Early 2026 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Move Experts Love (Nolan Arenado, Jose Caballero, Brenton Doyle)

The first week of the fantasy baseball season is already doing what it does best — creating chaos.

Small samples, surprise standouts, and early struggles can send managers scrambling to the waiver wire, trying to get ahead before the rest of the league catches up. It’s a delicate balance between reacting too quickly and missing out on a potential breakout.

To help sort through the noise, we turned to our Featured Pros for their top early waiver wire adds and drops. Whether you’re chasing upside or cutting bait on a slow start, these expert insights can help you make the right moves in Week 1.

Early Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Moves from Experts

Which player currently rostered in more than 50% of leagues do you believe could (theoretically) be dropped right now? Why?

Nolan Arenado (3B – ARI)

“Nolan Arenado is the classic case of holding a name too long, because the production just isn’t there anymore. You’re looking at a corner infielder with declining bat speed, a bottom-tier barrel rate, and a power drop that’s very real, not bad luck—think closer to 10-12 HR pace instead of the 25+ you were hoping you paid for. When that power disappears, his .240-ish average and middling RBI totals become replacement-level in most leagues. Add in zero speed, and there’s no category cushion to justify the roster spot. At this point, you’re not dropping a productive fantasy asset—you’re cutting a low-upside bat for someone who can actually move the needle.”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)

Jose Caballero (2B, 3B, SS, OF – NYY)

“Even as a Yankees fan, I never really understood the helium behind Jose Caballero‘s draft price. Yes, he provides elite speed and is available at several positions. However, he provides very little in terms of front four category production from a fantasy perspective. Anthony Volpe will likely be back in a month or so, at which point he should play more often than not. That would relegate Caballero to a super-utility role where he probably starts two or three times per week. That probably won’t be enough to justify a roster spot by the time we flip the calendar to May.”
– Mick Ciallela (Fantrax)

The Brenton Doyle (OF – COL) Debate

Occasionally, our Featured Pros will disagree on whether a player is an add or drop. When that happens, we present both arguments so you can decide for yourself.

Add

“Brenton Doyle is exactly the kind of player I’m betting on, and I wouldn’t let the slow start or that ugly .143 average scare you off. The skill set is still intact—he’s tracking toward a 20 HR / 25+ SB pace with 96th percentile sprint speed, and that kind of production doesn’t sit on waivers long. Half his games at Coors Field means even mediocre contact turns into hits and extra bases, which smooths out the rough stretches. The strikeouts will drag the average at times, but his glove keeps him in the lineup every day, and volume is everything over a full season. That combination of speed, power, and guaranteed at-bats at Coors Field raises his potential, making him a must-start for the rest of the season.”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)

Drop

“It’s too early to be changing our opinions on players, but I was never in on Brenton Doyle, and his 71% roster rate is too high. He’s already sat out one game against a right-handed pitcher, and his .588 OPS against righties last year is all the more reason for that to continue. The Rockies don’t have many good options, and Jake McCarthy and Jordan Beck are playing just as poorly, but I’m not so sure how safe his playing time is. I would drop him to take a gamble on Carson Benge (37% rostered) or Owen Caissie (17%).”
– Chase Davis (FantasyPros)

“Brenton Doyle continues his fall from grace after a disappointing 2025 season with the Rockies and a dismal start to the 2026 season at the plate. The outfielder is being outperformed by the likes of Joey Wiemer and Jake Bauers, among others, despite playing at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Fantasy managers should move on without hesitation with the opportunity to pick up Wiemer, Bauers, or Owen Caissie.”
– Chris Schommer (FantasyPros)