N.L. FAAB Log: June 23, 2008

Omar Infante $4.
With most of the Braves infield banged up, Infante has now started four games in a row. He's still a weak option, but can be plugged in at middle infield in deeper leagues.

Daryl Thompson $3. Other bids $2, $2.
He's got stellar minor league numbers this year and did very well against the Yankees this weekend. The negatives are that Thompson is only 22 years old, has only 27 2/3 IP of AAA experience, and has had issues with his shoulder in the past. His ceiling isn't as high as Homer Bailey's, but his floor also isn't as low, and he could do OK in the short term. He's worth the bid, but I think he'll hit a rough patch at some point.

Matt Lindstrom $1.
An odd pick, even for an owner who is playing for next year. Lindstrom has been battling a sore back and has been tattooed in his last two appearances. Maybe he'd have a shot as closer if Kevin Gregg gets traded, but predicting that right now is like trying to figure out when an asteroid is going to smack into the Earth. Don't bid.

Barry Zito $1.
He's obviously a horrible pick if you're playing for this year and worth a cheap flier (like this one) if you're looking at the future. I, for one, don't think Zito is finished. He doesn't look good, but he's never looked all that great even in his best years. His K/IP is lower than it previously has been, but the rest of his numbers aren't too far out of line with his career norms. For a guy who doesn't throw hard, sometimes a mechanical adjustment is possible to save his career. I still think Zito can be turned into a decent #3 or #4 starter. That's not worth $126M, but that's the Giants problem, not yours.

Manny Acosta $1.
Mike Gonzalez looked shaky in his second appearance off the DL, but Acosta's done less than nothing to establish himself as a viable saves candidate of late. His value is questionable right now even in 4x4, and probably only Gonzalez or Soriano owners should be interested.

Nick Stavinoha $1.
Stavinoha is a 26-year-old non-prospect who has a good power bat but doesn't walk enough to be more than a .240-.250 hitter in the majors if he were handed a full-time role. He's a fine short-term pick-up this week, though, since he'll probably get a good amount of AB as the DH while the Cardinals are on the road during interleague play this week. Anyway, it's fun when you pick up a guy like Stavinoha and are rewarded with a cheap dinger or two.

Jared Burton $1.
Although the WHIPs a little high, Burton's put up some dynamite numbers in the Reds bullpen. With the long-term signing of Francisco Cordero this winter, Burton won't see any save ops unless Cordero got hurt, but he's a decent back end of the staff guy in 4x4 leagues and in 5x5 leagues (over a strikeout an inning) nonetheless.

Chad Durbin $1.
Solid numbers out of the pen for the Phillies, but I wouldn't recommend him: he's a flyball pitcher pitching in a seriously bad park for flyball pitchers.

Juan Cruz $1.
The former top relief prospect has quietly been putting up a stellar year for the D-Backs. He's got over a whiff and inning but less than an inning per appearance, so he's on the periphery of being useful in 5x5. He's definitely worth it in 4x4.

Ruben Gotay $1.
Like Infante, a short-term fill in for the Braves while all of their infielders simultaneously heal. He's swinging a hot bat right now, so he's not a bad short-term pick up for this week.

Duaner Sanchez $1.
He's picked it up as of late, not allowing a run in his last five appearances. If the velocity is returning, he could provide a little value as a vulture candidate on a surging Mets team.

Raul Chavez $1.
The 35-year-old career back-up is playing every day while Ryan Doumit recovers from a concussion. Chavez popped a HR last week but is still a dangerous hitter to own; he could hurt your batting average if he plays regularly. Then again, he might not. There isn't enough of a sample size to really judge.

Norris Hopper $1.
With a banged up Reds outfield and a week of games in A.L. parks, Hopper might get a few starts this week, and might sneak in a steal or three against the likes of Gregg Zaun and Kelly Shoppach.

Marlon Anderson $1.
With the Mets home this week (with the exception of a make-up game against the Yankees), Anderson doesn't look like a good bet for interleague playing time right now.