Sunday Night Waiver Wire & FAAB Chat

Jeff Zimmerman: Welcome

Jeff Zimmerman: As usual, I’m going to focus on FAAB and waiver wire questions.

Jeff Zimmerman: Here are the winning bids from the two Tout Wars mixed 15-team mixed leagues.

Jeff Zimmerman:

Adam: Who’s your top pitcher to pickup on the waiver wire?

Jeff Zimmerman: Here is an entire article of my pickups ranked: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/waiver-wire-report-week-2/

Scott: Who to drop between ober, heaney and kikuchi.

Jeff Zimmerman: Kikuchi, he seems off

Angels in Outfield: Ward batting cleanup and playing everyday.  Why? What am I missing?

Jeff Zimmerman: Because Joe Maddon loves him and has been saying so for a month. Not a surprise at all.

Bryan: Thoughts on Adres Munoz in Holds leagues?

Jeff Zimmerman: I think you could do worse. I’d watch his usage going forward

Nils: Conforto. Have him on a 5×5 mixed 16 team keeper. He’s taking up a roster spot and I’m debating dropping him for waiver wire help but the lack of news on him is making it hard to determine course of action. What would you do ?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d move on. I bet he has a showcase and then it’d be worth adding him.

Hill: Gore is available in a number of 12s. Is he here to stay? How much FAAB. Does he take Martinez’s spot if snell recovers?  With gore out there how much can I sneak Wright or Ashby or Kelly for?

Jeff Zimmerman: It’ll take 10% at least to get Gore and I’m not sure if he stays. I think he’s the only starter with options.

Jeff Zimmerman: Wright may take more than Gore … maybe. The others are 2% guys at the most … at least for me.

Hot Rod: 15 team weekly lineup/faab, no IP limit, need a solid 6/7th SP. Order and bid prices (1K budget): Blackburn, Lorenzen, Steele, Fedde, B Zimmerman?

Jeff Zimmerman: I ranked all but Zim in my WW article: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/waiver-wire-report-week-2/

Jeff Zimmerman: As for bids, 2% to 3%

kcbbq: 12 team AL only 5×5 keeper league using 100 FAAB. Owen Miller is available. No way he keeps this up but he shouldn’t have too much trouble getting pt unless he goes cold turkey. How much FAAB is he worth throwing at? Was thinking 7-10 but wonder if that’s too much of an overpay. I’d likely bench either Odor or Kevin Smith for him.

Jeff Zimmerman: In an AL only, I think 10% is fine. I’d not be surprised if he went for 3x that

SL: How long of a leash are we giving Josh Lowe or Julio Rodriguez in redraft leagues?

Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t have to make the call, but I’d start looking for replacements if the teams demote them.

Guest: Do you think Zack Collins could become the starting catcher for the Jays?

Jeff Zimmerman: No

Jake: Is Taylor Ward worth a look in 12 team OBP leagues? alternatives are grichuk, santander, mercado, and seth brown

Jeff Zimmerman: Santander IMO

Trent: Hi Jeff! Trying to sort through my pitching options in a points league. Right now the spot I usually use for streaming is occupied by Gore, do you think his debut made him worth holding onto?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d hold this week to see what are the Padres plans

JG: would you drp Mitch Keller for Smyly or Fedde?

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes. I got rid of my Keller last week.

Dave: Jeff, thanks for doing these. If Flaherty is available in 15 mixed NFBC, do you think he’s worth a stash? We also have Ryu, would you prefer to stash Flaherty over Ryu? If so, how much do you think you’d bid?

Jeff Zimmerman: I would not hold both and would hold Ryu for another week. His timeline needs to be cleared up.

Riceroni: Need MI/OF 5×5 roto 15 team league. Rank these guys and an approx bid: T. Estrada, T. Ward, B. Gamel, Naylor, K. Farmer, R. Urias, Y. Hernandez?

Jeff Zimmerman: Same order by swap Urias and Naylor.

Jake: How early is too early to add Ramon Laureano before his suspension is over?

Jeff Zimmerman: That comes down to team construction, but if you have room, go for it. One thing if you add early and cheap, it’s not a waste of FAAB if you have to drop him later.

Jeff: Should I hold onto Jordan Hicks for now?

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes, this is dragging out forever

Closing Time: Do you believe Melancon could get 30 saves? Diamondbacks look pretty weak.

Jeff Zimmerman: It could be close as long as no one else jumps in

Tom: Hey Jeff, someone just dropped Ranger Suarez. Is it worth using the number 2 waiver priority on him? Other options are Joe Ryan and Nestor Cortes.

Jeff Zimmerman: WHOA there Tom. Those three are only your wire? Right now, I’d add Cortes, but all three need to be rostered in a reasonably sized league.

Guest: Andrew Heaney pitched a gem today. Does this affect his waiver priority/FAAB?

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes, recency bias is real. It will cost more, but did his value actually change?

Jimmy: What are reasonable expectations for T. Estrada?

Jeff Zimmerman: I like the potential for 20-30 HR

Ben: Hi, Jeff – love the launch angle pod. Heaney is still available in my OC league. What do you see him going for after this week?

Jeff Zimmerman: 20%, it’s at least going to take 10% if everyone is paying attention

AL Only: 2 start streamer – C.Hernandez or T. Wells, option 3 safe MR pitcher

Jeff Zimmerman: Middle reliever

Don: Luis Garcia (HOU) dropped in a 10-team H2H. How aggressive should I be to add?

Jeff Zimmerman: Fairly. 5%

Guest: 2 days in a row, hicks leading off for yanks a thing now?

Jeff Zimmerman: I like it

makesomeneuse: Drop Biggio for Sheldon Neuse in AL only?

Jeff Zimmerman: Biggio is so tough to hold right now. I think it is the right move but pay attention to others who may end up with 3B eligibility (e.g. Urias in BAL).

Hans: Where would Hector Neris fit on the closer adds for the week? Pressly’s velo was down even before the knee thing.

Jeff Zimmerman: This one is so tough. All the FAAB sent could be wasted without getting a save if Pressley returns early. Or Neris could be the closer all season. I’m tempering expectations, but with closers disappearing, could see spending up to 20%

Johnny: Dropped Madrigal for Estrada. Am I a HUGE FOOL?

Jeff Zimmerman: no

A-A-Ron: Who do you like for holds (+ Ks/WHIP/ERA): Jake McGee, Ryan Helsley, or Boxberger?

Jeff Zimmerman: You have them in order.

Jeff Zimmerman: I like Helsley and I’d not be surprised if he was the closer by month’s end

AL Only: Pressly Replacement – Stanek or Montero

Jeff Zimmerman: Montero, but hope for someone else

Dave: Michael Chavis seems to be filling several holes for the Pirates; seem worth a shot in deep NL leagues?

Jeff Zimmerman: Whoa, 14 PA without one strikeout.

Jeff Zimmerman: 34% last season

Jeff Zimmerman: I was off because of the K’s, but has turned it around

Jim: should we be interested in Brad Keller

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes, the added velo and new changeup have him at a new talent level

YnoaLongerHere?: The back of my pitching staff (pts league) is struggling… which two of the following would you drop… Ynoa, Rasmussen, AAshby, MKelly (after lineup lock tomorrow)? Thanks.

Jeff Zimmerman: Ashby and Rasmussen

Guest: General thoughts on Dylan Bundy? Worth a shot in a 16 teamer? Pick him up & keep him on the bench just in case?

Jeff Zimmerman: Stay away and find a talented pitcher.

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s the top 3 and I might go 10% on each

Mike: % faab for Owen Miller

Jeff Zimmerman: Too much

Jeff Zimmerman: 4%

Guest: Carrasco or Kelly? 10-Team H2HCat

Jeff Zimmerman: Carrasco

Guest: J Sanchez or Mercado? 10Team H2HCat

Jeff Zimmerman: The Jesus

kcbbq: Any concern that Gallo’s poor performance from his time in NY last season and the start to this season will last? Am a bit concerned.

Jeff Zimmerman: This is who Gallo is … streaky.

Blackburn Rovers: How muck are you bidding on Blackburn and/or Lorenzen in a 16 teamer?

Jeff Zimmerman: 5%

Guest: Time to cut bait on guys like Brendan Rodgers and Josh Lowe in 12 teachers?  MIs available:  JP Crawford, Frazier, Estrada  OFs: Canha, Yaz, Santander, Mercado

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d hold Rodgers for a bit longer.

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d add Santander for Lowe

kcbbq: In my 12 team AL only 5×5 league Is Kiermaier worth benching for any of the following….Larnach, Arroyo, Siri, Harold Ramirez, Olivares? And how much to bid? Starting out with 100 FAAB.

Jeff Zimmerman: No, hold

Asking for a friend: Do you prefer Lodolo or Lynch as an upside play?

Jeff Zimmerman: Lodolo

Jake: are you streaming chris archer vs the royals on tuesday?

Jeff Zimmerman: Possibly if I get him in some of my waterfall bids

Jake: are the orioles on tuesday a good enough matchup to make cole irvin viable?

Jeff Zimmerman: And the start against Texas

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes

Jim: Even if Corey Kluber gets stretched out to 6 innings, will Tampa let him go that long – they love their bullpen strategy.

Jeff Zimmerman: Maybe, Kluber has the arsenal to go through a lineup 3 times

Frank: How do you rank Lorenzen, Steele, Blackburn and B. Keller

Jeff Zimmerman: I guess no one reads my articles.

kcbbq: Is Jake Meyers worth a a couple of units as a stash on my bench in a 12 team AL only 5×5 league? From what I read he was going to be the Astros starting CFer this season until his labrum surgery. Or let him sit on the wire for a few more weeks to see if McCormick and Siri will do enough to keep him in the minors?

Jeff Zimmerman: I was thinking about him the other day. The issue is that both McCormick and Siri are on fire and they won’t sit if even one of them are still hitting that way when Meyers gets healthy.

Jake: are you panicking on trevor story?

Jeff Zimmerman: No, but I kind of expect it since he hasn’t seen much MLB pitching.

Bruno: Any chance this chat can be a bit earlier? I’m in two FAAB leagues, with 7:00 and 8:00 CDT deadlines. Are most leagues later?

Jeff Zimmerman: Not by me, I’d prefer it even later to enjoy my weekend more

Zeff Jimmerman: Did you get a chance to catch Nestor Cortes or Andrew Heaney’s starts today? Both looked really good. Arrow pointing up for both?

Jeff Zimmerman: Sadly no, I was looking at some pitchers I missed to see how they performed.

HoJo: Gleyber still looks lost.  OK to move on to J Pena?

Jeff Zimmerman: Sure, that’s reasonable

Maris: Honest opinion of Pirate Diego Castillo. Picked him up for one unit prior to season. Worth a roster spot ROS?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s a tough one to value since the Pirates haven’t settled on one person yet.

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d hold for one more week

HoJo: Happ is hitting cleanup in a crappy lineup, but I know that big second half from last year exists. Would you drop him for J Sanchez?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d stay with Happ and maybe find a way to roster both

No name: In a single catcher league, 12 team mixed roto, prioritize S.Murphy over A.Kirk?

Jeff Zimmerman: yes

zimmertheMAN: Can you please rank Carrasco, Gore, Nestor, Ober, Kyle Wright, assuming they all stay healthy this year?

Tyrone: What do you make of Wright and Heany? With dropping Civale for either?

mm45: Kyle Wright, Heaney, Cortes, Kelly. Rank him for 5×5 priority. Dying for pitching here.

Jeff Zimmerman: Cortes, Carrasco, Wright, Gore, Heaney, Ober, Kelly

Josh: Where do you see Hunter Greene finishing up this year in SP rankings?

Jeff Zimmerman: Around 50th

David: Should I be worried about Votto?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’ve found it takes two months until it’s obvious a hitter has changed for the worse. Hold at least for a couple more weeks.

First Base Help Needed: What do you make of Brandon Belt? Should he be rostered universally?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s a must roster … when healthy

Andy Splinter: How much FAAB would you be willing to spend on Gore in a 15 team? Hoping to drop Corbin for him

Jeff Zimmerman: In a 15, from 10% to 35%

TobiasTime: Needing to get a fill in 3b other than Biggio with Moncada being out. Who would you prefer between Arraez or H Dozier. H2H 14 category with OPS

Jeff Zimmerman: Dozier based on full-time at bats

kuff6: Lots of pitchers to consider this week!  Best 2 for 5×5 roto redraft: G Whitlock (bos), c javier (hou), taylor anderson (lad), wacha (bos), fedde (wsh), smyly (chc), or steele (chc)? And would you prefer any of the 2 not selected instead of corbin, eflin, and/or n martinez (sd)?  Thanks as always for all you do!

Jeff Zimmerman: Whitlock and Steele. I’d look at matchups. With this many on the wire, you should be able to stream them

A-A-Ron: Who do you want for holds (+ Ks/ERA/WHIP): Jake McGee, Ryan Helsley, or Boxberger?

Jeff Zimmerman: McGee for now, but keep an eye on Helsley

barney: $1000 budget how much would you spend on Paddack? dropping Means

Jeff Zimmerman: 2% at most

Austin: should i drop Cesar Hernandez for O. Miller or T. Estrada

Jeff Zimmerman: I would not

Guest: Would you reserve Odor for Owen Miller, Neuse or Willi Castro? Or is Odor’s HR potential despite his poor OBP trump the others?

Jeff Zimmerman: Add Miller

Dale: How do you feel about Josh Rogers in a deep NL only? His expected stats are weird and the strikeout potential is gross but I need IP.

Jeff Zimmerman: I’d stay away. See if Crowe is on the wire

Guest: drop snezel for a hicks if leading off is real?

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes if your league is that shallow

Riceroni: Your article didn’t have B Zimmerman. Where would he rank or does he fit into your WW article?

Jeff Zimmerman: Between Archer and Smyly

DB: Deep NL only league with my only weakness in S+H. Rank Givens, Ty Rogers, Leone? Thanks for these every week

Jeff Zimmerman: In that order

Erik: Rasmussen or Kyle Wright for my 5×5 team?  I’m leaning towards the former, but the number of Ks Wright has been putting up had me second guessing.

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s Wright for me

stefano: I read the articles jeff, I swear.  Please keep’em coming.

Jeff Zimmerman: I can only write so much

Devil Ray Jay Johnson: Who’s closing for the O’s on June 1?

Jeff Zimmerman: Lopez if he’s not traded

BD: For one pitching slot this week: Jon Gray hoping he gets activated and gets two starts; Trevor Rodgers hoping he rebounds from two lousy outings; or Bailey Ober?

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m hoping on those Gray starts

Jack: regarding your comment about nobody reading your articles, I would guess most here are reading them, especially if they are active in the chats. I think many times people will read the articles and not check, or not remember who wrote them by the time the chats start, so they aren’t putting 2 and 2 together.

Jeff Zimmerman: Possibly they aren’t putting one and two together. This week’s speciality are those starters

DawgTown: need a sp   wily peralta  stripling  keuchel   tyler alexander  thanks

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m taking you have to start them so I’d go Keuchel. If you can bench, go Stripling and get an idea of his current talent.

Guest: I read your articles Jeff. Are Lorenzen and Blackburn both better than my Flexen and Kikuchi? Was going to bid 7 and 5 respectively for them in my 12 team AL only 5×5 league. 100 FAAB. Should I up my bid?

Jeff Zimmerman: Those are all close. For that reason, I’d not bid much because the drop are nearly equal with the add.

Murph: Kwan or hicks?  5×5 roto

Jeff Zimmerman: Kwan but this pick might change in a week

JE: Could use  SV and SP, Neris or Cortes in for S. Gray IL?

Jeff Zimmerman: Cortes for Gray but know Gray comes off the IL this week.

Kap: Pick 2 as a potential closer stash: Neris, Staumont, Jimenez, Givens, Fulmer

Jeff Zimmerman: Givens and Neris

JayDilla: Cortes and Heaney available on waivers. Either/both worth adding over Hauck or Skubal? Thanks!

Jeff Zimmerman: Cortes over Skubal

Scott: No one claimed Kwan last week — how much would you bid this week? Especially with a thin OF

Jeff Zimmerman: 20%, he might be down with his latest struggles

Guest: Brash, Cortes both available in H2H points league worth dropping Ian Anderson or zac gallen for either

Jeff Zimmerman: Is this like a six team league? Hold but Cortes for Anderson might work.

Brad: Would you drop Kim for Espinal?

Jeff Zimmerman: Yes, yes I would

Jeff Zimmerman: Thanks for showing up. I’ve got to go over my bids and news before FAAB runs in 30 minutes.