MLB FAAB Factor: Top Fantasy Baseball Waiver Targets

This FAAB article is in addition to the AL and NL FAAB articles that run Sunday. Bids are based on a $100 FAAB budget. Throughout the season, this column will have two goals:

1. Identify FAAB targets for fantasy managers in leagues with Thursday FAAB.

2. Offer a preview of FAAB targets ahead of Sunday's columns.

Now that we've reached the final full week of the MLB calendar, you probably have a pretty good idea of where your final place in the standings will be. If you're at the top, it all comes down to this: the most important week of the year. Every hit, run, steal and strikeout becomes absolutely crucial in your pursuit of a trophy. Meanwhile, for those of you not bidding for a ring, you still should aim to finish strong so you can make one last climb in the rankings and capture ever-important bragging rights over another leaguemate or two.

Making it to the final week of regular-season baseball also means that we've reached the end of MLB FAAB Factor for 2025. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who tuned in to read these articles this year, whether you viewed just a few or all 28. I hope that somewhere along the road, I helped you make a decision that benefited your team, and I'm already looking forward to seeing what next season will bring.

The number in parentheses represents the player's rostership rate in Yahoo leagues.

Starting Pitcher

Justin Verlander, San Francisco Giants (45%)

Verlander spent most of the season putting up unremarkable lines, but the three-time Cy Young Award winner has found a way to turn back the clock over the past few weeks. He's given up just one earned run in 25 innings (0.36 ERA) while striking out 23 batters across his last four starts. It's worth wondering if the 42-year-old veteran has any more seasons left in his Hall of Fame career, but fantasy managers only need him to maintain his dominant form for another two starts during favorable matchups next week against the Cardinals and Rockies. FAAB: $4

 Tyler Wells, Baltimore Orioles (38%)

Wells has continued to look great since returning from UCL surgery, logging a 2.04 ERA and 0.62 WHIP alongside a 14:1 K:BB through 17.2 innings over three starts. Unfortunately, the Orioles' six-man rotation will only give the 31-year-old righty enough time to make one more start before the regular season ends, but he should at least match up nicely against a Rays offense that's turned in a .695 OPS in its last 10 contests. FAAB: $2

 Tanner Gordon, Colorado Rockies (5%)

Pay no mind to Gordon's 6.14 ERA – it doesn't reflect how well he's pitched over the past few weeks. The 27-year-old right-hander has delivered four quality starts and three winning decisions over his last five outings. Throw in his 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB over 27.2 innings during that span, and you not only have yourself an excellent pitcher by Colorado's standards, but also an arm who is finding his groove at the perfect time to help your 11th-hour push. FAAB: $1

Relief Pitcher

 Brad Keller/Andrew Kittredge, Chicago Cubs (21%/27%)

We have a 2-for-1 recommendation here, as the Cubs' closer situation sans Daniel Palencia (shoulder) has been a bit tricky to navigate. Kittredge converted Chicago's first three save opportunities after Palencia landed on the IL, but Keller has converted the last two, most recently against the Pirates on Tuesday. Both relievers will probably receive a few more ninth-inning chances down the stretch and are deserving of fantasy attention, but I would put a slightly higher priority on Keller, as his performance since the trade deadline (0.46 ERA, 0.61 WHIP) has been far more impressive than that of Kittredge (2.89 ERA, 0.75 WHIP). FAAB: Keller - $3; Kittredge - $2

 Riley O'Brien, St. Louis Cardinals (5%)

St. Louis provides somewhat of a clearer bullpen situation than the one mentioned above, as O'Brien has collected each of the Cardinals' last three saves over his last five appearances, seemingly pushing JoJo Romero into setup duty. O'Brien has proven to be trustworthy enough to handle high-leverage spots by posting a 2.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over the course of the regular season, though his strikeout rate is admittedly a bit below what you'd like to see from a closer. Series against the Brewers, Giants and Cubs to conclude the year may put a ceiling on the number of save situations the Cardinals find themselves in over the next several days, but O'Brien is well-equipped to handle them when called upon. FAAB: $1

Catcher

 Gabriel Moreno, Arizona Diamondbacks (36%)

I brought up Moreno a few weeks ago shortly after he came off the injured list, and he's done a great job making me look smart by slashing .318/.444/.523 with a pair of home runs, eight RBI and 10 runs while adding a steal since the beginning of September. Despite all of that, he remains available in nearly two-thirds of all leagues, which is great news for anyone desperate to raise their team's batting average and/or needs some help behind the dish. FAAB: $7

 Moises Ballesteros, Chicago Cubs (4%)

The 21-year-old has made six consecutive starts since coming up from Triple-A, during which he's gone 8-for-21 with two homers, three RBI and five runs scored. With Kyle Tucker struggling to make progress in his recovery from a calf injury, the Cubs should continue to deploy Seiya Suzuki in the outfield, keeping the door open for Ballesteros to work as Chicago's designated hitter. FAAB: $1

First Baseman

 Sal Stewart, Cincinnati Reds (28%)

After dominating pitchers at Double-A and Triple-A to begin the season, Stewart was promoted to Cincinnati once rosters expanded to 28 players at the start of September. His transition to the majors has gone extremely well so far, as he's slashed .286/.333/.595 with four homers, six RBI and nine runs scored through his first 13 games in a Reds uniform. The 21-year-old infielder has demonstrated power that will certainly yield positive results at the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, and having fantasy eligibility at all three bases only drives his value up even further. FAAB: $5

Second Baseman

 Thomas Saggese, St. Louis Cardinals (2%)

Injuries to the Cardinals' infield corps allowed Saggese to start regularly for much of the second half, and he's now due to finish the year as St. Louis' everyday shortstop since Masyn Winn (knee) has been ruled out for the season. Saggese has begun to heat up recently, going 13-for-32 (.406) with a homer, five RBI, five runs and a stolen base across his last eight games. With no risk of losing playing time, eligibility at three different positions and widespread availability, the 23-year-old could be one of the best hot bats sitting on your waiver wire right now – especially if you're pressed for cash after a long year of free-agent bids. FAAB: $1

Third Baseman

 Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers (24%)

Durbin's six-game hitting streak came to an end Wednesday, but he still boasts a very respectable .304/.407/.478 slash line for the month to go with his two home runs, four RBI, nine runs and five steals. The rookie's speed, combined with his ability to reach base at an above-average rate, makes him one of the best options on this list if you're searching for steals, though he contributes enough in other areas to be well worth a pickup regardless of what you're hurting for the most. FAAB: $3

Shortstop

 Jose Caballero, New York Yankees (25%)

If you're really looking to stack up stolen bases, look no further than Caballero. The 29-year-old infielder has already swiped seven bags this month, bringing his total for the season to 48. While base running is by far Caballero's greatest source of value, he also carries an .833 OPS since the beginning of September and is starting to see increased playing time with the Yankees while Anthony Volpe manages a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder. FAAB: $3

Outfielder

 Parker Meadows, Detroit Tigers (8%)

Multiple injuries have prevented Meadows from having the breakout season Detroit is waiting for, but he has been red-hot at the plate since coming off the injured list Sept. 5, slashing .343/.410/.571 with two homers, six RBI and six runs scored over his last 10 games. His outstanding hitting has allowed him to return to the top of the Tigers' batting order against right-handers, and his defensive abilities are helping him avoid being subbed out whenever Detroit runs into a lefty starter. FAAB: $4

 Mickey Moniak, Colorado Rockies (18%)

It's been a great past few days for Moniak, who has belted four home runs in his last three contests and is 10-for-21 with nine RBI and three steals since last Thursday. You can just as easily say it's been a great season for the 27-year-old, as his .830 OPS is easily the highest mark of his career, as are his 110 hits, 23 homers, 66 RBI, 58 runs and nine thefts. With an upcoming series against the Angels in Coors Field this weekend, the door will be wide open for Moniak to continue his power surge and finish the year strong. FAAB: $3

 Dominic Canzone, Seattle Mariners (2%)

Canzone had been in a minor slump at the plate in September before tallying eight hits in two games, headlined by a five-hit, three-homer performance Tuesday that shot his OPS up 70 points from .784 to .854. The 28-year-old has been very reliable in the majors to the tune of a .302 batting average through 73 games, and he appears to be heating up at the exact right time to be of use during the most critical time of the year. However, it's worth pointing out that the Mariners still seem to be content sending Victor Robles out to right field on a regular basis despite his .605 OPS since returning from the IL. FAAB: $1

Check out where all the players on your fantasy baseball team fit into RotoWire's MLB Cheat Sheet!