2025 NFBC 15-Team Waiver Wire (3/30 – Week 2)

Every Sunday, the free-agent pool has a moving range of value based on each player's success and any injury news. For late updates, I will post them in the notes area on my Substack page.

Heading into Week 2 of NFBC, the available player pool remains open. For anyone looking to add a potential buy-and-hold player in the minors, this Sunday will be the last chance to pick them up until they are called up.

There are times when a fantasy manager wants to take a flier on a future call-up and drop them the following week to get them into the free-agent pool. The goal is to follow this player in the minors and hopefully beat your league to him if he shows signs of reaching the majors by mid-June. It can be a game of chicken, as a league mate could beat you to the punch, especially if your bench is depleted in May due to injuries. The goal is to avoid a massive free-agent bid for this player when they are added to the major league roster.

Note: If I’m in a league with someone, I will be aware of what I've written and also pay closer attention to your bids if I believe you may be looking for a similar player in a particular week. At the same time, our free agent spending during the year will have different paths. If I’m aggressive early and a competitor is not, they will have the advantage of buying power as the season progresses and vice versa. I’ll do my best to list all players of interest, but there will be times when waiver thread lines are backfilled with low-dollar players to ensure an unwanted or injured player is released and replaced.

Catchers

Dillon Dingler, DET

The Tigers will rotate two catchers this season, and both options offer power. Dingler had an impressive half-season at AAA in 2024 (.308/44/17/52/5 over 263 at-bats), earning him a spot on the Tigers’ opening-day roster. He has two hits over his first six at-bats with a run, a home run, and three RBIs while making one start over three games. Last year, Dingler was overmatched in his 84 at-bats in the majors (.167 with one home run, 11 RBIs, and 30 strikeouts).

Rating: Dingler's short resume and split role put him in the flyer category this week, requiring minimal bids for someone looking to cover an injury at the catcher position in 15-team formats. His ceiling should be higher than Jake Rogers in 2025.

Jake Rogers, DET

One of Detroit’s two catchers is expected to make four starts this week, and Rogers was their opening-day starter. The Tigers play three games at the end of the week at home vs. the White Sox, inviting an uptick in scoring. Rogers showed high power upside in 2023, hitting 21 home runs over 331 at-bats, but his bat carries significant batting average risk, as evidenced by his .203 major league average. He lost his power momentum last year (10 home runs over 310 at-bats).

Rating: Possible home run this week, but Rogers will require only $1 bids in the high-stakes market. His job will be at risk if Dillon Dingler gets his approach under control.

Freddy Fermin, KC

The Royals will give Salvador Perez plenty of at-bats at DH, creating a playable C2 opportunity at times for Fermin in deep formats. His stats over the past two seasons (.275/66/15/68/2 over 556 at-bats) for Kansas City paint a winning C2 option if given 450 at-bats. Unfortunately, he can’t reach that playing time level without an injury to Perez.

Rating: Fermin is another flier catcher, but his help in batting average could lift his bids to the $3 to $7 range for fantasy teams desperate to fill catching needs.

Other Options: Kyle Teel (buy-and-hold)

First Base

Wilmer Flores, SF

Success at the plate drives interest in fantasy bats. Career resume and at-bat opportunity set the tone for a player’s value in the free-agent market. The Giants gave Flores three starts (two DH and one at 1B) to open 2025, and he responded with a pair of home runs and four RBIs over his first two games. He comes off a down season (.206/19/4/26 over 214 at-bats) due to missing much of 2024 with shoulder and knee issues. Over his last nine seasons, Flores has had higher than 405 at-bats once (525 in 2022).

Rating: E-class token bid at best, as Flores falls into the “ride him while he's hot” category. He has 20+ home run power if given 450 at-bats. He’s worth a dart, but don’t overpay for last week’s production at the expense of a player with higher long-term upside.

Rowdy Tellez, SEA

The Mariners awarded Tellez their starting first base job against right-handed pitching after a successful spring training (14-for-47 with nine runs, three home runs, and five RBIs). He hit 35 home runs over 529 at-bats in 2022, but his momentum in power waned over the past two seasons, with 26 home runs and 103 RBIs over 694 at-bats. His batting average has been a liability over the past three seasons (.219, .215, and .243) despite a reasonable approach at the plate.

Rating: When reviewing draft boards this year in the NFBC, I noticed that many teams were weak in home runs, particularly the ones that faded corner infielders early and the catcher position. Tellez won’t command bids over the E-class token range unless he has a big game on Sunday or someone has a glaring hole at 1B, CO, or DH in 15-team leagues.

Other Options: Johan Bride, Ty France, Nick Kurtz

Second Base

Will Wagner, TOR

Over his two seasons at AAA (312 at-bats), Wagner posted a batting average edge (.337) with an elite approach (61 walks and 39 strikeouts). On the downside, he didn’t have an edge in home runs (6) and stolen base (5). The Blue Jays gave him 24 games of experience last year, where Wagner hit .305 with eight runs, two home runs, and 11 RBIs. The Blue Jays gave him three starts to open the season.

Rating: I view Wagner as a gap player for a fantasy team. He’ll contribute with occasional power and speed, but riding him for too long will result in losing stats in three to four categories. Token E-Class bids until more balls go over the fence.

Curtis Mead, TB

Following a hot spring training (22-for-42 with eight runs, one home run, five RBIs, and a stolen base), the Rays awarded Mead a leadoff opportunity on opening day. He went 0-for-6 over his first two games against the lowly Rockies’ pitching staff, followed by a day off on Sunday. His output at AAA (.298/112/26/102/16 over 685 at-bats) suggests a winning ceiling once Mead secures every day at-bats in the majors.

Rating: I don’t see enough buzz in his name to justify fighting for him in the free-agent pool, but I also wouldn’t mind adding him as a buy-and-hold option if I had a weakness at the middle infield position. At the very least, he should be a handcuff to the often-injured Brandon Lowe.

Other Options: Amed Rosario, Adam Frazier, Ji Hwan Bae

Third Base

Graham Pauley, MIA

An oblique issue to Connor Norby cleared a path for Pauley to earn starting at-bats with Miami. His batting average (.224) was a liability last season at AAA, but he produced competitive stats in runs (42), home runs (10), and RBIs (45) for his at-bats (272). Pauley walked 12.5% of the time with a favorable strikeout rate (20.9), painting a higher profile once his bat is major league-ready. His best minor league season came in 2023 between A, High-A, and AA (.308/98/23/94/22 over 481 at-bats).

Rating: Despite his regression last year, Pauley should be a much better player in the majors. The Marlins will sit him against left-handed pitchers, making him a challenging player to start in any format until his swing at the plate shows more success. I only flier bids this week.

Yoan Moncada, LAA

Any fantasy team navigating this low on the third base food chain has to contend with multiple injuries at 3B or the corner infield. Moncada had a quiet spring training (4-for-21 with three runs, one home run, and two RBIs) with seven walks and six strikeouts. His last and only meaningful season came in 2019 (.315/83/25/79/10 over 511 at-bats).

Rating: Based on talent, Moncada is worth a flier dart for fantasy teams shopping in the third base aisle. He won’t cost much, so the fantasy manager should consider him a week-to-week test drive.

Other Options: Kyle Farmer, Oswald Peraza (HR – Yankees have an open third base job)

Shortstop

Max Muncy, ATH

A pre-season injury to Zack Gelof created an opportunity for Muncy to see more playing time. Last year, his bat displayed potential at AAA, where he hit .277 across 173 at-bats, tallying 28 runs, eight home runs, 33 RBIs, and four stolen bases. At most, he serves as a temporary fill-in to cover Gelof's short-term absence.

Rating: Muncy is 2-for-12 with a solo home run to start his major league career. He’ll command only flier bids this week unless he has a big day at the plate on Sunday.

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI

The Diamondbacks surprised the fantasy market by signing Perdomo to a four-year $45 million deal in mid-February. He missed over two months of the previous season due to surgery on his right knee. Over his 337 at-bats in 2024, Perdomo hit .273 with 61 runs, three home runs, 37 RBIs, and nine steals while lowering his strikeout rate (15.0). He went 13-for-45 in spring training with 11 runs, one home run, three RBIs, and three stolen bases.

Rating: Arizona will hit him down in their lineup, hurting his counting stats, but Perdomo still may surprise by delivering playable middle infield stats in 15-team stats. I sense that he’ll run more in 2025 with some uptick in power. If someone needs a bench upgrade at shortstop or middle infield, I could see low-teens bids this week due to minimal helpful inventory.

Other Options: J.P Crawford, Orlando Arcia, Taylor Walls

Outfield

Leody Tavares, TEX

The Rangers sent Evan Carter back to AAA (1-for-9 with a walk and two strikeouts) before the season, clearing a path for Tavares to have every day at-bats. His bat was productive in March (nine runs, four home runs, seven RBIs, and four steals over 51 at-bats), other than batting average (.196). He offers double-digit power with helpful stolen bases, but Carter will eventually steal his job.

Rating: Depending on team structure, Tavares could draw E-class market value to token bids this week. Many fantasy managers will be looking for steals, and he has two in the bank already after two games.

Kameron Misner, TB

The loss of Josh Lowe, potentially for two months, creates an opportunity for another Rays outfielder to start. Following a strong spring training performance (13-for-33, six runs, two home runs, five RBIs, and two stolen bases), Kameron Misner earned a spot on the Rays' opening-day roster and is next in line on their right-field depth chart.

Over the past two seasons in AAA, he posted a .237 average across 862 at-bats, accumulating 162 runs, 38 home runs, 113 RBIs, and 51 stolen bases. However, a notable weakness is his 32.6% strikeout rate. Misner's swing-and-miss tendencies could leave his bat vulnerable as he begins his major league career.

Rating: I could see Misner’s bid being much higher than I’m willing to pay. He has the “next man up” opportunity, but strikeouts will be a problem early in his major league career. I won’t be bidding, and I have Lowe on multiple teams. At best, E-class token bids.

Chandler Simpson, TB

In the high-stakes market, drafters weren’t chasing down Kameron Misner. They sought the explosive speed potential of Simpson, who had 102 steals in 2024. He brings a lightweight bat, having no career home runs in the minors over 930 at-bats, but his approach (106 walks and 92 strikeouts) is excellent.

Rating: Simpson does need AAA experience, but his ability to get on base and steal bases will help Tampa and upgrade their right field position. He is a massive speed-out with buy-and-hold value, and I could see him in the majors by the end of April.

Kyle Stowers, MIA

Heading into Sunday, Stowers sits atop the free-agent pool in at-bats (12) while hitting .333 with a run, two RBIs, and a steal. He now has 325 at-bats of experience in the majors (.212/28/6/37/1), showcasing his weakness in strikeouts (119). His AAA profile over four seasons (.253 over 892 at-bats with 147 runs, 57 home runs, 193 RBIs, and seven stolen bases) suggests that his bat may not be ready for the major leagues.

Rating: At best, a flier dart with a week-to-week leash.

Other Options: Jarred Kelenic, Dane Myers, Gavin Sheets, Jack Suwinski, Starling Marte, Luis Matos

Starting Pitching

Sean Newcomb, BOS

After solid spring training (one run, 12 baserunners, and 13 strikeouts over 14.1 innings), Newcomb has double starts (@BAL and STL) for his hometown team. He was born in Brockton, MA, about 30 minutes from Fenway Park. I briefly met his day on the way back from Las Vegas after drafting my fantasy teams for the NFBC in 2017 or 2018. His fastball (93.3 mph) is league average, while he relies on his cutter as his top usage pitch.

Rating: His matchup on the road against the Orioles will keep most fantasy managers away, as it’s too early in the season to take an unprovoked hit in ERA and WHIP. Additionally, Newcomb has pitched only 98.2 innings in the majors (6.66 ERA) over the past five seasons.

Matthew Liberatore, STL

Major league batters have had their way with Liberatore over his first three seasons in the majors, posting a 4.99 ERA, 1.426 WHIP, and 150 strikeouts over 182.1 innings. His left arm did show growth last season based on his walk (2.9) and strikeouts (8.0) rates. Over six appearances in spring training, he allowed three runs and 13 baserunners over 16.2 innings with nine strikeouts. His fastball (95.6 mph) was a career-best in March. Liberatore continues to refine his cutter to improve his success against left-handed hitters.

Rating: He is an intriguing arm, as his major resume depresses his value. Liberatore has a favorable single start (LAA), followed by two starts next week (@PIT and PHI). I’m interested in the main event, but I’m not sure I have the roster space due to some injuries. I see bids coming in lower than the E-Class token level.

Carson Spiers, CIN

Despite disaster stats last season (5.46 ERA, 1.533 WHIP, and 27 home runs allowed over 90.2 innings), Spiers has a flash midseason (4-2 with a 3.19 ERA, 1.083 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts over 48.0 innings). He pitched well in spring training (four runs, 13 baserunners, and two home runs over 14.0 innings with 11 strikeouts). His fastball (92.3) doesn’t have an edge in velocity, but Spiers offers an upside changeup.

Rating: He is another risk/reward pitcher with double starts (TEX and @MIL). Spiers should draw only flier bids.

Chad Patrick, MIL

Last season, Patrick went 14-1 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 145 strikeouts over 136.1 innings. The Brewers gave him one major league appearance last season, in which he allowed two runs, three baserunners, and one home run over one inning, striking out one. His fastball (94.5 mph) was improved in spring training. Patrick features a cutter as his top pitch. His command (one walk) graded well in March, but he allowed five runs, 13 hits, and one home run over 8.1 innings with 10 strikeouts.

Rating: Patrick has the potential to be a buy-and-hold candidate, given his success at AAA. He has two starts at home (KC and CIN) this week. Let’s go just over E-Class token bids.

Other Options: Jack Kochanowicz, Ben Brown (83.0% rostered), Simeon Woods Richardson (79.0% owned), Mitchell Parker

Deep Fliers: Lance McCullers, Andrew Abbott