It’s hard to believe, but we’ve reached the season. Most teams only have 50-60 games left, and the trade deadline is right around the corner. That’s always one of the most interesting times to save the waiver wire because there are league winners from time to time after a certain trade. Most waiver wire pickups are close after the deadline, but it also opens the door to some opportunities. We’ll talk more about that in the coming weeks, but let’s get into this week’s call for forgiveness!
The stats and rankings below were updated on 7/24. All rostership percentages are at Yahoo.
Feel free to comment here or contact me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions!
Also, check out my Streamers article coming out tomorrow.
THE CATCHERS
10/12 Team additions
Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 52% Rostership) – Moreno is listed in almost every league I’m in, but it’s weird to see him in 52% of the list. This guy has been cleaning up almost every day in Arizona, producing a .309 AVG and .844 OPS so far this season. A ton of that damage has happened recently, as Moreno maintains a .492 OBP and 1.039 OPS over his last 14 starts. You’re not going to get many better lines from a catcher all season, but we’re talking about a guy with a career .287 AVG and .772 OPS. This product is here to stay!
Recommended FAAB %: 5%
QUICK HITS: Ryan Jeffers (MIN, 36% Rostership), Yainer Diaz (HOU, 41% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Dalton Rushing (LAD, 17% Rostership) – It sounds like Will Smith is a few weeks away from his return, so Rushing should keep his day-to-day role for now. He has quietly been one of the best catchers per game, compiling a .338 OBP and .812 OPS so far this year. That’s all you can hope for from a waiver wire catcher, especially since Rushing is starting to catch in Smith’s absence. It also wouldn’t be a better plan from a fantasy perspective, and there’s still a slim chance he’ll land an everyday role if the Dodgers decide to move him before the trade deadline.
Recommended FAAB %: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Francisco Alvarez (NYM, 21% Rostership), Alejandro Kirk (TOR, 21% Rostership)
THE INFIELDERS
10/12 Team additions
Zack Gelof (2B/3B, ATH, 34% Rostership) – Gelof was dropped on multiple waiver wires after the IL filing, but now is the time to pick him up again. The reliever was in the middle of a month off before that knee injury, recording a 25-game hitting streak before the injury on June 21. He also had a .351 AVG and a .987 OPS during that sensational stretch, after showing some impressive stuff in his rookie season a few years ago. The talent is there for Gelof to be a monster last two months, and it sounds like his return is imminent now that he has resumed all baseball activities.
Recommended FAAB %: 3-5%
QUICK HITS: Caleb Durbin (3B, BOS, 40% Rostership), Gleyber Torres (2B, DET, 42% Rostership), Brooks Lee (1B/2B/3B, MIN, 51% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1B, BAL, 2% Rostership) – There was a time when I thought CES would be legendary in Cincy. Injuries and inactivity ruined his chance with the Reds, but a move to Baltimore could be just what the doctor ordered. Encarnacion-Strand has won three of his first five games since being called up to the O’s. The minor league numbers were consistently impressive as well, as CES racked up a .296 AVG and a .926 OPS. What he needs is an extended opportunity to prove himself, and this is a great opportunity to get back to Baltimore.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: Ty France (SD, 1B, 17% Rostership), Vaughn Grissom (LAA, 2B/SS, % Rostership), Tommy Edman (LAD, 2B/3B, 28% Rostership)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team additions
Steven Kwan (CLE, 47% Rostership) – Kwan was drafted all-league, but was demoted to multiple waivers after a poor start. Actually, he was still waiting for three months, but he just caught up with something. Kwan has a .462 AVG, .553 OBP and 1.092 OPS over the past three weeks. That grounded ability has put Kwan back in his prime, and he’s made that home in recent years. We’re talking about a player who used to contend for the batting title every season, posting a .281 AVG, .351 OBP and .741 OPS since his call up years ago. Not many guys coming off the waiver wire can beat your batting average with one hand, but Kwan is one of them when he hits like this.
Recommended FAAB %: 3%
QUICK HITS: Carson Benge (NYM, 52% Rostership), Trent Grisham (NYY, 46% Rostership), Heliot Ramos (SF, 43% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Trevor Larnach (MIN, 7% Rostership) – Why the hell is Larnach still under 10 percent? This has confused me for weeks, and will remain in this waiver article until we see that number bump. He has become the Twins’ best everyday hitter, and is in the midst of the best season of his career right now. Larnach has a .375 AVG and 1.054 OPS since taking over that leadoff spot last month. It’s no fluke either, as Larnach has a .294 AVG, .383 OBP and .843 OPS for the season.
Recommended FAAB %: 1%
QUICK HITS: JJ Bleday (CIN, 26% Rostership), Cole Carrigg (COL, 23% Rostership), Jake Mangum (PIT, 12% Rostership)
STARTING BEAMS
10/12 Team additions
Cade Cavalli (WAS, 49% Rostership) – It’s easy to understand why Fantasy management has been tight-lipped about Cavalli, but this could be the last time he’s on the waiver wire. The suspension limited some of his appearances, but it’s impossible to ignore a 3.58 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 10.3 K/9 average. The stats for the entire season are impressive, but his 2.43 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 12.2 K/9 over the past month is unbelievable. The only reason he’s on the waiver wire is that he’s riding Washington, because a player with the caliber of the Dodgers or Yankees would have been drafted all over the world last month.
Recommended FAAB %: 5-10%
Christian Scott (NYM, 33% Rostership) – Scott had a bit of bad luck behind him in his most recent start, but is still coming off an incredibly consistent season. The righty allowed four or fewer runs in all 14 starts en route to a 3.13 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. He also has a 3.27 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10.9 K/9 since June 1. The best part about adding him here is that he has two home starts this week. Playing at Citi Field won’t get any better, and comparisons to teams like the Marlins and Braves are far from it.
Recommended FAAB %: 3-5%
QUICK HITS: Tatsuya Imai (HOU, 35% Rostership), Merrill Kelly (ARI, 39% Rostership), Landen Roupp (SF, 49% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Brady Singer (CIN, 25% Rostership) – The singer has been a regular one of our hosts for years, and it’s usually when he’s on a run like the one he’s at right now. The Reds right-hander has allowed three or fewer runs in nine of his last 10 starts while registering a 3.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 average in that span. That’s pretty much in line with what we’ve seen in recent years, with Singer sporting a 3.86 ERA and 1.26 WHIP between 2024 and 2025. Another interesting thing about Singer is that he has been impressive in Cincy, compiling a 3.23 ERA and 1.13 WHIP there in that three-year span. That’s a shocking statistic for the way that parking lot is playing, but we definitely don’t want to wear him down in these games against the Rangers and Pirates. Cleveland ranks 29th or 30th in runs scored and xwOBA while Pittsburgh’s talent doesn’t bother us despite their good numbers.
Recommended FAAB %: 1-3%
Zac Thornton (NYM, 24% Rostership) – The Mets always seem to find these values throughout their minor league program. Thornton had a 3.01 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in the minors before this season and was even better with the Mets. Thornton allowed just one run in three starts while posting a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP for the season. What makes that more impressive is that he faced the Brewers, Phillies, Red Sox and Nationals. That’s not a lineup you want to face right now, and Thornton should benefit from soft matchups in one of the best pitcher’s parks in the sport!
Recommended FAAB %: 1-3%
QUICK HITS: Clay Holmes (NYM, 29% Rostership), Ronel Blanco (HOU, 11% Rostership), SpenceIr Arrighetti (HOU, 28% Rostership)
THE LIBERATORS
10/12 Team additions
Yoendrys Gomez (MIN, 32% Rostership) – Why is Gomez still available in so many leagues? He has clearly taken over as the Twins closer, having collected 10 saves since the end of May. Gomez also has a 2.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in that span and doesn’t have much competition in this bullpen to pull off a save.
Recommended FAAB %: 5%
QUICK HITS: Gregory Soto (PIT, 31% Rostership), Shane Drohan (MIL, 37% Rostership)
Deep League is Coming
Keider Montero (DET, 21% Rostership) – There aren’t many good deep league save options, but Montero is a nice waiver wire addition with RP merit. He has been one of Detroit’s best starters this year, posting a 3.14 ERA and 0.96 WHIP through 16 starts. Montero also has a 1.80 ERA and 0.85 WHIP since June 10. That form should continue this week as he has a home game against Baltimore, which is ranked 27th in the K’s.
Recommended FAAB %: 3%
QUICK HITS: Grant Taylor (CWS, 25% Rostership), Brandon Pfaadt (ARI, 16% Rostership)
