Sunday Night Waiver Wire & FAAB Chat

Jeff Zimmerman: Welcome

Jeff Zimmerman: No FAAB bids from Tout Wars because their FAAB runs on Tuesday night this week.

Jeff Zimmerman: As for refreshments, I’m enjoying a New Riff single barrel.

Rhys Hoskins: What are you spending on him in deep AL only?  Is $5 too much?

Jeff Zimmerman: Min bid. No need to spend resources on him.

Guest: What’s the best 2 save specs out of: Grant Taylor, Cole Sands, JJ Romero, Matt Strahm, Jordan Romano? Or should I just ignore them all?

Jeff Zimmerman: I like the Romero’s and Strahm as specs.

Aaron: Logan Henderson a hold in 15 teamers or cut bait someone who is in the bigs and healthy now ?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m dropping in a 12 teamer. It really comes down to the players available on the waiver wire.

Taco Grande: Noting you have Holmes right over Liberatore and Abel in your WW rankings. For a 5×5 league that has a roster move limit – so preferring less streamers and more moves that have a chance at sticking – does that change the order of those three at all?

Jeff Zimmerman: Maybe Liberatore first, but I think Holmes and Abel have the same amount of risk.

Guest: Biggest riser from Spring Training/WBC?

Jeff Zimmerman: I wrote about them earlier today: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/faab-waiver-wire-report-preseason/

Grote: Is Jordan Lawlar worth an add over Heliot?

Jeff Zimmerman: No

bigstrunso: Oooh, wasn’t expecting this tonight…thanks Jeff!!

Guest: It’s all happening! Baseball on Wednesday!

Jeff Zimmerman: I came a little too fast for me. I still have a major auction and draft still to do.

ryan: rank for 12s 5×5 roto, Abel, Nola, Senga and Baz

Jeff Zimmerman: First, I’m not a fan of Senga … at all. My order Nola, Baz, Abel, Senga

equist: What are your thoughts on Didier Fuentes, it looks like he’ll only be up a couple of weeks.  Is he worth holding in a dynasty points league?

Jeff Zimmerman: In a dynasty league, I’d hold for now. And as always, it depends on the replacement options.

Priorities: Setting aside the context of your team build – so like “in a vacuum” do you prefer to spend faab on upside guys or people with a having a job / volume?

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes, it’s great when a person can find both (Marsee last year). Jordan Lawlar fits that mold this year. Caissie is another one.

Kevin McGonigle: Tigers really taking the decision down to the wire. Seen a few recent roster predictions exclude him while roster resource stands pat that he leads off. Think he ultimately breaks camp?

Jeff Zimmerman: I think he does break camp. They seemed to be waiting for an injury to make the decision easier and not piss anyone off.

Jeff Zimmerman: I have issue with McGonigle’s talent. He’s projected to be a 20/10 guy with full time plate appearances. That’s Nimmo or Semien. Don’t over pay for him

Emmet Sheehan: Nick Pollack with a lot of concern with the drop in velocity this spring. Does that along with the low strike rate suggest Sheehan could be pitching hurt?

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t think he’s built up yet. Spring Training is for hitters to get reps against velo and pitchers to keep velo through their start.

Grote: What do you see as the order of B Ashcraft, Liberatore, and Ponce?  Standard 5 x 5.

Jeff Zimmerman: This group of pitchers annoys me in drafts because they all go right at the same time so I can only get one or two of them. I like Ashcraft, Ponce, Liberatore.

Tim: could we get Steamer comps on TJ Rumfield? I added him in a 14t dynasty today…thanks!

Jeff Zimmerman: This hasn’t been updated in a while, but here are the last ones.

Jeff Zimmerman:

Todays WW Article: Did you choose the photo for todays waiver wire article? Whoever chose that photo did Okamoto real dirty lol

Jeff Zimmerman: I do everyone dirty, I find the most awkward image possible and use it. Like: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/mining-the-news-12-24-25/

ccoville: I’m struggling with choosing a Corner Infielder in a OBP/SLG league. Who’s the better guy in that format out of Andrew Vaughn, Miguel Vargas, Connor Norby, and Nolan Gorman?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d go Gorman, Vaughn, Vargas, Norby.

Guest: I’ve been playing fantasy baseball for more than 20 years. Still got excited/nervous before the season kicks off. What do you look forward to the most?

Jeff Zimmerman: Right now, I want to see if my picks and research pay off. I made a ton of changes on my process so I’m a little nervous in seeing how they work out.

Porcho Villa: Late rounds in a 5×5 NFBC draft and hold, stocking bench depth and injury stashes. Who would you prioritize: Ha Seong Kim, Jared Jones, Ozuna, Steele, Pfaadt?

Jeff Zimmerman: Steele, I want the guy coming back ASAP. Gurriel is another such stash

Siri: Liberatore or cecconi?

Jeff Zimmerman: You’re talking my language. Liberatore. I think his spot is safer if he struggles.

Porcho Villa: Scrambling with Crews sent down. Do you like Cole Young as a late round SB target?

Jeff Zimmerman: Sort of. Watch for Nunez, Outman, McCarthy, and Karros

Riding the down the River: Will River Ryan stick in the Dodgers rotation this season or will SAVE the bullpen from Sasaki?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s starting in the minors and will be promoted as needed. I think he’ll get 12 MLB starts this year.

Guest: does FG have a tool for rankings using custom league settings

Jeff Zimmerman: The auction calculator: https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy-tools/auction-calculator

ccoville: The projections for Detmers aren’t totally terrible. Thoughts on this guy in a K/9 league? Nothing fancy just a SP10 consideration.

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s fine, I just don’t trust anything that the Angels are doing

Tycoons: Who do you think has a better path to saves?
Vodnik (Col) or Hogan Harris (Oak)

Jeff Zimmerman: Just Saves, Vodnik

Gorman: saw you rank gorman first in an admittedly unimpressive list above, does this mean you believe in his supposed changes this spring?

Jeff Zimmerman: I think he could have the most upside on the list. If he struggles, grab one of the guys.

Matt W.: Carson Williams is he a triple digit bid in a 15 team mixed league?

Jeff Zimmerman: Please be, he wasn’t even going to make the team if Walls didn’t get hurt. He’s a min/ignore bid for me. I want major league baseball players and Williams isn’t one yet.

Christina: How highly would you rate Corbin Burnes foe

Jeff Zimmerman: It all comes down to league rules on stashing him. Generally, I prefer to take guys (Steele, Schwellenbach, Greene) who will return first.

Matt W.: Better stash 15 team mixed league. Joshua Baez  or Waldenschmidt

Jeff Zimmerman: Waldenschmidt but I don’t feel good about either one.

Guest: Thanks for doing this! Who’s a better bet to breakout this year, Brandon Sproat or Braxton Ashcraft?

Jeff Zimmerman: Ashcraft

Re: Outman: You like him? I need a guy and it’s slim pickings in AL-Only I’m looking at Ahmad Rosario, Everson Periera, Bryce  Teodoso….Mountcastle..

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s running like crazy in ST and could get 450 PA. Dream on his 23/16 season from 2023

Derrick: Do you feel comfortable starting Ashcraft @Mets and vs. Orioles to start the year?

Jeff Zimmerman: Maybe, depends on my other options. For about a month here, I’m hoarding talented guys. I’ll worry more about matchups once I have as many as possible

Starting off: Looking for a SP, standard 5×5, rank: B.Ashcraft; Leahy; Cavalli, Early, D.Fuentes,

Jeff Zimmerman: Ashcraft, Cavalli … don’t care about the other three right now

Gus: For H2H categories with quality starts, which two do you prefer: Cavalli, Weathers, Ponce, Abel, Liberatore

Jeff Zimmerman: Ponce and Liberatore will go long, as for the other three … Weathers, Abel, Cavalli

JD: Thanks for taking the time on this Jeff, super helpful! Pick 2 AL Only OBP league bench bats: DeLuca, Isbel, McCutchen, Ben Williamson, Caratini, Starling Marte, Austin Martin, Monasterio, IKF

Jeff Zimmerman: DeLuca, Isbel

Brent: With max Meyer getting Colorado and home this week – what’s the faab spend % look like on him this week as a streamer…and would you prioritize him or Messick?

Jeff Zimmerman: 2% to 3% of your budget on Meyer. He might stick

Peter: Thoughts on who best closer in waiting is…..

Jeff Zimmerman: Erceg

Thx 4 da chat: How is the single malt treating you? Pair it with anything?

Jeff Zimmerman: New Riff is a bourbon and this would go great with a heavy meal (steak, etc). I think New Riff is putting out some of the best stuff right now.

Day1: Considering quickly the position tails off, do you think Cole Young could be a 15 team viable 2B in 2026?

Jeff Zimmerman: I think he’s worth a bench bat in a 15. He struggled last season, so I don’t want to count on him.

Drafting: In a 12-tm H2H weekly points league with 5 IL spots, how high would you be comfortable drafting Wheeler? Ahead of guys like Rogers, Rasmussen, Pepiot for example?

Jeff Zimmerman: Probably.

Slim: Thoughts on Louis Robert Jr. this year as an OF5 target in a points league. Look elsewhere for upside?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s not going to be on OF5 in a league where he’s currently being drafted, more like OF3. I would struggle to take him there.

Derek: Do you think we see more steals this year? Maybe in between the past two years? And is there any correlation with 1b coach and steals? Atl got the mets coach and they wondered if Riley can steal. 1 sb in spring training

Jeff Zimmerman: I think it’ll be up but not so much based on one coach. I think everyone saw sloths like Naylor, Soto, and Raleigh steal bases. So guys with actual speed will steal them also.

equist: Do you see Ben Brown as a starter, or bullpen guy?

Jeff Zimmerman: Minor league starter.

TennesseeMG: Understanding he may not be back for a minute, what are your expectations for Gerrit Cole once he returns?

Jeff Zimmerman: Very little. I expect him to struggle worse than Strider did last year.

Peter: Favorite last round prospects or under the radar dart throws?

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t take prospects, at all, in non-keeper leagues. While I haven’t drafted them in leagues, besides draft-and-hold, I like Jaxon Wiggins and Trey Gibson if they get called up.

Marvin: Who do you like in MLW, Sproat or Harrison?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d tried to roster both. It seems like Sproat might face easier opponents to start the year.

Marvin: Do you expect Crews back up early or late this year?

Jeff Zimmerman: I see him taking the career path of Jared Kelenic. All hype, zero production

In a pickle: Waited too long on 2B and SS in H2H categories. Which two would you start from this group: Wetherholt (2B/SS), Bogaerts (SS), Baty (2B), Clement (2B/SS), Gimenez (2B/SS)

Jeff Zimmerman: They are fine. Bogaerts and Clement (some HR upside)

Sean: DeLauter worth a flyer for a bench bat in 14T H2H keeper league

Jeff Zimmerman: Sure

Marsee marsee me: Best case scenario for Jakob this year?

Jeff Zimmerman: 15 HR, 35 SB, .280 AVG. Downside is that he’s back in the minors.

Ian Seymour: You a fan? Think he’s in the rotation by the end of the year or does he keep the “bulk reliever” kind of work all year? I think he’ll be good this year either way…

Jeff Zimmerman: Not a fan with so many other options available

TheTinDoor: Shallow league for saves … Rank Beeter, Erceg, Sewals, Romano, any Athletic or Twin?

Jeff Zimmerman: Sewald ……. Harrison (A’s), Taylor (MIN), Erceg, Romano, Beeter.

Hopium: Any hope for Karros? Good spring.

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes, but in a Maikel Garcia way. 12 HR/30 SB way with a good average.

Tracy: Is Kayfus going to be a starter?

Jeff Zimmerman: No idea. I didn’t think the Guardians had regular outfielers

Jack: For CI how would you rank Gorman, Jung (TX), Schnaul? Thank You

Jeff Zimmerman: Schanual (HR upside) …… Gorman ………..Jung

ccoville: I don’t like the move to PNC park for Brandon Lowe. Any chance Gorman is a better option?

Jeff Zimmerman: No

Tim: Christian Javier is a Top ___ SP in dynasty

Jeff Zimmerman: 150, I have zero expectations from him

Z to the Vee: Thoughts on Ben Brown as a stash?  Any other stash SPs you like — guys without a current spot or hurt that we can get ahead of the curve on in deep NFBC type leagues?

Jeff Zimmerman: There are so many guys already in the majors to stash, don’t look to the minors. Carmen Mlodzinski just got a rotation spot and he posted some solid number last year.

Sam: Would you drop Jasson D in an AL Only to pick up Looerfido or Jacob Melton?

Jeff Zimmerman: No, not in an AL-only.

Jeff Zimmerman: Well, that’s it for tonight. I need to give my teams a once-over, and good luck to everyone this year.