Waiver Wire and FAAB Report (Week 25)
Erik Williams-Imagn Images
In this article, I cover the players using CBS’s and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both 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. I start players being added at CBS who started the week on less than 40% of rosters.
The players are ordered for redraft leagues by my rest-of-season preference, grouped by hitters, starters, and relievers.
Batters
Cam Smith: There is a ton of love for Smith for this season and next. There is good reason for it; his skills usually translate into a more productive player. Here are the players who comps to his skill set (iEV is a combination of power metrics).
While his .219 AVG is a drain, the 20 HR and 10 SB help boost his value.
Victor Mesa Jr.: Since coming off the IL, he’s started in nine of 11 games. On the season, he has 13 HR and 9 SB in 214 PA. He’s even raised his batting average to .254 which was a .214 AVG before going on the IL.
Jonah Cox: Seven straight starts against lefties and righties. The 24-year-old has been balanced with 4 HR and 10 SB and a .286 AVG in 109 PA. He has shown improvement with a 47% K% coming into September but just a 22% K% so far in September.
Javier Sanoja: After hitting just 3 HR in the first half, he has 5 HR in the second half. It’s not a major power outbreak, with the 8 HR coming on 8 Barrels. The .294 AVG and being qualified at four positions are the reasons to add him.
Jorge Mateo: With Taylor Walls on the IL, Mateo is Tampa’s full-time shortstop. While he’s hit 5 HR in 195 PA, he’s really just a stolen base play (17 SB).
Coby Mayo: Started in nine of the last 10 games. He has 23 HR this season and not much else (.289 OBP).
Héctor Rodríguez: If he could put a few more balls in the air (56% GB%, 7 deg LA), he could have more home runs (5 HR in 5 Barrels). Additionally, his strikeout rate is at 27% with a 20% SwStr% against changeups, sliders, and splitters. Serviceable with some upside from a swing adjustment.
Adael Amador: Major improvement (new maxEV, Contact% up, Walks up) compared to last season in the majors (.521 OPS vs 1.024 OPS). Add with three of the next three series in Colorado.
Josue De Paula: As good as the 21-year-old was in AA, there isn’t time in the season to see if he’s ready for the majors. I’ve got him lower than I’d normally have a prospect based on the time left in the season.
Brett Bateman: He’s maintaining a good batting average (.336 AVG). He’ll need to start running more (3 SB) if he’s not going to hit much power.
Anthony Volpe: Three starts since being promoted with a new swing.
Here’s a Volpe swing from earlier this year (top) vs. the grand slam he just hit.
My God what an improvement https://t.co/T1koJCfnvk pic.twitter.com/L3tpGCiNAu
— Victor (@HalToHell) September 11, 2026
I’m not sure he is fixed at this point, but he might be an add, so if it is a breakout, it’s on your team, not your opponents.
Thomas Saggese: He started in 12 straight games while qualified at second, short, and outfield. His production so far has been middling with 4 HR and 3 SB with a .267 AVG.
Jeff McNeil: A bland 8 HR, 8 SB, and .270 AVG on the season. He’s on the road all next week, so maybe a pass, but he is home for six games to end the season.
Nathan Lukes: Besides a .274 AVG, he doesn’t really do much (10 HR and 1 SB in 404 PA).
Hao-Yu Lee: Look who is in the above Cam Smith comp list. The 23-year-old provides some power (6 HR) while not being a batting average sink (.256 AVG). His only issue is that he has started in just three of the last five games.
David Hamilton: Usually starts against righties and sits against lefties. Usually. This week, he went four straight games without starting. While I like his potential to steal bases, I want to go into these final weeks with a consistent roster presence.
Michael Arroyo: Since being promoted from AAA, he started twice in six games. Unrosterable.
Catchers
Leo Bernal: Started in 11 straight games while batting .325/.386/.525 with 2 HR in 44 PA.
Mickey Gasper: He might be sitting against all lefties, and there are three on the schedule next week. Even so, it’s hard to argue with 9 HR in 198 PA from the catcher position.
Moisés Ballesteros: He’s struggling in the second half with a .538 OPS and not starting against lefties.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Javier Sanoja | 39% | 47% | 8% |
| Cam Smith | 38% | 39% | 1% |
| Coby Mayo | 31% | 34% | 3% |
| Jeff McNeil | 29% | 36% | 7% |
| Josue De Paula | 26% | 41% | 15% |
| Hector Rodriguez | 21% | 23% | 2% |
| Mickey Gasper | 20% | 30% | 10% |
| Victor Mesa Jr. | 11% | 16% | 5% |
| Brett Bateman | 10% | 16% | 6% |
| Hao Yu Lee | 9% | 18% | 9% |
| Jonah Cox | 9% | 16% | 7% |
| Anthony Volpe | 9% | 14% | 5% |
| Nathan Lukes | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Michael Arroyo | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| Thomas Saggese | 6% | 24% | 18% |
| Leonardo Bernal | 4% | 9% | 5% |
| Adael Amador | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Christian Koss | 1% | 3% | 2% |
Starting Pitchers
Cristian Javier: Since the All-Star break, he’s been solid with a 3.79 ERA (3.73 xFIP, 3.80 botERA), 1.14 WHIP (1.8 K/9), and 9.6 K/9. He’s never sniffed a sub-2.0 BB/9 in his career, and it’s the main reason he’s taking a step forward. A 25% GB% means some balls are going to be in the air thereby leading to a 1.3 HR/9. The home runs are the only thing holding down his value. He’s got some nice matchups with the Royals next week and a possible two-step for the final week at the Mariners and at the Athletics. I’d consider the Sunday start iffy to happen.
Emmet Sheehan: Sheehan is lined up to get at least two more starts, possibly three (two starts next week). His production comes down to his fastball averaging over 94 mph. In the games this year when it’s over 94 mph, he has a 4.42 ERA and 21.1% K-BB%. When it averages under 94 mph, he has a 17.7% K-BB% and 7.47 ERA. In his last start, his fastball averaged 94.5 mph, so hopefully he doesn’t lose a half tick between starts.
Connor Prielipp: He is lined up for two starts against the Angels and Rangers. A couple of mid-season blowups (10 ER in 10 IP) have him with an inflated 5.25 ERA while having a 3.83 xFIP and 3.86 botERA.
Andrew Alvarez: Two reasonable starts coming up against the Cardinals and Tigers. Throughout the season, he has prevented runs (3.60 ERA, 3.79 xFIP, 4.51 botERA), but his 4.1 BB/9 leads to a 1.32 WHIP (equivalent to a 4.46 ERA). The decision to add him comes down to what a fantasy manager needs.
Quinn Mathews: Mathews seems to still have his two-step next week against the Giants and Nationals. If the Sunday start gets pushed back, he’ll face the Pirates. He’s far from being a good pitcher, with walks holding him back (4.1 BB/9, 1.50 WHIP).
Anthony Molina: He got BABIP to death (.643 BABIP) in his last start, thereby pushing his starter ERA to 6.92 while he has a 3.30 xFIP. His talent is a little unknown, with a variation from a mid-3.00 ERA to a 5.00 ERA. I like his talent and he has the chance to be better than the guys ranked under him.
Yusei Kikuchi: He’s been serviceable since coming off the IL with a 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP (3.7 BB/9), and 8.6 K/9. Walks have always been an issue with him and remain so. He might be worth a stream next week against Seattle, but he’s not the next week at West Sacramento.
Erick Fedde 페디: His end-of-season opponent lineup is great (Cleveland, Detroit, and Royals). His 3.97 ERA seems OK, but his projections, ERA estimators, and our STUPH models all point to mid-4.00 to 5.00 ERA talent. And a 1.34 WHIP. Not ideal, but better than some of the other options.
Drew Anderson 앤더슨: Since joining the rotation, he has a 2.97 ERA (4.55 xFIP, 4.49 botERA), 1.32 WHIP (4.3 BB/9), and 7.3 K/9. It seems like almost all the pitchers featured today have walk issues. He is lined up for two starts against the Blue Jays and the White Sox next week and one against the Pirates in the final week. The matchups are fine; I wish Anderson was better.
Hagen Smith: Smith got a “start” after working out of the bullpen since being recalled. He only went 2 IP (3 K, 0 ER) with 33 pitches. In the majors, the most he’s thrown is 48 Pitches in his first game and 3 IP two appearances ago. While the rate stats have been outstanding (0.50 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 13.0 K/9), volume matters. For teams looking to stabilize their ratios, he’s a solid add. Otherwise, useless.
Cesar Perdomo: He was pitching great until Saturday when he allowed 5 ER in 4 IP. His results this season point to a 4.00 ERA talent, while his projections and STUPH models point to 5.00 ERA talent. Right now, he is to face the Dodgers next week and the Twins after that. I’m a no for this week and will reevaluate the situation next week.
Walker Buehler: He has a possible two-step next week (at COL, vs MIA) and then Arizona the next week. If he doesn’t make that start against Miami, he’ll face the Dodgers. Not good. Additionally, he’s been horrible on the mound with a 4.61 ERA (4.19 xFIP and 4.52 botERA) and a 1.36 WHIP (3.4 BB/9). Overall, a pass for me.
Ryan Johnson: This add is all based on two starts next week against the Mariners and Twins, and the Mariners in the final week. Besides a 2.11 ERA over his last seven starts, all aspects of his profile (projections, ERA estimators, STUPH) point to him being a 5.00 ERA talent. Over this “good” stretch, he has a 4.5 BB/9. No pitcher will be successful walking a batter every other inning.
Jonah Tong: When your ERA and walk rate (BB/9) are both at 4.80, it has not been a good season. He has no redeeming major league traits besides a 96-mph. Maybe if it was early in the season and the hope is that he’ll get it together, he might be worth adding, but he has two, maybe three starts left. Hard pass.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emmet Sheehan | 31% | 44% | 13% |
| Walker Buehler | 31% | 37% | 6% |
| Quinn Mathews | 28% | 38% | 10% |
| Connor Prielipp | 21% | 22% | 1% |
| Jonah Tong | 20% | 26% | 6% |
| Andrew Alvarez | 19% | 20% | 1% |
| Hagen Smith | 16% | 18% | 2% |
| Yusei Kikuchi | 15% | 17% | 2% |
| Cristian Javier | 12% | 15% | 3% |
| Erick Fedde | 6% | 8% | 2% |
| Ryan Johnson | 5% | 11% | 6% |
| Drew Anderson | 5% | 10% | 5% |
| Anthony Molina | 1% | 5% | 4% |
| Cesar Perdomo | 0% | 2% | 2% |
Relievers
Kodai Senga: Average reliever who is the closer.
Erik Tolman: Poor reliever who is the closer
Jordan Romano: Poor reliever who is the closer.
Hogan Harris: Average reliever who is sharing the closer duties.
Garrett Whitlock: Great reliever who is the backup closer.
Tyler Wells: Average reliever who is the backup closer.
Didier Fuentes: Good reliever who is a step or two away from closing.
| Name | Previous Roster% | Current Roster% | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kodai Senga | 37% | 39% | 2% |
| Didier Fuentes | 27% | 28% | 1% |
| Hogan Harris | 26% | 29% | 3% |
| Garrett Whitlock | 20% | 21% | 1% |
| Jordan Romano | 19% | 20% | 1% |
| Tyler Wells | 15% | 19% | 4% |
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.