Junior

The Gyorko Store Called: Cortes as the piggybacker is a no brainer if you need wins right?

Jeff Zimmerman: IF … you are correct

Red Sox: Leiter had 20 swings and misses vs Halos. Drop Houck for his start in Seattle?

Jeff Zimmerman: I guess. I’d hope for better options.

Guest: Are you good streaming Herz vs MIA this week? I worry about ratios.

Jeff Zimmerman: I am in several leagues. I don’t have better options.

Frank Thomas the Tank Engine: Start deGrom when activated?  Might be rusty but time’s running out.

Jeff Zimmerman: I am unless the rest of my options are off the charts.

Houck: With Houck getting skipped, I think I’m dropping him. Can you give me a 1a and 1b from Zebby vs. LAA, Kutter vs. BAL, Mize vs. COL, Povich @BOS, Leiter @SEA? I could also keep holding or grab a reliever.

Jeff Zimmerman: Mize and Leiter are way above the rest.

Jimmy5: Looking to roll the dice in my finals running out double starters Festa, Povich, Gore.  What do you think?  Too risky?

Jeff Zimmerman: Not at all, you’re playing to win

John: Happy Sunday Jeff. Trust in pavin smith? 3hr tonight 4 last 4 games.

Jeff Zimmerman: No

Guest: Who would you prefer as bench bat-Edman or Norby. I’m afraid Norby is just a hot run and the Pirates might cool him down. But on the other hand Edman is greatest either. Thanks for doing this talks.

Jeff Zimmerman: Edman, especially if I need steals.

Starters: Who do you want for the next 2 weeks: 3 starts Boyd, 3 starts Francis, 3 starts Zebby, or 2 starts severino. Points league

Jeff Zimmerman: Not Zebby for sure.

Jeff Zimmerman: Boyd, then Francis, then Severino

Porcho Villa: Same question as above re: Rutschman with H2H playoffs starting, but with much worse waiver options than Cal. Would you drop Adley for any of Amaya, Langeliers, Melendez, or Keibert Ruiz? (5×5 OBP)

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d swap him for all but Ruiz

Porcho Villa: Robles worth hanging on to with the elbow issue or would you drop for any of Josh Lowe, T. Ward, Noot, or Joey Ortiz? Steals nice to have but need all around production for one week playoff (5×5 OBP)

Jeff Zimmerman: Drop for Nootbaar

Vince: Hi! Made playoffs in 12-tm, H2H, category. But what I thought was pretty good pitching has shown true colors — unreliable (Peralta, Pivetta), innings-weary, still developing young SPs (Baz, Festa, Williams), or washed up (Kershaw)! Want to drop one (possibly two) of Festa, G Williams or Heaney (good remaining schedule waiver pick up) to add bat. Your preference(s) would be?

Jeff Zimmerman: Drop Heaney (or Kershaw) to add the bats you need.

Chucky: Speaking of the aforementioned L Robert. In a keeper with no contracts, who’s the keep Robert or Butler?

Jeff Zimmerman: Hopefully both but Robert

Rockie: Vodnik off the IL. Is he worth a decent bid?

Jeff Zimmerman: Good to hear

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d need confirmation that he’s going to get his job back before going all in.

Barry’s Foot: If healthy, could Kumar Rocker be a strong SP option  in 2025?

Jeff Zimmerman: I though Jackson Jobe was and that got me 0 IP.

Jeff Zimmerman: Rocker is a great story but I’d check in on other possible call-ups (Chandler).

Near the end: Is Devers cooked (shoulders)? Replace from bench with Caminero or Caballero (for SB)?

Jeff Zimmerman: Those two aren’t any better than the hurt Devers.

Jeff Zimmerman: His bat speed is way down.

Halo Hurlers: Detmers and Canning … 10-team AL-Only … which is preferable with CWS coming up?

Jeff Zimmerman: For now, it looks like Canning lines up for the CWS starts

Brian: Wait you have Edman over Norby?

Jeff Zimmerman: I would if speed is important

Kingpin: For @Daprez – Fangraphs has a probables grid…https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/probables-grid

Stretch Run: I am fortuante enough that I get a bye in the first week of the playoffs (H2H, points) which also means I get to set up my team with FAAB for _next_ week. Please help me pick two of: Detmers v CHW, Pivetta v TB, Perez V Houston assuming the one one I get rid of I won’t get back!

Jeff Zimmerman: Keep Detmers and Pivetta

Kingpin: For Daprez – Fangraphs has a probables grid.

Kyle Tucker: How much does my manager let me play this week and what am I realistically capable of doing after such a long layoff?

Jeff Zimmerman: I think he’ll play 2 games, set 1

Oddball Herrera: Langford in 2025 – more likely to embarrass people who cut bait after an only ok rookie season, or embarrass people who still cling to the pre-2024 season hype?

Jeff Zimmerman: I have him with above-average raw skills across the board. Nothing is negative. I have hope

Rickey: Which two to start this week, Arighetti (2 good starts), Festa (2 really good starts), or Bowden Francis?

Jeff Zimmerman: Festa

Carlos: In these late days, Baz or Lively ROS?

Jeff Zimmerman: Neither, I might just add a middle reliever

Guest: what to do with Castillo this week

Jeff Zimmerman: Bench unless some new news comes out

Dave: AL-only question.  Should I drop McKinstry for Clement, Barger, or Rocchio’s random hot bat, or just hold?

Jeff Zimmerman: McKinstry’s playing time is drying up. I like the Jays but they only face four righties this week.

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m going to call it a night. Good luck as the season winds down.