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 24 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
Shea Langeliers (C – ATH)
- $8 in 15-team leagues; $4 in 12-team leagues.
- Stud catcher back for the end of the year.
Will Smith (C – LAD)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Proven track record worth grabbing.
Kyle Teel (C – CWS)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Swinging a hot bat since returning.
First Basemen
Ryan O’Hearn (1B, OF – PIT)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Dependable bat worth grabbing for the stretch run.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1B, 3B – BAL)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Pick him up for some power.
Josh Bell (1B – MIN)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Plays seven games this week.
Second Basemen
JJ Wetherholt (2B, SS – STL)
- $10 in 15-team leagues; $5 in 12-team leagues.
- Could return to action soon.
Nasim Nunez (2B, SS – WSH)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Worth a look if you need speed.
Javier Sanoja (2B, 3B, SS, OF – MIA)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Good pickup to help with batting average.
Shortstops
Trevor Story (SS – BOS)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Streaky hitter with power/speed upside.
Xander Bogaerts (SS – SDP)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Volume play in an improving offense.
Anthony Volpe (SS – NYY)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Upside dart throw.
Third Basemen
Kyle Karros (3B – COL)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Volume play with seven home games.
JP Crawford (3B, SS – SEA)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Dependable veteran with volume.
Maikel Garcia (3B – KCR)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Set to finally return.
Outfielders
Cam Smith (OF – HOU)
- $10 in 15-team leagues; $5 in 12-team leagues.
- Heating up at the plate.
Josue De Paula (OF – LAD)
- $10 in 15-team leagues; $5 in 12-team leagues.
- Top prospect who could make a late-season impact.
JJ Bleday (OF – CIN)
- $6 in 15-team leagues; $3 in 12-team leagues.
- Plays seven games at home this week.
Starting Pitchers
Emmet Sheehan (SP – LAD)
- $10 in 15-team leagues; $5 in 12-team leagues.
- Tons of strikeout upside.
Will Warren (SP – NYY)
- $6 in 15-team leagues; $3 in 12-team leagues.
- Two-start week (at Twins; at Diamondbacks).
Quinn Mathews (SP – STL)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Two-start week (vs. SFG; vs. WSH).
Relief Pitchers
Steven Cruz (RP – KCR)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Solid add if you’re desperate for saves.
Elvis Alvarado (RP – ATH)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- Another desperation pickup for saves.
Jordan Romano (RP – COL)
- $4 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
- One more dart throw at saves.
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