Maybe you'll try to pull off some kind of final-hour blockbuster trade, or perhaps you'll hit the free-agency pool and search for any old familiar name who can help you. But before you go wondering if Sammy Sosa is still in the league (he isn't) or if Barry Zito can help you (he can't), stop and think. Sometimes it's better to go with someone you've never heard of but can actually help your team.
As you're scraping the bottom of the barrel, consider these guys:
g Bummed by Jorge Posada's lingering shoulder injury? Jose Molina, the New York Yankees' light-hitting backup catcher, is probably not an option, but the Colorado Rockies' Chris Iannetta definitely is.
Iannetta's emergence as the Rockies' top backstop is about three years later than predicted, but it's been worth the wait. He's batting .277 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs stats that put him ahead of big-name catchers such as Jason Varitek, Kenji Johjima, Jason Kendall and Victor Martinez.
g Chris Volstad has been pretty impressive in three big league starts for the Florida Marlins. The 6-foot-7, 21-year-old righty nearly pitched a complete game in his debut, then followed that up with two more quality starts, including Saturday‘s six-inning, two-run outing.
Volstad isn't much of a strikeout artist (just 56 Ks in 91 minor league innings this year), but the Marlins aren't afraid to put him on the mound in the middle of a playoff race, so the youngster is certainly worth a shot.
g If you're looking for some pop from the shortstop position, check out the Kansas City Royals' Mike Aviles. The team's minor league player of the year in 2007 is hitting a robust .305 with 25 RBIs and an .810 OPS in 174 at-bats this year in relative anonymity in K.C. Aviles may not be a household name, but I'd probably trust him more than fragile retreads Nomar Garciaparra and Bobby Crosby, who may be available in your league.
g Now that Jon Rauch has been traded, the Washington Nationals have some big shoes to fill - literally. With the tallest player in major league history (6-foot-11) now pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Nats have turned closing duties over to 26-year-old righty Joel Hanrahan.
There’s a lot to like about Harahan - especially his 67 strikeouts, second among big league relievers. Get him now if you’re looking for saves.
g OK, you know the name Richie Sexson although if he's ruined your fantasy team in the past few years, you probably have more creative names for him. Still, Sexson is a guy to at least consider picking up for a few days and throwing him in your lineup when the Yankees are facing a left-handed starter.
“Big Sexy” may be just a shadow of his former slugging self, but he's still deadly against southpaws (.328, five homers in 67 at-bats against lefties), so he could be worth a spot start here or there.
Photo by The Associated Press
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