DVR and Al dig into the waiver options heading into the first full week of the 2022 season. C.J. Abrams, Josh Lowe, Jeremy Peña and Andrew McCutchen are among the hitters who are available in many 12-team leagues, while Drew Rasmussen, Matt Brash and Tylor Megill headline the list of available pitchers. They also consider how much to bid on relief options, including David Robertson and Tony Santillan.

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MLB's opening weekend is here! Lineup guru Mike Kurland joins Michael Beller and Al Melchior to discuss the lineup construction intrigue they'll be watching over the first few days of the season.

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Nando, Ian and DVR discuss a few late spring risers -- including a favorite in Kansas City securing his rotation spot, and an interesting sleeper bat in Pittsburgh -- before considering the risk-reward balance of injured aces, Byron Buxton, and the top prospects set to debut for their teams on Opening Day including Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Torkelson, and Julio Rodríguez.

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Al Melchior and Michael Beller look at the impact of Austin Meadows' departure on the Rays' roster, particularly in reference to playing time for Isaac Paredes, Josh Lowe and Vidal Bruján. They also assess the fantasy value of numerous prospects who have already secured major league roster spots for opening day, from big names like Julio Rodríguez, Bobby Witt Jr. and Hunter Greene, to less-heralded players like Diego Castillo, Seth Beer and Spencer Strider.

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DVR and Al look at the fantasy implications of the Craig Kimbrel-for-A.J. Pollock trade and then break down a large selection of waiver options to consider just before opening day. The discussion ranges from shallow-league-viable players like Randal Grichuk, Alejandro Kirk and Hunter Greene to deeper league options that include Brad Miller, Tyler Wade and Spencer Howard. They also mull over some potentially available relievers, such as Chris Stratton, Art Warren and Anthony Bender.

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No matter when you listen to this episode, Opening Day will be less than one week away. So with that in mind, Al Melchior and Michael Beller decided that it's time to put down their final markers of draft season. The guys name the players they’re reaching for, those they're passing on at ADP, and those they want just for fun on this episode of The Athletic Fantasy Baseball Podcast.

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Nando, Ian and DVR discuss several players who appear to be going too low in drafts this spring, Luis Robert's ceiling, Plus, fallout from the GDD draft including the downside to cheap pitching staffs (and the pursuit of discounted saves), and picking spots carefully with prospects in redraft leagues. 

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DVR and Al kick off their prospects coverage for the 2022 season with a discussion of prospects who are being targeted in drafts and could have an impact this season. Bobby Witt Jr., Adley Rutschman, Oneil Cruz, Seiya Suzuki and Spencer Torkelson are among the hitters discussed, while DVR and Al dive into some analysis of pitching prospects that includes Shane Baz, Joe Ryan, Matt Brash, Hunter Greene and several others.

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Nando, Ian and DVR discuss a keeper dilemma for Nando, Jackson Kowar, building a new dynasty league, Steven Kwan, hesitation with Shane Bieber in redraft leagues, trusting Jacob deGrom, buying in on Jorge Mateo's opportunity in Baltimore, and a few favorites for the AL Rookie of the Year award. 

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DVR and Al compare March and February ADPs from NFBC leagues and assess how they like the new values for the biggest movers. Seiya Suzuki, Gary Sánchez, Mitch Garver, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Jonathan Villar are among the fastest rising hitters they discuss, and they consider several pitchers on the rise, including Carlos Rodón, Yusei Kikuchi and Alex Colomé. Among the rapid fallers they discuss are Kyle Lewis, Jack Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel.

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