Wade LeBlanc $2. Other bids $1, $1.
LeBlanc is a soft-tossing left-hander who doesn't have much margin for error, per John Sickels. My big concerns about LeBlanc are the high flyball rates and the related high HR/IP numbers, but his minor league numbers did look better from June forward. I'm not sure if this is real progress or statistical noise, but it's better than nothing...and LeBlanc has looked pretty strong in his four starts since his late August recall. Pitchers who top out in the mid-80s on the gun are inherently risky propositions, but LeBlanc is in Petco and has the hot hand. He also draws the Pirates this week so at the very least is an interesting short-term play.
Oscar Salazar $1.
Salazar has slumped somewhat in the last 2-3 weeks, but he's still getting a decent amount of playing time as a utility swingman and still has just enough pop to make him an OK last guy on the active roster player in deep N.L.-only leagues.
Mike Fontenot $1.
Fontenot's swinging a hot bat and as a result has found his way into some playing time at 2B down the stretch for the Cubs. His hot streak is almost entirely batting average, though, so if you're looking at Fontenot's 9 HR and thinking power, you may want to look elsewhere.
Delwyn Young $1.
Lingering back issues have kept Young out of the Pirates line-up; though it's possible he could be good to go late this week. However, he's 2 for his last 38 and I'm not sure how much of this is his back and how much of this is Young getting exposed by Major League pitching. He's worth the gamble if you're swinging for the fences and need a middle infielder, but keep in mind that this is a high risk play, especially for this week.
Pat Misch $1.
Like LeBlanc, Misch is a soft-tossing lefty. Misch does mix in a slider that gives him a different look than LeBlanc, but Misch's ceiling is definitely lower...he probably projects as a #5 starter at best and realistically is more suited to a middle relief role. Misch has struggled in his last two starts for the Mets and has a tough two-start week coming up against the Braves and at Florida. He's not a good play right now.
Billy Buckner $1.
I should probably point out that the owner picking up Misch and Buckner has a fat lead in ERA and WHIP and is in a dogfight in wins. From that standpoint, picking up any starter who is going to go five innings and give him a chance for a win makes sense. Buckner also seems like a feast or famine pitcher: he's allowed one earned run or less in four of his last 10 starts and four or more ER in the other six. Here is another very high reward, very high risk play, so whether or not you grab Buckner depends on how safe you want or need to play it. He's home against the Giants this week.
J.R. Towles $1.
Cecil Cooper said that Towles is going to get some starts down the stretch for the Astros, but Towles has once again been bad in the majors, with a 3-for-26 line thus far. He'll be 26 entering next season, and while some catchers have a longer path to success than other position players, more often than not guys like this who fail and fail again simply fade away or become Quad A guys. Remember Raul Casanova?
Omar Infante $1.
Infante's a poor man's Mike Fontenot. He'll play when he's hitting (like he is now), but Infante has offered next to no speed or power this year and is only worth owning to plug a hole and hope that you move the chains in HR/RBI.
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