Fantasy411: 10 smart waiver-wire pickups

August 3rd, 2016

Could your fantasy team use more power? What about saves? Steals? Runs, RBIs or wins?
Regardless of your holes, the fantasy waiver wire has a plug or a long-term fix to pick up today. Check the following 10 men -- all sitting in waivers in many leagues, and all ready to help you win.
, 2B/OF: Available to manager Dusty Baker at shortstop, second base and in the outfield, Turner should see his name atop the Nationals' lineup card on most days down the stretch. Batting .378 with five steals across 39 plate appearances since July 24, the 23-year-old has shown that he can be the table-setter on a Washington squad that was looking for an offensive spark after losing six of its initial 10 games following the All-Star break.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, 2B/3B/OF: Hitting .387 with four homers and nine steals across 68 plate appearances, Perez has been the most valuable fantasy hitter since the All-Star break. Although the 25-year-old won't sustain his current pace at the plate (or .465 BABIP), he has the speed to make a long-term contributor in standard formats.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
, SS: The Brewers' top prospect per MLB Pipeline, the 21-year-old Arcia should be added in virtually all fantasy leagues immediately. The speedy shortstop owns a lifetime .282 average in the Minors and could be a boon for owners in need of stolen bases and -- to a lesser extent -- runs and batting-average points.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
, OF: With a .312/.378/.532 slash line in the Minors this year, Benintendi has proven he is ready to skip Triple-A and help the Red Sox push toward the postseason. Expected to play left field against right-handed pitching, Benintendi should record a high batting mark with a handful of steals and the occasional homer down the stretch. The 22-year-old will likely lack the power and playing time to move the needle in shallow formats right now, but he's worth adding in most standard leagues.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, OF: A popular deep-league sleeper last offseason after compiling five homers and six steals across 161 plate appearances in 2015, Altherr is back in action after missing nearly four months of the season due to a left wrist injury. Expected to hold a regular role with the Phillies from this point forward, the 25-year-old -- who has hit .333 with a pair of homers and steals across 22 plate appearances since returning to the lineup -- can provide fantasy owners with a useful blend of power and speed.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues
, SP: Since returning from Tommy John surgery on July 26, Skaggs has produced a 13-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 12 1/3 scoreless innings. Although pitchers sometimes struggle with consistency right after returning from the major elbow surgery, Skaggs needs to be active for as long as he's posting quality starts.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, RP: After opening the year with a strong two months, has posted a 6.55 ERA since the start of July, losing the trust of manager Scott Servais and fantasy owners alike. Those in need of saves should rush out to add the rookie Diaz, who has a 1.73 ERA and a ridiculous 18.0 K/9 rate across 26 innings.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
, RP: With a 2.47 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP in his career, Watson has the skills to thrive in the ninth inning for a Pirates squad that needs a replacement for . Although left-handers are rarely handed ninth-inning jobs, the southpaw Watson seems like a worthy exception, having held righty hitters to a lifetime .214 opponents' average (.204 vs. lefty batters).
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

, RP: By dealing and at the Trade Deadline, the Brewers cleared space to move Thornburg into the ninth inning. The right-handed Thornburg owns the necessary 2016 numbers (2.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 12.6 K/9 rate) to persuade mixed-league owners that he is be ready to become a reliable closer.
Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues
, RP: With the emergence of so many new save sources in recent days, Barrett's ascension to the ninth inning has flown under the radar. Even before was traded to the Yankees last weekend, the rookie righty was pushing past the veteran to anchor Arizona's bullpen. While Barrett lacks the eye-popping ratios (4.04 FIP, 1.22 WHIP), he is a worthwhile option for owners who do not find Diaz, Watson or Thornburg on the waiver wire.
Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues