Its Thursday, and the league officially stars on Sunday, so if you team sucks, and you think you have accidentally drafted Paul Bako to be your starting catcher.. don’t panic just yet, there is always still hope alive on the waiver wire. Whether or not you are in Show and Tell with Sean Salisbury or not, if you are in a deep league or just want to put together the riskiest team in history, this still might yield some tips on who could be out there that might give you help. But before you start commenting how crazy I am, note again, this is for deep leagues only (lost of teams, lots of roster spots, or both). It also might be helpful in AL only or NL only leagues, where these guys all have much more value.Also, the list is of guys who are still left.. thus not sure things. They are on the riskier side, but if the risk pays off its worth a few transactions. If you aren’t sure, I’d at least recommend keeping your eye on these guys because if they get hot you will definitely want to add them then.

Catchers:

Catcher is one of those positions where no one seems to notice that they get absolutely no production from… mainly because its expected now. Well, expect better, and if your catcher is not up to par consider these three.

Ronny Paulino (PIT - C): At the very least Ronnie’s should hit close to .300, and although he might not put up huge numbers, at least he won’t hurt you too much.

Josh Bard (SD - C): I like this guy a lot. He is a 6′3″ switch hitting catcher who came over to San Diego in a trade from Boston. Last year he split time with Mike Piazza. This year he should get the majority of starts and I like his potential.

Eliezer Alfonzo (SF - C): Right now, its look but don’t touch. For some reason the Giants felt it necessary to take AB’s away from Alfonzo by signing Bengie Molina. An injury to Molina though might be all Alfonzo needs, so keep a look out.

Gregg Zaun (TOR - C): He hits for a pretty good average, has good pop, and takes walks. Overall a good contributor… and he finally has the job all to himself. In that lineup, keep an eye on him.

First Base:

If there is one position that typically gets cleaned out quickly its this one.

Mike Jacobs (FLA - 1B): Kind of like Jeremy Hermida, this guy was getting drafted much earlier than he probably should have, and did not perform to the lofty expectations. Again, just like Hermida, expect a rebound (even if slight) and I think Jacobs could be a cheap pickup… only it seems like everyone forgot about Mike this year, so he should be available in almost all leagues. You might want to sit on him and only pick him up when/ if you need him.

Dimitri Young (WAS - 1B): Delmon’s older brother just got added to Yahoo!’s system, so he probably has not even cleared waivers yet. All Nick Johnson owners should at least consider his injury time replacement, because once Nick is healthy you won’t have to think twice about dumping Young.

James Loney (LAD - 1B) and Joey Votto (CIN - 1B): Both are in a similar boat; that is its going to take an injury or poor play for them to get the callup. But its baseball, someone always gets hurt (especially Nomar) and slumps happen.

Dan Johnson/ Daric Barton (OAK - 1B): If either of these two guys can play well enough to keep Nick Swisher in the outfield, they will probably worthy of a roster spot.

Justin Huber (KC - UTIL): One More Dying Quail might want to keep his eye on this Aussie who has been one point of frustration of Royals fans who keep seeing him get blocked. Other than spring training, the Royals really have never given this 24 year old a fair chance to win a job (88 big league at bats), but he does have the potential to be a good player, although with Ryan Shealey now at 1B I would not be surprised at all if they have him learn to play in the outfield.

Second Base:

Another position where stats go to die, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Luis Castillo (MIN - 2B): Castillo keeps putting up decent numbers, but his age and injury history keep him firmly planted on the waiver wire. But his batting average and stolen bases could be of help.

Ronnie Belliard (WAS - 2B): Three great seasons and then what the hell happened? A trade would obviously help his situation, but if he is getting at bats he is someone to consider. For now leave him where he is.

Mark Ellis (OAK - 2B): Ellis is one season removed from a career year, and although he may never reach that same plateau, he is capable of so much more than he showed last year. Again, more of a guy to watch at this point.

Esteban German (2B, 3B, LF, RF): This one really is just about position eligibility… although German does draw a decent amount of walks and has some pop. If Tony Pena, Jr. fails to impress, he might even get a shot at SS, not likely full time, but all it takes is a few starts to get position eligibility.

Kelly Johnson (ATL - UTIL): Not even eligible at 2B yet, this converted outfielder showed the kind of pop that makes for a very valuable 2B in 2005. If you aren’t confident in your 2B, I’d pick him up today before he gets his eligibility and starts showing up on the 2B waivers.

Aaron Hill (TOR - 2B, SS): Personally, I would not pick him up, but he hits for average and being both 2B and SS increases his value because you can use him to back up both positions.

Third Base:

The deepest position in fantasy this year. If you don’t have someone, or can’t get one on waivers; wait a few weeks and someone with 3,4, or 5 3B might be forced to deal one.

Maicer Izturius (LAA - 3B, SS): Possibly a better deal for his SS eligibility, he is going to get a lot of ABs with Chone Figgins out. Just like D. Young, its a good pickup for Figgins owners because you won’t run into any dilemmas about who to cut when Figgins comes back.

Wilson Betemit (LAD - 2B, SS, 3B): Right now the 3B job is his to lose, and he has good power. The three position eligibility is a huge plus too for those wanting to keep short benches and stock up on pitchers.

Andy LaRoche (LAD - 3B): Didn’t make the team, but should Betemit fail to produce in the first two months be assured that LaRoche will get his chance to win the position. Keep an eye out for him.

Andy Marte (CLE - 3B): This uber prospect has really failed to impress in the bigs so far. That being said, he was not considered the top prospect at one time for not. He has skills, and if he ever able to transfer them at the big league level he will be a fantasy bargin.

Kevin Kouzmanoff (SD - 3B): Kevin came over this offseason from the Indians, and the Pads have so much confidence in him they essentially made him their starter instantly. I don’t have as much faith in him, and Petco is pitcher-friendly, but if you are in need of a backup, Kevin is definitely worth a test run on your roster.

Evan Longoria (TB - 3B): Another Devil Ray uber prospect, Longoria is much too young to start out in the show, but if Iwamura does not impress at the hot corner Longoria might be getting a mid-season callup.

Shortstop:

Just another position with almost no depth at all. There are fewer than 10 quality SS, so if you don’t have one, you may have to get two who compliment each other (one for power, one for speed, etc).

Juan Uribe (CHI - SS): He is almost a sure lock for 20 HR and 70 RBI. Good for a SS, but his .235 batting average last season is worrying fantasy owners. His lifetime average is .258, so I’d expect his BA to go up a little from last year… but he will still hurt you in that category.

Brandon Wood (LAA - SS): Obviously he needs an injury or trade to get his chance, but if he does grab him immediately.

Outfield:

Outfielders are typically a position where you can always count on someone popping up from below the radar at some point during the season.

Kenny Lofton (TEX - CF): Center field is kind of one of those positions where its hard to get really good production from your players. If you have nothing to lose, Kenny will, if nothing else, steal bases. Unfortunately he is going to lose ABs to Marlon Byrd, but this also may wind up with Lofton getting spot starts in left, and gaining position eligibility.

Jose Guillen (SEA - RF): Believe it or not, Guillen is only two years removed from a 27 home run, 104 RBI season. Who knows what will become of him, but if he regresses to the mean, his lifetime averages suggest he is a good bargain.

David DeJesus (KC - LF, CF): Again, CF is not a deep position, so many times you will need to put a guy in there for one or two stat categories, but nothing else. DeJesus hits for average… and that’s about all you can count on him for. Might be a good backup for you.

Scott Hairston (ARI - LF): With Quentin’s injury, Hairston might be the opening day left fielder. The converted second baseman has good skills and could earn at bats if he plays well in Quentin’s absence.

Josh Hamilton (CIN - UTIL): A centerfielder who is finally back after being suspended for rocking the nose candy, Hamilton has impressed people so much in spring training, he has a roster spot, a legit chance to end the season as a starter, and a potential comeback player of the year.

Nelson Cruz (TEX - RF): Getting the not to start in right, Cruz does not have major league stats to back up his potential, but if you are patient with him you will probably be happy down the stretch.

Luke Scott (HOU - LF, RF), Ryan Church (WAS - CF, RF): Both these guys have shown the potential for great play, and disaster. If either gets hot, pick them up immediately… just be ready to dump them again if they get cold.

Elijah Dukes (TB - UTIL), Adam Jones (SEA - CF), Jason Botts (TEX - UTIL), Matt Kemp (LAD - LF, CF, RF), Lastings Milledge (NYM - LF, RF): Another list of players in the same boat. This group of guys have the skills, should be on opening day rosters, but won’t get enough at bats to make them valuable. Should anything happen though, and they got thrust into a starting role, I’d grab any/ all of these guys.

Jerry Owens (CHA - UTIL), Ryan Sweeney (CHA - UTIL), Adam Lind (TOR - UTIL), David Murphy (BOS - UTIL): All these guys are the same. They are in the minors, and need help to get them big league at bats. But especially Lind, are worthy of a roster spot should that miracle occur. Keep in mind though.. .they are rookies and no rookie is a sure thing.

Wow, that was way more work than I had anticipated…. so pitchers will come in a day or two.

I know I probably left out a few guys from the list, and many of these guys are questionable assets. But if you want to win, its all about high risk-high reward. Go the safe route and you might take the bronze home. If you want gold, you have to sack up and gamble a little.