Hunter Strickland (RP, SEA) - Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 23% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Hunter Strickland has been on the injured list since late March with a Grade 2 right lat strain, but he appears to be nearing a return, possibly by the end of the month. The Mariners haven’t had much luck filling... Read More

Framber Valdez (SP/RP, HOU) - Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues OWNED IN: 39% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Since joining the Houston Astros pitching rotation, Framber Valdez has made two starts, both quality starts, allowing three earned runs across 13 innings while striking out 15 and walking just two. He has reduced his walks significantly from last year. In 2018, he had a... Read More

Joe Biagini (RP, TOR) - Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 13% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Toronto Blue Jays might not be doing a lot of winning in 2019, but with Ken Giles recently on the ten-day IL, the potential high-leverage bullpen situations have to go to somebody. With a 10.13 ERA and 1.88 WHIP to start the month... Read More

Closers and Saves Report - Week 11 Waiver Wire

Hockey is over (congrats, Blues), basketball is done very soon, and football won't start for a while. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage: BASEBALL! School's out, the sun is beating down across America, it's summer folks. And that means baseball takes center stage. This season is already showing the importance of relief pitchers,... Read More

Digger Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 11

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Digging Deeper: NL-Only Waiver Report for Week 11

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Hunter Strickland (RP, SEA) - Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 24% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Mariners' bullpen remains a mess, so there should be no doubt that Hunter Strickland will resume his duties as the primary closer once healthy. Good news for fantasy owners desperate for save: The veteran, who has been out since March 29 with a... Read More

Joe Jimenez (RP, DET) - Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 9% of leagues ANALYSIS: Normally when you start a month by allowing five ER and four walks in two IP, your spot in the bullpen may be up for grabs. Luckily, when you are Joe Jimenez and pitch for the Detroit Tigers who rank 27th in the MLB... Read More

Closers and Saves Report - Week 10 Waiver Wire

Big news for the Cubs bullpen this week: Pedro Strop is back! Off the injured list and right back into the closer's role. That's it, right? That's the big news for the Cubs bullpen? The Orioles bullpen was a mess this week, and their original closer might be working his way back into the ninth.... Read More

Digger Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 10

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Digging Deeper: NL-Only Waiver Report for Week 10

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Hunter Strickland (RP, SEA) - Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 18% of leagues ANALYSIS: Veteran reliever Hunter Strickland didn't have a good time in his incredibly brief stint on the mound for 2019 before being moved to the 60-day IL with a right lat strain, and you would think that would make him an unappealing option out of... Read More

Joe Jimenez (RP, DET) - Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 10% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: Tigers reliever Joe Jimenez is putting the finishing touches on an extremely solid month of May. Across 12 innings, Jimenez posted a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a whopping 18/4 K/BB ratio. His season stats (3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) are solid, but... Read More

Closers and Saves Report - Week 9 Waiver Wire

There are currently at least NINE bullpens in Major League Baseball operating with a closer-by-committee approach. While it has been heavily discussed and essentially proven to be the best option in a "real" game, it sure makes for a headache in the fantasy baseball world where there can oftentimes be a bicycle race (✔) to... Read More

Digging Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 9

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Digging Deeper: NL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 9

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Felix Pena (SP/RP, LAA) - Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 8% of leagues ANALYSIS: 29-year old Felix Pena appears to have found his home as a member of an MLB squad, though it hasn't exactly been as a member of the rotation or the bullpen. In 43.2 IP across nine games this season, Pena has made four starts... Read More

Scott Oberg (RP, COL) - Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 28% of leagues ANALYSIS: With Wade Davis hitting the IL recently with an oblique injury, it was announced that Scott Oberg would take over closer duties for the Colorado Rockies. While there is varying weight to such declarations, Oberg seems like a logical choice with his 1.69 ERA... Read More

Closers and Saves Report - Week 8 Waiver Wire

It's almost officially summer (both in the "school's out" definition and the-calendar-says-so definition) but the introduction of Closers and Saves Report is still rolling strong with some very specific Easter eggs. While part of me wants to break free (✔) another part feels under pressure (✔✔) to keep it going. Speaking of keeping it going,... Read More

Digging Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 8

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Digging Deeper: NL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 8

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Chris Martin (RP, TEX) - Waiver Wire Pickups Week 8

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 27% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Since inheriting the Rangers' closing role on May 8, Chris Martin has averaged a strikeout per inning, allowed two hits (one was a home run), managed a .50 WHIP, and provided a 2.25 ERA. The Texas situation is one of the messiest... Read More

Hansel Robles (RP, LAA) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 35% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Angels had a rough start to the 2019 season at the back end of the bullpen, demoting veteran closer Cody Allen for a head-clearing and soon looking to 28-year old Hansel Robles in high-leverage situations. While there is a surprisingly stocked cast... Read More

Roenis Elias (RP, SEA) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 32% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: The Mariners have rotated through a handful of different closers ever since Hunter Strickland went on the injured list after the third game of the season. The one who has impressed the most is journeyman left-hander Roenis Elias, who is sporting a... Read More

Felix Pena (SP/RP, LAA) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 9% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Angels pitcher Felix Pena has continued to thrive in LA's new "bulldog" role, where he comes in after an opener throws the first inning or two. Since converting into a bulldog, Pena has gone 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA and... Read More

Closers and Saves Report - Week 7 Waiver Wire

Let's talk about a Crazy Little Thing Called Saves. (Count it ✔) The Braves might have accidentally stumbled into one of the best closers in baseball. The Twins and Mariners continue to play the messy bullpen game, but it looks like maybe the Rays are settling into some kind of routine? The top two relievers in... Read More

Digging Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 7

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Digging Deeper: NL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 7

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Luke Jackson (RP, ATL) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 26% of leagues ANALYSIS: It has been a tumultuous start to the 2019 season for the Atlanta Braves bullpen. Arodys Vizcaino broke many a heart by landing on the 60-day IL after having surgery on his elbow, A.J. Minter was recently demoted for Jonny Venters as he failed... Read More

Chris Martin (RP, TEX) - Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Adds

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 4% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Earlier today the Texas Rangers placed Shawn Kelley on the injured list with an infection. Kelley had been acting as the Rangers closer ever since Jose Leclerc was removed from the role. It's unclear how long Kelley will be out for, so it's time... Read More

Hansel Robles (RP, LAA) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 31% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: Few ninth inning situations are as confusing as the one led by Brad Ausmus down in Los Angeles. First it was Cody Allen, but injuries and ineffectiveness have left him on the outside. Then, briefly, it was Ty Buttrey, who has been LA's... Read More

Roenis Elias (RP, SEA) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 38% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Mariners' bullpen has been pretty terrible this season, ranking toward the bottom of MLB in home runs, walks, and ERA. An early-season injury to Hunter Strickland has left them mostly employing a committee approach to the late innings. However, Roenis Elias has been... Read More

Closers and Saves Report - Week 6 Waiver Wire

Some pretty important moving and shaking went on this week in the bullpens across the league. Craig Kimbrel is still looking for somebody to love him (Queen reference in intro: ✔), and I'm still recommending anyone holding him in fantasy leagues without an NA spot lets him go. Thought it would be good to get... Read More

Digging Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 6

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Digging Deeper: NL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 6

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Shawn Kelley (RP, TEX) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 25% of leagues ANALYSIS: With Jose Leclerc's early season struggles showing no signs of abatement, the Rangers officially removed him from the closer role earlier this week. Shawn Kelley is one of the front-runners for saves in the aftermath of that decision. The 35-year-old has pitched 12 innings thus... Read More

Ty Buttrey (RP, LAA) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 23% of leagues ANALYSIS: We have just over a month of baseball under our belts and the Closer Carousel is already in full swing. Relievers that could see save opportunities are some of the most frequent waiver wire adds, but also are some of the most frequent drops... Read More

Lou Trivino (RP, OAK) - Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Adds

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Saves Leagues OWNED IN: 36% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: After dominating for all of 2018, Oakland's closer Blake Treinen is now facing some potential challenges in 2019. As of this writing, it was reported yesterday that Treinen was dealing with elbow discomfort and is scheduled to be examined by team doctors on Monday.... Read More

Closers and Saves Report - Week 5 Waiver Wire

Last week I made a joke about this article somehow playing Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" but now this week I want to make the same joke because, well, because another one bit the dust. The Rangers will have someone new on the mound in the ninth inning when they're trying to hold onto... Read More

Deeper AL-Only Waiver Wire Sleepers for Week 5

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Deeper NL-Only Waiver Wire Sleepers for Week 5

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Sergio Romo (RP, MIA) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 35% of leagues ANALYSIS: Perhaps unsurprisingly, Sergio Romo - not trendier upside plays like Adam Conley, Drew Steckenrider, Nick Anderson, or Taysom Guerrero - has emerged as the primary ninth-inning option for Miami. He's locked down their last three save situations, with clean innings in all of those games.... Read More

Ty Buttrey (RP, LAA) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 21% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: It may be hard to believe, but it appears that manager Brad Ausmus has actually learned from previous mistakes. Known for leaving closers in the ninth inning role for far too long, Ausmus pulled the plug on the struggling Cody Allen in late-April, giving the... Read More

Taylor Rogers (RP, MIN) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 35% of leagues ANALYSIS: There are plenty of contenders coming out of the back end of the Minnesota Twins bullpen, and 28-year old fellow former Kentucky Wildcat Taylor Rogers is one of them. In a relief core featuring a slew of competitors for high leverage situations such as... Read More

Amir Garrett (RP, CIN) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Analysis

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 3% of leagues ANALYSIS: There are plenty of factors that make Amir Garrett appealing. There's his 6-5, 228 lbs. frame, his fantastic athleticism as demonstrated by his basketball history at St.Johns, and his aggressive and entertaining approach to baseball braggadocio. He has also gotten off to a Cincinnati... Read More

Closers and Saves Report - Week 4 Waiver Wire

Hey, is there a way we can have the beginning of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" play when people open this article? No? Okay, never mind. Another one bit the dust this week, with the Angels taking Cody Allen out of his ninth-inning role. Other closers are struggling, but Allen is the one who... Read More

Deeper AL-Only Waiver Wire Sleepers for Week 4

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Deeper NL-Only Waiver Wire Sleepers for Week 4

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to... Read More

Hector Neris (RP, PHI) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 21% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After losing his closing job a year ago, Phillies reliever Hector Neris has found his way back into a part-time ninth-inning role. With David Robertson landing on the IL, the door has opened up for Neris to re-establish himself as a lights... Read More

Diego Castillo (RP/SP, TB) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 34% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Diego Castillo has emerged as a terrific late-inning arm for the Tampa Bay Rays this season. Gaining a promotion after being used as an opener in 2018, the right-hander has flourished in his new end-game role and has earned two saves and... Read More