• Guru Database: Deep Stats- 5 Years, customizable
• Customized Projections
• Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets, SOS Tool, Points Allowed Tool
• Best Strategy Articles around
• Tons of News & Inside information
• Trade/Roster Analyzers
• Blogs, Message Boards, Expert Chats, Informative Podcasts, Video Reports, more
• Free Baseball Content

• Credibility & track record
• Content quality & uniqueness
• Comprehensiveness & content delivery
• Our advanced statistical tools and technical features
• Longevity since 1995
  
  
   

2008 Sample article. Check out our Baseball Homepage here. Check out our Football Homepage here.

Subscribe today here!
 
2008 Sample Article: The Waiver Wire

Published: 5/6/08
Write-ups by Jim Berardi, Bill LeConey and Arnold Zappasodi

Top 20 Pickups of the Week
Jack Cust (DH/OF, Oak
Jair Jurrjens (SP, Atl)
Chad Billingsley (SP, LAD)
Greg Smith (SP, Oak)

Emil Brown (OF, Oak)

Andy Sonnanstine (SP, TB)

Nick Adenhart (SP, LAA)

Felipe Lopez (2B/SS, Was) 
Erick Aybar (2b/SS, LAA)
Mike Lowell (3B, Bos)
Cristian Guzman (SS, Was)
Jose Bautista (3B, Pit)

Aaron Cook (SP, Col)
Aaron Rowand (OF, SF)
Chris Iannetta (C, Col)
Darrell Rasner (SP, NYY)
Carlos Marmol (RP, ChiC)
Garrett Olson (SP, Bal)
Jeremy Hermida (Fla)
Juan Pierre (LAD)

Starting Pitchers
 

• Ervin Santana (LAA) – Could he possibly be the most effective Santana this side of Carlos? He certainly seems charmed at the moment, improving to 6-0 with his four-hit shutout of the punchless Royals on Monday. It’s hard to imagine that anyone, anywhere, would not have picked up on this guy for fantasy, but just in case …
• Joe Saunders (LAA) – Who would have thought the Angels would have two 6-0 starters in early May and neither one would be named Lackey, Escobar or Weaver? It still doesn’t seem real – and maybe that 85-pitch, 12-hit outing on Sunday was indication that ugly reality is just around the corner – but you have to keep riding this hot (lucky) streak.
• Andy Sonnanstine (TB) - Sonnanstine is already the first Ray to win four games in April, and he can become the quickest to five wins in franchise history if he beats the Jays on Tuesday. He is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA over his last three starts, aggressively using a good fastball to get batters out.  
• Greg Smith (Oak) – This crafty left-hander has produced a quality start in five of his six outings, and bewildered batters are hitting below the Mendoza line (.199) against him. He doesn’t strike many out but he doesn’t allow solid contact, either. Enjoy it while it lasts.
• Jair Jurrjens (Atl) – Jurrjens will be counted on heavily as the Brave staff is crippled with injuries, and he’s established himself as a solid starter in all formats. He is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Padres.
• Aaron Cook (Col) – Cook cooked up his fifth win on Sunday as he continues to impress. He allowed 2 runs on 9 hits in 7 2/3 innings in the win over Los Angeles. For the season he is 5-1 with an ERA of 2.40. He’s not a flashy power pitcher, but he gets the job done. This ground ball specialist can be had in a lot of leagues and is worth starting in deep mixed leagues.
• Chad Billingsley (LAD) – Billingsley threw his third strong game in a row, earning a 5-1 win Monday against a solid Met lineup. He allowed the one run on just 5 hits while striking out 4. For the season he has an impressive 44 strikeouts in just 33 2/3 innings. Billingsley is showing himself to be a real power pitcher and someone that has the potential to be a star for years to come.
• Max Scherzer (Ari) – Scherzer came down to earth in his first start against the Phillies on Tuesday. He allowed 2 runs on 7 hits with 2 walks in just 4 innings of work. He did have 5 strikeouts. Obviously, Scherzer has all the tools to be dominant. Keep on eye on his next few starts to see how he progresses. Keep in mind that Doug Davis is scheduled to return and Scherzer may be sent to the pen or back down to Triple A.
• Jonathan Sanchez (SF) – Sanchez is scheduled to start Tuesday in Pittsburgh. He has an impressive 40 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings as he’s becoming a solid starting option in mixed leagues.
• Odalis Perez (Was) - Perez is scheduled to start Wednesday in Houston. Despite being winless, Perez has allowed two or less runs in 6 of his 7 starts. He’s only received 10 runs of support in those 6 outings. For the season his ERA is 3.18 with 31 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings. He’s worth a flier in NL-only formats and is worth keeping an eye on in mixed leagues if he continues to throw well.
• Rich Harden (Oak) – The Harden Watch is back on. The hard-throwing but fragile A’s righty is scheduled to go Sunday at Texas, pending another rehab start Tuesday for Class A Stockton.
• Justin Duchscherer (SP, Oak) – Duchscherer has allowed two or fewer earned runs in all three of his starts this season for a 2.40 ERA but has not pitched more than five innings in any of those starts. He’s in line for two starts this week.
• Nick Adenhart (SP, LAA) – Dustin Moseley landed on the 15-day disabled list, which preserves Adenhart's starting status for now. He could get a longer look in the rotation should John Lackey suffer any setbacks in his rehabilitation. Adenhart had a tough major league debut last week, but he was pitching on three days' rest. He can dazzle hitters with a knee-buckling curve, a mid-90s fastball and a great changeup.
• Darrell Rasner (NYY) – With Phil Hughes injured and Ian Kennedy demoted, Rasner is the next Yankee phenom to earn a look on The Wire. He stepped in and handled the Mariner offense over the weekend, earning an extended stay in the rotation. He’s not overpowering, and he could struggle against deeper lineups, but he had a 2.29 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 118 minor league innings from 2006-08, with decent K/BB numbers. There should be plenty of useful matchups for him in AL-only or deep mixed leagues.
• Kei Igawa (NYY) - Igawa could also get another opportunity in the bigs if he continues to get it done at Triple-A (3-3 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, .233 BA against)
• Kevin Slowey (Min) – Just a head’s up on Slowey, who will have his return start from the DL moved up to Thursday because of Scott Baker’s groin injury. That means Slowey will return against the White Sox in Chicago rather than at home against the Red Sox.
• Garrett Olson (Bal) - The 24-year-old had his second straight useful start for the O's Monday, going 6.1 innings against Oakland, allowing only four hits, walking one, and striking out seven. That's 13 Ks in 13 innings, with an ERA of 2.08. He doesn't have overwhelming velocity, but he struck out 120 in 128 innings at Triple-A last season. Yes, he plays for Baltimore, and there will be tough patches, but he should get a start against the feeble-swinging Royals this weekend.
• Clayton Kershaw (LAD) – If you missed out on Max Scherzer, you might want to keep an eye out for the next potential impact call-up (and he might be better than Scherzer). Kershaw has a 1.11 ERA in the minor leagues this year, a .197 batting-average against, and has not allowed an earned run in his past three starts. The Dodgers haven’t found anyone better for their fifth spot in the rotation, so why not?

Middle Infielders
 

• Felipe Lopez (2B/SS, Was) – Lopez is surprisingly still available in some leagues, but that is bound to change if he continues his torrid stretch. He’s 9 for his last 25 with 4 RBIs, 4 runs, and a stolen base. He’s a must-add in all formats while he’s hot and available. 
   
• Cristian Guzman (SS, Was) – Guzman is making his second appearance to the WW this season. He was let go in many leagues after hitting just .160 in a 6-game span, but has rebounded nicely going 6 for his last 9 with a HR, 6 RBIs, and 3 runs scored. For the season he is batting .309 with 3 HRs, 14 RBIs, and 20 runs scored, making him a nice middle infield option in deep mixed leagues. He should be snapped back up if he was somehow dropped in your league.
   
• Clint Barmes, Jonathan Herrera, Omar Quintanilla and Jeff Baker (SS/2B, Col) – The Rockies’ middle infield situation continues to be cloudy, as injury and poor play have been the common theme. The Rockies would like nothing better then for Barmes to take over at SS for the injured Troy Tulowitzki. However, he has struggled since taking over at SS going just 3 for his last 16. Baker was slated to get the bulk of the time at 2B and proceeded to pop a blood vessel in his hand. Both Quintanilla and Herrera were in the starting lineup for the Rockies on Monday as manager Clint Hurdle tries to find the right combination. Barmes has the most upside of the group and should be added in NL-only formats. Baker has some power upside and may be worth a look in NL leagues if he’s healthy and starting.

• Erick Aybar (2b/SS, LAA) – With all of the injuries in the Angel infield, Aybar continues to seize the opportunity. He tripled and went 2-for-4 on Monday, and has a legit chance at a .300 average and 25-plus steals as an everyday player.
   
• Placido Polanco (2B, Det) - Polanco got off to a cold start, but he is quickly heating up. Last week he hit .444 with two home runs and 22 total bases. He's a career .304 hitter, but doesn’t give you much else for fantasy.
   
• Brandon Wood (2b/3b, LAA) – With Howie Kendrick, Chone Figgins and Macier Izturis all nursing injuries, this free-swinging power prospect could see an expanded role. Last season at Triple-A Salt Lake City he crushed a homer once every 19 at-bats.

Corner Infielders
 

• Carlos Delgado (1B, NYM) – Delgado has gotten off to a slow start this season, but has shown signs of breaking out of his season-long slump by going 6 for his last 18 with a HR, 4 RBIs, and 2 runs. For the season Delgado has 4 HRs, 16 RBIs, and 16 runs scored. He’s someone to keep an eye on if he heats up because he’s a nice source of power numbers in most mixed league formats.
   
• James Loney (1B, LAD) – Loney is another player we had ticketed for a breakout season who has started the season slowly. Loney began to show signs that he was busting out of his slump with a home run and 6 RBIs in the win over Colorado on Saturday. For the season Loney is batting .270 with 3 HRs, 25 RBIs, 14 runs, and a stolen base. He has a ton of offensive potential and looks to be coming out of his slump. Keep him active in all formats.
   
• Jose Bautista (3B, Pit) – Bautista has been on fire of late, going 7 for his last 15 with 3 HRs, 7 RBIs, and 5 runs scored. He’s a must-add in NL-only formats and someone to keep an eye on in deep mixed leagues if he continues to swing the bat well as he has some decent pop at the corner position (31 HRs in the prior two seasons).
   
• Ty Wigginton (3B, Hou) - Wigginton is 3-for-13 since his return from the DL. He’s a sleeper in mixed leagues for his power potential when he is swinging the bat well and because he’ll get the bulk of the ABs at 3B for the Astros.
   
• Scott Rolen (3b, Tor) – Rolen saw his hitting streak snapped at seven on Sunday. He might never hit 20 home runs again, but he has a good eye, and should drive in plenty of runs for the Blue Jays.
    
• Aubrey Huff (1b/3b/DH, Bal) – Huff extended his hitting streak to eight games, in which he is hitting .379 (11-for-29) with two homers and three RBIs. He once had .300-30-100-100 potential, and is on that kind of pace this season.
   

Outfielders
 

• Emil Brown (Oak) – Talk about timely hitting. Brown drove in his team-leading 27^th run on Monday, a game-winner against Baltimore, and is batting .464 with runners in scoring position. He entered the game 1 for his past 12 but had three hits and a walk. Get him while he’s riding the clutch.
• Mike Cameron (Mil) - Cameron slugged 2 HRs with 4 RBI in the Brewers’ 8-6 loss to Houston on Sunday. Since his return Cameron is batting .269 with 3 HRs, 9 RBIs, and 7 runs. He’s a must-own in NL-only formats and is certainly worth a flier in deep mixed leagues for his power and speed potential.
• Moises Alou (NYM) – Despite his age, Alou is still a productive player and should be owned in NL-only formats and mixed leagues.
  5/6 Update: Alou is 2-for-11 with an RBI since being activated from the DL. He’s been batting fifth and should have the chance to be productive in that spot for a good offensive team, provided he is healthy. 
• Juan Pierre (LAD) – Pierre has been on a real tear as he continues to get playing time at the expense of both Matt Kemp (Kemp had 11 hits, 11 RBIs, and 6 steals last week) and Andre Ethier. He’s 10 for his last 19 with 7 runs, 3 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He’s worth owning in most formats for his speed potential. The real shame of the situation is that Pierre should be taking at-bats from Andruw Jones, who is batting a pathetic .158, instead of talented youngsters Ethier and Kemp, who both have really started to show off their potential.
• Brad Hawpe (Col) – Hawpe is off to a great start in May, going 7-for-6 with 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, and 6 runs scored. He’s raised his BA to .269 with 3 HRs, 14 RBIs, and 14 runs overall. Hawpe is a streaky hitter, especially in the friendly confines of Coors Field. It would be nice if he could match his road production with his home output. Regardless, he is a solid offensive player who should be owned in all formats.
• Aaron Rowand (SF) – Rowand has been on a real roll his last 6 games, with 5 multi-hit games to go along with 2 HR and 5 RBI. For the season he is batting .337 with 3 HRs, 15 RBIs, and 12 runs scored. Rowand has quickly established himself the leader of a young Giant team. He probably won’t hit as well over the long haul as he did in Philadelphia, but he is a fine #3 or #4 OF in most formats.
• Fred Lewis (SF) – Lewis is making a return to the WW after hitting safely in 17 of his last 20 ballgames. For the season he is batting .320 with 3 HRs, 8 RBIs, 19 runs, and 5 stolen bases. He has nice pop and good speed making him a nice pick-up in all formats.
• Scott Podsednik (Col) – Podsednik is hitting .308 with 5 RBI, 9 runs, and 6 stolen bases in a reserve role for the Rockies this season. He gets a few starts a week and is still a legitimate stolen base threat, making him valuable in NL-only formats.
• Jeremy Hermida (Fla) - Hermida is making his second appearance to the WW since coming off the DL. He's on a real hot streak of late, going 14 for his last 24 with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored. For the season he is batting .309 with 2 HRs, 13 RBI, and 12 runs scored. He has plenty of offensive upside and should be added in all formats as a #4 or #5 OF. If anyone in your league is sick of waiting around for him to become a .290-20-90-90 guy (which he will eventually be), you could get him on the cheap.
• Jack Cust (DH/OF, Oak) – Cust is showing signs of going on another home run tear (remember the eight dingers in his first 42 at-bats last year?). He seems to be taking well to having Frank Thomas in the lineup, and he leads the A.L. in walks and on-base percentage. He should be widely available for those in need of power, but don’t get too comfortable with him, because the bottom could fall out.
• Wladimir Balentien (Sea) – Baltentien went 2-for-3 and hit his second homer of the season for Seattle. He raised his average to .238 – it’s not much, but the power seems legit.

Catchers

• Chris Iannetta (Col) – Reports out of Denver have manager Clint Hurdle contemplating a switch at the catcher position for the Rockies, as starter Yorvit Torrealba continues to struggle at the plate (.238). Iannetta is 6 for his last 12 with a HR, 2 RBIs, and 3 runs. For the season he is batting .349 with 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, and 6 runs scored. Iannetta brings offensive upside to the catcher position and is a must-own in NL-only formats. He’s a real sleeper in mixed leagues, especially if he earns the starting job.
• Carlos Ruiz (Phi) – Ruiz was someone we were high on in spring training. He’s gotten off to a slow start, but has started to swing the bat better as of late. He hit his first HR of the season on Sunday to tie the game in the eighth against the Giants, a game the Phillies went on to win in the ninth. Ruiz followed that up by going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in the 11-4 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday. Keep on eye on his progress this week and see if he is out of his slump. He can be a useful #2 catcher in mixed leagues when he is swinging the bat well.
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Tex) – Manager Ron Washington intends to stick with the pattern of playing Salty for two, then Gerald Laird for two, so you can adjust your lineup accordingly. Saltalamacchia has yet to homer since his call-up, but that will come.
• Jose Molina (NYY) - Jorge Posada's injured shoulder finally sent him to the DL, and Molina will catch most of the time in Posada's absence. Then again, he’s only the third-best catcher in an all-Molina fantasy league, so don’t get too excited.
• Ryan Doumit (C) - Doumit is making a second appearance to the WW after taking over the starting catcher position for the Pirates. Batting cleanup, Doumit is batting .345 with 5 HRs, 12 RBIs, and 19 runs for the season. He's a must have in all formats for his strong bat at an offensively challenged position. Doumit figures to only sit against some left-handed pitchers at this point, and the Pirates face four lefties in a six-game week.

Relief Pitchers

• Santiago Casilla (Oak) - Casilla is tied with Baltimore’s Jim Johnson for the most innings pitched this season (16.1) without allowing an earned run. If Huston Street falters (he had a blown save Monday), Casilla is next in line to replace him. He has just two walks compared to 20 strikeouts, and he hasn't allowed a hit in four consecutive outings.
• Brewer Relievers – A weekly addition to the WW! The Brewers’ closer situation is a real mess as Eric Gagne blew his fifth save of the season. He now has 9 saves to go along with 5 blown saves - not a good ratio in any format. David Riske, Guillermo Mota, or Salomon Torres could be in line to close if manager Ned Yost decides to make a switch. Torres closed for the Pirates in 2006 and 2007 and may be first in line if a switch is made. Riske also would be an option, but he too has struggled at times this season. 
• Carlos Marmol (ChiC) – Marmol has been dominant this season, leading all relief pitchers with 28 strikeouts in just 21 innings. For the season he has an ERA of 1.29 with a WHIP of 0.67. He also has 2 saves. He’s currently setting up for Kerry Wood, but would be first in line to close if Wood falters or if he gets hurt (he usually does). Keep an eye on the situation as Marmol would be a hot pick-up if something happens to Wood.

Back to the top