Manager's Special: Weekly Waiver Wire Deals

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. With those late-night transactions, roster distractions and managers who take trade veto action. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Ok enough with the nonsense. If you’re here you know who you are. A diehard fantasy baseball manager, willing to go to the darkest depths of the internet to get any kind of edge on the competition. Is this where you will find it? Only time will tell. If you’re the kind of person who will spend 3 hours a day on spin rate analysis, but have neglected the “check engine” light on your vehicle for the past 4 years, you’re in the right place. At least you remembered to pick the kids up from soccer practice this week.

In reality this really is one of the best parts of the fantasy baseball season. All managers are still in the playoff mix and are typically at maximum engagement level. Everyone’s making moves and maybe even an early season trade has been completed. Let’s make sure you don’t get left behind amidst all the early season activity. Grab your Sunday evening beverage of choice and follow me to the waiver wire, where it’s almost like a dating app with all the options out there. Let’s make sure we find who’s right for you, maybe that special someone to blow (up) your WHIP.

*Roster rates from Yahoo as of Sunday night

TAJ BRADLEY SP (MIN – 25% rostered)

Drafted by the Rays in 2018, Bradley was shipped off to the Twins in exchange for Griffin Jax at last year’s trade deadline. The results were uneven to say the least – a 6.61 ERA with 32 Ks in 31.1 IP. However, he’s been a changed man in the 2026 season – 0.87 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 12Ks in 10.1 IP. He has been leaning on his fastball, which he’s throwing harder (97.2 vs 96.2 mph) and about 10% more often compared to last year. Checkout this 100 mph heater he threw right down the middle to strike out Bobby Witt Jr and escape a bases loaded jam (credit – Pitching Ninja: https://x.com/PitchingNinja/status/2039781328179073302?s=20).

Now I will temper expectations to some degree by pointing out he’s pitching for the Twins who will likely struggle to provide run support. So, wins will probably be hard to come by. He is also out pitching his expected metrics at present (xERA – 3.68). Even so, he looks to be worth a pickup in 12+ team leagues to see if he can keep this up.

OWEN CAISSIE OF (MIA – 30% rostered)

The pride of Burlington Ontario (Canada), “Big Red” Caissie is off to a ginger hot start this season. He has racked up 4R, 2HR, 9RBIs, & 1SB. This is just the kind of production we crave off the wire. 20HR/20SBs is within the realm of possibility. His R+RBIs total has the potential to be difference-making, especially if this level of production (.308 AVG) continues. He has hit 6^th in all but the first game, but you have to believe he can move up the batting order if he can keep swinging the bat like this. The sample size is microscopic but his max EV (111.7) ranks in the top 5%.  He’s an add for 12-team leagues. The only knock I have on him at this point is that he has started on the bench against 3 lefties, so keep a close eye going forward to see if he is a platoon player or a full timer.

RYAN O’HEARN 1B, OF (PIT – 32% rostered)

O’Hearn has had a scorching start to the year, much like the Pirates. He’s done well in accumulating 5R, 3HR, 11RBI, & a .367AVG. Perhaps even more impressive is that he’s started all but one game, including 2 of 3 against lefties. Not to mention he’s hit in a premium spot in the batting order (2, 4, or 5). There’s a lot to like in his profile between his great start, premier lineup position, and multi-position eligibility. And who knows – maybe the Bucs will be a contender between their elite pitching staff and surprising offensive lineup (can O’Neil Cruz actually hit all of a sudden?). I would be kicking tires on him in 12+ team leagues, especially ones with daily lineup changes in case he should fall into more of a platoon.

RILEY O’BRIEN RP (STL – 31% rostered)

The Cardinals have used both Ryne Stanek & O’Brien in closing situations. Stanek has converted one and blown one. O’Brien has converted 2 saves and also has a hold thus far. The St. Louis bullpen figures to use multiple pitchers in the “closer” role, limiting the potential upside for saves. O’Brien figures to be a useful piece, as I predict he will have useful ratios and hopefully at least a strikeout/inning. The 6’4” right-hander leans on a hard sinker, averaging 98.1 mph. Saves are difficult to predict given both the opportunity but also that there are multiple pitchers vying for them in this situation. I think he will likely have 15 or so saves by season’s end. Add in a similar number of holds and depending on your league format he could definitely help your relief corps. He has 1 win, 2 saves, 5Ks and no earned runs in 5.1 IP.

JAKE BAUERS 1B, OF (MIL – 9% rostered)

Jake the snake Bauers has looked good in the early going – 7R, 2HR, 5RBI, 2SB. The real reason I’m big on Bauers (for the time being at least) is because incumbent first baseman Andrew Vaughn is out until mid-May after undergoing surgery on his hamate. Hand (specifically hamate) injuries can be difficult to come back from, so Bauers may have a bit of runway here. He had 12 HRs and 13 SBs in 302 ABs in 2024…also coming with a .199 average, so buyer beware. This is currently a recommendation for those in 15+ teamers, definitely one for the deep sea divers.

Onto the review of my roster. Let’s just say week 2 exposed the current strengths and weaknesses of my lineup. The hitters weren’t very noteworthy, kind of pussycat like (with the exception of Yordan Alvarez). The pitching staff is definitely being taken out for a nice dinner and drinks by the batters after this week’s showing.

Even though I didn’t start him today, the HERO is Kodai Senga. 2 starts, 16Ks 4 earned runs in 11.2 innings pitched. He has managed to maintain his elevated fastball velocity (97.4 MPH) in the early going. The ZERO is Trevor Story who managed a measly .115AVG with no counting stats, despite playing all games in the 2-hole thus far. Hopefully next week will bring greener pastures.

Let’s light a candle for any of you fellow Cade Horton managers. Our mid-round ratio stabilizer was removed from his start on Friday with forearm tightness in his pitching arm. This is definitely a months long absence and I think it’s fair to hope for a midseason return. There is certainly a chance he’s done for the season however given the nature of this injury. Stash him for now until we get some more clarity on his potential recovery timeline.

That’s another week in the books. Stay vigilant on the wire and plug the holes created by injuries or underwhelming performances. If you don’t, your league mates will. We wouldn’t want them to have all the fun now, would we? Stay hungry my friends.