X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

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
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Holds Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds for Week 16

Ryan Nakada analyzes five MLB relief pitchers (RP) and setup men to target for holds as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for Week 16.

While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men to target off the waiver wire in Week 16.

One-inning middle relievers are the constant sources for holds and specialists can manage to secure a hold even with one out. However, while specialists can get many holds, their fantasy value is limited to how effective they are in their specific role. Long relievers are not a strong source of holds, they are often used in emergency or mop-up roles; reducing their likelihood to enter a game with the lead. The strongest setup relievers can even be eligible for saves on occasion.

Bottom line: the more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league. Let's get to it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Week 16 Waiver Wire RP Pickups for Holds

Dan Winkler, Atlanta Braves

1 Save, 17 Holds, 2.92 ERA, 37.0 IP, 47 K, 1.00 WHIP

The Atlanta Braves have always boasted a strong pitching staff and Dan Winkler is another successful find. The 28-year-old Winkler has been an eighth inning reliever most of the season with a small window of opportunity as closer. With Arodys Vizcaino back, Winkler has returned to his original role of holding leads. With a 90.7 mph cutter and 93.4 mph fastball, Winkler is striking out over a batter per inning. Opponents are hitting .199 against Winkler this year. He's generating a ground ball on 40.4 percent of batted balls. Dan Winkler is having a strong season, generating above league average swings with below league average contact. He is providing good contributions across the board and is a worthwhile waiver wire claim in holds leagues.

Drew Steckenrider, Miami Marlins

1 Save, 12 Holds, 3.46 ERA, 41.2 IP, 49 K, 1.27 WHIP

The Miami Marlins may not have a winning season but reliever Drew Steckenrider is putting together a solid season in his role and as he possibly auditions for contenders seeking a strong reliever. Do not let recent bad outings by Steckenrider become a red flag. Weather the small storm and pick up Steckenrider. He is striking out more than a batter per inning this year. With a 94.7 mph fastball complemented by a 87.9 mph cutter, opponents are hitting .217 against Steckenrider. As long as the 27-year-old can get it by a few more batters, he is a strong holds candidate who could see more on a postseason contender by the end of the month.

Victor Arano, Philadelphia Phillies

3 Saves, 4 Holds, 2.45 ERA, 33.0 IP, 36 K, 1.12 WHIP

The Philadelphia Phillies have an uncertain closing situation in the back of their bullpen so reliever Victor Arano is a candidate for both holds and saves. With just over a strikeout per inning, Arano has been a reliable reliever. Opponents are hitting .210 against Arano this year. With an 84.1 mph slider and a 93.5 mph fastball, Arano is getting above league average swings out of the zone with well below league average contact outside of the zone. His ability to start the opposition with a strike and generate lot of swinging strikes is making him furthermore reliable. Whether he secures holds or saves, Arano is a strong candidate for a waiver wire claim.

Erik Goeddel, Los Angeles Dodgers

5 Holds, 2.86 ERA, 28.1 IP, 35 K, 1.34 WHIP

The Los Angeles Dodgers are searching for a stable bridge and Erik Goeddel has emerged. With a 92.1 mph fastball and 95.1 mph splitter, opponents are hitting .212 against Goeddel. The 29-year-old Goeddel has had a pair of bad outings that bloated his ERA but he has mostly been a success for the Dodgers. Goeddel is averaging more than a strikeout per inning and is keeping the ball on the ground, 44.8 percent of batted balls have been ground balls. As of late, Goeddel has been used in the seventh inning and looks to be in a good place for holds.

Will Smith, San Francisco Giants

3 Saves, 5 Holds, 0.95 ERA, 28.1 IP, 38 K, 0.67 WHIP

The San Francisco Giants are looking for a stable force in the back of the bullpen and Will Smith is providing that. After starting the season in the middle of the game, Smith progressed to the back third of the game, holding leads and presently saving games. Opponents are hitting .129 against Smith this year. With a 92.6 mph fastball and 81.3 mph slider, Smith is striking out more than a batter per inning. Despite starting as a specialist, Smith is handling right-handed batters (.082) better than left-handed batters (.182). Smith may not need to relinquish the closer role unless he is acquired by a playoff contender.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Sunday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Nick Kurtz

Back in Action on Tuesday
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Nick Lodolo

Scratched With Illness
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Najee Harris

Says He's Expecting to Play Against Chiefs
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Departs Monday with Quad Injury
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Scratched on Monday
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Edward Cabrera

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Sprain
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Harry Ford

Called Up for Major-League Debut
Victor Scott II

Activated From Injured List
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Dealing With Hamstring Tightness, Expects to Play Monday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Agrees to a One-Year Contract with Milwaukee
Kyrie Irving

"Healing Up Great"
Dante Exum

Mavs Agree on a One-Year Deal
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs, Trent McDuffie Not Expected to Finalize Extension
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Dameon Pierce

Ahead of Schedule, Ready for Season
Jordan Love

May Wear Thumb Brace During Season
Chicago Bears

Bears Head Coach Admits Offense Could Face Learning Curve
Matt Chapman

Leaves Early on Sunday, Expects to Play Monday
A.J. Brown

Says He'll Be Active For Season Opener
Luis Garcia

to Make Season Debut on Monday
Max Scherzer

Exits Due to Back Tightness
Taylor Ward

Exits Early After Collison
Sal Stewart

Reds Promoting Sal Stewart to Majors
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
Aroldis Chapman

Agrees to Contract Extension
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Leads Serbia to a Win
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Shines Versus Portugal
Jose Alvarado

"Good" After Recent Fall
Lauri Markkanen

Torches Sweden
Neemias Queta

Dominates in EuroBasket Opener
Kawhi Leonard

Clippers Not Allowing Kawhi Leonard to Play Back-to-Backs

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP