👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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


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.

Featured Promo: Save 50% the regular price with discount code SPRING, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW

 

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!




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
New York Giants

Giants Offense to be a Run-First Unit?
Joshua Palmer

Working Out on the Side at OTAs
Maxx Crosby

Raiders "Counting" on Maxx Crosby Being Ready for Training Camp
Kirk Cousins

the First Up in OTA Practice on Wednesday
Chicago Bulls

Jerry Stackhouse Emerges as Bulls Head-Coach Candidate
Cooper Flagg

Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
De'Aaron Fox

is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
Jiri Kulich

Aims to Return Next Season
Jeremy Lauzon

Not Expected to Play Wednesday
Brock Bowers

Klint Kubiak Calls Brock Bowers a "Football Robot From Heaven"
Mark Stone

Likely to Remain Out Wednesday
Scott Wedgewood

Starting Western Conference Finals for Avalanche
Sam Malinski

Set to Return Wednesday
Artturi Lehkonen

Expected to Play Wednesday Night
Cale Makar

Will Miss Game 1 Against Golden Knights
Malachi Fields

Appears Well-Positioned for Rookie Year Breakout in New York
Aaron Rodgers

Plans to Retire Following 2026 Season
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Is Anthony Richardson Sr. Worth Buying Low on in Deeper Dynasty Formats?
DJ Giddens

Does DJ Giddens Carry Dynasty Buy-Low Appeal into 2026?
AJ Barner

Enters 2026 as a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate
Josh Jacobs

Is Josh Jacobs at the Peak of His Dynasty Value?
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Wilson

Cardinals Interested in Inking Michael Wilson to a Long-Term Extension
Kyle Williams

Bulks Up, Ready to Make Year 2 Leap
Deshaun Watson

the First QB Up During OTA Drills on Wednesday
Quinshon Judkins

Taking Part in 11-on-11 Drills
Xavier Legette

Fighting for His Future in Carolina?
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars Not Expected to Trade Brian Thomas Jr.
Rashod Bateman

Future in Baltimore is Bleak
Mark Andrews

Poised to Bounce Back in 2026?
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Is Tyrone Tracy Jr. a Sneaky Dynasty Buy?
Chimere Dike

Dynasty Managers Compelled to Hold Chimere Dike?
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
James Harden

Struggles in Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Evan Mobley

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double
Donovan Mitchell

Produces Top Two-Way Performance in Game 1 Loss
OG Anunoby

Plays Key Role in Comeback Win
Mikal Bridges

Remains Efficient in Game 1 Against Cavaliers
Karl-Anthony Towns

Extends Double-Double Streak to Four Games
Jalen Brunson

Leads Knicks to Historic Comeback Win
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Dean Wade

Returns to Starting Unit Tuesday
OG Anunoby

Starting on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

May Remain in Motown
Jalen Duren

Pistons Eager to Keep Jalen Duren
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd Fired as Mavericks Head Coach
De'Aaron Fox

Officially Listed as Questionable for Game 2 Against Thunder
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
Alex Caruso

Erupts for 31 Points in Game 1 Loss to Spurs
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
Jalen Williams

Productive in Comeback Game
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Records First Double-Double of Postseason
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Stephon Castle

Opens Conference Finals With Double-Double
Dylan Harper

Makes Outstanding Two-Way Impact in Game 1 Win
Mattias Samuelsson

Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Rasmus Dahlin

Nets Fourth Postseason Goal
Jakub Dobes

Records 37 Saves in Game 7 Win
Lane Hutson

Contributes Power-Play Assist in Game 7 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Extends Road Point Streak
Alex Newhook

Scores Series-Clincher in Overtime
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Set to Start Game 7
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Tage Thompson

Can Match Franchise Record With Another Multi-Point Game
Nick Suzuki

Seeks More Road Success Monday
Lane Hutson

Riding a Five-Game Assist Streak Into Game 7
Filip Gustavsson

Needs Offseason Surgery
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Quinn Hughes

Open to Signing Extension This Offseason
Joel Eriksson Ek

Misses Second Round Due to Heel Injury
Jonas Brodin

Sits Out Round 2 Due to Toe Injury
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF