Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds: Week 3
The waiver wire. Free agent budgets (FAB). It's back, it's real and it's glorious.
With the 2021 baseball season in full swing, nailing the waiver wire and the players available are critical to beating out your league mates.
Each week we will take a look at players who are rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues and can help out your season-long squads. Remember, if you aren’t scouring the waiver wire, you are falling behind.
Corey Knebel, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Roster Percentage: 32%
The spin on the closer carousel is always a scintillating one, isn't it?
This year more than ever, fading saves at the draft day table seemed to be the logical move. And if you did, good for you. But if you need saves, a reliever you need to be eyeballing is Corey Knebel of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It seemed a foregone conclusion that veteran Kenley Jansen had the closer role locked down, but Knebel has earned two saves this season, including a three-punchout appearance Friday versus the Washington Nationals, when Jansen was available.
You don't need me to tell you this, but the closer gig for the Dodgers is a very valuable role. Don't spend all your dollars here, but this situation is worth monitoring.
Emmanuel Clase, RP, Cleveland Indians
Roster Percentage: 23%
Here is another closer worth eyeing. Just like everyone predicted, Emmanuel Clase -- not James Karinchak or Nick Wittgren -- is the guy who appears to have the closer's role in hand for the Cleveland Indians.
While there have not been a ton of opportunities yet in Cleveland, Clase notched his first save last week, sporting a 101-MPH cutter -- yes, you read that right -- to earn the save. He hit 100 or more on the gun 11 times in the inning, so the stuff is clearly real.
With Karinchak presumably assuming the fireman role, Clase is a guy to get if you are hunting saves.
Matt Shoemaker, SP, Minnesota Twins
Roster Percentage: 18%
I'm not sure about you all, but it feels like I perpetually have a share or two of Matt Shoemaker.
The issue with Shoemaker is never the stuff -- when he's healthy and pitching, the dude is a baller. In his first start of the 2021 campaign, Shoe dominated the Detroit Tigers for a single run over six innings pitched, striking out five with zero walks.
Sadly, the veteran right-hander is often injured, so perhaps it's just a matter of time before injuries get him again. But for now, he's a worthwhile add as a back-end starter who should get a lot of friendly matchups in the American League Central.
Mark Canha, OF, Oakland Athletics
Roster Percentage: 49%
One of my favorite late-round targets in fantasy baseball drafts this year was Mark Canha of the Oakland Athletics, and he has started to rev that engine atop the lineup.
If you need some help in your outfield or even your first base spot on some sites, Canha could be your guy. He's rocking a .919 OPS yearly in the year, slugging two home runs. He's a bit of a sneaky source of speed, too -- in 191 at-bats last year, Canha ripped five homers paired with four steals.
Batting leadoff, the veteran righty has shown an ability to be a positive contributor anywhere in the lineup -- as a middle-of-the-order thumper or a table-setter. Add him if you need some offensive juice.
Notable Two-Start Pitchers to Consider This Week
Adbert Alzolay (CHC): at Milwaukee Brewers, vs Arizona Diamondbacks
Freddy Peralta (MIL): vs Chicago Cubs, vs Pittsburgh Pirates
Dean Kremer (BAL): vs Seattle Mariners, at Texas Rangers
Carlos Rodon (CWS): vs Cleveland Indians, at Boston Red Sox
Games in Coors Field This Week
New York Mets (3)
