Last Updated on July 20, 2026 6:09 pm by Paul Williamson | Published: July 20, 2026

We are at a point now where managers need to start being a bit more picky about their waiver wire adds.

Early in the year, especially in 12-team formats, you were adding players with hopes of rest of season value in multiple categories (think Kody Clemens, Jake Bauers, Nick Martinez, etc.).

Not to say finding dudes like that now isn’t valuable, but managers need to start paying attention to their category specific needs.

If you are in a roto league, go find the categories that you are behind in and start making adds with those categories in mind.

If you are in a head-to-head, go back through your matchups and see which categories you are consistently losing, and proceed accordingly.

Don’t add a major power bat if your team is already producing homers.

Don’t add that speedster if you are doing well in steals.

Maybe add that fringe closer if you’re near the bottom in saves.

Maybe take on that high-K dude if your ratios are good but you are missing out on strikeouts.

These decisions can be the difference between cashing in your league (or even winning it) vs. finishing just outside.

So my recommendations are dudes that can help you in specific categories.

Grant Taylor – CHW – 24% Yahoo

Managers are paying too much attention to fantasy football seeing how low Taylor’s roster% is.

He is the ninth inning dude with just a small risk of a matchup based shark from Sean Newcomb.

Taylor has allowed runs in just one of his last eight games with 12 Ks. On the year he has a 2.74 ERA (2.47 FIP), 33.2% K% and 8.4% BB%. The White Sox (in my view) will not buy a closer at the deadline as they are performing well beyond expectations and are not in any hurry to capitalize on a small title window.

Other save options

• Jacob Webb, Cubs – is a short term add with Daniel Palencia due back.
• Taylor Wells – BAL – could be short term if the Orioles decide to sell him away at the deadline.

Heriberto Hernandez – MIA – 7% Yahoo

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Paul Williamson

I grew up in Crosby, TX, just about 30 minutes east of Houston, TX. Yes, I am a major Houston Astros fan, and love my Texans and Rockets.

I graduated Crosby High School in 2006 (Go Coogs!) and attended San Jacinto College (Go Gators!) before attending and graduating from Texas Tech in 2012 (Go Tech!). I got my degree in journalism.

Throughout my academic life I was on some form of debate team, and it was the greatest experience of my academic career.

Now I couldn’t be more happier. Sports Ethos is allowing to me to live a life long dream: to be a sports writer.

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