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4 fantasy baseball waiver wire replacements for Mariners SP Robbie Ray

By Brad Berreman

Mar 31, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) walks to the dugout following the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) walks to the dugout following the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Dave Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Dave Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs

Taillon is making his 2023 season debut Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers as of this writing, with three runs allowed on seven hits over four full innings. He had a solid spring after signing a nice free agent deal with the Cubs (3.93 ERA, 23 strikeouts, zero walks over 18.1 innings).

Last season with the Yankees, Taillon appeared to be all the way back from the elbow injury and eventual Tommy John surgery that cost him most of 2019 and the entire 2020 season. Over 32 starts (177.1 innings) he had a 3.91 ERA (backed credibly by a 3.94 FIP) with a strikeout peripherals (7.7 K/9, 20.7 percent strikeout rate) and a sub-2.0 BB/9 (1.6). His 14 wins were helped by getting over 5.5 runs of support, and it’s fair to say that won’t be happening like that with the Cubs.

That said, Taillon is line to eat a solid amount of innings with helpful ratios. That makes him a solid asset in mixed leagues.

Yahoo! Ownership: 70%
ESPN Ownership: 43%

2. Zach Eflin, Tampa Bay Rays

Eflin made his 2023 debut on Saturday, holding the Detroit Tigers to one run on three hits over five innings with five strikeouts, one walk and a mark in the win column. His next start, Friday April 7, is also a favorable matchup against Oakland.

A recurring knee issue the last couple seasons prevented Eflin from putting together a strong full season during his time with the Phillies. But he did show improved control the last two seasons, dropping his BB/9 below 1.9 each season with walk rates of 3.6 (2021) and 4.8 percent (2022).

The Rays are sure to lean into analytics to limit their starters’ exposure to opposing lineups more than twice or so, and that past knee issue is a thing to just be aware of for Eflin. But he is an absolute asset for mixed leagues, and he was underdrafted.

Full disclosure: I added Eflin in the 10-team mixed league I have Robbie Ray in.

Yahoo! Ownership: 37%
ESPN Ownership: 17.4%

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