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Waiver Wire – May 28, 2023

Jose Caballero, 2B/SS, SEA (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The struggling Kolten Wong has been replaced, at least for now, by Jose Caballero. For how long, who knows, but Caballero deserves the extra playing time. Take advantage of that speed potential from Caballero while the opportunity is at hand.

Paul DeJong, SS, STL (CBS: 33% rostered, ESPN: 14% rostered): Raise your hand if you had Paul DeJong hitting at least eight homers by the end of May. Keep your hand raised if you had him getting enough playing time to hit eight home runs. Take advantage of the hot start. A Mason Winn sighting is pretty close down the road.

Elly De La Cruz, SS, CIN (CBS: 53% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): The human hi-lite machine continues to tear it up at Triple-A Louisville. It’s only a matter of time before we see De La Cruz getting the call, and that time should be drawing near. Pay the piper a pittance now, or dig deep into your FAAB when the call-up announcement occurs.

Alex Faedo, SP, DET (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Since getting the call, two-of-his-four starts have been of the quality variety, and in his last outing, he struck out ten. Granted, the opposition was the free-swinging White Sox, but he did get it done. Faedo is worthy of a small bid in the hopes that he can sustain that solid start.

Ben Lively, SP, CIN (CBS: 10% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): It’s only two starts, but it was against the Yankees and Cardinals, and he handled both well, allowing two earned runs over 5 2/3 and 6 innings respectively while punching out eight hitters in each outing. The former Philly farmhand is worthy of a small bid in the hopes that the solid start can be sustained.

Michael Lorenzen, SP, DET (CBS: 45% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered): In his last seven starts, Lorenzen has tossed up two stinkers in which he allowed five earned runs in each. In the other five games, he has only allowed four earned runs. One of the keys to success has been his ability to limit the free passes to a scant 12 in 46 1/3 IP. As a back-of-the-fantasy rotation type, one could do much worse.

Jake McCarthy, OF, ARZ (CBS: 30% rostered, ESPN: 15% rostered): The Dominic Fletcher era in the Arizona outfield didn’t last all that long, as, after that hot start, he cooled off rather quickly and has now been dispatched to Reno. In his place, we find former starter Jake McCarthy returning to the fold. If your “need is speed,” he will fill that need.

Dylan Moore, SS/OF, SEA (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The rehab stint, delayed as it was, looks to finally conclude, with Moore likely to be activated this coming week. A full-time role is not likely in the cards, but even as a part-time player, the stolen base potential combined with roster flexibility has its charms.

Rougned Odor, 2B/OF, SDP (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): In his past six games, Odor has been tearing it up, going 8-for-24 with two homers and 12 RBI. Until Manny Machado returns, he should see regular playing time and provide value in deeper formats.

Marcell Ozuna, OF, ATL (CBS: 35% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): We mentioned Ozuna in our May 7 Waiver Wire Article, and at the time, he was rostered to the tune of 11%. Since then, he has gone 19-for-52 with an additional five home runs and 13 RBI. He continues to hit, and as long as that’s the case, deserving of a home in your starting Fantasy outfield.

Mike Soroka, SP, ATL (CBS: 40% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): What more could one want than to make your 2023 debut against the Oakland Athletics? Not only does he have an early week start against Oakland, but he follows that up with a second start against the DBacks. On the surface, the numbers down on the farm don’t appear all that impressive, but one rough start at the end of April, where he allowed seven earned runs over three innings, inflated those totals. His last couple of starts have been great, especially his previous start, where he went six innings, allowing only two hits while chipping in with eight strikeouts. He’s ready and could become a fixture in the Braves rotation moving forward.

Brett Wisely, 2B/OF, SFG (CBS/ESPN: not rostered): Thairo Estrada is dealing with a left wrist sprain and has been put on the 10-day IL. No time frame for a return has been announced, but until he returns, Brett Wisely is likely to see the bulk of the playing time. Wisely hit 14 home runs and stole 32 bases last year, most of which occurred at Double-A. Spend wisely……

The Closer Report

Giovanny Gallegos, RP, STL (CBS: 35% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered): Giovanny Gallegos has five saves in May. Ryan Helsley has three saves in May. At the very least, we have a saves-by-committee situation in St. Louis. That makes Gallegos a must-roster in all formats.

Trevor Stephan, RP, CLE (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): No, Emmanuel Clase hasn’t lost his job, but he resembles a mere mortal this year. Trevor Stephan has been pitching well (2.11 ERA) and has moved into the #2 spot in the Guardians’ bullpen. It never hurts to invest in a saves insurance policy.

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Closer Report Update

An update to the closer report has been made. It can be found here.

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Waiver Wire – May 21, 2023

Brayan Bello, SP, BOS (CBS: 34% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): The news that Nick Pivetta is moving to the pen solidifies a spot in the rotation for the 24-year-old Brayan Bello. After a slow start, Bello has reeled off four solid starts in which he has held the opposition to a total of eight runs and laid claim to three consecutive wins. That should have your attention.

Jake Burger, 3B, CWS (CBS: 25% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): Over his past six games, Jake Burger continues to tear it up, going 11-for-22 and homering in three consecutive games. He’s now up to 10 home runs on the season. Yoan Moncada has returned from the IL, but don’t let that sway your decision. The White Sox will find room in the lineup for the hot-hitting Burger.

Patrick Corbin, SP, WAS (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): I find this hard to believe after the struggles we’ve seen from Patrick Corbin over the past several seasons, but after a tough start to the 2023 season we’ve now seen five-of-his-past six starts of the quality variety, and he’s coming off back-to-back wins. In the pitching-starved world we are currently residing in; it’s time to give Corbin another look.

Michael Kopech, SP, CWS (CBS: 40% rostered, ESPN: 19% rostered): In three of his past four starts, Kopech has allowed only one hit. In two of those games, he walked a total of 11 batters. In the other two games, he walked only one batter. I’ll let you guess what two games he won. If he can find a way to limit those free passes consistently, he’ll finally become a pitcher and potentially a very good one.

Royce Lewis, SS, MIN (CBS: 29% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): I liked Royce Lewis a lot, knowing he was finally playing rehab games this week and getting close to returning. The two-homer game on Friday, combined with the fact that he’s running and is up to three stolen bases, further influenced me that this is the week to jump all-in on Lewis. The power/speed potential can’t be ignored.

Matthew Liberatore, SP, STL (CBS: 41% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered): As we’ve discussed ad nauseam on the Podcast, the velocity is up, the walks are under control, and the results down on the farm, thus far have been excellent. He got the call, made his 2023 debut this week, and responded in fine form, tossing five shutout innings against the Brewers. Let’s hope the Cards don’t find a way to mess with that success and see an everyday spot in their rotation for the young Southpaw.

Bobby Miller, SP, LAD (CBS: 21% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Dodgers pitching has been a tough week. First, Dustin May has an elbow issue, and now Julio Urias hits the IL with a hamstring injury. Miller hasn’t enjoyed a banner year by any stretch, missing most of the first month with shoulder soreness, but his last start looked much better. Desperate times quite often require desperate measures. We’re at that “stage of the game” in LA. In his debut, Miller is looking at a tough Atlanta Brave offense, so a spot on your bench would be the safe play.

Gavin Stone, SP, LAD (CBS: 37% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Yes, pick him up and get him rostered, but find a place on your bench to sit him this week as he has the Braves and Rays on the schedule in a two-start week. That’s about as tough as it gets.

Lane Thomas, OF, WAS (CBS: 36% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered): I know that he doesn’t give you enough power or speed, but when you get to the end of the season, he’ll find a way to produce 15-to-20 home runs with ten stolen bases and 80 runs scored. That seems like a decent production from a fifth outfielder plucked from the Waiver Wire.

Mark Vientos, 3B, NYM (CBS: 29% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): How many Third Base types can one team roster? Leave it to the Mets to try and raise the bar and go with three. In 141 at-bats, Vientos slugged 13 home runs at Triple-A. There is no doubting the power potential. Let’s hope the Mets find a way to give him a steady diet of at-bats.

Jared Walsh, 1B, LAA (CBS: 23% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): We have a Jared Walsh sighting. After spending the first six weeks of the 2023 season on the IL, dealing with chronic headaches and insomnia, which the Angels have been dealing with for years, he has returned to the everyday lineup. Only two years ago, he hit 29 homers and drove in 98 runs. It’s worth a small bid to see if some semblance of a bounceback is in order.

Ryan Weathers, SP, SDP (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Seth Lugo is dealing with a minor calf strain and has found his way to the IL. The Padres will turn to Ryan Weathers to fill the void. Weathers has pitched well this year in limited opportunities, and this is likely to be limited. Still, he should be rostered and active, with the upcoming opponents being Washington, Miami, and the Cubs.

Jordan Westburg, SS, BAL (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Westburg continues to tear the cover off the ball down at Norfolk. He’s up to 12 homers, 42 RBI, and a great 1.006 OPS. It’s only a matter of time before he gets the call, and that time is growing closer with every at-bat.

Alex Wood, SP, SFG (CBS: 35% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): Wood was activated off the IL this week, where he spent a month dealing with a hamstring strain. The Giants will be careful with the oft-injured Wood, gradually building up the arm strength, but 5+ innings isn’t that far off. He went 4 1/3 innings in his last outing, a very good one, against the Phillies.

The Closer Report

Michael King, RP, NYY (CBS: 51% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): You have to go all the way back to April 14, a span of 14 consecutive appearances, since Clay Holmes last earned a save. During that span, Michael King and Wandy Peralta (CBS: 22% rostered) earned three saves. It’s definitely a committee situation in New York, and if available, it’s more than time to add Michael King. Not only will he work the ninth, but he will also go multiple innings late in games, increasing the chances for potential wins.

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Closer Report Update

An update to the closer report has been made. It can be found here.

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Closer Report Update

An update to the closer report has been made. It can be found here.

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Waiver Wire – Week of May 8, 2023

Miguel Amaya, C, CHC (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The 24-year-old Amaya has dealt with a slew of injuries over the past several years but should prove to be an asset in both the real game and ours. Moderate power with solid strike zone judgment skills adds to a solid #2 Catcher with potentially #1 upside.

Orlando Arcia, 2B/SS, ATL (CBS: 37% rostered, ESPN: 22% rostered): Arcia returns to the Braves lineup after missing nearly a month with a microfracture in his left wrist. His replacement, Vaughn Grissom, has been demoted, so he can continue to work on his defensive chops. Arcia will get the lion’s share of playing time at shortstop and should be activated immediately; hoping for a continuation of the solid start for his 2023 campaign.

J.J. Bleday, OF, OAK (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The former Marlin top pick seems to have found a home in the A’s outfield. The A’s called him up at the beginning of this week, and so far, he has gone 6-for-16 with two solo homers. Bleday was off to a hot start at Triple-A Vegas, with seven homers in 98 at-bats and a stellar 15/20 K/BB ratio. It’s worth a small bid to find out if he can replicate that level of play in Oakland.

J.P. France, SP, HOU (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The loss of Jose Urquidy and Luis Garcia leaves the Astros rotation in a rather precarious position they have turned to J.P. France for help. France was enjoying a good year at Triple-A Sugarland with 26 strikeouts in 19 1/3 IP, with a 2.33 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. He didn’t disappoint, tossing five shutout innings in his 2023 debut against the Mariners. The Astros must be happy and will be counting on him to take a regular turn in that injury-depleted rotation.

Maikel Garcia, SS, KCR (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The Royals are now tied with the Oakland A’s for the worst record in baseball. Something had to be done, and with Nicky Lopez finding his way to the IL, the first step was finding some offense in the middle-infield. Maikel Garcia got the call, and what he lacks in power, he’ll do more than makeup with his stellar defense and running game. He did steal 39 bases last year between Double and Triple-A. Nicky Lopez might not have a full-time role with the Royals when he returns from the IL.

Matt Mervis, 1B, CHC (CBS: 60% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): It took a bit longer than most thought, but the Cubs have finally called up Matt Mervis. He hit 36 homers and drove in 119 runs down on the farm last year while sporting a .984 OPS. He then proceeded to tear up the AFL. So what do the Cubs do in the off-season? They signed Eric Hosmer. Five weeks in, all is good as Mervis looks to be moving into a full-time role at 1B. Pay a premium for that power potential if he’s available in your league.

Bryce Miller, SP, SEA (CBS: 62% rostered, ESPN: 16% rostered): Miller versus Miller proved to be quite the game last week, with both starters tossing goose eggs into the middle innings. That 10-strikeout performance by Miller in his 2023 debut last week will cost you a serious chunk of change but could prove to be well worth the investment.

Marcell Ozuna, OF, Atlanta (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): We finally have a Marcell Ozuna sighting. Last week he went 7-for-21 with four homers and 7 RBI, most likely on either your bench or sitting in the Free Agent pool. There might be another 25-home run season left in that bat after all.

Luke Raley, OF, TBR (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): There is currently no shortage of outfielders fighting for playing time in Tampa Bay, but don’t forget about Luke Raley, especially in deeper formats. Yeah, there’s a lot of miss in his swing-and-miss game, so temper the BA expectations, but as evident in the seven homers he has slugged in his first 73 at-bats, the power is very real.

Gavin Sheets, OF, CWS (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Just when Eloy Jimenez was starting to heat up, he winds up in the hospital and will now miss the next 4-to-6 weeks recovering from an appendectomy. Sheets is likely to be the principal beneficiary and, in deeper Leagues, could prove to be a solid source of power until the return of Jimenez.

Enmanuel Valdez, 2B, BOS (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The middle-infield is starting to get a bit thin in Boston with both Yu Chang and Christian Arroyo on the IL. The Red Sox have turned to the 24-year-old Valdez, and since getting the call, he has gone 12-for-35 with one homer, 6 RBI, and three stolen bases. He did hit 28 homers and drive in 107 runs down on the farm last year, making for a very intriguing option in all formats now.

Louie Varland, SP, MIN (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Kenta Maeda and Tyler Mahle have both hit the 15-day IL, with the Twins looking at Bailey Ober and Louie Varland filling in. They have to be happy with the job Ober has done thus far. The jury is still out on Varland. The strikeout potential is solid, but Varland must keep the ball in the park, and thus far, those four homers in his first 10 2/3 IP won’t cut the mustard. Bid small and hope that better days are ahead.

LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B/OF, SFG (CBS: 25% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): In his past seven games, Wade Jr. has gone 6-for-21 with three solo homers and seven runs scored. He’s settling in nicely at the top-of-the-order in the Giants lineup and should be doing the same in your Fantasy lineup.

The Closer Report

Jason Adam, RP, TBR (CBS: 33% rostered, ESPN: 15% rostered): The Rays decided to place closer Peter Fairbanks on the IL, opening an opportunity for Jason Adam to move into the ninth inning. This past week he has been a perfect 3-for-3 saving game and has settled nicely into his new role. After Fairbanks returns, and we have not established a timetable, the Rays could look at their proven modus operandi, making Adam a solid short and long-term acquisition.

Hunter Harvey, RP, WAS (CBS: 4% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Kyle Finnegan still has the closer gig but always seems to be living on the edge. Hunter Harvey, the one-time Baltimore top-prospect, has quietly been doing his business, sporting a 2.45 ERA, seven holds, and 17 strikeouts in 14 2/3 IPs. Don’t be surprised if we see Harvey adding saves to his resume this season.

Zach Jackson, RP, OAK (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Someone has to work the ninth inning in Oakland, and a combination of ineffectiveness and injury has led the A’s to their current option, Zach Jackson. The opportunities may be few and far between, but Jackson and that 2.25 ERA appears to be up for the task.

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Waiver Wire – Week of May 1

Bailey Ober, SP, MIN (19% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): Kenta Maeda has struggled to return from TJS and has now been placed on the IL with a right triceps strain. In his first start replacing Maeda, Ober tossed 5 2/3 innings allowing only one earned run. For the next month or so, Ober should be looking at starting every fifth day, and if the early results are any indication, both the Twins and your Fantasy squad have much to look forward to.

Matt Carpenter, UT, SDP (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): It hasn’t been a banner year for the veteran Carpenter, but over the past seven games, he seems to be emerging from his doldrums. Over that span, he has gone 6-for-15 with two homers and 8 RBI. That production is sorely needed from a team struggling to stay above the .500 mark.

Jason Delay, C, PIT (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): I didn’t think it was possible, but everyone in Pittsburgh is enjoying a career year. When the Pirates’ #2 Catcher has posted a 1.045 OPS, don’t Delay in sliding him into your #2 catcher slot in deeper Leagues.

Jarren Duran, OF, BOS (CBS: 38% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered): Since getting the call on April 17, Jarren Duran looks very much like a different player, and that change in approach has seen him get off to a hot start. He has gone 18-for-44 with a homer, 10 RBI, and two stolen bases, a rather big difference from the player we saw post a .646 OPS in 2022. It’s time to part with some of that FAAB in the hopes that this change can be sustained.

Yan Gomes, C, CHC (CBS: 18% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered): With 5 homers, 13 RBI, and a great .313 BA already in the books, visions of that great 2014 season are dancing in our head.

Marco Gonzales, SP, SEA (CBS: 25% rostered, ESPN: 5% rostered): The search for SP continues, and it’s time to give Marco Gonzales a good look in deeper Leagues. Yes, the strikeout rates will be far from stellar, but he will win games for you and is currently sporting a 3.32 ERA. As a #5/6 starter, one could do much worse, and most likely, most of us have already done exactly that.

Shea Langeliers, C, OAK (CBS: 43% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered): Even in the darkest of times, there has to be some light at the end of the tunnel in Oakland, and Shea Langeliers could be that light. He has done an excellent job early on replacing Sean Murphy, launching six balls into the bleachers with 16 RBI and a solid .786 OPS. The #2 catcher investment is quickly turning into #1 value.

Max Kepler, OF, MIN (CBS: 15% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): After missing the first couple weeks with right knee tendinitis, Kepler returned on April 15 and has now gone 13-for-42 with two homers and nine runs scored batting at the top-of-the-order. Expect more of the same moving forward.

Easton McGee, SP, SEA (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The Mariners decided to give Easton McGee a look rather than Chris Flexen, and they have to be ecstatic with the results. He took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before leaving after allowing one hit and one walk against the Jays in Toronto. In deeper Leagues, he deserves a look, something we know he will get from the Mariners.

Ryan Noda, 1B, OAK (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The Rule 5 pick has now hit three homers and scored 16 runs in the two-hole. Noda hit 25 homers and stole 20 bases last year at Triple-A with a .395 OBP. Now that he plays every day, that two-hole could be an excellent landing spot.

Gavin Stone, SP, LAD (CBS: 30% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): Michael Grove has landed on the 15-day IL with a right groin strain, and the Dodgers are turning to one of their top prospects, Gavin Stone, to fill in the gap. After a slow start, Stone has turned it around and, with a 15/4 K/BB ratio in his past two starts, has brought his season ERA total under five. The potential upside warrants a rather considerable bid in tonight’s FAAB run.

Jack Suwinski, OF, PIT (CBS: 38% rostered, ESPN: 12% rostered): In the past two weeks, Suwinski has gone 13-for-34 with five homers, 14 RBI, and when not driving the ball into the bleachers, he has found time to steal five bases (all in the past week). I guess he will be rostered closer to the 90% level than his current 38% mark come Monday morning.

Samad Taylor, 2B, KCR (1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Michael Massey has posted a .352 OPS and looks seriously over-matched. It’s time for a change in KC, and the Royals don’t have to look far for relief. In 91 at-bats at Triple-A Omaha, Samad Taylor has smacked two homers, driven in 16 runs, scored 15 runs, and is 11-for-13 on the basepaths while posting a .330 BA. The clock is ticking, and it won’t be long before the alarm goes off.

Vince Velasquez, SP, PIT (CBS: 37% rostered, ESPN: 21% rostered): There I sat, tossing $50 bucks of that precious FAAB at Vince Velasquez while whistling to rocker Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again.”

Tyler Wells, SP, BAL (CBS: 33% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): Very quietly, Tyler Wells is off to a great start. The key to success has been his ability to limit the walks, as he has allowed only three since moving into the rotation in his second outing of the season. The resulting 2.79 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 29 IP makes him far more Fantasy-relevant than his current 33% rostered reflects.

The Closer Report

Bryan Abreu, RP, HOU (CBS: 31% rostered, ESPN: 14% rostered): In our April 16 Waiver Wire report, we mentioned the high strikeout numbers of Bryan Abreu. We can now add saves, as he has accumulated a couple in the past week to go along with the sub-one ERA and WHIP. Abreu has now passed Rafael Montero as the next-in-line for saves should incumbent Ryan Pressly struggle.

Jason Adam, RP, TBR (CBS: 20% rostered, ESPN: 13% rostered): Pete Fairbanks suffered a recurrence of Raynaud’s Syndrome Friday night and was removed from the game. The good news is that it appears as if an IL stint might not be required. At the same time, Jason Adam could see opportunities now and soon filling in for Fairbanks. It’s not a role he’s unfamiliar with, having garnered eight saves last year working as the setup man in Tampa Bay.

Yennier Cano, RP, BAL (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): No, I’m not expecting a change in the ninth inning in Baltimore. Felix Bautista has amassed seven saves and a stellar 1.32 ERA, but even the great ones need a day off. This is where Yennier Cano comes into play. Cano is off to an incredible start. In eight appearances totaling 9 2/3 innings, he has yet to allow a hit or walk. He has accumulated five holds and one save during this fantastic run. A handful of saves, plenty of holds, and unhittable stuff make Cano a must-add in all formats.

Jason Foley, RP, DET (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Jason Foley has come out of nowhere to save two games, amass four holds, and in 12 appearances, post a stellar 1.59 ERA. He will get work in the ninth inning when Alex Lange needs a day off and be next-in-line for ninth-inning duty should he stumble.

Liam Hendriks, RP, CWS (CBS: 70% rostered, ESPN: 18% rostered): The great news, and there has been very little of it on the “South Side” this year, is that Liam Hendriks has not only beaten cancer but is back on the mound looking at a return to the game, sooner as compared to later. Reynaldo Lopez’s time occupying the closer role in Chicago is coming to an end, and that end could be as early as 2-to-3 weeks down the road.

Alex Lange, RP, DET (CBS: 41% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered): This caught me slightly off-guard. The saves have been few and far between in Detroit this year, but when called upon, Alex Lange has been very effective working the ninth inning. He’s currently sporting a 1.50 ERA with three saves. Give your Free Agent pool a spy, and if he’s available, get him rostered and in your active lineup.

Matt Moore, RP, LAA (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Jose Quijada has been placed on the 15-day IL with left elbow soreness, resulting in a shuffling of the deck in the Halos ‘pen. Carlos Estevez still owns the ninth-inning, and one-time Ray’s starter Matt Moore moves into the setup role. Moore has recorded holds in his past three outings and, in 12 appearances this year, has posted a 1.35 ERA and .75 WHIP while striking out a batter-per-inning. He’s one step closer to consistently earning saves and, in deeper Leagues, should be rostered.

Will Smith, RP, TEX (CBS: 37% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): On April 10, we wrote, “Jose Leclerc is the closer in Texas, but don’t ignore Will Smith. Bruce Bochy and Smith have history, and with one save under his belt already, Bochy has demonstrated that he won’t hesitate to turn to Smith to get the final three outs.” It’s not that Jose Leclerc isn’t pitching well, he’s currently sporting a .93 ERA with one save, but Will Smith now has three saves in the books and is sporting a 1.93 ERA. The results, at least thus far, speak for themselves.

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Closer Report Update

An update to the closer report has been made. It can be found here.

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Waiver Wire – Week of April 24

Logan T. Allen, SP, CLE (CBS: 11% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): The Guardians have turned to Tanner….oops, Logan T. Allen, and he’ll make his MLB debut this afternoon against the Marlins. He was off to a great start at Triple-A, posting a 1.26 ERA and 20/5 K/BB ratio over 14 1/3 IP. Allen is the first of several young Guardian starters to get the call, all deserving of our attention—just a quick word of caution. Be careful when placing your FAAB bids, as you don’t want the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes reliever of the same name in your starting lineup next week.

Christian Betancourt, C/1B, TBR (CBS: 19% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): One could do much worse than Christian Bethancourt when searching for a replacement for Logan O’Hoppe or Will Smith. He is splitting time with Francisco Mejia in Tampa Bay and has four homers, seven RBI, and an excellent .982 OPS already in the books. How many #2 catchers in two-catcher formats are playing at that level?

Kyle Bradish, SP, BAL (CBS: 41% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Bradish returned from the IL with a flourish, striking out six over six shutout innings last week against the Washington Nationals. He’s got a decent matchup this week against the Red Sox and is worthy of a moderate-level bid tonight.

Evan Carter, OF, TEX (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Evan Carter is off to a phenomenal start at Double-A, slugging three homers with 15 RBI, three thefts, and posting a 1.114 OPS. Dustin Harris, who is on the 40-man roster, has struggled to a 9-for-51 start with 23 strikeouts. Although Carter is barely out of his teens, at some point in time, if he keeps demolishing Double-A pitching, they will find a home for him in the Texas outfield. Travis Jankowski and Leody Taveras don’t appear to be the answer.

Roansy Contreras, SP, PIT (CBS: 40% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): In his home opener, he was toasted by the Houston Astros to seven earned runs in 3.1 IP. In his other three starts, against Boston, St. Louis, and Cincinnati, he has allowed four earned runs over 18.1 IP. He’s young and walks too many, but I’ll give him a mulligan for the poor start against the Astros and invest a few of those precious FAAB dollars this week.

Jordan Diaz, 2B, OAK (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): The A’s have called up one of their top prospects, Jordan Diaz, in the hopes of providing a spark. Here are Rich Wilson’s thoughts on the young middle-infielder.

“Jordan Diaz built upon his 2021 season by slashing .306/.352/.561 In 120 games across Double and Triple-A.  He makes excellent contact, only striking out 14% of the time.  While his walk rate was only 5.3%, that is typical of players who make such good contact.

Simply put, they can hit everything and, therefore, can afford to be aggressive. He has solid raw power and continued to show that by hitting 19 home runs.  Given his lower half, I don’t see him being much of a base stealer, and he could eventually move to first. However, the upside is a .270 BA with 20 to 25 home run pop.”

Connor Joe, 1B/OF, PIT (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered): The injury to Ji-Man Choi, a strained left Achilles, will allow Connor Joe to secure full-time at-bats for the next two months. In his past six games, he has gone 9-for-23 with one homer, 4 RBI, and eight runs scored. That’s far better than your average Joe!  

Braxton Garrett, SP, MIA (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): We’re starting to see some injuries appear in Miami. Trevor Rogers has been placed on the 15-day IL with a left biceps strain, and even more concerning is that Sandy Alcantara was scratched from his Saturday start with biceps tightness. After a rough start to the 2023 season, Garrett has allowed only one earned run in his past two starts. That warrants our attention and parting with some of our FAAB this evening.

Randal Grichuk, OF, COL (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Grichuk is currently rehabbing at Triple-A Albuquerque, and the early reports are favorable. We could see him returning as early as next week. The 20 HR and 70 RBI potential are an asset in shallow Leagues.

Wade Miley, SP, MIL (CBS: 50% rostered, ESPN: 22% rostered): I know, it’s Wade Miley, but when you’re hot, you’re hot, and he currently is that and then some. Three wins in his first four starts while posting a 1.96 ERA qualifies as a great start. Get him rostered and active to take advantage of his strong start.

Mason Miller, SP, OAK (CBS: 59% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): Is there anything left to say about Mason Miller? It’s a great story, but when coming up with the FAAB dollars you plan on tossing his way, please remember he’s playing on a team that might win 40 games this year. How many of those Wins will be heading in Miller’s direction?

Geraldo Perdomo, SS, ARZ (CBS: 25% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered): Is Geraldo Perdomo an everyday player? When you’re currently sporting a 1.031 OPS with 11 RBI and runs scored, we should treat him as one and spend a few bucks this week to find a home for him on our active roster.

Brandon Pfaadt, SP, ARZ (CBS: 49% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): Last week, we mentioned that Brandon Pfaadt was the obvious choice to get the call, so the DBacks turn to Tommy Henry to take the next start in the place of the DFA’d Madison Bumgarner. It’s only a matter of time until Pfaadt arrives. Buying in now could be your last chance this year to have him on your roster.

Taylor Walls, 2B/SS/3B, TBR (CBS: 31% rostered, ESPN: 23% rostered): He might not be an everyday player, but when you’ve amassed three homers with 16 runs scored and have posted a 1.107 OPS it deserves a lot more of our love than the current 31% shown in CBS Leagues.

Joey Wiemer, OF, MIL (CBS: 22% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): It’s hard to believe that just a scant four months ago, the Brewers had a glut of outfielders. The pickings are very slim down on the farm with Sal Frelick on the IL nursing a sprained left thumb, so Wiemer it is……for now. Let’s hope we can see a return to the form he demonstrated in the high Minors last season.

The Closer Report

Brad Boxberger, RP, CHC (CBS: 21% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): Michael Fulmer looked to be the favorite to own the closer gig in Chicago but has stumbled of late and stumbled to the tune of two losses and six earned runs in his past four appearances. Next up is likely Brad Boxberger, but he had a rough outing Saturday. Bid small on Boxberger and hope to find your way into some saves in the short term, but the guy you want to target in “Cubbieland” is Jeremiah Estrada.

Jeremiah Estrada, CHC (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): I was shocked that Jeremiah Estrada didn’t break camp with the Cubs. Now that he has gotten the call, he’s a must-add in all formats as the “closer of the future” definitely applies, and that future could not be all that far off.

Jeurys Familia, RP, OAK (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): It looks like Familia has the job, and we all know that historically, closers on bad teams have earned their keep and provided value. The question is, have any of those bad teams been as traditionally bad as the Oakland Athletics? Bid accordingly!

Duane Underwood, RP, PIT (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): Underwood is off to a great start with two saves, four holds, one win, and a 3.48 ERA. With David Bednar closing and Underwood and Colin Holderman setting him up in fine style, the Pirates currently have one of the best bullpens in the game.

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Closer Report Update

An update to the closer report has been made. It can be found here.