OTW 268 – Final FAAB; September 20, 2026

On The Wire Episode 268 — Final FAAB (Sunday, September 20, 2026)

Adam and Kevin close out the 2026 FAAB season with their traditionally shortest show, covering IL moves for Aaron Judge, Jackson Holliday and Logan Webb, Félix Bautista’s return in Baltimore, Pete Fairbanks‘ season-ending surgery in Miami, and how playoff-bound clubs like the Dodgers, Red Sox and Phillies are managing their pitchers before October. The back half leans on last-week power, speed, and win chasers, plus a sprawling closer-by-committee picture, while Kevin urges listeners to load benches with hitters and spend extra time on Friday lineups, then signs off with a lighthearted reminder to thank your significant other.

Welcome and News 0:00-30:00

Aaron Judge hits the IL again and hopes to return for the playoffs; Spencer Jones misses Saturday’s game
Players Discussed: Aaron Judge, Spencer Jones, José Caballero, Anthony Volpe, George Lombard Jr., Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ryan McMahon

Orioles place Jackson Holliday on the IL, send down Heston Kjerstad and Cade Povich, and activate Félix Bautista
Players Discussed: Jackson Holliday, Heston Kjerstad, Cade Povich, Félix Bautista, Rico García, Andrew Kittredge, Ryan Helsley, Jeremiah Jackson

Relievers with clean ratios gain value as teams lean on bullpens in the final week
Players Discussed: Abner Uribe

Logan Webb hits the IL, ending his season
Players Discussed: Logan Webb

Marlins’ Pete Fairbanks has thoracic outlet surgery, leaving Calvin Faucher and Michael Petersen in the saves mix
Players Discussed: Pete Fairbanks, Calvin Faucher, Michael Petersen

Dodgers get Edwin Díaz back and expect Roki Sasaki Sunday, with Justin Wrobleski in line for multiple innings
Players Discussed: Edwin Díaz, Roki Sasaki, Justin Wrobleski, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal

Dodgers could retroactively IL Blake Snell, opening a spot for Emmet Sheehan or Landon Knack
Players Discussed: Blake Snell, Emmet Sheehan, Landon Knack, Kris Bubic

Tommy Pham gets called up by the White Sox and is a deep-league power option
Players Discussed: Tommy Pham

Twins place Kaelen Culpepper on the IL, recall Ben Ross for everyday shortstop duty
Players Discussed: Kaelen Culpepper, Ben Ross

Red Sox scramble rotation: Payton Tolle skipped and Patrick Sandoval’s start pulled
Players Discussed: Jonny DeLuca, Payton Tolle, Patrick Sandoval

Connelly Early announced for his Nationals debut next Saturday
Players Discussed: Connelly Early

White Sox move Luis Castillo to the bullpen, Phillies claim José Urquidy
Players Discussed: Luis Castillo, José Urquidy

Playoff teams manage pitchers: Phillies expect bullpen days for Crristopher Sánchez and Zack Wheeler, Red Sox line up Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez and Tolle
Players Discussed: Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, Payton Tolle, Jacob Misiorowski, Tarik Skubal

Jared Jones lines up for two starts despite innings concerns; Sandy Alcantara notches a save
Players Discussed: Jared Jones, Aaron Ashby, Sandy Alcantara

Red Sox lose Aroldis Chapman to a lat issue, with Garrett Whitlock and Erik Miller picking up saves
Players Discussed: Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, Erik Miller

FAAB Recommendations, Hitters 30:00-45:00

Power (RBI, HR)
Players Discussed: Mark Vientos, Jared Young, Brett Baty, Dansby Swanson

Speed (R, SB)
Players Discussed: Jonah Cox, Maikel Garcia, Carlos Jorge

Opportunity (AB, AVG)
Players Discussed: Javier Sanoja, Donovan Walton, Jahmai Jones, Adley Rutschman, Roman Anthony, Trevor Story

FAAB Recommendations, Pitchers 45:00-50:00

Volume (W, K)
Players Discussed: Anthony Kay

Ratios (ERA, WHIP)
Players Discussed: Jack Flaherty, Ryan Zeferjahn, Tyler Holton

Closers (Saves)
Players Discussed: Bryan Hudson, Grant Taylor, Nate Pearson, Steven Cruz, Calvin Faucher, Michael Petersen, Edwin Díaz, Garrett Whitlock, Erik Miller, Jeff Hoffman, Yoendrys Gómez, Dylan Smith, Trent Harris

Wild Card and Closing Advice 50:00-1:00:00

Tommy Pham as a deep-league stash for the White Sox’ final weekend
Players Discussed: Tommy Pham

Thank your significant other