X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Digging Deeper: Week 17 Waiver Wire Targets

As July comes to a close, trade talks turn to trade actions, and fantasy baseball owners enter now-or-never mode. Unless you are truly out of contention in a redraft league, the waiver wire is still the best place to look for upside. Sure, trades provide access to known commodities, but free agents can provide similar upside at a much cheaper price. While the pickings look slim, I guarantee there's a few names out there that still have an impact to make before October.

I've able to maintain my lead in the RotoBaller Experts League thus far, and I feel pretty good about my positioning for the rest of the season. However, I still am making more moves than anyone else in our league. Whether it's streaming pitchers, attacking juicy hitter matchups, or just looking for someone who may explode in the next few weeks, the waivers are still my best bet for reinforcements to help keep my squad atop the standings.

Because I'll be covering more players, my analysis will be shorter and to the point. Feel free to find me on Twitter @BellRoto and ask me to explain more personally. I'll be happy to do so, and I will even contort the waiver pick-up to your own team and situation. Best of luck to you all, and enjoy the final days of July.

Featured Promo: Get ANY MLB Premium Pass for 10% off the regular price with code BALLER. Exclusive access to our Draft Kit, Nick Mariano's #1 accuracy rankings, Ariel Cohen's #1 accuracy ATC projections, customized advice in the Team Sync platform, Live Draft Assistant, 15 in-season lineup tools, customized rankings and much more! Go Premium, Win More!

 

Digging Deeper: Week 17 Picks

Francisco Cervelli (C, PIT) - 17% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

This pickup is only for those of you in two-catcher leagues. If your team is looking for a batting average spark without a dip in run production, Francisco Cervelli might be a nice upgrade at your second backstop position. He's started to heat up following an injury stint, and he'll provide a little, sneaky power while spraying line drives around the park. I can't promise he won't get hurt again before October, but I can promise he'll play hard and try his best to get on base every single time he steps to the plate, especially with Pittsburgh only 2.5 games behind first place in the division.

Cesar Hernandez (2B, PHI) - 16% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Middle infield is another spot where teams in a fantasy playoff race may need some reinforcements. Cesar Hernandez has eight hits and six runs scored in his past five starts. He also has a little bit of home run and steal potential in the leadoff spot of the Phillies' lineup. It's good to see the multi-category hitter picking up where he left off at the beginning of the season. The RBI contirbutions may not be there, but you can get a little bit of everything else from this underowned second baseman.

Amed Rosario (SS, NYM) - 14% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Everyone and their mothers expected this top prospect to be up and playing in the Mets' infield by now, but somehow he still has not made the jump to the majors. However, with the trade deadline looming, you have to imagine the club gives in and brings up the future of their offense by the start of August. It's anyone's guess how Amed Rosario will contribute for the final two months of the season, but the upside and hype is certainly there. I know he's in my NA spot incase we see something special right away.

Luis Castillo (SP, CIN) - 24% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

There's not a whole lot standing out to me in the pitching pool, but Luis Castillo does seem underowned at 24% on Yahoo!. Sure, the ERA hasn't quite come around yet, but we have to take a look at the strikeouts and the incredibly tough stretch of opponents. For starters, Castillo's impressive fastball and seemingly untouchable breaking stuff has yielded 43 strikeouts in 35 innings this season. And while his 3.86 ERA doesn't scream "stud", take into account these matchups: Washington Nationals (twice), Arizona Diamondbacks (twice), Colorado Rockies (in Coors Field), Milwaukee Brewers. The next start in Yankee Stadium doesn't look great either, but this guy has been more than impressive when looking beyond the surface numbers. Castillo is a must-add and a must-start pitcher in my eyes, especially if you value strikeouts.

Start Streaming Starting Pitchers

If you need saves, this heading could also read "pick up speculative, potential closers", but that's harder to do and only helps one category. If you need help in strikeouts, wins, or even peripherals (ERA/WHIP) at this point, you should be streaming pitchers in good matchups. Matchups that I've been looking for lately include San Francisco, Chicago White Sox, San Diego, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Oakland, and even Detroit if you're desperate. Make the moves now or you'll regret it in a month.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

 

Premium Tools & DFS Research

Get a free trial of our powerful MLB Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator, daily Matchup Ratings, expert DFS Lineups/Cheat Sheets, and more.

Sign Up Now!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Al Horford6 hours ago

Back On The Injury Report
Derrick White7 hours ago

Off The Injury Report
TJ Friedl8 hours ago

Hits 10-Day Injured List
Aaron Gordon8 hours ago

Cleared To Face Phoenix
Michael Porter8 hours ago

Jr. Good To Go Wednesday
Nikola Jokic8 hours ago

Playing Against Phoenix
Jackson Chourio8 hours ago

Will Start In Right Field Friday
Jrue Holiday8 hours ago

Might Return On Thursday
Khris Middleton8 hours ago

Expected To Play On Thursday Night
Joel Embiid8 hours ago

To Return Soon?
Jamal Murray9 hours ago

Out Again On Wednesday
Rudy Gobert9 hours ago

Ready To Rock Against Pistons
LeBron James9 hours ago

Officially Active Against Memphis
Eduardo Rodriguez9 hours ago

Starts Throwing Program
Anthony Davis9 hours ago

Won't Play Against Grizzlies
Victor Wembanyama9 hours ago

Playing On Wednesday
Anthony Edwards9 hours ago

Will Play Against Detroit
Garrett Mitchell9 hours ago

Will Miss 6-8 Weeks
Aaron Nesmith9 hours ago

Back For Pacers Wednesday
Alec Burks10 hours ago

Remains Out On Wednesday
Chad Green10 hours ago

To Lead Closer Committee In Toronto?
Mitchell Robinson10 hours ago

Returns For Knicks Wednesday
Erik Swanson10 hours ago

Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson Officially Heading To Injured List
Kevin Gausman10 hours ago

To Make Season Debut Sunday Or Monday
Dejounte Murray10 hours ago

Upgraded To Available
John Konchar10 hours ago

Downgraded To Out
Vince Williams10 hours ago

Jr. Misses Another Game On Wednesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo10 hours ago

Expected To Face The Pelicans
Gleyber Torres11 hours ago

Will Bat Leadoff On Opening Day
Mark Hubbard11 hours ago

Coming Off A Career Performance
Davis Thompson12 hours ago

Looking To Pay Off A Stellar Run Of Ball-Striking
Max Scherzer12 hours ago

Making Solid Progress
Akshay Bhatia12 hours ago

Coming Into Houston With Confidence
Thorbjorn Olesen12 hours ago

Still Trying To Find Footing On U.S. Soil
Patrick Rodgers12 hours ago

Fighting Inconsistencies Heading Into Houston
Malik Nabers12 hours ago

Shines At Pro Day
Carolina Panthers13 hours ago

Jadeveon Clowney Signing Two-Year Deal With Panthers
Jordan Lawlar13 hours ago

To Have Thumb Surgery, Out A Couple Months
Wyndham Clark14 hours ago

Battling Back Injury Ahead of Houston Open
San Francisco 49ers14 hours ago

Talanoa Hufanga Expected To Return At Training Camp
MLB14 hours ago

Braves And Phillies Rained Out On Thursday
Jayden Daniels14 hours ago

Raiders To Meet With Jayden Daniels
MLB14 hours ago

Mets And Brewers To Be Postponed Thursday
Tank Bigsby14 hours ago

Jaguars Want Tank Bigsby More Involved
Will Smith15 hours ago

Inks 10-Year Extension With Dodgers
Josh Reynolds15 hours ago

Signs Two-Year Deal With Broncos
Jon Berti16 hours ago

Yankees Acquire Jon Berti From Marlins
Kodai Senga16 hours ago

Throws Wednesday
Matt McLain16 hours ago

Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
Doug Ghim16 hours ago

Looks To Bounce Back At Houston Open
PGA17 hours ago

Cameron Davis Seeking Consistency Ahead Of Houston Open
Thomas Detry17 hours ago

A Gamble At Houston Open
Ryan Fox17 hours ago

Lacks Upside Heading Into Houston Open
Andrew Novak17 hours ago

Will Be Chalk At Houston Open
Josh Doan18 hours ago

Scores Twice In His NHL Debut
Filip Forsberg18 hours ago

Makes History In Big Comeback Win
Jamie Benn18 hours ago

Scores In Fifth Consecutive Game
Sidney Crosby18 hours ago

Collects Three Points Versus Carolina
Artemi Panarin18 hours ago

Continues Scoring Tear With Three Assists
Joey Daccord19 hours ago

Shuts Out Ducks
Sahith Theegala19 hours ago

Showing Consistency This Season
Wyndham Clark19 hours ago

Working Toward Star Status
Scottie Scheffler20 hours ago

Heads To Houston At His Best
Colton Cowser20 hours ago

Makes Opening Day Roster
Sam Ryder20 hours ago

Putting The Lights Out Of Late
Joel Dahmen20 hours ago

All Systems Go For Joel Dahmen In Houston
Kurt Kitayama20 hours ago

Ready For Houston Debut
Ben Griffin20 hours ago

Finding Form Heading To Houston
Yariel Rodriguez1 day ago

Optioned To Triple-A
Taylor Moore1 day ago

Continues Made-Cut Streak Heading To Houston
Adam Svensson1 day ago

Hoping For Consistency In Houston
Taylor Montgomery1 day ago

Looks To Bounce Back In Houston
Jordan Montgomery1 day ago

Diamondbacks Agree On One-Year Deal
Amon-Ra St. Brown1 day ago

Discussing Extension With Lions
Jared Goff1 day ago

Lions Discussing New Deal
J.K. Dobbins1 day ago

Cleared For Football Activities
Los Angeles Rams1 day ago

Tre'Davious White To Join Rams
Jon Gray1 day ago

Dealing With Stiff Neck
PIT1 day ago

Sam Poulin Recalled From AHL
Jack Quinn1 day ago

Could Return Wednesday
Scott Mayfield1 day ago

Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
TOR1 day ago

Mitch Marner Skates On His Own Tuesday
Trevor Zegras1 day ago

To Return Tuesday
Justus Annunen2 days ago

Inks Two-Year Extension
Nick Chubb2 days ago

Expected To Start Load Running Next Month
Justin Verlander2 days ago

Throws Successful Live BP Session
D'Andre Swift2 days ago

Bears View D'Andre Swift As Receiving Weapon
Cordarrelle Patterson2 days ago

Signing With Steelers
Sam Howell2 days ago

Seahawks Believe Sam Howell Can Be A Full-Time Starter
Tennessee Titans2 days ago

L'Jarius Sneed Agrees On Four-Year Contract With Titans
Dak Prescott2 days ago

No Indication A Deal Is Coming For Dak Prescott
Calvin Ridley2 days ago

To Have Big Role In Tennessee
Josh Jacobs2 days ago

To Be Used More In Passing Game
Brandon Saad2 days ago

Gets Another Goal In Monday's Loss
Logan Thompson2 days ago

Stretches Winning Streak To Three Games
Shea Theodore2 days ago

Maintains Good Scoring Form With An Assist
Brock Boeser2 days ago

Hits Goal No. 37
Cam Talbot2 days ago

Collects Fourth Consecutive Win
Anze Kopitar2 days ago

Records Fourth Straight Multi-Point Game
Oskar Sundqvist2 days ago

Suffers Knee Injury
Elias Lindholm2 days ago

Sits Out Monday
Jonathan Marchessault2 days ago

Bags Overtime Winner Monday
Pittsburgh Steelers2 days ago

Cameron Heyward Expected To Be Healthy For Training Camp
Zach Wilson2 days ago

Jets Could End Up Keeping Zach Wilson
Jarrett Stidham2 days ago

To Compete For Starting Job
Amanda Ribas3 days ago

Takes Decision Loss
Rose Namajunas3 days ago

Snaps Losing Streak
Edmen Shahbazyan3 days ago

Scores Vicious Comeback Knockout
AJ Dobson3 days ago

Knocked Out In The First Round At UFC Vegas 89
Fernando Padilla3 days ago

Gets Back On Track With Submission Win
Luis Pajuelo3 days ago

Submitted In UFC Debut
William Byron3 days ago

Dominates For Victory At COTA
Ty Gibbs3 days ago

Grabs Another Solid Finish At COTA
Chris Buescher3 days ago

Texas Native Chris Buescher Finishes Eighth At COTA
Christopher Bell3 days ago

Kyle Busch Confronts Christopher Bell Following A Top-10 Finish At COTA
Justin Haley3 days ago

Disqualified After Strong COTA Run
Martin Truex Jr3 days ago

. Rounds Out Top Ten At COTA
NASCAR3 days ago

A.J. Allmendinger Worms Way Up To Sixth At COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen3 days ago

Shane van Gisbergen Comes Down to Earth After Mediocre COTA Run
Ross Chastain3 days ago

Ran Well at COTA as Usual Despite Late-Race Fade
Christopher Bell3 days ago

Furious Charge Falls Just Short at COTA
Tyler Reddick3 days ago

Scores Strong Finish of Fifth at COTA
Chase Elliott3 days ago

Finishes 16th at COTA After Lackluster Performance
Billy Quarantillo4 days ago

Suffers Submission Loss At UFC Vegas 89
Youssef Zalal4 days ago

Gets Submission Win In Return To The UFC
Cameron Saaiman4 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 89
Payton Talbott4 days ago

Scores KO Win At UFC Vegas 89
Justin Tafa4 days ago

Drops To .500 In The UFC
Karl Williams4 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Kyle Larson4 days ago

Is One Of The Optimal DFS Options For COTA
Denny Hamlin4 days ago

Should Denny Hamlin Be Rostered For DFS Lineups At COTA?
Kaz Grala4 days ago

Is A Serviceable DFS Play For COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen4 days ago

Will Start 12th In First COTA Cup Start
Todd Gilliland4 days ago

Is A Sneaky DFS Play With Upside For COTA
William Byron4 days ago

Is One Of The Top Favorites To Win At COTA
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Is A Comfortable DFS Play For COTA
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

the Favorite to Win at COTA
Ty Gibbs4 days ago

Looking for First Career Win at COTA
Rose Namajunas6 days ago

Looks To Get Back In Win Column
Amanda Ribas6 days ago

Set For Main-Event Matchup
Edmen Shahbazyan6 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
AJ Dobson6 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 89
Fernando Padilla6 days ago

Seeking Victory In Third UFC Appearance
Luis Pajuelo6 days ago

Makes His UFC Debut
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF