Joakim Soria (RP, CWS) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 41% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Joakim Soria appears to be the closer in on the North Side of Chicago, making him part of an elite group in fantasy baseball. He has four saves this season, striking out 13 batters in 12 1/3 innings.

A two-time 40 save pitcher, who had a 2.01 ERA in 255 innings from 2007-2010, Soria has regressed over the last few seasons. While he has only walked two batters this season, he has also allowed 15 hits (and two home runs), making him far from an elite closer. Also, the White Sox are not a particularly good team, limiting his save opportunities.

An owner in one of my fantasy leagues values all closers as an SP1; while it is wildly incorrect to say that a pitcher with a 4.38 ERA and 1.38 WHIP has the same value as Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, all closers need to be owned in all leagues. Soria is no different, as long as he holds off Nate Jones for saves.