Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Help for those in search of saves
The following relievers are widely available in Yahoo Fantasy Baseball formats and may be worth grabbing for those searching for saves.
Tanner Houck, SP/RP, Boston Red Sox (53% rostered)
Houck picked up two saves over the weekend and looks like Boston’s new main closer, so we're including him here even though he's just over the typical 50% rostered threshold. He may be eased into working back-to-back days, but Houck is a first-round pick who’s allowed just one run over 19.0 innings (with 18 Ks and a 0.89 WHIP) since moving to the bullpen this season. Since he’s thrown his fastball or slider on more than 93% of his pitches, Houck should be most effective as a reliever anyway until he develops a third pitch. Especially considering his competition, Houck could easily run away with the Red Sox’s closer’s role over the rest of the season.
Tanner Scott, RP, Miami Marlins (18%)
All the Tanners. Scott has racked up three saves and two wins over the past 10 days, when he’s allowed no earned runs and just two base runners with a 9:0 K:BB ratio. While Anthony Bender struggled before going on the IL, Dylan Floro sports a 3:4 K:BB ratio over 11.2 innings, and Cole Sulser owns a 4.61 expected ERA, Scott ranks top-10 in CSW among all relievers. Marlins manager Don Mattingly has historically preferred using just one closer, and Scott has a ton of strikeout upside.
Jason Adam, RP, Tampa Bay Rays (33%)
Adam has a 0.72 ERA and a 0.64 WHIP over 25.0 innings this season, and he may be the favorite for saves in Tampa Bay’s pen moving forward with Andrew Kittredge headed for elbow surgery. The Rays will likely close with some form of a committee, but Adam recorded the team’s last save and sports a 1.94 FIP on the year. Meanwhile, Colin Poche has a 4.61 FIP this season. Adam should help your ratios either way and remains available in more than two thirds of Yahoo leagues.
Kendall Graveman, RP, Chicago White Sox (33%)
Liam Hendriks’ health status is in question after he was unavailable Sunday. Graveman is next up to close in Chicago’s pen, which is quite a lucrative role given the White Sox have provided Hendriks with the most save opportunities in the American League.
Seranthony Domínguez, Philadelphia Phillies (12%)
Philadelphia’s closer’s role has opened with Corey Knebel dealing with a tight shoulder. Enter Domínguez, who was dominant as a rookie back in 2018 and has a 1.61 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP this season. He can struggle to throw strikes, and Brad Hand will be in the mix when a bunch of lefties are due up in the ninth, but the Phillies have potential to provide a ton of save opportunities moving forward. Knebel was struggling with 14 walks over 25.0 innings and a 4.14 FIP even before his concerning shoulder injury. While Knebel played catch on Sunday and might avoid a trip to the IL, that's far from a guarantee, making Domínguez is worth adding in deeper fantasy leagues.
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Bonus Hitter Pick
Bryson Stott, 2B/SS, Philadelphia Phillies (16%)
Stott is batting .333/.400/.694 with four homers, 12 runs scored, 11 RBI and a steal over 10 games in June and is locked in an everyday role at second base with Jean Segura out the next 10-12 weeks. He struggled mightily before this month and still has an ugly batted ball profile overall, but Stott is a top-15 pick with a strong minor league track record who’s worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues if you need middle infield help.
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