We have completed spring training and are ready for our first free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) run after seeing some real baseball. It’s too early to overreact to some studs who may have gotten off to slow starts, but it is also time to start taking chances on others who may have gotten off to fast starts. Early in the season, we’ll be taking some chances on some players who need to be rostered in most formats. Here are a few of our top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups to target along with FAAB advice for your bids.
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire & FAAB Targets: Week 1
Each week, I will highlight a few players to target in your weekly waiver wire FAAB process, but know there are many other players available and, more importantly, others that may be better fits for your teams. If you have any questions, please ask me on Twitter (@bdentrek).
Note: We use Yahoo for player percentages and recommend players rostered in no more than 60% of leagues.
Hitters
Rostered: 25%
Suggested Bid: 35%
Jung Ho Lee is back and healthy, hitting third for the Giants. He walked twice on Opening Day and scored two runs. Lee brings a strong batting average and on-base percentage (OBP) skills. He also has some power and speed, which could result in a 15/15 season. Lee is a great hitter and should be rostered in all formats while healthy.
Rostered: 17%
Suggested Bid: 35%
There were questions about Kyle Manzardo’s playing time entering the season. Would he platoon or not? He started the first game of the season versus a talented left-handed pitcher in Cole Ragans. Manzardo went 3-for-4 with a double, triple and home run, all versus lefties.
If Manzardo receives at-bats against left- and right-handed pitchers, he could be in for a monster fantasy season. It’s time to add Manzardo from the fantasy baseball waiver wire before his roster rate approaches 100%.
Rostered: 16%
Suggested Bid: 15%
Wilyer Abreu missed a decent amount of spring training due to illness but appears relatively healthy now. Abreu hit two home runs on Opening Day, one being a go-ahead three-run home run. Abreu will sit versus most lefties but will be a staple in the Red Sox’s lineup versus righties. The Red Sox will face five righties next week, making Abreu a great start in most formats.
Pitchers
Rostered: 34%
Suggested Bid: 30%
Grant Holmes finished the 2024 season on a high note, bringing a lot of hype with Holmes entering 2025. He is set for a nice two-step this week versus the Dodgers and the Marlins. The Dodgers’ start is always scary, but the Marlins’ start at the end of the week is one of the best starts this season.
Holmes should already be rostered in most 12-team and deeper leagues, but with the two-step, he should be rostered in all formats.
Rostered: 12%
Suggested Bid: 10%
Sean Burke made the White Sox’s starting rotation out of camp and was given the Opening Day start. He threw six shutout innings with zero walks and three strikeouts. Burke showcased better strikeout stuff in the Minors, which may improve this season. He faces the Twins next week and the Guardians the following week, making for a nice streaming option.
Rostered: 7%
Suggested Bid: 15%
Ben Brown was a surprise addition to the Cubs’ starting rotation as spring training ended. Brown has electric stuff, but has not been able to stay healthy early in his career to make a statement with the Cubs.
Brown will attempt to do that this season and has a decent two-step next week versus the A’s and the Padres. Brown will have his ups and downs this season, but the two-step next week seems like a great chance to stream Brown to start the season.
Closers
Rostered: 22%
Suggested Bid: 20%
The Dodgers’ closing situation will be a pain all season, but it seems we have an idea of how the top two in the pecking order will go. Tanner Scott will be the team’s primary closer, with Blake Treinen being Plan B.
Treinen received the save on Thursday, looking nasty as he took care of the Tigers. If you are OK rostering the second option on a team, Treinen should be one of your top targets.
Rostered: 15%
Suggested Bid: 35%
The White Sox may not win many games this season, but when they have a chance for a save, Mike Clevinger appears to be the first option. Clevinger was in line for the save on Opening Day, but the White Sox took a big lead in the bottom of the eighth, and Clevinger did not pitch the ninth. Clevinger could be in line for 20+ saves this season if things go well.
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