In a perfect world, the waiver wire will be littered with players who can help in all categories. However, this late in the year is hard to come by. Targeting specific categories that could help move you up the standings is the strategy that should be implemented in the final couple of weeks.
Waiver-Wire Targets:
Texas Rangers Infielder Josh Jung — The 24-year-old will make his major league debut on Sept. 9 with the expectation the Rangers will allow the youngster to play every day. Jung is a top-50 prospect and has legit power. The rookie had shoulder surgery in the offseason, which sidelined him for most of the season or he would have been promoted earlier. In 31 games, Jung hit .266 with nine home runs. He is coming off a 2021 season in which he slugged 19 home runs. We’re hoping Jung can hit some home runs for us over the final few weeks.
Boston Red Sox Infielder Triston Casas — This is another rookie who we hope can give us production in the final weeks. The 22-year-old was a top-20 prospect and had a strong minor league season with a .281 batting average and 12 home runs. In four big league games, Casas has collected two hits with one of those being a home run. Like with Jung, we’re hoping for power in the final weeks.
Potential Closer Targets
These pitchers aren’t very good and they have proved it with their recent performances. Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Ian Kennedy has 10 saves this season but has blown back-to-back chances. Los Angeles Angels reliever Jimmy Herget notched three consecutive saves at the end of August. However, the right-hander blew a save on Sept. 6. It should be noted that he bounced back and got a hold on Sept. 7.
These are probably pitchers I would not recommend earlier in the season, but if you are chasing saves in an effort to move up a few places in the standings, these guys are targets. I’m not 100 percent convinced they will still be in these roles with their recent struggles, but they are worth taking a chance on if it means holding on to the lead or hoping to pick up a couple of saves.