We’re back from the All-Star Break and shifting our entire focus to the MLB Trade Deadline that takes place this coming Thursday at 6 pm ET. We’ve already seen a few players dealt as Josh Naylor is now a Seattle Mariner and Ryan McMahon is the new third baseman for the New York Yankees. Trades open up opportunities for players and close the door for others, so it’s our job to sift through players that gain fantasy value in their new situation or because a teammate (or two) were dealt. Not only that, but teams are calling up prospects each and every day, players are coming out of nowhere and breaking out, and plenty of stuff in between to make up this week's fantasy baseball waiver wire. Let's dive in. 

There are a lot of great fantasy baseball waiver wire additions and we’re attacking them all in this week’s column. If you have any questions about your waiver wire, hit us up in the Fantasy Alarm Discord or hit me up on Twitter!

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers

Zebby Matthews, SP, Minnesota Twins

  • ESPN: 5% / Yahoo: 21%
  • FAAB: 10-12%

Zebby Matthews? Zebby Matthews. I tried to tell you last week that he was a great add. I’ll say it again before it’s too late. Go add Zebby Matthews now and don’t look back. He fired six scoreless innings and chipped in seven strikeouts against the Nationals this weekend.

Matthews’ ERA still sits at 4.97 but his FIP is 2.75 and xFIP is 2.89 and he misses a LOT of bats as he has posted a 11.8 K/9. It’s obvious that luck has not been on his side when you look at some of those numbers and also sprinkle in the .365 BABIP he’s allowed.

Matthews is a highly coveted prospect and with the Twins basically out of contention, Matthews is going to stick around in the rotation for the remainder of the year. Matthews makes his next start against the Guardians, too.

 

Seranthony Dominguez, RP, Baltimore Orioles

  • ESPN: 3% / Yahoo: 14%
  • FAAB: 2-4%

With Felix Bautista on the injured list and Gregory Soto traded out of town, Seranthony Dominguez is likely going to be called upon in the ninth inning and get the first shot for saves. That wouldn’t be unfamiliar territory as he had 10 saves with the Orioles last season.

This season, Dominguez has 53 strikeouts in 40.2 innings and has pitched to a 3.32 ERA. He’s mostly been used in hold situations as he’s notched 13 on the year and has two saves as well. Dominguez also happens to be an option for teams on the trade block and could find himself in a situation where he’s closing games long term.

 

Joe Boyle, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

  • ESPN: 5% / Yahoo: 15%
  • FAAB: 5-7%

It’s expected, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, that Joe Boyle is going to join the rotation now that Taj Bradley has been sent to Triple-A.

Boyle has been elite at Triple-A this year pitching to a 1.85 ERA across 15 outings (14 starts) while posting an 11.8 K/9. Walks have been a massive issue for him throughout his career but this year, he’s trimmed them in a massive way and the control has been way better. Even throughout his first 19 innings at the major league level he’s only walking 2.8 batters per nine innings.

His fastball velocity has been at 98.2 MPH in the majors this year and he misses bats. His home ballpark sucks, but if he can limit walks and keep the ball in the yard, which he’s ALWAYS done as primarily a ground baller, he’ll be a fantastic fantasy addition moving forward.

 

Eric Lauer, SP/RP, Toronto Blue Jays

  • ESPN: 5% / Yahoo: 21%
  • FAAB: 4-6%

I’m a little skeptical here because my expectation is that the Blue Jays add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Will that directly impact Eric Lauer? To be seen, but it’s likely. That being said, for the time being, Lauer isn’t leaving this Blue Jays rotation. 

Over his last handful starts, Eric Lauer has three quality starts over his last four including eight innings against the Detroit Tigers in which he allowed just one earned run and struck out six. He’s struck out at least six batters in four straight starts, too, so that’s trending in the right direction.

He’s had 26 strikeouts over his last 24 innings and is now at a 26.4% K-rate on the year and that’s actually a career-high mark. His next outing is slated to come against the Baltimore Orioles, who are one of the worst teams in the league against left-handed pitching.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Infielders

Ryan McMahon, 3B, New York Yankees

  • ESPN: 8% / Yahoo: 37%
  • FAAB: 7-9%

The player that 's been added more than anyone else on Yahoo! Fantasy on Friday was Ryan McMahon. McMahon was traded to the New York Yankees and will be their every day third baseman moving forward. McMahon has never hit well outside of Coors Field, but how will things translate to Yankee Stadium and the short porch out there?

McMahon does some things well and there are blatant flaws in his offensive game too. He strikes out too much for starters. He does hit the ball extremely hard and a .466 xSLG for where he’s going to hit in the Yankees lineup would be extremely solid. He’s not suddenly going to transform into a 30-homer guy, but his run producing opportunities are going to rise drastically.

 

Matt Shaw, 2B/3B/SS, Chicago Cubs

  • ESPN: 17% / Yahoo: 30%
  • FAAB: 7-9%

I can’t lie, I’ve been waiting anxiously all season for the Matt Shaw blow up. I did a feature on him in the preseason on why he’s an elite late-round fantasy draft pick and that obviously hadn’t paid off..until the All-Star break. Whatever he did during the break, he needs to do more of it.

In seven games since the All-Star break, he’s had at least one hit in all seven games, has hit three home runs, driven in six runs, and scored five more. Not to mention he’s stolen two bags as well because he’s been on base more.

If he can continue to reach base, he’ll provide steals and should clear 20 with no issue. He has power, too, which we’ve seen most recently. On top of that, he has multiple positions of eligibility so you can slot him in at three different infield spots.

 

Colson Montgomery, 3B/SS, Chicago White Sox

  • ESPN: 2% / Yahoo: 6%
  • FAAB: 5-7%

The Colson Montgomery experience has really started taking a turn for the better after hitting a home run for a third consecutive game on Friday. He’s riding a five-game hit streak that includes three homers, five runs scored, and nine more batted in. Everything he’s doing is still coming with strikeouts attached, but we knew that going in. He’s been a high strikeout guy at every level. If the power can continue and he’s driving runs in, he’s a viable fantasy baseball waiver wire addition.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Outfielders

Ramon Laureano, OF, Baltimore Orioles

  • ESPN: 6% / Yahoo: 19%
  • FAAB: 8-10%

2025 has truly been a resurgent season for Ramon Laureano as he’s hitting in the middle of the Orioles lineup and is honestly thriving. His OPS is nearing .850 for the year and it all looks very real.

 

Laureano can provide a fantasy baseball roster power and some speed as well and as long as Baltimore continues hitting him in the heart of their order, there’s no reason to think he’s going to slow down at all. The only hold up is that he hasn’t been THIS good since 2019 and that might’ve been due to PEDs.

 

Mickey Moniak, OF, Colorado Rockies

  • ESPN: 7% / Yahoo: 18%
  • FAAB: 8-10%

Heading into Friday night, Mickey Moniak had an OPS up over 1.200 during the month of July and then he hit another home run and scored two more runs. Moniak’s up to 16 HR on the year and has been an absolute machine in the power department.

This hasn’t been a flash in the pan in just July either because he posted a 1.124 OPS in June too. Mickey Moniak is obviously not going to be a 190 wRC+ player for the rest of the year, but it doesn’t hurt that he plays his home games in Coors Field.

There’s a lot to like about Moniak for the rest of the season:

 

Tyler O’Neill, OF, Baltimore Orioles

  • ESPN: 9% / Yahoo: 30%
  • FAAB: 3-5%

It’s been a bit of a lost season for Tyler O’Neill, but now that he’s back in the lineup and he’s healthy he’s had four hits including a home run on Friday. O’Neill has two 30 home run seasons on his resume and twice has swiped at least 14 bases as well. If you’re looking for outfield depth, O’Neill could be worth an add if he can stay healthy and get hot. 

It’s also worth exploring that he’s a trade candidate at the deadline due to his expiring contract and depending where he ends up will really depend on what his fantasy value is.

 

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