What a time for the All-Star break this week. Just when we all needed our pastoral old ballgame to distract us from the **gestures a wildly overexaggerated shrug** everything going on around, we were comforted only by doomscrolling.
In lighter news, make sure to check out my latest Cards & Categories podcast to get a full overview of the All-Star game festivities and celebrate our one-year anniversary, especially if you tuned out of baseball for relaxing or existential reasons the past week.
But given the lack of activity since we met here last week, we’ll go through an abbreviated update on waiver wire pickups. This is a prime weekend FAAB run before the trade deadline while team rosters hold relatively steady, with an added bonus that your home-league opponents might be sucked into debating which triple option formation to run in their 2032 home opener on NCAA Football 25. Make sure to take advantage while you can before we meet the next few weeks to predict and then decipher those deadline activities.
With that, let’s get to it, Razzball fam!
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 7/19.
As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on twitter (X) (@mcouill7) and bluesky (@mcouill7.bsky.social).
HITTERS
Scope last week’s column as all of those takes hold steady given there were two days of MLB action since. Those FAAB amounts even factored in the stretch of games Colorado has in Coors Field this week, plus hopefully you snagged a few Giants as they face the Rockies seven times in their next 10 games post-break. But here are a few Quick Hits to consider in addition to those players from last week…
Lawrence Butler (OF, OAK, 29% CBS Ownership) – Butler finally capitalized on his blushing Savant profile in the last game before the break, cracking three homers in Sunday’s game at Philly. With that trio of taters, he raised his season OPS from .622 to .686. At this point, Oakland has every incentive to play the 24-year-old in the top of their lineup and let him ride. Butler can be something akin to Jose Siri with a bit more batting average, pacing at 20 homers and steals apiece while hitting .230. (3-5% FAAB in 12 Team)
Juan Yepez (1B/OF, WSN, 10% CBS Ownership) – Yepez has made 10 consecutive starts since his promotion and is steadily moving up in the order – he should be locked into a middle-of-the-lineup spot now as Washington sells pieces around him. Simply a solid, no frills bat that will hit .260-ish with a low 20’s homer pace that’s essential to round out lineups at CI or OF. There’s an added bonus of the Nationals have a relatively hitter-friendly schedule this upcoming week with three home games against San Diego before Yepez gets a chance at a revenge series in St. Louis. (5% FAAB in 15 Team)
Brooks Baldwin (3B/SS, CHW, 3% CBS Ownership) – The White Sox shuffled their roster a bit by demoting Lenyn Sosa, designating Martin Maldonado for assignment, signing Nick Senzel, and promoting Brooks Baldwin. Senzel should immediately take over for Sosa at the hot corner but considering the former #2 overall pick hit. 209 with a paltry 26.6% HardHit rate in Washington, it seems like his stop via Chicago is his last before heading to Japan or an Independent team. If you had Sosa, who was hitting well lately with a .277/.306/.404 slash line in July, in a deep league, I would hold him as he should return again post-trade deadline once Chris Getz clears a few players out. Although Senzel appears to be the best target in an AL-only league, I’m more interested in Baldwin. The switch-hitting infielder flew through the Sox system this season, capping his run with a 179 wRC+ in 35 Triple-A plate appearances with just two Ks to five walks. The 23-year-old also managed to swipe 25 bags and pop 13 homers across three minor league levels. If he can handle big-league pitching, he could be a key power/speed combo rest-of-way. (1% FAAB in 15 Team, 7-9% FAAB in AL-Only)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Michael Lorenzen (TEX, 50% CBS Ownership) – Make sure to check back on this very site for the Two Start Cookie Shop tomorrow because as I write this on Friday, starting rotations are still settling post-ASB. However, it currently looks like Lorenzen lines up for a brilliant two-step week with starts against the White Sox and Blue Jays, two of the four worst AL teams. Picking up Lorenzen this week might also pay greater dividends at the trade deadline, as he’s on a one-year deal and could be moved to a winning ballclub. His 3.52 ERA should instantly slot into the starting rotation for any of the Central contenders from both leagues. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Aaron Civale (MIL, 49% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Mitchell Parker (WSN, 48% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Drew Thorpe (CHW, 47% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jose Soriano (LAA, 42% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Andrew Heaney (TEX, 37% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Alec Marsh (KCR, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), David Peterson (NYM, 31% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Albert Suarez (BAL, 28% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Luis Ortiz (PIT, 24% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Yariel Rodriguez (TOR, 26% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), River Ryan (LAD, 21% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Jake Bloss (HOU, 4% CBS Ownership) – I covered Bloss last week in the Only League section, but this upcoming week with a start in Oakland makes him viable in shallower leagues now. This Astros team looks poised to catch fire down the stretch per uzh with some reinforcements to arrive in the pitching department via trade. However, Bloss ranked as Houston’s #2 prospect entering the season, and should stick in the rotation even if another starter is added. Given that his total pitch arsenal is average while sporting an above-average Location+, it doesn’t require much wish-casting to see him posting a 4.00-ish ERA with an 8.0 K/9 over the next two and a half months. It’s very easy to see a scenario in which Bloss punches out double-digit Athletics this upcoming week and his price skyrockets, so buy now. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Andre Pallante (STL, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jonathan Cannon (CHW, 14% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Hayden Birdsong (SFG, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryne Nelson (ARI, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Cade Cavalli (WSN, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Randy Vasquez (SDP, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Yimi Garcia (TOR, 34% CBS Ownership) – Goodbye to our sweet prince, Jeff Hoffman, as he no longer qualifies for consideration here finally. (On a sidenote, this space needs an official graduation ceremony when players linger on waiver wires forever despite production, and then finally bounce out of my arena to the likes of the Top 100 pieces. I’m open to creative audience suggestions) Anyways, Garcia is slated to return from his elbow injury and should walk right into the Toronto closer’s role. The veteran reliever was electric before his booboo, firing a 2.57 ERA and 11.9 K/9 while going 5-for-6 in save chances. Garcia may only serve as closer until the deadline, but he’s your best chance at cheap saves on the wire until then. Plus, there are some situations (Royals, Dodgers, Reds, D-backs) in which he could still be a closer if dealt, so I’m okay with being a little aggressive to snag Garcia now. (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Hector Neris (CHC, 49% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 32% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Chad Green (TOR, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jason Adam (TBR, 22% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Hunter Harvey (KCR, 21% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Ben Joyce (LAA, 12% CBS Ownership) – Joyce’s ownership rates are rising rapidly, more than doubling since last week, as fantasy managers have kept tabs on Carlos Estevez’s trade rumors. Estevez appears certain to be dealt at the deadline, which opens a path for the flamethrowing Joyce to enter the Closers Section of the Reliever’s Club. He’s been able to stabilize his BB-rate at 8.8%, and if he can keep it at 10% or below, Joyce could be a difference maker thanks to his elite 100-mph fastball that clocks in at a 126 Stuff+. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Ryan Walker (SFG, 19% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), JoJo Romero (STL, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryne Stanek (SEA, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luke Weaver (NYY, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jeremiah Estrada (SDP, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), A.J. Puk (MIA, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), John Brebbia (CHW, 4% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Shelby Miller (DET, 3% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Porter Hodge (CHC, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Robert Garcia (WSN, 1% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
