The 2022 MLB season is getting shorter and pennant races are becoming increasingly tight and stressful by the day. Each roster and waiver wire period that we have to improve and adjust our rosters should be treasured. No improvement is too small and we are increasingly getting to the point in which there is no tomorrow. Let us take a week at some MLB waiver wire additions that we have our eye on for this week. 

 

 

 

MLB Waiver Wire Hitters

Gavin Lux, 2B/OF/SS (LAD); FAAB Bid: 5%

The versatile Lux is due back on Saturday and he now has a few weeks to get settled in and ready to go for the postseason. Being able to use Lux in multiple positions helps, especially in daily leagues, and there are few lineups better than the Dodgers. In 115 games this year, Lux is hitting .293 to go along with a .368 OBP while scoring 62 runs and driving in 42. 

 

TJ Friedl, OF (CIN); FAAB Bid: 1%

Friedl has seemingly found a home atop Cincinnati’s batting order and he is currently working on a modest five game hitting streak. After hitting .386 in August, Friedl was hitting .250 so far in 12 games this month entering action on Friday with all six of his home runs coming in the last two months. It makes sense for the Reds to see what the outfielder can continue to do over the next few weeks and it helps that he only strikes out about 15% of the time. 

 

Spencer Torkelson, 1B (DET); FAAB Bid: 1%

There is certainly a fair amount of name value here with the top prospect as he is back in the major leagues to give it another shot this season. Entering the 2022 season, Torkelson seemingly could not do anything more at the minor league, but at the same time he did not appear to be major league ready. A trip to Triple-A did not result in numbers that were much better but Torkelson is back with Detroit this month and in a small sample size, does look better. Prior to picking up a hit on Friday, Torkelson was hitting .265 in September and it makes sense that the Tigers would want to give him another crack at big league pitching. 

 

Daniel Vogelbach, 1B (NYM); FAAB Bid: 1%

Vogelbach came out of the gates strong with the Mets and there is no questioning both the power he brings to the table as well as his 10.2% barrel-rate. While the DH ran into some hard times, it is not like the Mets have many other options to chose from on the left side of the plate so Vogelbach will continue to get a chance to show what he can do against right-handed pitching over the next few weeks. With four RBI and a home run over the past two games, perhaps Vogelbach is finding his groove once again and at this point, all we need is for him to jump on another streak. 

 

Cal Mitchell, OF (PIT); FAAB Bid: 1%

As the Pirates, very clearly, continue to play out the string, Mitchell is a name to keep an eye on as Pittsburgh looks to see what they have in the young outfielder. Prior to Friday’s game, Mitchell was hitting .438 with a home run and a stolen base over the last seven days to bring his average for the season up to .231 after picking up a hit last night. Considering the fact that Mitchell hit .339 in 63 games at Triple-A this season, it is worth seeing if the young outfielder can continue his recent success. 

 

 

 

MLB Waiver Wire Pitchers

Brayan Bello (BOS); FAAB Bid: 3%

In Bello we are looking at a pitcher who has immediate value in the next week, but also into the future as a dynasty or keeper option. After burning through the minor leagues with success to earn a promotion to Boston, it has not been as smooth of a ride at the major league level. Over his last three starts though, Bello has certainly turned things around with a 1.65 ERA in his last three starts with 18 strikeouts and six walks in 16.1 innings. Bello’s ERA for the season still sits at 5.10 and he is having issues with walks (4.43 per nine innings) but the right-hander does strike out a batter per inning and has an xERA of 3.77 with a FIP of just 2.76. It is a good sign that opposing hitters have an average launch angle of just 4.2 degrees and a 6.2% barrel-rate also helps to limit the damage. Getting Bello for two starts also helps here as well despite the fact that he takes on the Yankees to close out the week. 

 

Roansy Contreras (PIT); FAAB Bid: 4%

It is a tough matchup to begin the week for Contreras as he faces the Yankees but things do get easier for the right-hander against the Cubs. Over 15.1 innings in his last three starts, Contreras has had success with a 1.76 ERA. While you could say it has been an up and down year for the right-hander, the overall body of work in 18 games (15 starts) has been pretty solid with a 3.24 ERA over 83.1 innings this season. The two starts this weekend offer some strikeout upside, eight per nine innings, and with five victories there is the possibility he emerges victorious against the Cubs. 

 

Wade Miley (CHC); FAAB Bid: 1-2%

What did I say about chasing at this time of year? Miley fits that bill perfectly as he takes the mound twice with two favorable matchups against the Marlins and Pirates. In six starts this season, granted at 28 innings he has not gone effectively deep but he did get to five innings in his last outing, the results have been there to the tune of 2.89 ERA (3.26 xERA). At 7.39 strikeouts per nine innings, Miley offers some value in that department but it is 0.32 home runs per nine innings and 55% ground ball rate that really draws our attention.

 

Dylan Floro (MIA); FAAB Bid: 2%

Entering action on Friday, Floro picked up two saves over the last seven days and this point in the season, that is enough for us. There is no need, nor the ability or luxury, to overthink things and if you are in need of saves and have the roster space, Floro should be on our radar. In 44.1 innings this year, Floro has five saves and his 3.45 ERA and 1.20 WHIP do not offer up too much in the way of risk. To take things a step further, Floro has a 1.50 ERA in six innings so far in September. 

 

James Karinchak (CLE); FAAB Bid: 1%

There is no question as to who the closer is in Cleveland, but the Guardians have been playing, and winning, so many close games as of late that Karinchak had picked up two saves over the last seven days. The hard throwing right-hander is certainly capable of the role, but at the very least, it is hard to argue with 49 strikeouts in 30.2 innings of work and Karinchak’s 1.47 ERA and 1.11 WHIP certainly can be an asset to any staff. 

 

 


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