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Digging Deeper: Week 8 AL Waiver Wire Targets

Tom Bellucco brings you the best deep American League MLB sleepers and picks for Week 8 of the 2017 Fantasy Baseball Season.

Welcome back to Digging Deeper! I'll be taking a look at some deeper AL waiver wire options for Week 8 of the fantasy baseball season.

Not to toot my own horn, but if you've been following this series thus far, you should have found a diamond in the rough by now. Some of the names that I've mentioned at or below 20% in the past eight weeks include: Jose Berrios, Justin Smoak, Cameron Maybin, Eduardo Rodriguez, Didi Gregorius, Robbie Grossman, Alex Wood, and Justin Wilson. Sure, there have been a bunch that haven't worked out as well, but the key is to find the one every once in a while that can change your season.

As always, the pitching landscape in the wasteland of low percentages is tough to even think about. However, we still have some hitters who I feel are underowned. Yes, depth of league matters, but if you are still waiting for that difference-maker offensively, keep plugging away at these waiver wire pieces. Any feedback is welcomed, and you can find me on Twitter @BellRoto. Let's do it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Digging Deeper: Week 8 Picks - AL

Wilson Ramos (C, TB) - 13% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Ramos is still on the DL, and has just started to take batting practice. However, the good news is that he displayed impressive power with his first practice swings as a Ray. Yes, this is the catcher who took the league by storm last year, mashing baseballs left and right. If you have a DL spot available and you're catcher is holding you back (especially in two-catcher leagues), try to stash Ramos.

P.S. - If you need a catcher now, Yan Gomes is also under 20% owned, and he's started to show signs of life. Remember, upside is all that matters, especially at this position.

Adam Frazier (2B/OF, PIT) - 12% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Frazier is a player I picked up wherever possible when the news of Starling Marte's suspension surfaced. This is a high-OBP guy who can hit for a little power and steal a few bases. If he's consistently at the top of the Pirates' lineup (even without good production behind him), he's valuable in most leagues.

Since returning from his recent injury that quickly quieted my optimism, Frazier has put up stellar numbers. He's batting .415 in the last 14 days, and he's collected seven runs, seven RBI, and a steal. He may not be the flashiest player on the wire, but Frazier is capable of hitting over .300 and staying atop the Pirates order for the forseeable future.

Matt Adams (1B, ATL) - 9% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

The perennial Cardinal was traded to the Braves last week, and he'll presumably be an everyday player until Freddie Freeman returns in a couple of months. Adams gets a massive park upgrade moving to Atlanta, and we've seen flashes of a great power-hitting lefty in the past. He's collected five hits and two home runs in his past two games, so throw him in your utility spot and hope this change is what Adams needed to jumpstart his career as a feared hitter.

 

Speculative Pitchers

Like I said, there's nothing I feel the need to talk about below 20% on the Yahoo! waiver wire this week. However, if you're really scraping for a quality arm on your team, there's a sneaky way to potentially find a top-50 starter or top-20 closer in this mess.

Archie Bradley of the Diamondbacks and David Phelps of the Marlins are two middle relievers who could see their roles change in the near future. It's far more likely that they become starters than closers, but both have good enough stuff to pitch in the late innings and are on teams with less-than-stellar closers.

Could you end up holding a reliever for a few weeks and not get a win or a save the entire time? Sure. However, if one of these guys does see a change in role, we could be looking at an instant difference-maker. Besides, you'll likely get solid ERA, WHIP, and strikeout numbers in the meantime.

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Romeo Doubs

Questionable to Return Against Bears in Week 16
Jordan Love

Ruled Out with Concussion, Replaced by Malik Willis
Jalen Smith

Expected to Remain in Lineup Sunday
Ayo Dosunmu

Probable for Meeting With Hawks
Jordan Love

Evaluated for Concussion, Questionable to Return
Coby White

Iffy for Sunday
Andrew Wiggins

May Remain Out Sunday
Davion Mitchell

Questionable for Sunday
Tyler Herro

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Sunday
Trae Young

Available for Sunday's Tilt
Doug McDermott

Active on Saturday
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Misses Battle of Los Angeles
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Won't Play Saturday Night, Kris Murray Joins Starting Unit
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Tristan da Silva Out, Jonathan Isaac Returns for Magic Saturday
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Out Against Jazz
Lauri Markkanen

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Grayson Allen

Unavailable Against Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga

Misses Saturday's Action Due to Illness
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Makes Third Career Start Saturday
Cam Whitmore

Jamir Watkins Out Against Grizzlies
Bilal Coulibaly

Departs Lineup Saturday
Khris Middleton

Ready to Face Grizzlies
Pat Connaughton

Tre Mann, Pat Connaughton Active Saturday
D'Andre Swift

Officially Active Against Packers on Saturday
Dontayvion Wicks

Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks Active for Week 16
Caris LeVert

Cleared for Action Saturday
Marcus Mariota

Questionable to Return with Hand Injury
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Active for Saturday's Game
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Ruled Out for Week 16
Mike Matheson

Returns Against Former Team Saturday
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Misses Saturday's Game
Mackie Samoskevich

Out on Saturday
Anthony Cirelli

Available Against Hurricanes
Brandon Hagel

Added to Injured Reserve
Nikita Kucherov

a Game-Time Call Saturday
J.T. Miller

Injured in Saturday's Win
Christian Watson

Should Be Able to Go Against Bears
Zach Bogosian

Unavailable Saturday
Marcus Johansson

Questionable for Saturday
Bo Horvat

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Saturday
Seth Jarvis

to Be "Out for a While"
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Rejoins Canadiens for Draft Pick
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Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
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Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
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Out Day-to-Day
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Oilers Place Tristan Jarry on Injured Reserve
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to Remain Out Saturday
Shea Theodore

Considered Week-to-Week
Jack Eichel

to Miss at Least Two More Games
Davante Adams

Likely Won't Play in Week 17
Jordan Martinook

Misses Friday's Contest
Evan Rodrigues

Available Against Hurricanes
Tyler Seguin

Undergoes Surgery, to Be Re-Evaluated After Olympics
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Listed as Questionable for Week 16
Drake London

Expected to Play Sunday
Tee Higgins

Questionable to Play in Week 16
Michael Carter

Will Start at RB in Week 16
Dalton Kincaid

Will Practice on Friday, Expected to Play on Sunday
Garrett Wilson

Shelved for Remainder of 2025
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Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
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Racks Up Highest Yardage Total in Over a Decade
Puka Nacua

Delivers Career-Best Performance on Thursday Night Football
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
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Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
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Jaguars Agree to Three-Year Extension With Jakobi Meyers
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Thursday Night
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Will Muschamp Becoming Next Texas Defensive Coordinator
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Beau Pribula Set to Enter Transfer Portal
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Willing to Make the Move to Second Base
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Jeremiyah Love Officially Heading to NFL Draft
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Jake Merklinger Leaving Tennessee for Transfer Portal
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Nation's Leading Passer Drew Mestemaker to Enter Transfer Portal
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Jayden Maiava Signs New Deal to Return to USC
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Aidan Mizell Won't Return to Florida, Entering Transfer Portal
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East Carolina Targeting Jordan Davis as Next Offensive Coordinator
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Michigan QB Jadyn Davis Set to Enter Transfer Portal
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Travis Williams Joining Texas A&M Defensive Staff
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Dylan Raiola Entering His Name into Transfer Portal
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Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby Plans to Transfer When Portal Opens
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Baylor, LSU, Miami Among Potential Suitors for DJ Lagway
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Aidan Chiles Will Enter Transfer Portal
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Gets Second-Round Knockout Win
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Suffers His First Career Knockout Loss
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Quarterback DJ Lagway Entering Transfer Portal
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Gets Dominated
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Wins Sixth Fight In A Row
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Morgan Charriere Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
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Gets First-Round Knockout Win
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Still Winless In The UFC
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And Marcus Buchecha Fight To Draw
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Lance Gibson Jr. Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
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Gets Back In The Win Column

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