Mining saves from the wire, March 29

There’s a fine line between securing saves early in the season on the waiver wire and overreacting to small sample circumstances. Going through relievers available across three sites (CBS, ESPN, and Yahoo), our first waiver wire column will do its best to sort through the best available options. Please remember, your team build determines if any of these moves will be necessary, do not make changes on a whim, but based on necessity. **Availability percentages based on results at 10 a.m. EST, March 29**

CBS Most Added Relievers

  • Kevin Ginkel (ARI): Available in 52 percent of leagues
  • Griffin Jax (MIN): Available in 64 percent of leagues

One could catch lightning in a bottle by adding Ginkel, who will be a priority add for teams who lost Paul Sewald (oblique) until at least mid-May, perhaps into June. Jax will work in a match-up-based leverage ladder, but recorded his team’s first save of the season, which will increase his price point in leagues with free agency acquisition budgets (FAAB).

CBS Closers on the Wire

  • Carlos Estévez (LAA): Available in 34 percent of leagues
  • Kyle Finnegan (WSH): Available in 55 percent of leagues
  • Will Smith (KCR): Available in 60 percent of leagues

Those in deeper formats would love seeing saves on waivers, but these three have their warts. Still, those in need of early saves can weather the storm with one of these three options, listed in order of preference.

CBS Save Streamers

  • Jason Foley (DET): Available in 91 percent of leagues
  • Michael Kopech (CWS): Available in 66 percent of leagues
  • Yimi García (TOR): Available in 85 percent of leagues

Foley secured his team’s first save, but his manager hinted at lineup pockets being his guide in the leverage innings. One can add him with the understanding he’s in a potential save share, not the closer. Kopech falls under the same circumstance, but he pitched in the eighth inning with his team down by one. He could accrue save chances, but he’s in a much weaker leverage ladder on a bad team. Toronto prefers mixing and matching without Jordan Romano, who can be activated as soon as April 9, so tread lightly if adding García.

ESPN Five below 50 Worth Adding

  1. Robert Suarez (SDP): Available in 52 percent of leagues, he’s MLB’s leader in saves. There were concerns about him being the closer, so far, he’s dispelled them.
  2. Kevin Ginkel (ARI): Available in 87 percent of leagues. He will be his team’s closer for potentially the next two months. If he performs well, maybe more.
  3. Carlos Estévez (LAA): Available in 63 percent of leagues. Although he’s a ratio risk, another strong first half makes this an easy choice for saves, though the ghost of Robert Stephenson lingers.
  4. Griffin Jax (MIN): Available in 91 percent of leagues. More of a short-term option, though there’s no timeline for Jhoan Durán’s return, it’s projected for mid-May.
  5. Kyle Finnegan (WSH): Available in 73 percent of leagues, the streaky closer for the Nationals does not curry fantasy fervor, but he’s atop his team’s hierarchy.

One stash and One flier for ESPN Leagues

  • Hector Neris (CHC): Available in 84 percent of leagues, he was a target in the offseason and if Adbert Alzolay struggles early, Neris could emerge with the primary save share.
  • Jason Foley (DET): Available in 91 percent of leagues, he was not on fantasy radars for saves until he closed out a one-run, shutout win over the White Sox. Add for ancillary saves, and profit if he earns a larger share.

Yahoo Adds, Tier One

  • Kevin Ginkel (ARI): Available in 39 percent of leagues
  • Carlos Estévez (LAA): Available in 31 percent of leagues
  • Kyle Finnegan (WSH): Available in 41 percent of leagues
  • Griffin Jax (MIN): Available in 31 percent of leagues

Yahoo Adds, Tier Two (Ancillary Save Options)

  • Aroldis Chapman (PIT): Available in 64 percent of leagues
  • Jason Foley (DET): Available in 84 percent of leagues
  • Abner Uribe (MIL): Available in 74 percent of leagues
  • Joel Payamps (MIL): Available in 48 percent of leagues
  • Yimi García (TOR): Available in 75 percent of leagues

Yahoo Relievers to Stash

  • Hector Neris (CHC): Available in 58 percent of leagues
  • James McArthur (KCR): Available in 82 percent of leagues

Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.

Statistical Credits:

Yahoo Most Added RPs

CBS Most Added RPs

ESPN RP Roster Percentages on Fantasy Pros