X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

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.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

 

Premium Tools & DFS Research

Get a free trial of our powerful MLB Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator, daily Matchup Ratings, expert DFS Lineups/Cheat Sheets, and more.

Sign Up Now!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jackson Holliday5 mins ago

Out Versus Southpaw
Jason Day8 mins ago

Making Eighth Career Start At Harbour Town
Jonah Bride10 mins ago

Designated For Assignment
Adam Pelech11 mins ago

Available Tuesday
Ryan Weathers13 mins ago

Throws Bullpen On Tuesday
Nikolaj Ehlers18 mins ago

Considered Week-To-Week
Jesús Sánchez25 mins ago

Jesus Sanchez Activated From Injured List And Starting On Tuesday
Logan Couture25 mins ago

Announces Retirement
Ludvig Aberg28 mins ago

A Top Player To Possibly Avoid At RBC Heritage
Alex Call31 mins ago

Out Against Pirates
George Springer44 mins ago

Not Starting On Tuesday
Wyatt Langford56 mins ago

Swinging A Bat On Tuesday
Lane Thomas1 hour ago

Remains Sidelined On Tuesday
Joey Bart1 hour ago

Will Go Through Testing
Jonathan India1 hour ago

Not Playing On Tuesday
Tyler Soderstrom2 hours ago

Could See Time At Third Base
Wade Miley2 hours ago

Getting Close To Rehab Assignment
Tyler Stephenson2 hours ago

Could Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Spencer Steer2 hours ago

Starting On The Bench On Tuesday
Christian Encarnacion-Strand2 hours ago

Returns Against Mariners
Austin Hays2 hours ago

Activated From Injured List And Starting On Tuesday
Green Bay Packers2 hours ago

Packers Remain Committed To Trading Jaire Alexander, Have Received Interest
Alexis Díaz2 hours ago

Alexis Diaz Back From Injured List, Not The Set Closer
Matt McLain2 hours ago

Activated From Injured List And Starting On Tuesday
Mark Andrews2 hours ago

Ravens Non-Committal On Mark Andrews' Status With Team
Luis Gil3 hours ago

Yankees Hope Luis Gil Will Begin A Throwing Program This Week
3 hours ago

Giants Holding Private Workouts For Jalen Milroe, Tyler Shough
Carolina Panthers3 hours ago

Panthers Open To Trading Back From No. 8 Overall Pick
Dallas Cowboys3 hours ago

Tyron Smith Calling It A Career
4 hours ago

Omarion Hampton Visits With Bears
Tyreek Hill4 hours ago

Dolphins Not Pursuing A Trade Of Tyreek Hill
4 hours ago

Shedeur Sanders To Hold A Final Private Workout For Giants On Thursday
Green Bay Packers4 hours ago

Isaiah Simmons Visits With Packers
Courtland Sutton4 hours ago

Contract Talks With Courtland Sutton "Moving In The Right Direction"
Dak Prescott4 hours ago

To Be Limited During Voluntary Workouts
NFL4 hours ago

Travis Hunter Not Interested In Being Limited To One Side Of The Ball
Miami Dolphins4 hours ago

Dolphins, Jalen Ramsey Mutually Agree To Explore Trade Options
Cody Bellinger5 hours ago

Still Getting Treatment On His Back
Tyler Beede5 hours ago

Twins Sign Tyler Beede To Minor-League Deal
Grant Williams7 hours ago

"Hitting Milestones"
Robert Williams III8 hours ago

Expects To Be Ready For Training Camp
LaMelo Ball8 hours ago

Hornets Want LaMelo Ball To "Get Stronger"
Luke Kennard8 hours ago

Active On Tuesday
Santi Aldama8 hours ago

Returns To Grizzlies Lineup Tuesday
Zach Edey8 hours ago

Ready To Face Warriors
Scotty Pippen Jr.8 hours ago

Good To Go Against Warriors
Jaren Jackson Jr.8 hours ago

Available Against Warriors
Desmond Bane8 hours ago

Ready For Play-In Action
Ja Morant9 hours ago

Back In Action Tuesday
Draymond Green9 hours ago

Available Tuesday
Jimmy Butler III9 hours ago

Good To Go For Tuesday
Devin Booker9 hours ago

Wants To Stay In Phoenix
Alexander Volkanovski10 hours ago

Reclaims Featherweight Title
Diego Lopes10 hours ago

Drops Decision At UFC 314
Paddy Pimblett10 hours ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Michael Chandler10 hours ago

Suffers TKO Loss
Frank Nazar10 hours ago

Tallies Two Points In Victory
MMA10 hours ago

Patricio Freire Gets Dominated In His UFC Debut
Yair Rodriguez10 hours ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
J.T. Miller11 hours ago

Posts Third Straight Two-Point Game
Bryce Mitchell11 hours ago

Gets Submitted At UFC 314
Clayton Keller11 hours ago

Tallies Four Points On Monday
Lucas Raymond11 hours ago

Scores Goal, Adds Two Helpers
Jean Silva11 hours ago

Gets Submission Win At UFC 314
Quinton Byfield11 hours ago

Exits Early On Monday
Adrian Kempe11 hours ago

Scores Three Points In Victory
Dominick Reyes11 hours ago

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Cory Joseph21 hours ago

Available For Play-In Game
Franz Wagner21 hours ago

Expected To Return Tuesday
Paolo Banchero21 hours ago

On Track To Return Tuesday
Georges Niang21 hours ago

Off The Injury Report
Caris LeVert21 hours ago

Available Tuesday
Onyeka Okongwu22 hours ago

Ready To Face Magic Tuesday
Dyson Daniels22 hours ago

Good To Go Tuesday
Clint Capela22 hours ago

To Remain Out Tuesday
Brady Tkachuk23 hours ago

To Be Ready For Start Of Playoffs
Drew Doughty23 hours ago

Available Against Oilers
Mason Marchment23 hours ago

Won't Play Against Red Wings
Esa Lindell23 hours ago

Misses Another Game Monday
Thomas Harley23 hours ago

Sits Out Second Consecutive Game
Ivan Demidov23 hours ago

To Make His NHL Debut Monday
Dmitry Kulikov24 hours ago

Set To End 12-Game Absence
Sam Reinhart24 hours ago

Back For Panthers Monday
Sam Bennett24 hours ago

Available Against Rangers
Aleksander Barkov24 hours ago

Returns To Panthers Lineup Monday
Paul Cotter24 hours ago

Suspended For Two Games
Mattias Ekholm1 day ago

To Miss First Round Of Playoffs
New England Patriots1 day ago

Abdul Carter Visiting With New England
1 day ago

Cam Skattebo Lined Up For Final Two Top-30 Visits
Dallas Cowboys1 day ago

Micah Parsons In Dallas For Voluntary Workouts
Chicago Bears1 day ago

Bears Extend Kyler Gordon
Austin Dillon1 day ago

Nabs His First Top-10 Finish Of The 2025 Season At Bristol
Ryan Blaney1 day ago

Bold Strategies Fall Flat, Still Musters A Top-Five Finish At Bristol
Christopher Bell1 day ago

Finishes In The Top 10 After Falling Back Midway At Bristol
Ty Gibbs1 day ago

Earns His First Top-Five Finish Of The 2025 Season At Bristol
Chase Briscoe1 day ago

Quietly Scores First Career Top-Five Finish At Bristol
William Byron2 days ago

Denny Hamlin Cuts Into William Byron's Points Lead
William Byron2 days ago

Makes Best Of His Mediocre Qualifying Run With Sixth-Place Finish
Alex Bowman2 days ago

Despite Engine Failure, Alex Bowman's Improved Speed Looks Promising
NASCAR2 days ago

A.J. Allmendinger Enters Playoff Picture With Surprise Bristol Top-10 Finish
Evan Engram2 days ago

Touts Bo Nix As A "True Weapon"
Arizona Cardinals2 days ago

Calais Campbell Still Feeling "Dominant" At Age 38
Detroit Lions2 days ago

Aidan Hutchinson Nearing End Of Rehab
Kenny Pickett2 days ago

Intends To Start For Browns
Kyle Larson2 days ago

Will Compete For The Win At Bristol
Chase Elliott2 days ago

Is One Of The More Favorable DFS Options Available For Bristol
William Byron2 days ago

Is A Solid DFS Option For Bristol Lineups
Tyler Reddick2 days ago

Could Tyler Reddick Be A Sneaky DFS Option For Bristol?
NASCAR2 days ago

Is Bubba Wallace Worth Rostering For Bristol This Week?
Ross Chastain2 days ago

Could Ross Chastain Be A Worthy DFS Choice For Bristol?
Carson Hocevar2 days ago

Is Carson Hocevar Worth Rostering For Bristol DFS Lineups?
NASCAR2 days ago

Should Fantasy Managers Avoid Rostering A.J. Allmendinger In DFS For Bristol?
Ryan Preece2 days ago

Is Ryan Preece Worth Rostering For Bristol Lineups?
Austin Dillon2 days ago

May Be One Of The Top Value Options For Bristol DFS This Week
Noah Gragson2 days ago

Should DFS Players Consider Noah Gragson For Bristol Lineups?
Riley Herbst2 days ago

Is In Play For Bristol DFS Lineups
Diego Lopes4 days ago

Can Become New UFC Featherweight Champion
Alexander Volkanovski4 days ago

Looks To Reclaim Featherweight Title
Paddy Pimblett4 days ago

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Michael Chandler4 days ago

Set For Co-Main Event
MMA4 days ago

Patricio Freire Set For His UFC Debut
Yair Rodriguez4 days ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jean Silva4 days ago

A Favorite At UFC 314
Bryce Mitchell4 days ago

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dominick Reyes4 days ago

Set To Open Up UFC 314 Main Card
Nikita Krylov4 days ago

Looks For His Fourth Win In A Row
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF