Fantasy Baseball Waiver Candy - 6/15

June 15th, 2008  JunkyardJake.Com

Brandon Marrow, Seattle Mariners, RP  
JJ Putz has been getting himself injured more often than a rodeo clown this season, and at this point, fantasy owners who drafted Putz in the early rounds this year would probably appreciate seeing him drop-kicked over a fence by an irate wild horse. Even when Putz has been 'healthy' he's been pretty damn awful anyway, with a 5.21 ERA, and 3 blown saves. But enough about Putz's sorry situation, the good news is that the Mariners have a replacement closer in Brandon Marrow, who looks to have some real potential. Marrow can overpower hitters with his 98 MPH fastball, and has enough control over his off-speed pitches to effectively close games and is worth an immediate pickup.
Available in 53% of all CBSSportsline leagues.

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Andy LaRoche, LA Dodgers, 3B/1B  
Baseball has it's subtle mysteries like 'how does Tim Wakefield even get anyone out throwing 35 MPH?', and 'why is it that when Bobby Cox is captured on camera during a TBS Braves game broadcast, is he always spitting something out onto the dugout floor ?'. Another such mystery is of course, 'who will get regular playing time for the rest of 2008 at the Dodgers corner infield spots ?' If Andy LaRoche, called up recently from AAA Las Vegas, can finally deliver on the potential he has shown as a top prospect, then he should eventually be a significant factor. Blake DeWitt is also a good young player, but LaRoche offers the advantage of switch-hitting versatility, and also should emerge as a better source of HR power.
Available in 83% of all CBSSportsline leagues.

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Chase Headley, San Diego Padres, OF/3B  

After bouncing him back to the minors for no apparent reason in April, the Padres have finally recalled Chase Headley this week. Given that Justin Huber and Paul McAnulty failed to distinguish themselves as household names out in left-field, that is probably where the Padres will stick the young prospect for now. Chase Headley, who also plays 3B, looks like a natural .300 hitter, with possible 30 HR power (realistically 20-25 HR given the Petco Park curse), so he is definitely worth a pickup, especially in NL-Only leagues.
Available in 77% of all CBSSportsline leagues.

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Armando Galarraga, Detriot Tigers, SP  
Galarraga doesn't have spectacular stuff- he usually brings his above-average fastball at around 92-94 MPH, and has a decent slider and change-up. Regardless, he has demonstrated that he belongs in the Tigers rotation, with a 6-2 record, a 3.31 ERA and an impressive WHIP of 1.03. The young righty probably won't keep up his current pace, but there is no reason to believe he will be a liability in mixed leagues, and his spot in the rotation seems fairly secure now that Jeremy Bonderman has been lost for the season.
Available in 52% of all CBSSportsline leagues.

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Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox, 2B  
Despite having that distinctive look of a #87th ranked 145 lb welterweight contender from a country you can't pronounce, evidently Ramriez was a 20 HR hitter down in Cuba. In the 3rd week of May, he was hitting about .195, but after some unspecified revelation, he has boosted his average up to around .290. Juan Uribe has recently returned from the D.L. to attempt to reclaim his stake to the White Sox 2B job, but he is hitting .198. Odds would have it that Ramirez has earned significant playing time, so he makes a solid mixed-league pickup if he can continue to hit with decent power.

Available in 55% of all CBSSportsline leagues.

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Other Players To Consider:
Jose Castillo,SF Giants,3B  
Available in 84% of all CBSSportsline leagues.

Ramon VazquezTexas Rangers,3B  
Available in 85% of all CBSSportsline leagues.

Maicer Izturis,LA Angels,2B  
Available in 61% of all CBSSportsline leagues.

Yuniesky Betancourt,Seattle Mariners,SS  
Available in 58% of all CBSSportsline leagues.

Ricky Nolasco,Florida Marlins,SP  
Available in 78% of all CBSSportsline leagues.

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