Ryan Freel $17. Other bids: $14, $11, $7, $1.
After being buried on the bench by the Orioles, and then put on the DL with an injury Freel may have felt wasn't DL-worthy, he received new life when the O's sent him to the Cubs for Joey Gathright. Then Freel got an even bigger break when Aramis Ramirez separated his shoulder. Freel and Aaron Miles should compete for playing time at 3B. If Freel wins the job, he offers blazing speed and an opportunity to steal 1-2 bases a week. He's a gamble at this price, but one that's probably worth taking. He did sit this weekend due to a hamstring injury, so obviously his value is minimal if he can't run the way he usually does.
Joe Beimel $11. Other bids $10, $7, $6, $1.
I can't recall the last time I've seen this much (relative) FAAB excitement for a pitcher with a journeyman's profile who might - just might - be the closer on a terrible baseball team but who hasn't picked up any saves yet. Kip Wells and Joel Hanrahan have picked up the last two saves for the Nats, so my money wouldn't be on Beimel at the moment. He's a serviceable middle reliever, but keep in mind that those serviceable numbers from 2006-2008 were put up while Beimel was pitching for the Dodgers and tossing half his games in that pitcher-friendly graveyard. Bid on Beimel? Sure. But maintain your perspective.
Jeff Weaver $8.
He had a good start earlier in the week against the Diamondbacks, and survived today against the Giants (despite a lot of walks), but I just can't recommend Weaver, especially since the Dodgers are about to leave the cozy confines of the N.L. West and the match-ups are going to get tougher. Weaver will have days where he'll survive pitching to contact and days where he won't. The match-up this week at Florida is OK, but you're playing with fire here.
John Grabow $7. Other bids $6, $1.
Matt Capps' sore elbow and recent poor performances sparked these bids for Grabow - who himself got bombed today against the surging Mets. He's the next logical alternative if Capps' elbow leads to a DL trip, but the Pirates will have a short leash if Grabow's struggles continue.
Kip Wells $6.
Wells picked up a save this week for the Nats, and is as much in the mix for the closer job in Washington as anyone else. He's been pretty terrible as a starter the last few years, but looks like the kind of pitcher who will be able to throw a little harder out of the pen and could actually survive there. Nine walks in 11 2/3 IP won't endear him to Manny Acta, though, and will probably keep him from closing for a sustainable period of time.
Jason Grilli $3.
After a panic-filled week where it seemed like Huston Street and Manny Corpas were going to be dragged out of Dodge by an angry mob with torches and pitchforks, things have settled down and it looks like Street has the job again. With Corpas out of the way for now, Grilli makes a decent play as a CIW though right now I think he's a longshot.
Augie Ojeda $3.
A sore groin led to Ojeda missing time in favor of Josh Wilson, and even now that Ojeda seems healthy, Wilson continues to see most of the time at SS. That's bad news for Ojeda, as he needs to play every day to provide a scintilla of value.
Bobby Scales $2.
At age 31, Scales isn't a prospect. But he could see some time at 3B for the Cubs with Aramis Ramirez on the shelf. He offers a little pop and a little speed and would have some value if he plays semi-regularly. My guess is that Aaron Miles or Ryan Freel claims most of the job, but I wouldn't rule Scales out entirely given who he's competing against.
Xavier Paul $1. Other bid $1.
Paul was called up by the Dodgers after Manny Ramirez's drug suspension. He could see the odd start here and there in favor of Juan Pierre, but Paul projects more long-term as a 4th OF. His value is mostly in his legs. He had eight steals at AAA before his call-up and he could provide some value on the basepaths if he gets the PT. His OPS at AAA in 2008 discourages me, though, and I think that Paul is a fringe prospect at best.
Josh Whitesell $1. Other bid $1.
Whitesell is your typical AAAA masher: a Three-True Outcomes guy who probably didn't quite walk enough at AAA to fit this description. New manager A.J. Hinch seems committed to giving Whitesell a crack at the job at 1B, though, so Whitesell should be owned in all N.L.-only leagues where he's available. He's off to a poor 1-for-14 start, though, so Chad Tracy could sneak his way back in at 1B if Whitesell doesn't produce soon.
Josh Geer $1.
Geer has done OK so far doing what he's always done: pounding the zone with his mediocre stuff and hoping for the best. Pitching in PETCO has certainly helped, though I'm scared of Geer because he's not a severe groundball pitcher and his 264 BABIP screams out that some regression to the mean is in order here. He gets the Reds at home this week.
Randy Wells $1. Other bid $1.
Wells is a former catcher turned pitcher who actually has decent - albeit unrefined stuff. He put up a nice outing against the Brewers in his 2009 debut, and might be one of those pitchers who are OK his first time through the league. He gets a favorable match-up this week at home against the Padres.
Robinzon Diaz $1.
Diaz is swinging a hot bat and as a result has now started three of the last four games behind the dish for the Pirates. He's mostly profiled as a strong defensive catcher as a prospect, but he's worth starting in Roto if he gets most of the playing time while Ryan Doumit is out. I wouldn't expect a lot of power, but a decent BA with some ribbies isn't out of the question.
Jesse Chavez $1.
Chavez has put up solid numbers so far in the Pirates pen but even with Capps hurting is likely a longshot to grab any save opportunities. He's a decent middle relief option only for now.
Craig Monroe $1. Other bid $1.
He's put up some solid numbers for the Pirates off of the bench, but despite Brandon Moss' awful start is still only playing once or twice a week. I'm not sure Monroe would hold up well as a starter - particularly because his BA would likely crater - but he should be playing more while Moss struggles. Since he isn't, though, his value is limited.
Kevin Correia $1.
After four pedestrian starts, Correia was OK against the Astros - and probably kept his spot in the rotation for the Pads as a result. I wouldn't recommend him even in Petco. His stuff is borderline major league material, and Correia is likely to have more bad days than good ones.
Delwyn Young $1.
Young picked up a couple of starts at 2B this week, and as a result offers a little value for leagues with one-game eligibility requirements. Young slots in as a bench player for the Pirates, but if he can capably field enough positions, offers a little bit of value in deep leagues.
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