I love you... No, I mean it... I love you. Fantasy baseball owners who are still focused on their teams, even with the NFL season kicking off and the NBA not too far behind, are what it's all about. While your leaguemates are feasting on all the Chad Ocho Cinco news, you're here looking for those last few nuggets. The good news is that with the rest of your league asleep at the wheel, you get to dine from the smorgasbord known as September roster expansion.

Examining September roster expansion is inherently slanted toward keeper leagues. The players we'll be looking at don't have extensive track records, but they do carry varying degrees of hype. As much as anyone, I love plucking the next Tim Lincecum or Ryan Braun off the waiver wire before he has a chance to even make it to auction. The problem is that they often turn into the next Clay Buchholz or Corey Patterson. Think about it. At some point, a guy like Dewon Brazelton was a hot pick-up.

Every year at fantasy baseball drafts and auctions, I see owners investing way too much into young, unproven prospects. Johnny Cueto was the talk of MLB this spring, and to be fair, he's shown flashes of dominance. But when you compare his numbers to unheralded pitchers like Kyle Lohse or even Ryan Dempster, the phenom looks like a pretty poor investment. Who went for more in your auction? I think we all know that answer. Offensively, Jay Bruce got the hype, but "failed" prospects Carlos Quentin and Ryan Ludwick have produced the numbers. Way too often the hype is far ahead of the value.

I give you these warnings not to totally scare you off, but to encourage you to snag these players now, when the hype machine isn't pushing their prices to absurd levels. Enjoy a free 30-day preview; then decide if you want to keep them for the 2009 season. So let's dispatch with my usual humor (at least my mom says it's funny) and see which players are worthy of a fantasy call-up.

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

Shell was a starting pitcher for the first 6 of his 7 year career with the Angles before being released and picked up by the Nationals this year. Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Steven Shell, RP, WAS
Steven who? Yeah, you've probably never heard of him, but he's quietly posting great numbers in the Nats pen. With a 2.01 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in over 40 innings, Shell is starting to see work in more crucial situations. Joel Hanrahan earned a win Saturday, but in the process blew a save, giving up three hits, two walks, and a couple of earned runs. Hanrahan still has the job, but if he struggles, Shell might get a shot. Shell could be one of those "meaningless" end-of-the-season transactions that pays dividends down the line.

Angel Guzman, RP, CHC
Guzman has been a prospect about three times over. Each time he nears the major leagues, another elbow injury derails his progress. He's back again and supposedly as good as ever. He's working in the pen for now but has been a starter throughout his career. Since returning from his latest surgery, Guzman has posted an impressive 20/4 strikeout to walk ratio during his rehab stint.. He's a long shot, but the talent is definitely there. He's worth a late season flier in NL leagues in the hopes that he can impress enough in the next month, to compete for a starting gig in 2009.

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

Wade LeBlanc, LHP, SD:
This 24-year-old lefty has had a rough go of it in triple-A Portland. His ERA stands at 5.34, and he's given up an unassuming hit per inning. In his defense, he has also struck out a batter an inning and his control has been decent with 42 walks in just over 138 innings. LeBlanc does have one big advantage. PETCO Park may camouflage some of his growing pains. LeBlanc can probably earn a starting gig for 2009 with a solid September performance. With the benefits of PETCO, LeBlanc is worth taking a shot on in NL leagues. Mixed leaguers can walk on by.

James McDonald, RHP, LAD
McDonald has plenty of competition to join the Dodger rotation in 2009, but he may be up to the task. The soon to be 24-year-old has averaged well over a strikeout per inning during his minor league career. McDonald's numbers have remained very stable at every rung in the Dodgers' system, which tells me he's made adjustments along the way. Whether the Dodgers have room for him is another story. McDonald probably won't reach the majors for good until mid 2009 or later, but if your league allows you to stash players away, then he's definitely a solid bet.

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

Dexter Fowler, OF, COL
Fowler took a huge step forward this year in double-A. The Rockies' future center fielder improved already solid on-base skills to boost his OBP to a nice .431. Much of that increase is linked to a 60-point rise in BA to .335. The Rockies don't appreciate Willy Taveras' 66 stolen bases as much as you and I do, so Fowler could get a serious look if the Rockies fall out of contention. Coors field isn't quite the haven it used to be for hitters, but Fowler has the tools to produce anywhere. I wouldn't expect the .300-plus average to translate to the majors, but Fowler should produce good speed numbers along with double-digit home run power.

Mat Gamel, 3B, MIL
In addition to using just one "T," Gamel has been hyped as the next Ryan Braun. He doesn't have the power/speed combo that Braun packs, but Gamel brings a nice resume to Milwaukee. He's hit over .300 the last two years and lifted his OBP near .400 in 2008. Unfortunately, he also matches Braun's defensive prowess (or lack thereof) at the hot corner with over 30 errors this season. The Brew Crew have no room in the outfield or at first base, so Gamel may not get the permanent job until he can harness the leather. Still, the Brewers haven't been afraid to throw defensively challenged players out there on a daily basis. As long as Gamel can keep it respectable defensively, the job should be his for the taking in 2009. Keeper league owners should be all over Gamel.

Kila Ka'aihue, 1B/DH, KC
The Royals must have thought that Mark Grudzielanek didn't give them enough vowels, so they've called up the Hawaiian born Ka'aihue (pronounced Ka'aihue). Kila, who has been considered a marginal prospect for a couple years, absolutely exploded this year with 37 minor league home runs. He's hit .315-plus with OBPs in the mid-.400s at two levels this year. The young Hawaiian has never hit for average like this, but the improved plate discipline indicates that the gains could be for real. DH is probably his best position, so there could be some conflict with Billy Butler. If Kila can get off to a nice start, the Royals will be happy to sacrifice a little defense at first base for his offense. He enters 2009 as a decent sleeper for power numbers and if he can retain the on-base skills he has shown this year, he could be a steal.

Lou Marson, C, PHI
Marson may not get his real chance until 2010, but he should eventually be a solid option at catcher. I had the opportunity to watch him in Clearwater last year and came away impressed. He doesn't have huge power, but he consistently hit the ball harder than his teammates. Eventually I expect him to put up Paul Lo Duca type numbers circa 2002. Players like Marson don't make huge contributions, but they are valuable when compared to some of the alternatives. Of course if you'd like to wait and see where Johnny Estrada ends up, I certainly understand.

Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX
Despite the girly doll name, Teagarden is a solid prospect at catcher. He's struggled this season, but hit 27 home runs in under 400 at-bats in 2007. Because of his superior defensive skills, Teagarden will get every opportunity to regain his stroke. The Rangers have a logjam at the catcher position, so keep an eye on the situation this off-season. If he can get the starting job, Teagarden could be a cheap source of power hitting in a great line-up in a great hitter's park.

Thank you for sticking with our Waiver Wire Tips throughout the year. Hopefully we've pointed you in the right direction more often than not. Send Doug an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to let him know how your team finished and share your waiver wire success stories.

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