Don’t get caught daydreaming WaiverSharks!
With fantasy football in full swing – and perhaps a kibosh to your playoff hopes thanks to Hurricane Ike’s decimation of (among other things) the Major League Baseball schedule you may be losing focus on some baseball developments that are worth making at least a mental note about.
One welcome addition was ‘the king of late season waiver priority adds’ David Price. The 6’ 6” south paw was finally called up by the Tampa Bay Rays on the weekend – and pitched well against the New York Yankees in his major league debut – going 5.2 innings allowing two runs and three hits while fanning four without issuing a walk.
Next season Price will presumably be at the top of many fantasy baseball wish lists when it comes time to draft a rookie arm – due to his undeniable potential.
But here are a few more pitchers who should come much cheaper then Mr. Price – while still having some good fantasy upside.
Trevor Cahill – Oakland A’s
Hard throwing righty, Trevor Cahill could factor into the Oakland Athletics rotation very soon – after all General Manager Billy Beane has traded away every starter the A’s rostered a year ago!
Plus - Gio Gonzales’ call up has garnered mixed results – so opportunity may come knocking on Cahill’s door if he can provide a strong showing next spring.
Jon Niese – New York Mets
Jon Niese possesses a lethal curve ball and although he’ll likely spend a portion of the 2009 season in the minors he may have a chance at cracking the Mets rotation if they run into some injury woes.
James Parr – Atlanta Braves
James Parr has pitched well for the Atlanta Braves since being called up to replace Charlie Morton – but many fantasy enthusiasts have long since forgot the Braves exist ever since they traded Mark Teixeira and appear content to just let the clock run out on the 2008 season.
Madison Bumgarner – San Francisco Giants
Finally, we may be getting a bit ahead of ourselves as Madison Bumgarner projects to join the San Francisco Giants more likely closer to the 2010 season.
However, the Giants are going to be looking to add another young gun to the duo of Cain and Lincecum in the not too distant future – and we think Bumgarner could be their answer!
Coming up later this week – We think we’ve discovered the Texas Rangers' answer to their loss of Edinson Volquez
