This is the time when standings begin to matter in fantasy baseball. That’s not to say that they were irrelevant to begin the season, but the fluctuation after just a few games can drive someone insane. We should also offer the disclaimer that where you are now is not where you are going to be at the end of the season. Far from it in fact. One way to make sure that you move in the right direction, is to utilize the waiver wire to your advantage. To help in that endeavor, let’s take a look at some Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds for Week 4.
As we go through this process on a weekly basis, the criteria for inclusion will be any player rostered in less than 50% of Fantrax leagues (as of 4/17). Our options will be listed at increasing levels of availability.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Recommendations
Andy Pages, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
To say that the Los Angeles Dodgers outfield hasn’t gotten off to a strong start would be an understatement. While there is nothing to be concerned about on an overall basis for the Dodgers, this is something to solve for; albeit without pressure. After an insanely hot start to the season at Triple-A, it made sense for Andy Pages to get the call. In 15 games, Pages was hitting .371 with five home runs and 15 RBI.
Pages only played in 34 games last year due to injury, but he has already surpassed his three home runs from last year. It’s clear that the outfielder is healthy, and the Dodgers didn’t promote him not to play him. Joining one of the best lineups in baseball also helps to remove the pressure as well. When healthy, Pages’ power potential has consistently been on display.
Joel Payamps, RP, Milwaukee Brewers
Once Devin Williams was lost to injury, this is what we expected to happen. On Wednesday, Joel Payamps picked up his second save of the season. Perhaps more notably, Abner Uribe pitched the eighth inning and we have been seeing him appear earlier in games as of late. In 7.1 innings this season, Payamps has yet to walk a batter or allow a home run. His 4.91 is far from ideal, but with a 1.61 FIP, there is no real cause for concern.
In mostly a setup role last season, Payamps saved three games while posting a 2.55 ERA and striking out more than a batter per inning. The right-hander had a barrel-rate against of just 4.8% and is a player to watch as he appears to have the ninth inning locked up. Of course, it could be an ever-evolving situation, but we have to follow the saves.
Jesse Winker, OF, Washington Nationals
It has been a rough two years, especially 2023, for Jesse Winker. Health didn’t work in his favor, but that appears to be behind him. Slotted into the middle of Washington’s lineup, Winker has gotten off to a hot start to begin the year.
Winker is hitting .364 with two home runs and 12 runs scored while also adding two stolen bases. Going back to 2021, Winker hit .305 with 24 home runs in 110 games along with an 11.2% barrel rate. With a 12.2% barrel rate to begin 2024, Winker is continuing at the same pace. While he won’t sustain the batting average, his xBA does put him over .300 and he is back to limiting the strikeouts.
Josh Smith, 3B/SS/OF, Texas Rangers
With Josh Jung sidelined, there are available at-bats at the hot corner in Texas. Josh Smith has been taking advantage of the situation against right-handed pitching. He is up to batting .319 on the season with 10 RBI and seven runs scored. A double-digit walk rate helps in OBP leagues, but the real draw is the multi-positional eligibility.
Michael Lorenzen, SP, Texas Rangers
Starting pitching is a mess. There is no need to belabor that, so it goes without saying that Michael Lorenzen would attract our attention. The right-hander made his season debut earlier this week for the Rangers and couldn’t have done much better. Lorenzen threw five shutout innings in Detroit to pick up the victory.
It was his first start of the season so it shouldn’t be surprising to see him make it through just five innings. Lorenzen struggled with his control as he walked five batters but he did scatter three hits while keeping the Tigers off the scoreboard. We should look at Lorenzen as more of a streaming option, avoid him in his next start against Atlanta, but he will contribute solid innings overall. Run support shouldn’t be an issue in Texas and Lorenzen should be a solid option.
Jonatan Clase, OF, Seattle Mariners
It doesn’t matter. I don’t need to look at your roster or the standings; you need stolen bases. Of course, that isn’t true for every team as some are clearly better positioned than others, but it’s a category that is difficult to ignore. To say that it is volatile or that a single player can influence things might be an understatement.
When Jonatan Clase was promoted to the big leagues earlier this week it’s not surprising that it would generate some excitement. The outfielder has recently surged up prospect rankings after stealing 79 bases in the minor leagues last year. That came along with 20 home runs, 68 RBI, and 102 games. Clase spent the majority of his time, 108 of 129 games, at Double-A, and while he only hit .222, it’s difficult to ignore the power and speed.
With Dominic Canzone on the Injured List, Clase should receive regular playing time. If he produces, there’s no reason not toe expect that to continue. Strikeouts could be a problem, around 25%, so exercise a little caution, but it’s hard to ignore his potential impact on stolen bases. On Wednesday, he stole his first base with ease, but he is hitting just .182 with a walk in 13 at bats.
Ryan Weathers, SP, Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins rotation is a little crowded with young arms, but as they monitor Max Meyer’s innings, there is room to work with. That will continue to ring true as long as Ryan Weathers pitches the way he has to start the season. After striking out 10 over six innings on Tuesday, Weathers now sits at 3-1 on the season. He is striking out 22 batters in 20 innings while recording a 2.70 ERA. That does come with some risk and volatility in the form of a 1.35 WHIP. However, the former first-round pick does look more comfortable than at any point previously in his major league career.
Weathers’ 4.15 FIP is likely a better indication of what we can expect from him, however, there is one critical thing working in his favor. The hope is that I didn’t apply a jinx here, but Weathers is a healthy arm that strikes out more than a batter an inning and won’t crush your ratios. Picking up three victories to this point is added bonus. As you look to supplement your rotation, Weathers is a name that should be on your radar.
Harrison Bader, OF, New York Mets
Harrison Bader is healthy and playing most days for the New York Mets. They have found success as of late, and that is in part due to a deep lineup. Batting in the lower third, Bader has had some big hits for the Mets in recent days. He will be a player to watch as the Mets’ lineup continues to find its groove.
While the .288 batting average is strong, and he has scored eight runs, it’s the three stolen bases that catch our attention. Staying healthy has always been a problem for Bader, and that is currently the case. There is some pop in Bader’s back, and when you combine that with some speed, Bader is a solid fourth or fifth outfielder.
Gabriel Arias, 1B/SS, Cleveland Guardians
If Gabriel Arias continues to hit as he has in the past week, it’s going to be difficult to keep him out of the lineup. Arias has interesting duel eligibility and is up to batting .324 on the season. He has done so with some pop in his bat producing a .229 ISO while driving in seven runs.
While that hasn’t translated to much in the way of home runs, Arias is slugging .563 to begin the season. At this point, Arias is doing what he can to remain in the lineup and this is all about riding the hot hand.
Joey Loperfido, OF, Houston Astros
Things are not off to a good start for the Houston Astros. Jose Abreu is struggling and the Astros are reeling. A spark is needed, and if it is going to come out of the minor leagues, it will come in the form of Joey Loperfido.
Houston is working with Loperfido in Triple-A on his defense at first base, but the bat is clearly ready. Through 15 games this season, Loperfido has already done deep 10 times. He is hitting .317 with 24 RBI, and while that comes with a 33% strikeout rate, it’s hard to argue with the power and potential upside here.