We’ve arrived at the final edition of the 2024 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire series. As someone who took over this thread for the second half of the season, I’d like to express my appreciation to those who were loyal readers until the very end.
It goes without saying that at this late stage of the season, matchups will dictate most of the decisions when it comes to making free-agent moves. Fortunately, there are a few hitters headed to Coors Field in the coming days and several starters set to finish out their campaigns against the White Sox.
Parker Meadows (OF, Detroit Tigers, 21%)
Meadows is a big reason the Tigers are in danger of stealing a postseason spot. The youngster has done an excellent job of laying out the rest of the lineup, batting .303 with five homers, five steals, 22 RBI and 24 runs in 37 games since being recalled on August 3. Detroit is as motivated as any team to win games in the coming days, meaning Meadows will be in every lineup.
Lars Nootbaar (OF, St. Louis Cardinals, 25%)
Nootbaar has finally had a productive run during an otherwise unproductive, injury-plagued season, posting a .914 OPS this month. And his recent success has been exciting to watch, considering the outfielder entered 2024 as a breakout candidate before struggling to live up to expectations. Still, the biggest reason Nootbaar belongs in this article is that he and the Cardinals open next week at offense-inducing Coors Field against the Rockies, who have baseball’s worst ERA (5.40).
Masyn Winn (SS, St. Louis Cardinals, 38%)
Winn is coming off a respectable season in which he emerged as the Cardinals’ leadoff hitter. He was ice cold in September, but wise managers will weigh his success throughout the season more heavily than his recent output, especially when he begins a three-game slate at Coors Field next week. Managers looking for runs in roto leagues should be extra keen to add Winn this weekend.
Spencer Horwitz (1B/2B, Toronto Blue Jays, 39%)
Horwitz excelled against righties this season (.898 OPS) and was terrific in all situations in September (1.036 OPS). The left-handed hitter is in prime position to end 2024 on a high note, as Toronto will face right-handed starters in all but one of its remaining games. Horwitz won’t provide any steals, but he’s a solid source of homers and batting average.
MartÃn Pérez (SP, San Diego Padres, 26%)
Pérez isn’t a great pitcher, and I won’t try to convince you otherwise. Sure, the left-handed pitcher has solid ratios (2.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) in eight starts with the Padres, but he’s also posted a 4.94 FIP in that span. Still, Pérez is good enough to get off to a good start on Saturday, when he takes on the bottom-ranked White Sox. Those who need to squeeze out one more win this week won’t find a better option on waivers than Pérez.
Reese Olson (SP, Detroit Tigers, 23%)
Olson threw 50 pitches in a return from the IL on Sept. 16, and while he hasn’t had a successful outing, he’s been effective overall this year (3.50 ERA, 1.21 WHIP). The right-handed pitcher gets another chance to build up his stamina this weekend before making an eye-catching start next week against the White Sox. If he looks good on Saturday against Baltimore, managers should add him immediately.
Keider Montero (SP, Detroit Tigers, 10%)
Montero is on a roll right now, with 14 scoreless innings in his last two starts. And he has a good chance to close the season with another big game when he takes on the White Sox next week. With Perez, Olson and Montero, fantasy managers have the option of getting three starts against Chicago in the coming days.
Kumar Rocker (SP, Texas Rangers, 29%)
Rocker burst onto the fantasy season in September by striking out 12 in seven innings in two starts. And managers in need of whiffs will get another shot at this elite prospect if he gets a favorable matchup against the A’s next Thursday. Rocker doesn’t get deep into games, which limits his earning potential, but those focused on ratios and whiffs will find him a perfect fit.
Luke Weaver (SP/RP, New York Yankees, 36%)
Exhibit A in the “you can’t predict baseball” argument is Weaver, who entered 2024 with a 5.14 lifetime ERA in 574.1 innings and enters October as part of a closer committee for one of the best teams in baseball. The 31-year-old has transformed from a below-average starter into one of baseball’s best relievers, posting a 3.02 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 95:26 K:BB ratio in 80.1 innings. He has two saves since Sept. 6, and managers needing saves in the late going could consider adding Weaver and co-closer Tommy Kahnle (1.77 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) to their lineups.
