Danny Salazar (SP/RP, CLE) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 21% of Leagues ANALYSIS: October 9, 2017 was the last time we saw Cleveland Indians pitcher Danny Salazar in the major leagues. He spent the entirety of the 2018 season on the Disabled List and underwent surgery on his right, throwing shoulder in July of that year.... Read More

Chris Bassitt (SP, OAK) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 26% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Chris Bassitt has been a quietly consistent and reliable option as a starter just about all season. On the year, he's 7-4 with a 3.96 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 83 strikeouts and 36 walks over 88.2 innings. Bassitt... Read More

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

We're almost in August, which means that some owners will inevitably abandon their teams as they turn their attention to football season. This is, on balance, an unfortunate development - nobody should be that guy - but one benefit to those of us who follow through on our season-long commitment is that competition for waiver... Read More

Daniel Mengden (SP/RP, OAK) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 9% of leagues ANALYSIS: Daniel Mengden is still surprisingly young at 26, and we can all get behind a fantastic mustache, but the Texas A&M alumni has sported more than well-groomed facial hair on the mound in recent work. Through 47.0 IP for another season as an Oakland... Read More

Chase Anderson (SP, MIL) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% of leagues ANALYSIS: Chase Anderson has always flown under the radar, but despite one sub-par month of June for 2019 in which he had a 5.92 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in five starts, he is quietly en route to one of the finest campaigns of his career.... Read More

Scott Oberg (RP, COL) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 30% of leagues ANALYSIS: With 14 Saves but an ERA north of six, Wade Davis doesn't exactly have a hammerlock on Colorado's closing job. And right there breathing down his neck, is Scott Oberg having a career-year with a 1.35 ERA and 27.8% K-rate. Oberg's overall numbers are great... Read More

Tyler Beede (SP, SFG) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 14% of leagues ANALYSIS: Former top prospect Tyler Beede is showing signs of having figured some things out and after throwing eight shutout innings against the Mets in his last start, the fantasy world is starting to take notice. Over his first nine starts of 2019, Beede had... Read More

Alex Wood (SP, CIN) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 23% of leagues ANALYSIS: After hurting his back in spring training and then suffering two setbacks in his rehab, it seems that Alex Wood is finally close to debuting for his new team. Wood made a third rehab appearance on Wednesday, striking out three over two scoreless innings... Read More

Zac Gallen (SP, MIA) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 27% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS:  Gallen is someone who would be 100% owned, if everyone was fully educated. He’s a lot better than most starting pitchers that are owned and is pitching in a ballpark that will protect a rookie like no other. Everyone was waiting... Read More

Jeff Samardzija (SP/ SFG) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 30% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS:  The San Francisco Giants have won 13 of their last 15 games and are looking a lot better at the plate. They’re surely not one of the top teams in the league, but it’s fair to say they’ve turned a corner... Read More

Digger Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 16 (Triple-A Edition)

very 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 16 (Triple-A Edition)

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

Spencer Turnbull (SP, DET) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 17% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: After a short stint on the IL that carried over the All-Star break, Tiger right-hander Spencer Turnbull looked a little rusty in his return to the bump. He tossed three innings against the Royals, giving up five runs (four earned) on four... Read More

Tanner Roark (SP, CIN) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 31% of All Leagues ANALYSIS: Through his first 11 starts, Cincinnati Reds starter Tanner Roark seemed to be having a career resurgence, posting a 3.20 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 56 innings. But all was not shiny under the hood, as he was helped in large... Read More

Griffin Canning (SP, LAA) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 37% of All Leagues ANALYSIS: Headed into his last start before the All-Star break, Angels pitcher Griffin Canning was having a fine start to his rookie year; sporting a 3.79 ERA over his first 11 starts while striking out just over a batter per inning. But on... Read More

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 16

With the news that Max Scherzer is heading to the injured list with back issues, many fantasy owners are left combing the waiver wire for a replacement. Obviously, nobody you can pick up for free is going to give you what Mad Max can, but there are plenty of respectable options out there, no matter... Read More

Alex Wood (SP/RP, CIN) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 23% of leagues ANALYSIS: Alex Wood has had a rough road back to the mound after being sidelined with back issues, not having yet made his debut for the Cincinnati Reds after being the prized plunder of their off-season trade with the Dodgers. Though his recent rehab start... Read More

Jaime Barria (SP, LAA) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 1% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: A quick glance at Jaime Barria's 5.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 1.23 HR/9 - not to mention the fact that he's currently in Triple-A - and most would assume he's a player you can skip right on by on the waiver wire.... Read More

Diego Castillo (SP/RP, TB) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 30% of leagues ANALYSIS: While the Rays are almost certain to continue mixing and matching in the late innings, Jose Alvarado's oblique strain opens up more opportunities for Diego Castillo. Activated from the injured list himself earlier this week, the 25-year-old had been excellent for most of the season,... Read More

Digger Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 15

very 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 15

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

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15

The All-Star Break is nearly upon us. Being right in the thick of things as we are, this is possibly the most challenging time of year to be seeking help on the waiver wire. Fortunately, you've come to the right place for assistance. A reminder before we begin: This column focuses on players who are... Read More

Dylan Cease (SP, CHW) - Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 33% of leagues ANALYSIS: Between the Chicago White Sox pitchers who are injured and those who have struggled immensely in 2019, the club thought it was about time for highly-touted 23-year old Dylan Cease to make his major league debut. While that July 3rd outing didn't paint him... Read More

Danny Salazar (SP, CLE) - Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 13% of leagues ANALYSIS: It is a little surreal to think that we haven't seen Danny Salazar on the major league mound since the 2017 season, and we are already three years removed from his lone All-Star campaign. He has been in a setback saturated recovery process from... Read More

Merrill Kelly (SP, ARI) - Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 35% of leagues ANALYSIS: It has been a particularly interesting path to the MLB for 30-year old rookie Merrill Kelly since leaving Arizona State (including a pretty successful stint in South Korea), but he has been an extremely pleasant surprise for the Diamondbacks this season with a 4.03 ERA... Read More

Dinelson Lamet (SP, SDP) - Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% of All Leagues ANALYSIS: After a rookie campaign in 2017 in which he struck out 139 batters in only 114 innings, San Diego pitcher Dinelson Lamet seemed on the cusp of a breakout heading into the 2018 season. But Tommy John struck him down almost... Read More

Digging Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 14

very 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 14

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

Adbert Alzolay (SP, CHC) - Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 30% of All Leagues ANALYSIS: The top pitching prospect in the Cubs organization entering 2019 - after missing most of 2018 with a lat strain - right-hander Adbert Alzolay was called up to the big club on June 20th to bolster a Cubs rotation that had... Read More

Dinelson Lamet (SP, SD) - Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: 26-year old Dinelson Lamet missed the entire 2018 season following Tommy John Surgery, but has caught some attention for the strength of his recent minor league performances as he tries to make a return to the majors. In his last start against the for... Read More

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14

We have officially passed the halfway mark of the 2019 regular season. Sad, but true. Being right in the thick of things as we are, this is possibly the most challenging time of year to be seeking help on the waiver wire. Fortunately, you've come to the right place for assistance. A reminder before we... Read More

Liam Hendriks (SP/RP, OAK) - Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 48% of leagues ANALYSIS: While Blake Treinen is expected to be activated from the injured list when first eligible on Wednesday, it's fair to wonder if he will immediately reclaim the ninth inning in Oakland. The best reliever of 2018 hasn't come anywhere close to recapturing that magic this... Read More

Logan Allen (SP, SD) - Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 31% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Through two major league starts, San Diego Padres pitcher Logan Allen is 2-0 with two quality starts, a 1.38 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. You can't really ask for much better than that from the 22-year-old rookie, who is scheduled for two starts in... Read More

Tanner Roark (SP, CIN) - Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of leagues ANALYSIS: Tanner Roark has had a big hand in the Cincinnati Reds finely tuned play of late. After a a shaky first month to the season, Roark produced a 2.28 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in five starts (27.2 IP) through May, and turned in another... Read More

Homer Bailey (SP, KC) - Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 12% of leagues ANALYSIS: It's been a long road back to legitimacy for Homer Bailey full of disappointing starts and IL stays since the time when he was so good that the Reds thought it wise to commit $105MM towards their former first round pick. He didn't even... Read More

Digger Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 13

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 13

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

Trevor Richards (SP, MIA) - Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of All Leagues ANALYSIS: Even after a strong start against St. Louis - in which he struck out eight Cardinals over 5.2 innings, scattering four hits and giving up only one run - Trevor Richards is still available in 70% of leagues. But with a... Read More

Jordan Lyles (SP, PIT) - Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jordan Lyles appears to be nearing a return to the team. He was placed on the Injured List for experiencing hamstring tightness following his start on June 8. In his first rehab start in Triple-A on Sunday, he pitched 5... Read More

Anibal Sanchez (SP, WAS) - Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 31% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After a dreadful first month of the season, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez turned things around and has been in a nice groove. He followed up his 5.91 ERA in April with a 1.65 ERA in May and he currently has a 3.09... Read More

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 13

We're just about at the halfway point of the 2019 regular season. Feels like just yesterday we were touting the rebound potential of Yu Darvish and mocking any poor suckers willing to run it back with Lucas Giolito again, doesn't it? Being right in the thick of things as we are, this is possibly the... Read More

Adrian Sampson (SP, TEX) - Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 14% of leagues ANALYSIS: The line has not read particularly pretty on Adrian Sampson. The 27-year old alumni of Bellevue Community College has produced an overall mediocre body of work through 75.2 IP out of the Rangers rotation and bullpen, throwing for a 4.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and... Read More

Michael Lorenzen (SP/RP, CIN) - Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 20% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Cincinnati Reds have used Michael Lorenzen in a variety of ways due to his stellar athleticism, case in point, he hit four home runs last season and has two stolen bases as a pinch runner in 2019. It has been difficult to work... Read More

Spencer Turnbull (SP, DET) - Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 32% of leagues ANALYSIS: Though it may appear that Spencer Turnbull's best days of 2019 may already be behind him, there is evidence to suggest that the time is right to buy low on the 26-year old former Alabama Crimson Tide (and right in time for his start against... Read More

Digger Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 12

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 12

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

Mike Leake (SP, SEA) - Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 18% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Mike Leake hasn't exactly set the world on fire this season and he's never been a pitcher that fantasy owners can really get excited about in his entire 10-year career. This season, he has a subpar 16.7% strikeout rate, 91.4 MPH average exit velocity,... 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

Pablo Lopez (SP, MIA) - Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 31% of All Leagues ANALYSIS: Pablo Lopez may be available in 60% of leagues today but don't expect that number to remain so high - in fact, it may be heading towards zero. In his past three starts, Lopez has 19 strikeouts over 18 innings, with only... Read More

Jordan Lyles (SP, PIT) - Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 33% of All Leagues ANALYSIS:  After having a minor hamstring issue, Jordan Lyles is set to come off of the IL when eligible on June 2oth. But it wasn't only the injury which has caused his ownership to drop to 33%, as his performance in his... Read More