Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups & FAAB Advice

Welcome to our weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire FAAB (free agent acquisition budget) report for fantasy baseball leagues. In this article, I’ll provide fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and recommendations for players to target. There will be suggested bids with 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 for each position to make it easier for you.

This week, we’re mostly focusing on players who either made their MLB team or were sent down to the minors.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups & FAAB Targets

Catchers

Kyle Teel (C – CWS)

• $10 if you want to stash a catcher in 12-team leagues.
• Could return in a couple of weeks.
• Worth a shot on upside if you have a spot on your roster.

Victor Caratini (C – MIN)

• $3 if you need a second catcher in a 15-team, two-catcher league.

Keibert Ruiz (C – WSH)

• $1 if you need a second catcher in a 15-team, two-catcher league.

First Baseman

Coby Mayo (1B – BAL)

• $20 in 12-team leagues for a shot at upside.
• Plays Rangers (home) and Pirates (road) next week.
• Will get third base eligibility.

Jake Bauers (1B, OF – MIL)

• $30 if you need a power boost in 15-team leagues.
• Can also go to $15 in 12-team leagues.
• More secure playing time with Andrew Vaughn out 4-6 weeks.
• Eligible at outfielder as well.

TJ Rumfield (1B – COL)

• $15 in 15-team leagues, as he’s the Rockies’ first baseman.
• Can go to $7 in 12-team leagues if you need a corner infielder.
• 121 wRC+ in Triple-A for the Yankees last year.

Second Baseman

Andres Gimenez (2B – TOR)

• $15 in 12-team leagues; $7 in 15-team leagues.
• Bounce-back candidate with a 15/25 season upside.
• Will get shortstop eligibility.

Chase Meidroth (2B, SS – CWS)

• $15 in 12-team leagues, $7 in 15-team leagues.
• Leadoff hitter for the White Sox.
• Can chip in 15+ steals.

Ernie Clement (2B, 3B, SS – TOR) 

• $5 in 12-team leagues; $2 in 15-team leagues.
• Versatile infielder who can help with batting average.
• Perfect bench bat for your team.

Shortstops

Nasim Nunez (SS – WSH)

• $35 in 12-team leagues; $17 in 15-team leagues.
• 50+ stolen base upside.
• Will get second base eligibility.

Masyn Winn (SS – STL)

• $20 in 12-team leagues; $10 in 15-team leagues.
• Every day shortstop who will get a lot of playing time.
• Can hit 12 homers with 25+ steals.

Carson Williams (SS – TBR)

• $5 in 15-team leagues; $2 in 12-team leagues.
• Batting average drain, but with power and speed upside.
• Ride the wave if you desperately need a middle infielder.

Third Baseman

Josh Smith (1B, 3B, SS – TEX)

• $25 in 15-team leagues; $12 in 12-team leagues.
• Ideal bench bat.
• Will get second base eligibility.

Matt Shaw (3B – CHC)

• $25 in 15-team leagues; $12 in 12-team leagues.
• Prospect pedigree with speed upside.
• Will get outfielder eligibility.

Connor Norby (3B – MIA)

• $20 in 15-team leagues; $10 in 12-team leagues.
• Has 20+ home run upside.
• Could get first base eligibility.