10 Team Leagues
Daniel Vogelbach (First Base – Seattle Mariners) FAAB Bid: 12-14% - Vogelbach’s ownership has spiked over the last few days since he was mentioned in Wednesday’s waiver wire column. He’s now 61% owned in Yahoo leagues and 44.4% owned in ESPN leagues. He’s hit fifth in fourth straight games after starting the year buried in the eight-hole. So far this week (and in the five spot) he has two home runs and two doubles. He’s currently carrying a 20.5% strikeout rate, but at the same time he’s walking 17.9% of the time so he’s a great option in points leagues if you also consider the power he’s displayed. Next weekend Seattle heads to the Angels’ Big A where they notably shortened the outfield wall so he could put on a display next weekend as well. But definitely pick him up and hang on to him with short-term plans for now.
Ryan Brasier (Relief Pitcher – Boston Red Sox) FAAB Bid: 15-18% - I’ve been fielding questions about who the closer is in Boston and it looks like Brasier. Matt Barnes has been deployed in the sixth and seventh innings of late and hasn’t sniffed a save opportunity since the season started two weeks ago. Brasier has three saves since April 3rd and while his strikeout upside may not be as prominent as Barnes’ the ninth inning appearances hold more weight for Brasier. He’s nearly 60% owned in Yahoo leagues, but he’s surprisingly available in over 70% of ESPN leagues.
Matthew Boyd (Starting Pitcher – Detroit Tigers) FAAB Bid: 8-12% - I understand the trepidation with Boyd, but he’s currently leading the league in strikeouts with 29 in 17.1 innings of work. Can we expect that to continue? Not really, based on his track record as well as Max Scherzer ’s. But he’s a hot commodity right now and deserves a look. The win potential isn’t great if we’re being honest, but Boyd is a two-start pitcher next week at home against the Pirates and White Sox.
Gregory Polanco (Outfield – Pittsburgh Pirates) FAAB Bid: 15-20% - If he is healthy and right, Polanco needs to be owned everywhere. He has the ability to be a 20/20 contributor, he’s just had trouble staying healthy and oddly enough he’s currently on the injured list. He’s currently rehabbing and went 2-for-13 in four games at High-A ball. He’s slated to start rehabbing in Triple-A this weekend and could make his 2019 debut in just a couple weeks. In 130 games last year he hit 23 home runs with 75 runs scored and 81 RBI. He’s not as valuable in points leagues because of his weak walk potential, but in categories leagues he should be owned when he’s ready to come off the IL. And to be clear, he can still be owned in points leagues, but his stock takes a hit.
12 Team Leagues
Brandon Lowe (Second Base – Tampa Bay Rays) FAAB Bid: 8-10% - I mentioned Lowe maybe two weeks ago as a waiver add and I’m stunned his ownership is at 14% in Yahoo leagues. That being said, he could even be available in deeper leagues. His ownership will likely spike after his two-home run performance Friday night, and there will be times when he’s hitting eighth in the lineup but Tampa hasn’t been hesitant to hit him fourth or fifth. Lowe is a great add if in need of second base help.
Vince Velasquez (Starting Pitcher – Philadelphia Phillies) FAAB Bid: 0-1% - I’m not viewing Velasquez as a long-term waiver add, but I think he could potentially help you as this week finishes up. He gets a road start in Miami on Sunday so he could help you get some strikeouts on Sunday. He only has six innings of work in one start and one relief appearance and the numbers have been mediocre, but not awful. I’m also intrigued by the prospects of Velasquez next week in his one start in Coors Field. Yes it sounds insane to even type such a statement, but the Rockies are off to a horrendous start. They’ve scored 40 runs in just 14 games and they don’t have a home run yet from either Nolan Arenado or Charlie Blackmon . If their struggles continue I’d be interested in running Vinny V out there again next week.
Jeremy Jeffress (Relief Pitcher – Milwaukee Brewers) FAAB Bid: 12-15% - There is a gamble with trying to grab Jeffress because there is the chance Milwaukee sticks with Josh Hader as the closer. But it just looks like Milwaukee prefers him to be used in the eighth inning or long relief if it calls for it and Jeffress could be the ninth inning guy. I’ve made it clear I wish Milwaukee would try Hader as a starting pitcher or commit to him being the closer full-time. This middle relief role is beneath him in my opinion, but if I’m being objective I do believe Jeffress gets the save opportunities when he returns in a couple weeks.
15+ Team Leagues
Trevor Cahill (Starting Pitcher – Los Angeles Angels) FAAB Bid: 3% - It’s hard to get excited about Cahill based on what we’ve seen in the past. He’s proven to be a good streamer and finds himself in some successful stretches at times. And to start 2019 he has three straight outings going six innings deep and he boasts an 8.00 K:BB ratio. He’s given up three home runs already so the 1.50 HR/9 is a bit unsightly, but in deeper leagues it’s rare to find a consistent innings eater that can go six innings and register a quality start and possibly a win. Because of this, Cahill’s a solid waiver wire value in deeper competitive leagues. He finishes this week with a start against the Cubs and draws the Mariners next week.
Yandy Díaz (First Base, Third Base – Tampa Bay Rays) FAAB Bid: 6-8% - Sure, the price on Diaz might be a bit much even at 8% of your FAAB, but this is a deeper league option we’re talking about and he’s offering multi-position eligibility and I think he’s in play in points leagues as well because his walk rate (14.8%) aids his OBP (.389). Diaz has also not hit lower than fifth so far this year and he sometimes leads off. He already has a trio of home runs this year and if he stays healthy I think he could contribute eight steals if Tampa lets him run.
Richard Lovelady (Relief Pitcher – Kansas City Royals) FAAB Bid: 0% - If you can get him for nothing, go for it. If you have to bid anything just bid one unit because you can get him for virtually nothing right now. He’s only appeared in 1.1 innings of work, but he has three strikeouts and he’s yielded just one hit so far. He has a decent fastball and an above average slider and the Royals have an awful bullpen. I think it’s possible he could be the Royals closer at some point this year. If you can spare a roster spot for him, he could be worth a long-term investment.