Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Jose Soriano, Kirby Yates, Jose Butto, Jeff Hoffman

The best players in the world play on NFBC, and the most popular high-stakes contest is the NFBC Main Event, with a $1,750 buy-in, a $7,000 league prize and a $200,000 overall prize. Thankfully for everyone, NFBC allows us to see what each team is doing with their FAAB pick-ups on Sunday night.

Each week, I will be looking at the most popular FAAB pick-ups in the NFBC Main Event to see who the best players in the world are picking up and whether we should get them for our own leagues.

Week 4 High-Stakes FAAB League (2024 Fantasy Baseball)

Jose Soriano (RP – LAA)

Soriano was picked up in 49 leagues with a max bid of $66 and a minimum bid of $3. Soriano was largely picked up for his two-start week, although it won’t be easy matchups versus a patient Rays lineup and then on the road in Cincinnati, one of the worst parks for pitchers. Soriano has decent stuff, with a good fastball and curve, but he can struggle with command and control at times. I think this is a deep league gamble at best.

Kirby Yates (RP – TEX)

Yates was picked up in 46 leagues with a max bid of $211 and a minimum bid of $36. Yates seems like he is going to be the lead candidate for saves in Texas with Jose Leclerc struggling. However, there isn’t a lot of clarity with the situation and it could end up being David Robertson or a committee. This is a situation worth monitoring or taking a flier with Yates.

Jose Butto (SP – NYM)

Butto was picked up in 43 leagues after making his season debut for the Mets on Sunday, when he threw six scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and a walk, striking out nine in the victory over the Royals, while getting a 57% whiff rate on his slider and a 55% whiff rate on his changeup. Butto has a bad fastball but great secondary pitches, so there may be ups and downs, but he is in the rotation for now and could stick there for a while. He is worth stashing in leagues, but you won’t want to use him this week versus the Dodgers.

Jeff Hoffman (RP – PHI)

Similar to Yates, Hoffman has entered into the closer conversation in Philadelphia, which is why he was picked up in 25 leagues with a max bid of $169 and a minimum bid of $31. Hoffman has amazing skills, but this seems like it is a straight committee in Philadelphia. He could seize the job if Jose Alvarado struggles, but right now, he shares the role.