No more &’s and w/’s…. just STSS from now on. And now its time to complete my thoughts on the players who are available on the waiver wire of our league… and these guys really might be on waivers in any deep league, and possibly an AL only or NL only league… so if you are in one of them, pay attention and something may be of use to you.First off I do have to say that every season someone gets a callup, totally under the radar, and plays over their head for a month or two. Those guys are great pickups, but you do have to pay enough attention to your team to be the one who grabs them.

Now, let’s get started with the players currently on waivers in STSS.

Starting Pitchers:

In my opinion, starting pitchers are key to taking a head to head league. Although relievers can put up impressive numbers in WHIP and ERA, a bad starter can quickly erase that getting shelled for 5 innings. That is why I like to have depth in pitching: it not only increases your totals for K’s and wins, but you don’t want to leave yourself so thin that one bad performance can lose you points.

Dustin Nippert (ARI): A lot of people are probably going to think I’m crazy for having Nippert on my radar, but he has good potential. Of course he has not realized that potential yet, but the 6′8″ righty should pick up a few things from fellow big man Randy Johnson. He’ll be starting out in the pen, and he might even have some value there.

Yusmeiro Petit (FLA): Really in the same boat as Nippert, Petit was once at the top of Florida’s list of young pitchers on many lists. Now he’s a Diamonback and will be working out of the pen to start.

Jerome Williams (WAS): A complete disaster for the Cubs, Williams was once considered the Giants best young pitcher.. and then was outplayed by Noah Lowry. But he is still young, and gets half his starts in a pitcher friendly park. If you do pick him up, I’d only start him at home unless he proves himself worthy.

Boof Bonser (MIN): Part three of the now infamous AJ Pierzynski trade had a sub-1.30 WHIP last season and a decent K rate. If Minnesota was right about Franciso Liriano and Joe Nathan, why doubt them now? Plus if you pick him up you just naturally get to say the name Boof more often. So its win-win.

Carl “Friggin’” Pavano (NYM): I can’t believe I would even suggest keeping an eye on him… but if you are the opening day starter for the Yankees… under any circumstances… you warrant at least a look.

Zack Greinke (KC): Zack, the 6th overall pick in 2002, is still a good pitcher.. believe that. He had some anxieties and whatnot worked out last year, and is on happy pills now to balance himself out. If the happy pills work, and Greinke can be that 6th overall guy everyone grew to love, he will be a steal. By the way, I drafted Greinke, but exchanged him for another forgotten youngster: Brandon McCarthy, who because of his year in the bullpen, has completely dropped off the map from being “that guy” that people drafted way too soon. McCarthy is less risky, but both has huge potential.

Daniel Cabrera (BAL): Cabrera’s issue has always been with control. Othewise he would be dominant. Last year, he had some problems to his vision corrected, and if I have learned anything from Major League and Major League II, he will now get the girl and play the hero in the end.

James Shileds (TB): He may not end up with a lot of wins, but he does strike people out: 104 in 124 innings. Think cheap K’s if you need them.

Homer Bailey (CIN), Andrew Miller (DET), Phil Hughes (NYY), Phil Humber (NYM): One, two, three, well, even all of these guys could end up being major contributors two or three months into the season. Some are so good, that if you think a callup is less than a month away I would implore you to make room. Right now, I would say that Miller is the most intriguing with Kenny Rodgers going to be missing a large chunk of time.
Relief Pitchers:

These guys come and go. Don’t get too attached, and be willing to trade your relievers when they get hot. Every team has 5+ relief pitchers, it is possibly one of the streakiest positions in baseball, and injuries happen more often when you go out and push your arm like that. Note that I’m making these recommendations based on your league counting holds, but even if they don’t, a closer in waiting is a bargain if they ever get their shot, and depending on your league, if you can get someone to overpay for a closer (and in most you can), then some of these guys will help to contribute saves and make up for the loss.

Henry Owens (FLA): How good can one pitch be? If you want to take a chance on that question, then Owens might be a good take. He throws a mean fastball…. and well, that’s about it. But with some work he may end up being a solid setup man at the midseason point.

Brian Stokes (TB): Another guy with a mean fastball, Stokes =cheap saves. It will most likely be closer by committee in Tampa, but since I don’t have confidence in either McClung or Orvella, that makes Stokes the best bet to wind up with the job.

Brian Wilson (SF): When he’s not singing about the California coastline, he is the hope of all Giants fans when it comes to finding a permanent closer for the franchise.

Derrick Turnbow (MIL): One bad season and he’s not valuable any more? Hardly. If he shows any signs of regaining his 2005 form, don’t think, don’t collect $200 for passing Go, just pick him up.

Rafael Betancourt (CLE): Anytime Joe Borowski is your closer, your bullpen is a mess, and anyone is a candidate for saves. Consider Rafael whose lifetime WHIP is 1.16.

Brandon Lyon (ARI): With the trade of Julio, he goes back to the setup role. His peripherals aren’t great, but he racks up holds.

Ryan Madson (PHI): Okay, if you need a setup guy, drop whoever the hell it is you are thinking of dropping and get Madson now. Trust me, if I still had any setup guy I was unsure of, Madson would not be on this list.. he would be on my roster. He stunk last year as a starter, but was a dominant relief pitcher in 2004 and 2005, and guess what? He’s baaack (in the bullpen).

Well, that’s it folks. Maybe I’ll be back for some midseason reports on free agents, or give my free agent of the week or something, and if you even want a second opinion on a fantasy decision, send me an email in my comments section and I’ll make sure to help out as much as I can.