March 29, 2026

OTW 248 - FAAB #2; March 29, 2026

1 hour 28 minutes

On The Wire - Opening weekend chaos fuels the first true FAAB run of the season, with injuries, surprise playing time, and bullpen shakeups creating immediate waiver opportunities. Key targets across power, speed, and pitching are discussed, along with early-season strategy on how aggressive to be

1. Intro and News (0:00)

Opening Day scheduling frustrations and early-season quirks

FAAB season officially begins
Jacob deGrom scratched; Jacob Latz opportunity
Tanner Bibee shoulder inflammation concerns
Mickey Moniak IL → impact on Jake McCarthy, Jordan Beck, Brenton Doyle
TJ Rumfield early playing time in Colorado
Christopher Morel IL → Griffin Conine, Davidson De Los Santos

Milwaukee injuries: Jackson Chourio, Andrew Vaughn

Playing time shifts: Garrett Mitchell, Jake Bauers, Sal Frelick, David Hamilton
Tommy Pham signs with Mets (minor league deal)

Rehab updates: Zack Wheeler

Bullpen alert: Carlos Estévez struggles → KC closer speculation (Lucas Erceg, John Schreiber)

2. Power Categories (HR, RBI) (20:00)

Rhys Hoskins – everyday role in Cleveland, undervalued power
Miguel Andujar – steady playing time in San Diego
Mark Vientos – platoon-dependent value
Matt Wallner – power upside if playing time stabilizes

3. Speed Categories (R, SB) (32:00)

David Hamilton – elite SB upside with newfound playing time
Jake McCarthy – everyday leadoff vs RHP
Jake Meyers – underrated speed contributor
Nasim Nuñez – deep league SB target

Bryce Matthews – speculative add with 40+ SB upside if role expands

4. Opportunity (AB, AVG) (45:00)

Schedule notes: AZ, ATL, NYM, SF with 7-game weeks
Casey Schmitt – everyday role + multi-position eligibility
Nathan Lukes – hitting near top of TOR lineup vs RHP
Joey Loperfido – emerging playing time in Houston

Favor hitters with early-week volume advantages

5. Pitching Volume (W, K) (58:00)

Two-start targets:

Chris Bassitt
Zach Eflin

Breakout watch: Joe Boyle (improved control)

Deep streamers:

Davis Martin
Justin Verlander (widely available in 12s)
Taijuan Walker (risky Coors start)

Strategy: balancing early aggression vs ratio protection

6. Pitching Ratios (ERA, WHIP) (1:10:00)

Reliever targets for ratio + strikeout boost:

Erik Sabrowski – elite stuff, improving control

Strategy:

Prioritize multi-inning relievers

Target teams with heavy bullpen usage

Use relievers to stabilize early ratio volatility

7. Closers (Saves) (1:18:00)

Philly bullpen uncertainty: Jordan Romano vs alternatives

Angels speculation: Reid Detmers long-term closer upside

Texas chaos: Robert Garcia, Chris Martin, committee risk

Minnesota: Cole Sands emerging option

Kansas City: post-Estévez meltdown watchlist

8. Wild Card (Stashes) (1:25:00)

Bryce Eldridge – potential early call-up
Dylan Crews – stash if dropped
Alex Freeland – short-term upside with path to more

Strategy: prioritize upside over replacement-level veterans early

9. Closing Comments (1:28:00)

Stay patient—don’t overreact to small samples

Avoid unnecessary drops this early

Build long FAAB waterfalls

Focus on opportunity + upside without forcing moves

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