Fantasy waiver wire: Empty your wallets to add J.D. Martinez
Thanks to several major trades, this past week has thrown several curveballs at fantasy owners. NL-only leagues have been the big winners, but there are still THREE more waiver periods until the trade deadline smoke clears since July 31 falls on a Monday.
In "only" leagues, the best FAAB strategy is to bid aggressively on the players who are available now because you never know if someone better will come along. That's definitely the case this week in the NL.
DOUBLE CHECK: Last week's recommendations, including Jose Quintana, Garrett Cooper
Suggested bid values based on $100 FAAB (free agent acquisition budget). Feel free to exceed the recommendation if league dynamics or team needs warrant. (All stats through Thursday's games.)
BEST BETS
OF J.D. Martinez, Arizona Diamondbacks
($100 NL)
Thankfully, it appears the pitch that hit Martinez's hand in his D'backs debut did not cause any major damage. He's unquestionably the best hitter on the trade market and he's in a perfect spot to continue producing at an elite level.
3B Yoan Moncada, Chicago White Sox
($20 AL, $15 Mixed)
With Todd Frazier traded away, Moncada has an opportunity to play every day. He'll probably struggle at the plate the way he did during last year's September call-up, but speed never slumps. He stole 45 bases in the minors last year and 17 this year at Class AAA. He could be a difference-maker in the category down the stretch. Note his position eligibility from last year is at third base -- but he's playing second for the Chisox.
RP Ryan Madson, Washington Nationals
($15 NL, $12 Mixed)
RP Sean Doolittle, Washington Nationals
($10 NL, $8 Mixed)
We also covered this trade when it happened -- and even though Doolittle got the first save opportunity of the two in Washington, it came under the precise circumstances outlined earlier: right-handed bats due up in the eighth (for Madson) and lefty bats in the ninth (for Doolittle). It'll be the reverse more often than not. That's why we're still recommending fantasy owners bid higher on Madson.
REPLACEMENTS
1B/2B/SS/OF Sean Rodriguez, Atlanta Braves
($10 NL, $7 Mixed)
After being in a car accident over the winter, Rodriguez was expected to miss the entire season. However, an aggressive rehab of his injured shoulder has him back on the field. He may only play occasionally, but he could be quite productive when he's in the lineup. Remember, he his 18 home runs last year with Pittsburgh in only 300 at-bats.
SP Alex Meyer, Los Angeles Angels
($9 AL, $4 Mixed)
The 6-9 right-hander may have been dropped when he was demoted to the minors, but the way he handled the Nationals in his first start after being recalled should get his ownership rate back up. Meyer allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings on Wednesday, with seven strikeouts and one walk. There's plenty to like if he can harness his control.
RP Tyler Clippard/Anthony Swarzak, Chicago White Sox
($5 AL)
Who closes for the White Sox now that David Robertson AND Tommy Kahnle are gone? Clippard will get the first shot, presumably because of his previous closing experience, but Swarzak (2.45 ERA, 9.8 K/9) has the better overall numbers.
SPECULATIVE PICKUPS
RP Kyle Barraclough, Miami Marlins
The Marlins have made no secret of their intent to trade off assets ahead of the franchise's impending sale. A.J. Ramos may be the only closer left on the market, so the team will need someone to close if he's dealt. Barraclough's season-long numbers aren't great, but he's been much better lately (2.57 ERA, 10.3 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 since June 1). He also has the mid-90s fastball managers love to see in a closer.
SP Brent Honeywell, Tampa Bay Rays
SP Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers
SP Erick Fedde, Washington Nationals
C Francisco Mejia, Cleveland Indians
3B Colin Moran, Houston Astros
My Paste BN Sports colleague Jorge L. Ortiz wrote about his quintet of "prospects too good to trade." Although he looked at them from the angle of how much they could help their major league teams, the same logic applies to fantasy teams.
If any of these prospects get the call to the majors, they could end up being fantasy-worthy additions down the stretch. Check out Jorge's article to see how much they could contribute.