What is the most expensive asset to acquire off the waiver-wire? One of two options almost certainly popped into your head: rookies or closers. I've got a way that you can avoid the stampede that occurs to waivers when either one of those types of players come up for bid. It's ground breaking, earth shattering news akin to when we learned that Kim Kardashian's derriere is actually real (did you know she took x-rays to prove there were no implants in there? Speaking of her bottom, is it sexy or too big? I'm leaning toward there being too much cushion for the pushin'. Guess I'm not enough of a pervert.). Two words.

Be proactive.

Let's say you have a roster spot open up. Maybe you placed someone on the DL who has been hurt. Maybe you realize that your 28th round draft pick isn't playing and just wasting away on your bench. What do you do with that opening? That's when you add the rookie or reliever. 

With rookies, you should know that many aren't called up until June to avoid Super 2 status, which allows the team to control the player for another season. It should also be pointed out that no matter how talented a rookie might be, he needs a place to play. So many people sit on rookies who simply have no shot at early season playing time. Once the calendar hits late May forward it's much easier to sign off on adding a minor leaguer, but make sure there is a discernible path to playing time before taking the plunge.

As for the relievers, this one should be obvious. All over this Guide, we keep talking about bullpens and their nearly daily volatility. Why wait until the current closer is hurt or removed from the 9th inning to add his backup? I can add the middle reliever this week off waivers for $11 in a $1,000 FAAB setup. If I wait until the closer blows up and is replaced by the middle reliever it's likely that the cost will go up to $200-600 dollars, depending on the league and time of year. There's no harm in taking an early shot a reliever, it might just pay off and at a greatly reduced price. 

For more on how you should set up your leagues waiver-wire see the FAAB article. 
 

Fun fact... I always warn people about Clay Buchholz. They rarely listen. Hopefully they did in 2014 because he pulled off a rather ignominious first. Clay became the first pitcher in baseball history - the first - to have thrown a minimum of 100-innings in back-to-back seasons while seeing his ERA triple. Clay had a 1.74 ERA in 2013 and a 5.34 mark in 2014. Good luck with that guy.