Welcome to our weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and FAAB (free agent acquisition budget) report. In this article, I’ll provide fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and recommendations for players to target. Suggested bids will include an explanation of where to target them.
The focus is on 12- and 15-team National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC) leagues. If you’re in shallower formats, bid less than my recommendations below. The best way to use this column is to bid on the high end for your targets. I’ve scoured the waiver wire for three targets at each position to make it easier for you. Note that the recommendations are for a $1,000 budget.
With that in mind, let’s dive into my Week 16 fantasy baseball FAAB recommendations.
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer
- Best Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Tools
- Fantasy Baseball Lineup Assistant
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups & FAAB Targets
Catchers
Dalton Rushing (C – LAD)
- $10 in 15-team leagues; $5 in 12-team leagues.
- Staying power with Will Smith facing an extended absence.
J.T. Realmuto (C – PHI)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Dependable veteran, perfect as your second catcher.
Alejandro Kirk (C – TOR)
- $6 in 15-team leagues; $3 in 12-team leagues.
- Asset in batting average.
First Basemen
Luke Raley (1B, OF – SEA)
- $6 in 15-team leagues; $3 in 12-team leagues.
- Good streamer for this week.
Kyle Manzardo (1B – CLE)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Fire him up when he faces righties.
Josh Bell (1B – MIN)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Seven games this week.
Second Basemen
Gleyber Torres (2B – NYY)
- $6 in 15-team leagues; $3 in 12-team leagues.
- Almost ready to return.
Angel Martinez (2B, OF – CLE)
- $6 in 15-team leagues; $3 in 12-team leagues.
- Getting closer to a return.
Cole Young (2B – SEA)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 15-team leagues.
- Underrated middle infield target.
Shortstops
Trevor Story (SS – BOS)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Almost ready to return for the red-hot Red Sox.
Masyn Winn (SS – STL)
- $6 in 15-team leagues; $3 in 12-team leagues.
- Seven games this week.
Willi Castro (1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF – COL)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Streamer with Coors Field series on tap.
Third Basemen
Kyle Karros (3B – COL)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Coors Field series on tap.
Matt Chapman (SB – SFG)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Getting closer to a return.
Tommy White (3B – ATH)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Recently recalled prospect.
Outfielders
Luis Robert Jr. (OF – NYM)
- $22 in 15-team leagues; $11 in 12-team leagues.
- Upside bat with power/speed upside.
Luis Lara (OF – MIL)
- $18 in 15-team leagues; $9 in 12-team leagues.
- Prospect pedigree worth targeting.
Ryan Waldschmidt (OF – ARI)
- $18 in 15-team leagues; $9 in 12-team leagues.
- Another top prospect worth targeting.
Starting Pitchers
Janson Junk (SP – MIA)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Two starts this week (at HOU, vs. SDP).
Tyler Mahle (SP – SFG)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Two starts this week (at KCR, vs. LAA).
Reynaldo Lopez (SP – ATL)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Two starts this week (vs. SDP, vs. BAL).
Relief Pitchers
Tyler Wells (RP – BAL)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Committee leader.
Luke Weaver (RP – NYM)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Could get traded to close elsewhere.
Jordan Romano (RP – COL)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Worth a look if you’re desperate for saves.
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