Jake Diekman (RP, OAK) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 36% of leagues

ANALYSIS: The growing trend in MLB toward the use of closer committees is a frustrating development for fantasy managers in traditional 5x5 leagues. While relievers who work in innings other than the ninth can still provide plenty of value via excellent ratios and high strikeout totals, managers who can't or won't punt saves still need to cobble enough handshakes together to compete.

After losing Trevor Rosenthal for the year, Oakland has turned to both Lou Trivino and Jake Diekman in the final frame. Trivino had received the last three opportunities (and converted on all of them) before Diekman got to close things out on Monday. Though his teammate still figures to get the majority of the save chances, Diekman is clearly in the mix based on matchups and will vulture opportunities when Trivino needs a night off.

Since the start of 2020, Diekman has a miniscule 1.04 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 49 strikeouts in 34.2 innings. Should the current arrangement persist, he figures to reach double digits in saves with upside for more if Trivino suffers an injury or bout of ineffectiveness.