3 Waiver Wire Adds To Make For The Fantasy Baseball Playoffs

September 11, 2014

Justin Berglund analyzes the 3 Waiver Wire Adds To Make For The Fantasy Baseball Playoffs. These sleeper pitchers & sleeper hitters can have an immediate impact

We are now in the last month of the regular season, and looking for that the fantasy baseball championship. At this point, most of you reading this are among the select few who are in the playoffs, or close enough that you still have a shot. Every team can use an extra boost, whether to make the postseason, earn a better seed or win your last week.

Assuming you have read my previous article (Bold Drops You Need To Make Heading Into The Playoffs), and let go of the dead weight, you hopefully have some available roster spots. Here are the bold adds you need to make heading into the playoffs to fill those spots and improve your chances for the rest of the season.

Jason Hammel - SP, Oakland Athletics

When Jason Hammel’s production started to drop in Oakland, you may have dropped him. Or someone else in your league may have done so.

It was a smart move at the time-- he'd lost four straight starts since the move to Oakland, and capped it off by giving up eight runs in four innings… against Houston. That left him with a 9.53 ERA in 17 innings with Oakland, a far cry from his 2.98 ERA that he'd had when he left Chicago.

Since that start in Houston, Hammel has seemingly got his grove back. In his last four starts, he has a 2.96 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP and a solid 3.60 K/BB rate. He only has one win, but that is due to Oakland’s well documented offensive troubles. I would be re-adding Hammel in all leagues in which he's available.

Jarred Cosart - SP, Miami Marlins

Another trade deadline mover, Cosart has been killing it since the switch from Houston to Miami. In six starts, he has a 4-1 record with a 1.99 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 23/8 K/BB rate. The 23 strikeouts aren't anything spectacular, as they average out to a little fewer than four per start. In all fairness though, who cares?

Cosart has three straight wins and five straight quality starts. With his wins coming against teams such as the Cardinals, Angels and twice against the Braves, Cosart has shown he has what it takes to win, not only as the Marlins are making an improbable run towards the postseason, but as you make your run in the playoffs.

Mookie Betts - OF/2B/SS, Boston Red Sox

Dustin Pedroia has been hurt, Brock Holt has been slumping and Jackie Bradley Jr. had been demoted to the minors. Cue Mookie Betts and his opportunity to shine.  In the past 30 days, Betts has gone 20-for-66 for a .303 batting average with a .895 OPS to go along with 13 R, three HR, nine RBI and three SB. He has been clicking on all cylinders since taking Bradley Jr’s spot on the starting roster.

Betts, who is primarily a 2B in the minors, has taken playing time where he can get it in the OF. There was a concern that he would lose playing time once September 1st rolled around and JBJ was promoted back to Boston. Yet since he took over the starting CF job, Betts has literally played every day. Considering he is eligible both as a second baseman and outfielder, Betts would add nice depth to any fantasy team, including yours.

There you have it. If you have Hammel, Cosart or Betts on your waiver wire, add them. Streaming spots are always nice, especially with pitchers. However, you shouldn't need to stream players when you can find a productive, stable option on waivers. The players on this list seem to fit that profile. Stay tuned for what’s next in what is always the craziest, but most important month of the year in fantasy baseball.