Cover the Basics: Waiver Wire Adds for Week 10

The fantasy landscape may change soon as Major League Baseball has announced that it will finalize the rules and application protocols for pitchers using foreign substances. These changes are expected to begin in the coming weeks.
The use of substances such as pine tar has been banned for years, but referees and players have largely ignored the rule. However, the recent dramatic increase in pitching turnover rates and the perceived advantage pitchers hold has led to an outcry from position players.
Team batting averages currently sit at 0.236, the lowest in major league history. Strike-out rates climbed to 8.99 for nine innings, the highest in major league history.
This rule change could have an effect on launchers who rely on foreign substances to create a higher spin rate and increase their speed.
At the start of the application, managers should closely monitor sudden drops in speed among their staff to determine who might be affected the most without additional assistance.
Managers who need additional help with their roster before the new rules go into effect may consider these options in less than 50% of ESPN leagues.
Hitters
James McCann, C, New York Mets (39.2 percent enrolled)
McCann signed a four-year, $ 40 million contract with the Mets during the offseason and wasn’t loved by the Citi Field loyalists early on.
In his first 30 games with the Mets, the 30-year-old has only reached 0.202 with a homerun and eight RBIs. As the Mets continued to struggle with multiple injuries, the receiver was forced to make four starts on first base in place of Pete Alonso. The change seems to have pulled McCann out of his slump.
In 10 games since appearing on first base, the former all-star has reached 0.306 with four homers, 11 RBIs and six runs scored. The Mets offense as a whole is starting to improve and McCann should reap the rewards as he now sits third in the roster, between Francisco Lindor and Alonso.
Ty France, 2B, 1B, Seattle Mariners (38.5% registered)
It’s a story of two seasons for France. In his first 22 games, the Mariners infielder was 0.325 with 13 RBIs and 17 RBIs, making him one of the most valuable waiver additions in the first month of the season.
In their next 14 games, France fell off a cliff, recording just three hits (0.063 batting average) and one RBI during that span. A later stint on the injured list may have cleared France’s head as he returned looking like the player he was in April.
In 12 games since their reinstatement, France have reached .326 with five doubles and seven RBIs. The power he has shown in Triple-A (27 HR in 76 games) has yet to show in the majors. However, France makes hard contact almost 40% of the time and its current home run-to-steal rate of 6% is expected to normalize and move closer to its career mark of 10.5%.
Managers looking for a midfielder should add France before their power shows up as the weather starts to heat up.
Willy Adames, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (19.3 percent enrolled)
Adames never liked playing at Tropicana Field. In 171 home games at Tampa Bay, Adames has reached just 0.218. He’s been much better in 166 road games, cutting .293 / .366 / .497.
The 25-year-old was traded to the Brewers on May 21 and the change of scenery had an immediate effect on his production. As he hit under the Mendoza line with the Rays, Adames immediately became a key part of the Brewers’ roster, slicing .269 / .356 / .481 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 15 games.
The shortstop had also progressed in the roster, reaching second in five of the last eight games. Adames hit 20 home runs in his last full season with the Rays and could hit at the same pace playing more games at the American Family Field’s pitching friendly compound.
Other options: Jonathan Schoop, 2B / 1B, Detroit Tigers (40.9% registered), Hunter Renfroe, OF, Boston Red Sox (37.4% registered), Chris Gittens, 1B, New York Yankees (1.4% registered)
Pitchers
Tarik Skubal, SP, Detroit Tigers (20.8% enrolled)
Skubal is one of the Tigers’ top prospects and has shown his potential after a tough start to the season. Skubal threw no more than 88 pitches in an April start and was used as a long reliever on two occasions.
Now fully stretched, the 24-year-old has passed 90 shots in each of his last six starts, posting a 3-3 record with a 3.09 ERA and a whopping 14.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
He’s struck out at least eight batters in four straight starts and five of his last six. He’s also shown he can face tough lineups, allowing just one run in his last two starts against the White Sox and Yankees.
The young pitcher could struggle to secure victories over the last-place Tigers. However, Skubal will provide managers with plenty of strikeouts and solid / excellent ratios going forward.
Tony Gonsolin, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (33.2 percent enrolled)
Gonsolin was placed on the injured list in the first week of the season due to shoulder inflammation and will be activated to make his debut this week against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Gonsolin was excellent last season, posting a 2-2 record with a 2.31 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 46.2 innings pitched. In his starting career, the 27-year-old has a 2.33 ERA and has kept his opponents at an average of 0.185.
Gonsolin will need a few starts to fully stretch, as his Triple-A rehab debut was cut short due to an upset stomach. However, when he reaches his full strength, Gonsolin will be an excellent source of wins, ratios and strikeouts.
JP Feyereisen, RP, Tampa Bay Rays (22.0 percent enrolled)
Feyereisen was acquired from the Brewers as part of the Adames trade and immediately trusted in high leverage situations. In six appearances for the Rays, the reliever had three saves while allowing only one point.
The 28-year-old will generate plenty of strikes and good ratios, although he’s not the only one closer to Tampa Bay.
The Rays will continue to use a committee in the ninth inning, but Feyereisen has apparently passed Diego Castillo as the line-up for the saves. Managers of leagues that score saves and holds must immediately register the last Ray.
Other options: Wade Miley, SP, Cincinnati Reds (44.1% registered), Adbert Alzolay, SP, Chicago Cubs (43.2% registered), Alex Cobb, SP, Los Angeles Angels (22.1% registered)