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

Waiver Wire Points Leagues - Week 16

Week 16 is a doozy, spanning 10 days, making many pitchers "two-start" guys and keeping us on our feet right after the All-Star break. If you're like me, the All-Star break was long and the desire to check my lineups hit every day. While I may not have had players playing games, I was still making moves because of other owners dropping players who were "not active" or slumping going into the break. I was able to snag New York Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery because of the former reason, and now it looks like he could be the ace (due to lack of better options) of the team.

This week we're back to our shallow and deep points leagues waiver targets, looking at anyone and everyone between 1% and 55%. So here are a few guys who can contribute in points leagues, one at each position to consider for the next week, and possibly beyond. These are your points leagues waiver wire pickups for Week 16. Let's get to it.

Note: All ownership percentages are courtesy of Yahoo! Fantasy Sports.

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

 

Points League Waiver Wire Adds - Week 16

C - Wilson Ramos, Tampa Bay Rays - 42% owned 

I vouched for Ramos earlier this year, before he was ready to come back from his injury, and although he's experiencing some soreness of late, he should be back and ready to contribute in a few days. The batting average won't do much, but his ability to crush the ball will help in points leagues. The 29-year-old already has three home runs in 10 games (42 plate appearances) and while I don't think the batting average will be at .307 like last year, he's an easy bet for .260ish, with 12 home runs, and maybe more. Grab Ramos if you're in need of a catcher, because most owners probably do too.

1B - Josh Bell, Pittsburgh Pirates - 37% owned

When drafting this year, I was big on Bell. I only got to grab him in one of my three leagues, but I'm sure glad I did, because he contributes everywhere. I'd love to see a little bit more speed on the base paths, but I'll take what I can get from him. He's already hit 17 home runs, as well as 17 doubles, making him a virtual lock for 25/25. Those are huge points that I'd love in points leagues. The fact that he has a bit of speed and can potentially mix in a triple and a stolen base here and there is exciting too. His walk rate is down and his strikeout percentage is up, but the average hasn't dipped down too far to make the power not worth it like Joey Gallo. Grab Bell and hold him, or trade him to me, because I'd love some more shares.

2B - Paul DeJong, St. Louis Cardinals - 47% owned

Here's a guy that I'd recommend to hold in category leagues, but in points leagues, I'm just going to mention for the short term. Going into the All-Star break, DeJong clubbed three homers in his last three games, also adding four doubles. Those are some sweet points, but since coming out of the break, he's contributed a double and a homer in his last four games. He was clearly riding momentum, and here's hoping in points leagues that he can continue to show some power for points. Besides that DeJong will definitely be one of those consistent contributors, as he's hitting .299 with an .899 OPS. Not bad for categories, but in points leagues, we're chasing power. Give him two weeks to prove he's got more in him, but cut bait if you only see the small contributions.

3B - Nicholas Castellanos, Detroit Tigers - 33% owned 

Castellanos is another guy who I was high on before the season, and while he's been up and down for most of the season, when he's up, it's very worthwhile. In most points leagues, he should be in the top 120, depending on your scoring settings. Since coming out of the break, he's hit two home runs, and while the lack of extra base hits in his last 10 games or so is concerning, don't forget that he's already ripped six triples this year, and is coming in close on 20 doubles. He's also closing in on passing his runs total from 2016, because of his movement throughout the Tigers lineup, hitting anywhere from second to seventh. Castellanos is a nice add because of the amount he can contribute to virtually any lineup.

SS - Jose Peraza, Cincinnati Reds - 51% owned

I'm still a little weary on a guy like Peraza; I actually drafted him, but got fed up with the cold start, before he kind of got going in May. It's obvious there's not a whole lot of power, and despite points leagues usually chasing power, Peraza is still an interesting play in points leagues. The 23-year-old is obviously still young, and definitely capable of putting together a stronger season. There's lots of promise in him getting opportunities to hit at the top and second in the order, as well as being a threat to steal a base every time he gets on (although, it's been a while). Recently, he's been doing a better job of getting on as his K% from June to July is dropping and his batting average is slowly rising. I'd say give him a few weeks to see if he can maintain some consistency.

OF - Carlos Beltran, Houston Astros - 31% owned

I'm putting the 40-year-old veteran on the list for one reason: the Houston Astros. Beltran continues to DH for the Astros even though his strikeout rate is at one of the highest of his career, and his batting average is on the other side of the spectrum. However, it is hard to deny the opportunities that Beltran has with the likes of George Springer, Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Yuli Gurriel, Marwin Gonzalez and Josh Reddick hitting around him. Most of his opportunities have come hitting in the fifth slot, where he's posted half of his home run total. I don't want to tell you to hang onto Beltran forever, but the upside is there. This is a guy who hit 29 homers last year, so stick with him, and you should see some RBIs and runs at least.

SP - Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals - 42% owned

Yes, some of the underlying numbers suggest Ian Kennedy is not the best recommendation here, but in points leagues, some of those stats matter a little bit less. Diving into some of the numbers though, his line drive percentage is down from last year and his ground ball percentage is up. The only ugly one is his fly ball percentage which increased drastically from his move from San Diego to Kansas City. The fact is though, is that Kennedy has struck out at least five in his last four starts, not allowing more than three runs in any of those games. He's also kept the walks down, which definitely help, it's just the home runs that keep getting hit. In points leagues though, take the strikeouts, and the wins, since Kansas City seems to being doing that, and hope for another quality start from Kennedy when he takes on the White Sox later this week.

RP - Ryan Madson/Sean Doolittle, Washington Nationals - 51% owned and 27% owned respectively

The Washington Nationals have exhausted many options with their bullpens in years past, and 2017 is no exception. Dusty Baker has already hinted that either one of, or both, Madson and Doolittle could see time closing in Washington, seeing as they've both been pretty good this year in Oakland. The lack of save opportunities in Oakland is what have kept their save and hold numbers down, but both are pitching to ERAs under 3.50, with Madson's just above 2! The fact that Madson is a righty, and Doolittle is a lefty means they could both see time, depending on the matchups, but if you only have space for one, I'd bargain that Madson is the safer bet.

 

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

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Rui Hachimura

Back in Action on Christmas
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Cleared to Play on Christmas Night
George Kittle

Remains Sidelined During Thursday's Practice
Malik Willis

Carrying Questionable Tag for Week 17 Tilt
Jordan Love

Questionable for Saturday's Contest
Lamar Jackson

Listed as Doubtful for Week 17
Amon-Ra St. Brown

to Suit Up on Christmas Day
Rome Odunze

"Increasing Unlikely to Play" in Week 17
Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Carries Questionable Tag on Thursday
David Montgomery

Expected to Play on Christmas Day
Seth Curry

to Remain Sidelined on Christmas Day
Jae'Sean Tate

Questionable Thursday
Dwight Powell

Likely to Return on Christmas
Jaylin Williams

Misses Fifth Straight Game
Ousmane Dieng

Unavailable on Christmas Day
Guerschon Yabusele

Questionable for Christmas Action
Miles McBride

Remains Out on Christmas
Cameron Johnson

to Miss Time With Bone Bruise in Right Knee
Jaxson Hayes

Considered Questionable for Christmas Matchup
Rui Hachimura

Likely to Return Thursday
Dorian Finney-Smith

Could Make Season Debut on Christmas Day
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Uncertain for Christmas Day
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Listed as Questionable for Christmas Game
Al Horford

on Track to Return Thursday
Jaden McDaniels

Iffy for Christmas Day
Brandon Williams

Expected to Play on Christmas Day
P.J. Washington

at Risk of Missing Second Straight Game
Klay Thompson

Likely to Play on Christmas Day
Max Christie

Probable for Christmas Day
David Montgomery

Questionable to Play With Illness
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Questionable, Expected to Play on Thursday
Rashee Rice

Chiefs Place Rashee Rice on Injured Reserve
T.J. Hockenson

Ruled Out for Week 17
Pete Fairbanks

Marlins Agree on One-Year Deal
Josh Johnson

to Start at QB on Thursday Against Dallas
Brooks Koepka

Leaving LIV Golf
Davante Adams

Could Sit Out Final Two Regular-Season Games
Brock Bowers

Placed on Injured Reserve Due to Lingering Knee Injury
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Expected to Play on Christmas Day Against the Vikings
Connor McDavid

Finishes Battle of Alberta With Five Assists
Karel Vejmelka

Battling Upper-Body Injury
Alexandre Texier

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Against Bruins
Alexander Nikishin

Dealing With Apparent Ankle Injury
Denver Barkey

Exits Early Tuesday
Travis Sanheim

Pulled by Concussion Spotter Tuesday
Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal
DK Metcalf

has Two-Game Suspension Upheld
Philip Rivers

to Remain the Starter in Week 17
George Kittle

Dealing With Mid-to-Low Ankle Sprain
Viktor Arvidsson

a Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Ryan Leonard

Available Tuesday
Tom Wilson

in Danger of Missing First Game of the Season
Phillip Danault

Makes Second Canadiens Debut Tuesday
Collin Graf

Available Against Golden Knights
Jack Eichel

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Vince Dunn

Won't Play Tuesday
Deshaun Watson

Will Not be Activated Off PUP List, 2025 Season is Over
J.J. McCarthy

Ruled Out for Week 17
CFB

Jeff Brohm, Eli Drinkwitz "Names of Interest" for Michigan Head Coach
Timothy Liljegren

to Miss Second Straight Game Tuesday
Will Smith

Out Week-to-Week
Jaccob Slavin

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Seth Jarvis

Considered Week-to-Week
Darren Raddysh

Totals Three Points in Monday's Win
Mason Marchment

Scores Twice Monday
Vince Dunn

Injured in Monday's Win
Ilya Sorokin

to Miss Tuesday's Game
CFB

Byrum Brown Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Bobby Petrino Joining Bill Belichick as North Carolina's Offensive Coordinator
Willson Contreras

Shipped to the Red Sox

RANKINGS

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