The 2025 MLB season is underway, and savvy fantasy baseball players are scouring the waiver wire to enhance their rosters. This week’s top pickups include promising names such as Cam Smith, Kristian Campbell, and Matt Shaw, who have demonstrated strong performances early in the season. Smith, a third baseman, boasts a 46% roster rate and is a must-add in all leagues, while Campbell, the Boston Red Sox’s second baseman, is also a hot pick with a 39% roster rate after hitting his first home run. The article emphasizes the importance of keeping up with player news, including injuries and emerging talent, to make informed waiver decisions.

Other notable picks include Bowden Francis, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and several pitchers like A.J. Puk and Drew Rasmussen, each recommended for deeper leagues. The article recommends evaluating players based on their early-season performances and potential to fill gaps in your lineup. With a comprehensive list of 100 players, fantasy managers can prioritize their waiver wire strategies effectively. Stay ahead by monitoring the latest updates and adjusting your roster accordingly.

As the 2025 fantasy baseball drafts commence, seekers of value in the later rounds are focusing their attention on players like Tyler Fitzgerald and Christopher Morel, who promise potential upside. Fitzgerald of the San Francisco Giants showed a notable performance last season, with 15 home runs and 17 stolen bases in just 96 games. His speed and power make him an intriguing late-round option, especially given the limited alternatives the Giants have defensively.

Morel, now with the Tampa Bay Rays, brings a streaky performance but a tantalizing power upside, having recorded 21 home runs last season. The Rays' new ballpark conditions could further enhance his production. Meanwhile, Michael Conforto, despite being overlooked in drafts, has the potential to thrive with the Los Angeles Dodgers, bolstered by a favorable hitting environment and a strong lineup. For pitchers, Drew Rasmussen presents a low-risk option after demonstrating solid ratios in the past seasons, while Jackson Jobe's minor league pedigree could make him a valuable late-round flier.

The Tampa Bay Rays successfully navigated salary arbitration for all seven of their eligible players, including pitcher Zack Littell, ahead of the deadline. Littell is set to earn $5.72 million in 2025, a significant increase from his $1.85 million salary in 2024, surpassing the initial projections of $4.8 million.

Since joining the team off waivers in 2023, Littell has transitioned from a career reliever to a reliable starter, achieving impressive statistics. In 2023, he recorded a 3.93 ERA and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings over 14 starts. He improved in 2024, finishing with an 8-10 record and a 3.63 ERA in 29 starts, leading all Rays players with a 2.8 WAR.

Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays reached a two-year, $8.5 million agreement, avoiding salary arbitration. The deal could be valued at up to $28 million over three years, inclusive of a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $2 million for 2026 and $5.5 million in 2027.

The contract features an $8 million option for the 2027 season, with specific escalators tied to his health and performance. Notably, if Rasmussen maintains a healthy arm, he could benefit from up to $6 million in escalators based on the number of injured-list days and starts made in 2026.

Rasmussen, who turned 29, underwent elbow surgery in July 2023 and made his return in August, finishing the season with a solid 2.82 ERA despite limited starts. He has a history of injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries, but has shown promise in his five-year career with the Rays and Milwaukee, boasting a 20-12 record. Currently, five Rays players remain eligible for arbitration, highlighting the dynamic roster changes in Tampa Bay.

Drew Rasmussen has finalized a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays worth $8.5 million, successfully avoiding salary arbitration. The contract includes an option that could increase the total value to $28 million across three years. The agreement was announced by Rasmussen’s agency, Beverly Hills Sports Council, just days ahead of the scheduled arbitration discussions.

The 29-year-old right-hander underwent a third elbow surgery in July 2023 but made a swift return to the mound on August 7. During his brief stint following recovery, he recorded a 2.82 ERA with a 0-2 record in four starts and 12 relief appearances, showcasing his ability with a 97.4 mph four-seam fastball.

Throughout his five-year career, Rasmussen boasts a 20-12 record with a 2.95 ERA over 50 starts and 44 relief appearances, primarily with the Milwaukee Brewers and the Rays. He will remain under contract with the Rays until at least the end of the 2026 season, provided the option is not exercised. Meanwhile, several other Rays players are still in arbitration, including Shane Baz and Zack Littell.