As we head into Week 9 of the fantasy baseball season, the waiver wire is heating up with some intriguing options that could give your roster a much-needed boost. Whether you're looking to add power at the plate, bolster your starting rotation, or lock down some saves, we've got you covered. Here are five players to target who are still available in the majority of Yahoo leagues.
Gregory Soto, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates' bullpen has been a bit of a committee this season, with both Soto and Dennis Santana seeing save opportunities. Soto has emerged as the clear favorite, though, tallying four saves compared to Santana's two. What's more telling is that Santana hasn't recorded a save since April 15th, while Soto has locked down three since then. With a stellar 1.69 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, and a 32.9% strikeout rate, Soto is the reliever you want on your roster. He's proving to be a reliable source of saves and elite ratios.
A.J. Ewing, OF, New York Mets
The Mets have been struggling to find offensive consistency, ranking dead last in OPS across baseball. Injuries to key players like Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert, and Francisco Alvarez have only made matters worse. Enter A.J. Ewing, a dynamic speedster who was called up to provide a spark. Last season, Ewing posted a .390 wOBA and stole an incredible 70 bases across three minor league levels. This year, before his promotion, he was hitting with a .432 wOBA and had already swiped 17 bags. With his elite speed and knack for getting on base, Ewing could be a fantasy game-changer in the steals category.
J.C. Cortes, OF, Oakland Athletics
Cortes doesn't see much playing time against left-handed pitchers, which does cap his fantasy ceiling somewhat. But it's hard to ignore a guy who is batting .343 with a .417 wOBA over 110 plate appearances. He's also shown some pop with a .212 ISO and an impressively low 9.1% strikeout rate. His plate discipline was on full display in the minors last year, where he posted a 14.6% strikeout rate and a 13.1% walk rate at Triple-A. Expect Cortes to continue getting regular at-bats whenever the Athletics face a right-handed starter, making him a solid streaming option.
Grayson Rodriguez, SP, Los Angeles Angels
After missing the entire 2025 season due to injury, Rodriguez was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Angels, and he's looking to regain his form. While his early returns have been mixed, the talent is undeniable. Rodriguez has the stuff to be a frontline starter, and with the Angels giving him every opportunity to pitch deep into games, he's worth a speculative add. If he can find his groove, he could be a valuable arm down the stretch.
Dennis Santana, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
While Soto is the preferred option in the Pirates' bullpen, Santana still holds some value, especially in deeper leagues. He's not the primary closer, but he's shown he can handle high-leverage situations and has two saves on the year. If Soto struggles or gets traded, Santana could quickly become a key fantasy asset. For now, he's a depth piece with upside.
Whether you're chasing steals, saves, or a batting average boost, these waiver wire targets could help you make a move in the standings. Happy hunting!