Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Sunday, July 28th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Vince Velasquez (SP/RP, PHI) - Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 8% of leagues ANALYSIS: There is still the chance that the Philadelphia Phillies make a move for a starting pitcher (probably a back-end rotation member), but if they decide to roll the dice with their current cast of characters in an attempt for the postseason, Vince Velasquez stands […]

Cal Quantrill (SP/RP, SD) - Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 6% of leagues ANALYSIS: He has jumped back a bit between rotation and bullpen action, but 24-year-old highly regarded arm Cal Quantrill has been absolutely shut-down for the San Diego Padres in recent outings. The former Stanford Cardinal has turned in a respectable body of work through his […]

The Cut List (Week 18) - Time to Let Go?

Welcome to the last Cut List before the July 31 trade deadline. Emphasis on dead, because there has still been little action on the trade front. The next week should be pretty fun if things heat up. For now, however, players are on the team they're on, and judgments should be made accordingly. Stats are […]

Nick Anderson (RP, MIA) - Closer and Saves Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 6% of leagues ANALYSIS: If you're a hungry little saves vulture like me, you've been stashing Nick Anderson for a week already, in anticipation of a Sergio Romo trade. Anderson should be the closer in Miami now, though we'll have to wait for him to be used in […]

Oakland Trades for Reliever Jake Diekman

Less a splash and more of a sneaky splish, the Oakland A's waded into the trade waters on Saturday, sending minor-leaguers Ismael Aquino and Dairon Blanco to the Royals in exchange for left-handed reliever, Jake Diekman. In Diekman, the Athletics make a classic Oakland move, shoring up their bullpen with the eight-year veteran and his […]

Kyle Barraclough Optioned to Minors

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Kyle Barraclough has been optioned to Triple-A Harrisburg on Saturday. He gave up a three-run home run to Justin Turner on Friday, and it sounds like the Nats have seen enough to make a move. Barraclough has allowed eight home runs over 25 2/3 innings this season. He has a horrendous […]

Pirates Asking for Big Return on Felipe Vazquez

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez is likely to be moved before the upcoming trade deadline. The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly shown interest in Vazquez, but the Pirates price is not cheap. Pittsburgh is reportedly asking for two of the Dodgers' four top prospects in return for the dominant lefty reliever. Starting pitcher Dustin […]

Matt Grace to Serve As Opener Saturday

Washington Nationals pitcher Matt Grace will serve as the opener for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Joe Ross was scheduled to draw the start, but manager Dave Martinez has made a late change. Grace has a 6.23 ERA over 44 appearances this season. It's unclear why Ross isn't starting, so possibly he comes […]

Buy or Sell: Undervalued and Overvalued Players for Week 18

Today's piece covers a set of players who either should not be available on waivers or will return back there soon. Most of the earlier editions of this recurring buy or sell article have included several universally owned players whose values have been manipulated enough by early-season performances. Unfortunately, as we get deeper into the year, the […]

H2H Category Streamers - Week 18 Waiver Wire

There are plenty of strategies that fantasy managers explore in hopes of getting an advantage over their opponent. Heavy lineup, heavy starting pitchers, no catcher, all (or mostly) reliever staff, no reliever staff, etc. Even if you play a balanced lineup, injuries can cause holes. A few weeks without a key player won’t kill a […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Saturday, July 27th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Josh Hader Records 23rd Save Friday

Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader allowed one hit and struck out two in his 23rd save Friday against the Cubs. Hader has been mostly lights out this season with a 2.17 ERA and 0.70 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in just 49 2/3 innings. Hader remains a high end closer option for all leagues.

Carlos Martinez Picks Up His 10th Save on Friday

St. Louis Cardinals closer Carlos Martinez picked up his 10th save of the season on Friday, tossing a scoreless ninth inning. He allowed a hit and notched a strikeout. He needed just 12 pitches, lowering his ERA to 3.62. He went through a little rough patch lately, but he's been solid overall in the closer's […]

Cubs Acquire Derek Holland

The Chicago Cubs have acquired veteran pitcher Derek Holland from the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations. Holland has struggled this season as both a starter and reliever and was designated for assignment by the Giants last week. Holland has fared well versus lefties and that has been an issue for the Cubs bullpen this […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Friday, July 26th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Closers and Saves Report - Week 17 Waiver Wire

The trade deadline is coming up on Wednesday, and...nothing has really happened yet. With so many teams in contention (and so many rebuilding teams unwilling to trade young players), many reporters are saying this has been the quietest build up to the trade deadline they can ever remember. This season, there is only one deadline […]

Hansel Robles Has 1.71 ERA Over Last 30 Appearances

Los Angeles Angels closer Hansel Robles nailed down his 16th save of the season in the Angels 3-2 win over the Dodgers. Robles has emerged as the team's top ninth inning man this season and entered the month of May with only two saves before taking off. After a bumpy month of May where he […]

Edwin Diaz Exits After Getting Hit By Line Drive

In a non-save situation Thursday afternoon, the New York Mets opted to use closer Edwin Diaz with a four-run lead against the San Diego Padres. The first batter of the frame, Manny Machado, lined a 100-mph shot off Diaz's left foot for a base hit. The former All-Star closer was visibly limping and after the […]

Craig Kimbrel Records 7th Save On Wednesday

Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel locked down a 4-1 victory over the Giants on Wednesday and earned his 7th save on the year and his 6th save in the month of July. Kimbrel has now pitched eight straight scoreless innings. He had shaky outings in two of his first three appearances this year, but has […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Thursday, July 25th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Digger Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 17

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to […]

Roenis Elias Throws Clean Ninth For Save

Seattle Mariners reliever Roenis Elias locked down the team’s 5-3 win over the Rangers Wednesday, tossing a clean ninth for his 13th save of the season. Despite owning a 14.40 ERA in July entering the night, Elias has still remained the go-to guy for saves in the M’s bullpen. He hasn’t posted sexy numbers with […]

Yoan Lopez Gets the Save for Arizona on Wednesday

After closer Greg Holland made an early exit, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Yoan Lopez entered the game and retired all three batters he faced to earn his first save of the year. Lopez has been one of the top relievers for the D-Backs this year, posting a 2.79 ERA and a 1.060 WHIP to lead the […]

Greg Holland Exits Early Against Orioles

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Greg Holland made an early exit on Wednesday night after walking the two batters he faced. MLB.com writer Steve Gilbert reports that Arizona manager Torey Lovullo does not believe Holland is dealing with an injury, and that instead "the ball was not coming out of his hand well". The Diamondbacks have an […]

Matt Strahm Rediscovering Groove From Bullpen

San Diego Padres reliever Matt Strahm picked up his fourth win Wednesday against the New York Mets. Spelling starter Dinelson Lamet, Strahm completed two perfect frames, fanning four. Since returning to the bullpen, Strahm has flourished with a 1.59 ERA and eight strikeouts across 5 2/3 innings. While he might make a handful of spot […]

Aroldis Chapman Bounces Back, Records Save

Just about 24 hours after blowing his third save in six tries, New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman once again entered Target Field for a save opportunity. With the Yankees seeking a series win, they went right back to their closer, who recorded a very loud out that nearly left the park. After walking a […]

Vince Velasquez Strikes Out Nine In Win

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez struck out nine batters and didn't allow a run in 5 2/3 innings against the Tigers Wednesday afternoon. Velasquez allowed four hits and two walks while earning his third win of the season. Fantasy owners who streamed Velasquez in a great matchup were rewarded, but Velasquez remains strictly a […]

Brad Peacock To Throw Bullpen Sunday

Houston Astros pitcher Brad Peacock (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session on Sunday as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Peacock is traveling with the team and resumed playing catch a few days ago. It's unclear if Peacock will continue to be a starter or be moved to the bullpen once he returns and what […]

Clay Holmes Placed on Injured List

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Clay Holmes (triceps) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. It's unclear how Holmes suffered this triceps issue, but he'll likely be sidelined for a few weeks. He's been awful this season, Holmes has a 6.54 ERA for the Pirates. He belongs on the waiver wire right now.