Fantasy baseball waiver wire: Wealth of options in NL-only leagues
How long ago does the trade deadline seem? Believe it or not, there's still some game-changing, league-switching talent on the waiver wire this week, especially in NL-only fantasy formats.
And it's not just the top-shelf players who arrived on the final day of nonwaiver dealing. (We have a new category for them this week.) A couple teams that are out of the playoff chase have begun looking ahead to next season by calling up top prospects.
DOUBLE CHECK: Last week's recommendations, including Eduardo Nunez, Rafael Devers
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.)
TRADED TARGETS
SP Yu Darvish, Los Angeles Dodgers
(Max bid in NL-only)
If you need pitching, Darvish is the reason you saved up all your FAAB dollars. Over the final two months, he'll rack up the strikeouts and be in line for a win most every time he takes the mound.
C Jonathan Lucroy, Colorado Rockies
($75 NL)
For those NL-only owners who aren't able to land Darvish, Lucroy is a fine consolation prize. If you missed it earlier, Lucroy and Darvish were among fantasy's big winners at the trade deadline.
C Alex Avila, Chicago Cubs
($15 NL)
From a fantasy standpoint, Avila was one of the trade deadline losers, but he can still be a useful addition in NL-only formats -- even if he's only getting part-time at-bats behind the red-hot Willson Contreras.
RP Addison Reed, Boston Red Sox
($10 AL)
He's unlikely to get any save chances with Craig Kimbrel enjoying a dominant season, but saves aren't the only reason to roster a reliever. Reed sports a 2.65 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 8.7 K/9 rate, which can come in handy if you're trying to protect your ratios down the stretch.
RP Brandon Kintzler, Washington Nationals
($7 NL)
Kintzler strengthens the Nats bullpen, but is unlikely to supplant Sean Doolittle in the ninth, despite converting 28 saves in 32 chances with the Twins. His 2.70 ERA and 1.11 WHIP are similar to Reed's, but as a ground-ball specialist, his 5.6 K/9 rate is below average.
BEST BETS
SS Amed Rosario, New York Mets
($45 NL, $25 Mixed)
The future has finally arrived in Queens with Rosario getting the call from Class AAA Las Vegas, where he was hitting .328 with seven homers, 58 RBI, 66 runs scored and 19 steals. He'll be valuable the rest of the way -- even in non-keeper leagues -- as the Mets' everyday shortstop. In his first three games, he's 3-for-12 (.250) with a pair of triples, two runs scored and an RBI.
2B Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves
($35 NL, $20 Mixed)
The same day the Mets promoted Rosario, the Braves called up their top middle infielder. Although Albies went hitless in his first seven MLB at-bats, he crushed a three-run homer in his final trip to the plate on Thursday. He hit nine home runs in the minors, but speed is his most valuable fantasy asset with 21 stolen bases in 23 attempts. Although he hasn't attempted to steal yet in the majors, it's a good sign that he's drawn a walk in each of his first three games.
RP Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers
($25 AL, $15 Mixed)
The flurry of trades at the deadline did horrible things to many relievers' fantasy values. At the same time, however, a number of new closer's jobs opened up. Greene may be the best of the bunch with his 2.54 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 rate. He still walks way too many batters (4.9 BB/9), but so far it hasn't come back to bite him. In his first test as closer this week, he converted save opportunities on three consecutive days.
REPLACEMENTS
OF Derek Fisher, Houston Astros
($14 Mixed)
One of the under-the-radar deadline deals was the Astros sending veteran outfielder Nori Aoki to Toronto. While Aoki's fantasy value is marginal at best, his departure opened up a starting spot for the talented 23-year-old rookie -- who will continue to see regular at-bats, even when George Springer comes off the disabled list. One of the most impressive performers at this year's All-Star Futures Game, Fisher has a .288/.373/.519 slash line with three homers and two steals in 59 MLB plate appearances.
RP Taylor Rogers, Minnesota Twins
($15 AL, $5 Mixed)
It's hard to say who the Twins will use to close after trading Kintzler. Until a couple weeks ago, Rogers would have been the easy answer. But since a scoreless inning on July 19 that lowered his ERA to 1.93, Rogers has been hit pretty hard. He's allowed at least one earned run in each of his last five appearances -- including a couple of blown save chances -- and his ERA is now up to 3.79.
C Christian Vazquez, Boston Red Sox
($8 AL, $3 Mixed)
At this point in the season, any catcher who's contributing is worth at least a cursory look. With starter Sandy Leon ailing, Vazquez has been making the most of his increased playing time. He has multiple hits in each of his last five games, including a game-winning, three-run homer vs. Cleveland on Tuesday. Ride the hot hand, even if it's only for a week or two.
SPECULATIVE PICKUPS
RP Trevor Hildenberger, Minnesota Twins
If Rogers falters in the closer's role, perhaps this 26-year-old rookie could get a shot. He posted a 2.05 ERA with six saves at Class AAA and has been solid since making his MLB debut on June 23. With 19 strikeouts and three walks in 17 1/3 innings -- plus a heavy ground-ball rate -- he fits the closer profile.