For the average man, keeping up with fantasy baseball this time of year can be a difficult task. We're all working 40 or more hours a week and have countless obligations to family and friends (not to mention the demands of preparing for upcoming fantasy football drafts). Believe it or not, most of us at RotoExperts.com face those same battles. The fame and fortune of writing for the top up-and-coming fantasy website haven't quite kicked in yet. So, what is a writer to do when faced with a deadline while visiting family who connect to the internet via telegraph. This writer turned to the one thing he knows never fails...Plagiarism (It worked in 11th grade Chemistry). Sure it sounds unethical and could get me released from my lucrative contract, but the excellent writers here at RotoExperts left me with no choice. You see, part of my responsibilities here include editing our MLB content. The incredible information these guys come up with every day can't help but seep into my own writing. So without further delay, I'll use some of this "borrowed" information and put a little spin of my own on it to identify some great late season waiver wire targets.

[all statistics current through Friday, August 8].

NOW THAT SPELLS RELIEF
A look at the top prospects to deliver value as closers, setup men, and long relievers at this point of the season.

Chris Perez, RP, STL
I'd like to pretend that I have some insight into the Cardinal bullpen. The truth though, is that I don't think even Tony La Russa knows who is closing on a nightly basis. La Russa recently asserted that Jason Isringhausen would resume closing duties despite his lovely 5.98 ERA. Even if Izzy somehow keeps the gig for the remainder of the year, the job is there for Chris Perez to claim. The young righty has control issues, but has been extremely tough to hit, allowing only 61 hits in 109 IP in his minor league career. Predicting saves in St. Louis may be a crapshoot for the rest of the season, but Chris Perez is a good bet for now and a great investment for the future.

Rafael Perez, RP, CLE
Rafael, the brother of the aforementioned Chris (unresearched and likely false claim), is without a doubt the best reliever in the Cleveland bullpen. The problem is that the Indians have long since given up the idea of using their best reliever as a closer (see Borowski, Joe). Currently Masahide Kobayashi is viewed as the closer and Jensen Lewis picked up the last save for the Tribe. Perez, however, has done nothing but get hitters out in his short major league career. I'm going to bet that Rafael and his 2.93 ERA and 1.13 WHIP will be getting the bulk of save opportunities by the end of the season.

Look for Heilman to step up with his new bullpen role. Photo Credit: Metsfan7

Aaron Heilman , RP, NYM
As any good writer would do, I attempted to find stats that would support my recommendation of Heilman. You know what, I couldn't find any. He's struggled in pretty much every situation this year. Why pick him up, you ask? Simple, he's got the job and he's got the stuff. Billy Wagner could be back very soon, but there have been numerous warning signs pointing to a serious injury. It would not surprise me if Wagner comes back and continues to struggle with arm woes. Heilman has experienced success before and if he can pull himself together at this opportune moment, could secure a closing gig either with the Mets or another organization.

CALL TO ARMS
Get your starting pitchers here! … Maybe… Targeting starting pitchers on the waiver wire is a dangerous practice, but here are a couple who might have something to offer.

Paul Byrd, SP, CLE
RotoExperts' own Wade "Southpaw" Alberty alerted me to the resurgence of Byrd. A 4.53 ERA and 1.53 WHIP don't look too impressive. But as "Southpaw's Pitch" pointed out, the crafty veteran (required term when referring to Byrd) has a 1.73 ERA over the last month. Byrd has had streaks like this before and can do a very nice Greg Maddux impersonation for months at a time. Fantasy owners looking for help in ERA and wins could get some help here. And remember a Byrd in the hand is worth...no, I can't actually write that.

Anibal Sanchez, SP, FLA
Jon Phillips reminded me in "Small Market Mania", just how good Sanchez was in 2006. In two starts since returning from shoulder surgery, Sanchez has shown that his stuff is back. The shaky results however, indicate that it may take a while for the command to catch up. I would expect him to gradually improve for the remainder of the season and come into 2009 as a major sleeper. With the Marlins offense supporting him, fantasy owners looking for wins and a few K's would be wise to gamble on Sanchez. If the young lefty is available in keeper leagues, you need to temporarily navigate away from this page and claim him. Don't forget to come back and check the rest of the waiver wire gems. Besides, the NFL draft kit here at RotoExperts is the best thing going.

Dallas Braden, SP, OAK
Braden benefits from the recent demotion of Dana Eveland. Braden has struggled during his brief major league career, but his minor league numbers suggest that he has the tools to experience moderate success. Despite lacking a dominant pitch, Braden has kept his WHIP near 1.00 in the minors. He may struggle at times, but pitching in Oakland's McAfee is the best environment a pitcher could ask for. Braden could be a poor man's Kyle Kendrick (If there is such a thing). Fantasy owners fighting for the money should proceed with caution, but if you're playing for next year, Braden is worth a flier.

SWINGING FOR THE FENCES
Lacking home runs?  Stuck with a dearth of stolen bases?  Here are some ideas to better shore up your offense.

Lasting Milledge, OF, WAS
Milledge is way past the hype of his days with the Mets. Most fantasy owners jumped off the bandwagon long before he posted a .130 BA in July. Don't look now, but it may be time to cautiously tiptoe back onboard. Milledge is hitting .400 in August with four HR. He's also quietly stolen 15 bases on the season. I'm not sure he'll ever be the five category stud that many predicted, but Milledge is looking more and more rosterable in leagues of all types. An astute owner might trade away a hitter with a larger reputation for pitching help and then claim Milledge to replace the offensive numbers.

Wladimir Balentien, OF, SEA
In keeping with the theme of prospects who have lost a little of their luster, Balentien has also forced his way back into our fantasy thoughts (And I thought Evangeline Lilly was alone in my fantasy thoughts). Balentien has come back with a vengeance since his recall. The young outfielder will probably struggle in hitting for much of an average, but the power is there and he has shown the ability to run in the minors. If nothing else gets you to take a chance on him, just saying the name Wladimir is worth a claim by itself.

Paul Lo Duca, C, FLA
Bear with me here. This recommendation is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it is totally a gut call. Here's my reasoning. Lo Duca is renowned for his hot first halves and then dropping off the map after the All-Star break. My thin and very fragile theory is that Lo Duca has not had enough ABs to have his usual quick start. When the Marlins call him up he'll be fresh and ready to go. It will be like starting over. Now you see the genius behind such a move...No? Well maybe those of you in NL leagues with a hole at catcher can catch lightning (a very small bolt) in a bottle. Remember these recommendations are for leagues of all types. Somewhere there is a league that Paul Lo Duca can help in...I think.

If you'd like to share your stories of plagiarism or hear more about the incredibly courageous (or stupid) Paul Lo Duca strategy give Doug an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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