Sunday Night Waiver Wire & FAAB Chat

Jeff Zimmerman: Welcome.

Jeff Zimmerman: First off, there will be a FanGraphs chat next weekend. If the playoffs are on the line, the main side will likely be hosting the chat. If not, I will.

Jeff Zimmerman: Here are the winning bids in the three ToutWars 15-team leagues. Ignore the prices managers were spending all they had left.

Jeff Zimmerman:

HappyFunBall: That’s for being here this season. Good times!

JG: Need homers, drop XEdwards for : BRodgers(Coors) , Westburg or Albies ? Roto

Jeff Zimmerman: Albies or Westburg  … probably Albies

H2H: Jeff, do you trust M. Spence (TEX, @SEA) or J. Cannon LAA, @DET) two-steps this week? Other options are one-start guys like Montas, Marsh, D. Martin, Montero, Sears.

Jeff Zimmerman: Depending on how FAAB goes, I might be using the Spence one.

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t mind Montero or Martin. Jose Suarez is also an option.

Boston Expatriots: Last week of season—if I need volume, should I consider sitting an Alex Bregman (who will probably get a few days off) and starting a Tena instead?

Jeff Zimmerman: I could see it

Relievers: In a starts cap league and looking for RPs for win/save vulturing. How scared should I be of Yarbrorough or Keider Montero (assuming they work behind followers)? Anyone else in that position you’d trust?

Jeff Zimmerman: Stroman could be an option.

Save Specs: Thanks for the season of chats! Neck and neck in my league and hoping to pull it out…

Jeff Zimmerman: good luck

Guest: How much does MLB playoff position matter tonight? Are you more likely to bid on players from teams chasing a spot (e.g. DET, MIN, NYM, ATL) over players from other teams? More for SPs than bats?

Jeff Zimmerman: The ideal teams are those still in the hunt (e.g. AL Wild Card). Some of the teams out of it are giving their rookies a ton of playing time to prep for 2025 (e.g. Nationals).

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t think there is a general policy to follow

Daprez: Do you expect Wheeler to throw his final start on the last day of the season?  Thanks for being so much help all season!

Jeff Zimmerman: First, you’re welcome. On the question on Wheeler, I think he might but only for a few innings. He’d use it as a bullpen to stay healthy.

Daily League Strategy: Is it worth holding a bench bat (in my case Delucca or Moniak/Campero in LA) in my daily league or just get an RP? I’m bunched in homers but my regulars are reasonably regular aside from Kyle Tucker and George Springer…

Jeff Zimmerman: If you need homers, add the bat

Just Glad Its Over: So I can start drafting for next year

Jeff Zimmerman: Some people already have

Guest: In a keeper league, do you like the idea of being able to keep unused FAAB season to season?

Jeff Zimmerman: No, let it reset.

Shallow Championship: In a shallow H2H, would you drop Musgrove at LAD or Eflin at NYY for the likes of an Erod vs SF or Littell at  DET?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m dumping Musgrove in deeper leagues. He doesn’t make this week’s nine arms so it off to the wire. I’d do the same with Eflin

RAGBRAI: Is Yorke making OD next year?

Jeff Zimmerman: It sounds that way from the team. It’s a long offseason and who knows what will happen.

Tim: Thanks for the help all year! My dynasty season ends tonight; how loud are the alarm bells on Josh Jung? I’ve seen others be ruined by lingering wrist things, and am starting to think about moving forward with Bohm and Joey Ortiz in a 14t

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d hold or trade Jung. Someone would want him.

Tim: What do you think the D’backs do at Catcher next year? I have ADC and Wells in dynasty, and right now that feels like the proverbial having two catchers, but not one

Jeff Zimmerman: I think Arizona keeps both catchers

Jeff Zimmerman: with a Montero getting most of the run to start the season.

Guest: In an exciting NL-only OF decision, Lamont Wade, Tyrone Taylor or Billy Cook?

Jeff Zimmerman: Taylor

Seanold: Thanks for all the advice this year, enjoy the off-season! Chasing volume last week, who would you prioritize, Houck or Bassitt?

Jeff Zimmerman: My system likes Houck based on his recent 2024 results

GP: Any read on Brady Basso of OAK who may have 2 starts (vs TEX, at SEA) this week?

Jeff Zimmerman: Decent option in deeper leagues. I’m not a fan of his 92-mph fastball but all of his pitches have a swinging-strike rate over 10%

Jeff Zimmerman: https://www.fangraphs.com/players/brady-basso/25582/pitch-type-splits?…

J Lennon: All I need is home runs, home runs are all I need! Pick 2 to start: Tavares, Story, Benintendi, Gimenez

Jeff Zimmerman: Benni and Story

gonyr: Need SB. Which two of McCarthy, Robles, O. Lopez? Thanks for your andvice all season.

Jeff Zimmerman: Lopez and Robles

J Lennon: All I need is wins, wins, wins are all I need: Do I actually start Jose Suarez vs CWS this week?

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s an option.

Guest: I’m in my 12-tm H2H categories championship this coming week and looking to strengthen my in either SBs or Hs. Is one of those categories more predictable than the other? To put names on them in SBs I’d likely go for Victor Robles. In Holds, I need someone who can sit in an SP slot, so I’m looking at Derek Law, Erik Miller, Aaron Ashby. On Tuesday, I can cut two SPs so I can take any two of those four. Thanks!

Jeff Zimmerman: No question there

Ben: Thanks for all the chats all season long. Was in second as recently as about a week ago. Now in 7th. Arggh! Why does Baldelli take a pitcher out who is pitching a shutout with 2 outs in the 5th? Why did Megill only go 4. How come wins are so hard to come by? Just venting (and probably speaking for a lot of us)…lol.

Jeff Zimmerman: Vent

Basso vs. Spence: It appears that Spence is getting two starts this week, not Basso. Does anyone know for sure??

Jeff Zimmerman: Nobody knows … maybe both.

Jdjeiejdj: Aranda worth a play for power this week?

Jeff Zimmerman: For sure

RAGBRAI: Do you see Alcantara opening with MIA and staying all season, traded offseason or deadline?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m not sure he’ll be read or the team may slow-play him.

Last Week Stream: Curious if you have a favorite 1 and 1b from this morass of arms. (I need wins but want to protect ratios if possible):  Cantillo CIN, Festa MIA, Basso TX, Spence TX, Kutter TBR, Pivetta TBR…

Jeff Zimmerman: Pivetta

Guest: Nl only roto w strikeouts and ratios close would you start oller or weather’s?

Jeff Zimmerman: Neighter

Jeff Zimmerman: My system like Weathers by over a run in ERA

Vince: Thanks for all your great work! It’s helped get me to final week for 12-tm, H2H category championship! Who do you like to pick up off waivers … Cantillo, Festa, Montas? Why!

Jeff Zimmerman: All with one start next week and they have ~4.00 ERA talent

Aranda: Aranda getting hot. I don’t trust the Rays, but is he an add over Andrew Vaughn?

Jeff Zimmerman: Aranda is fine

Save Specs: Dumpster diving for relievers. Anyone stand out from this list? Kahnle, Bigge, Quijada, Vest, Bubic? I’d love a save/win but will settle for not getting destroyed.

Jeff Zimmerman: Quijada. I think he’s the closer

JG: Probably have to drop a closer to add needs. Any preference to drop : JMart, RSuarez, Chapman or Hodge ? Need Ks

Jeff Zimmerman: Martinez. He might be losing hold on the starting job

Need a win: Pick 2: Suarez vs. CWS, Povich vs. MIN, Mize vs. TB or CWS?

Jeff Zimmerman: Suarez and Mize

Guest: There is a question there, lol. Which category — SBs or Hs — is a better bet to chase in the final week of H2H. There are three answers — Hs, SBs, neither.

Jeff Zimmerman: Hits IMO. Stolen bases can just come and go.

Championship: Thanks for all these throughout the season. It’s the championship week – Nootbaar, Torkelson, Yoshida for this week? Categories (OBP / SLG league)

Jeff Zimmerman: You’re welcome

Jeff Zimmerman: Nootbaar for me

Ben: Is Weathers worth being in our SP string if we’re looking for wins/Ks? Was terrible against Dodgers and now up against Twins.

Jeff Zimmerman: No

Yankee E: No question (my H2H season ends today), but thank you for your help during the season.

Jeff Zimmerman: Thanks

Yankee E: Is Luke Weaver the Yankees closer next year, with Holmes a free agent and inconsistent.  He was great this week with a win, two saves, and 10Ks.

Jeff Zimmerman: I could see them bring someone in. Hold talent.

clarence: Currently in 2nd by .5 in 15tm roto- every category than HR/RBI is in play for me and can move the needle with R, SB, OBP, WHIP. Pick up Knack or Fitts? Or go with a bat like Tena or Isbel?

Jeff Zimmerman: Go with Tena. If you need steals Gustavo Campero is an option.

anselm: keeper question — in a 5×5 ops/qs league (2 catcher/12 team) with a 260 budget I can keep three — have Lugo, Rooker, A. Wells, Cowser, and injured Trout all for hardly anything — and then Jazz at a more expensive but reasonable price. What do you think? And thanks for all these chats

Jeff Zimmerman: Cowser, Jazz and Rooker or Lugo. Depends on how your league values starters.

Vince: Again, championship week 12-tm H2H categories … Brendan Rodgers (@Coors), B Donovan or red-hot Jose Iglesias? Thanks

Jeff Zimmerman: Rodgers but it’s close with Iglesias

clarence: Thanks for doing these chats!

Jeff Zimmerman: Thanks for showing up

RAGBRAI: Thanks for a season of info and input. What are we to do on Sunday nights during the offseason? Will you still do the Sunday chat? Another time and day? If nothing is it okay if we just call you?

Jeff Zimmerman: Some other time. I need to see when there are openings. I probably won’t start for a couple of weeks.

J Lennon: Circling back :); Benintendi vs Tavares. Benintendi faces 3 lefties this week including Skubal. Also, thanks for everything this year!!

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s close with limited upside and decent downside. I still like Beni.

Goodbye 2024 Season: Can you make this question the final one of 2024?

Jeff Zimmerman: Sure. Talk to everyone next year.