Today WaiverSharks has elected to mention a couple of Boston Red Sox “Mikes” worth considering.

One wily veteran - and one up and coming starting pitching prospect who you should keep on your fantasy radars. Incidentally, if you are a Red Sox fan – check out The Ultimate Red Sock.

By Ryan Roach

The Shallow

Mike Lowell - Third Base (3B)

Mr. Double is back to being healthy, and swatting baseballs off of Fenway Parks Green Monster.

After a rather sketchy off-season, and a poor spring, Lowell has reminded all of us fantasy managers the queezy feeling the Florida Marlins must have felt when they threw him in the Josh Beckett deal.

Constantly being overlooked, Lowell can hit for power and should nab your team some major RBIs in the heart of one of Major League Baseball's more potent offenses.

Third Base is thin this year, so take advantage of the dents this Red Sox vet keeps putting in the Green Monster. Make him one of your 2009 Fantasy Baseball Pickups before its too late.

The Deep

Michael Bowden Starting/Relief Pitcher (SP, RP)

Bowden recently got a cup of coffee this past weekend, more like an expresso, as he pitched 2 scoreless innings, against a rather dejected Yankees squad before returning to the minor leagues.

In the minors, Bowden has been more than effective. So far this season, he’s only allowed one run in three starts, which have totaled 14 innings. Over the course of his minor league career, which started in 2005, his numbers have been as follows:

30-19 with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, along with 404 K’s in 419.2 innings

Even though he was sent back down, expect this youngster to get the occasional call up, and possibly even secure a permanent spot on the Sox by season’s end.

The Shallow & The Deep is taking a breather today so WaiverSharks can bring you Volume 6 of Fantalytics. Click on the link below to see who won this close battle of premiere second basemen.

"The Shallow & The Deep" Daily Waiver Wire Pickups will be back Thursday, April 30th.

Coming up this Friday (May 1st) we will announce our first Megalodon of the Month for our favorite Waiver Wire Pickup suggested during April/2009.

Dan Uggla vs Alexei Ramirez

By Adam Forsyth

The Deep

Matt LaPorta – First Base/Outfield (LF)

Thought we’d lead in with today’s “The Deep” pickup followed by the “The Shallow” – just to mix things up!

Will the badly struggling Cleveland Indians give this power 1B/OF a shot after a rough start to their season has them looking up in the Central Division?

Lighting it up in AAA-Columbus, LaPorta has given them every reason to at least give him a shot at some payback from last seasons’ CC Sabathia deal. One way or the other, LaPorta will be called up and fantasy owners are only praying that it is sooner rather than later to have a deeper fantasy impact.

With David Delucci still having some calf issues (Although he had a 3 for 4 night for the Clippers yesterday), and Ben Francisco struggling at the plate, it would make sense for the Indians to allow the 24-year old his first taste of major league ball. Should he get an early season call you can definitely expect some bumps en route to becoming a solid fantasy contributor.

Note: Matt LaPorta’s former minor league team, the Akron Aeros will be honoring the big guy later this season with a Matt LaPorta Bobblehead day on Saturday, July 18th 2009. Bobblehead Daze will have more on the Matt LaPorta bobblehead when the Aeros face the Bowie Baysox at Canal Park . According to the Aeros website, 1000 Matt “Mash” LaPorta Bobbles will be given out, featured in his Team USA uniform from last summer’s 2008 Olympics. Cool.

The Shallow

Jason Kubel – DH/Outfield (LF)

In a line-up like the Minnesota Twins produce nightly, Kubel fits in nicely as a source of under-rated power and the ability to drive in runs and when slotted in the order he follows the MVP caliber bat of Canadian Justin Morneau. Not a bad place to be.

Unfortunately, the Twins have an abundance of OF talent; thus Kubel is usually expected to leave his glove on the bench and perform as the DH. While it hasn’t had an effect on his output, many are afraid to grab lower skilled batsmen that don’t typically play every day; but Kubel has given every reason to be on a fantasy roster as he is on fire out of the gate in 2009.

Don’t expect this torrid pace to continue, but thinking the heavy hitter could pop his way to joining the 30 HR club wouldn’t necessarily be obscene.

Today’s Waiver Wire pickups by: Scott Woodall

The Shallow

OUCH!

Rickie Weeks – Second Base (2B)

Rickie…you almost deserved this ball to the jaw!

I’m certain a good number of Fantasy owners sickly relished the plunking to the melon Rickie Weeks took from an Edinson Volquez offering recently. Yes, we are happy he is okay, and no one deserves a baseball to the chops...but for all the DL stints, and 0 for 4’s and 0 for 5’s, he’s put up the last four Milwaukee Brewers seasons, I'm sure a few of us grinned like the Cheshire Cat when this poetic justice hardball zipped into his cheek.

Rickie Weeks has been touted by fantasy baseball experts for years, only to annually disappoint, and leave many wondering - "Why did I once again give him a shot?"

His power/speed tools suggest a player who could give a player like Brandon Phillips a run for his 2B leader money – but it has yet to ever happen. Are we suggesting this is (finally) his year? Ummm.

(Hesitation for dramatic effect)

NO.

Sorry, but we can’t quite stick our necks out for you Rickie...it puts us at risk of taking one square in the jaw too...but we like some things we’ve seen thus far in 2009.

Week’s batting average won't suddenly join the .300 club this season.

But his on base % tends to be pretty decent each year, his bat still packs a solid power punch for his position, his speed seems about the same as it was back in 2003 (Although we would like to see him start stealing more soon!), and he should still score you a boat load of runs if he can hang on to the lead off spot in Milwaukee.

Now here’s the kicker: He’s frustrated so many fantasy managers over the years; he can now be plucked from quite a few leagues waiver wires.

In butcher’s terms, he still remains a potential lamb cutlet, but he is being sold right now for pork belly prices.

If your struggling at 2B, take a risk, buy low, and see what he offers in 2009 for a spell. If he ends up a pork belly, let this little piggie go wee wee wee all the way home. But if he resembles a lamb cutlet - savor the sweet taste of bargain priced meat!

The Deep

Ian Stewart – 2B/3B/ & OF – soon?

As evidenced in our preseason article on Ian Stewart, we have been fans of power hitting infielder Ian Stewart longer than some Trekkies have worshiped Next Gens Patrick Stewart. Okay. Not quite.

But - nonetheless, we love the fact that Rockies Manager Clint Hurdle has been creative with Stewie in order to net him as many AB's a possible in the early go of 2009.

The Colorado ballclub hasn’t looked great as a whole, but Stewart has been one of the teams bright spots thus far. He could become eligible as an outfielder at some point this year as well, in addition to the 2B/3B he already owns in the majority of fantasy baseball leagues.

The Rockies have been on the road for most of April. A long Coors Field home stand might be enough to even further entrench Ian Stewart as one of the Rox every day players, as Colorado plays 14 of their next 19 games in the hitter’s paradise.

Stewart’s penchant for k-ing too many times is still evident, but there simply isn’t very many second base options on the waiver wire that could garner you 25 or more homeruns this year.

The Shallow

Elijah Dukes – Outfield (LF/CF/RF)

This Dukes is hotter than Daisy!

Ever pick up a player after he had a smoking day at the plate? But, after he went 3 for 5 with a homerun and a double plus 4 ribbys – he stones you with an “O-fer” the next day when you plugged him into your line-up?

We all have done it. So, don’t sit there shaking your head no!

Especially in the early goings when it would be oh so cool to get off to a fast start, and have all your buddies thinking you held the ultimate crystal ball when you drafted for this 2009 fantasy baseball season.

The obvious problem is, looking over past stats can only help so much.

Afterall, what a player did last week isn’t going to help you a bit today is it? Ask all the frustrated Ricky Romero owners (like me –ug!!!) who thought they had discovered a gem – only to wake up, and realize he was put on the DL with an oblique strain that came from outer space.

GET TO THE POINT MAN!!! Ohhh. Sorry.

Elijah Dukes is still being avoided by some. Why??? 'Cause he’s a Washington National? Ryan Zimmerman is a National – yet he is owned in 96% of Yahoo leagues. Okay, 3B is a tough position to fill. I really think some people are avoiding Elijah Dukes because of his checkered past. And that’s just flat out STUPID.

Is it possible he could have a future run in with the MPDC – sure. But, so could Ryan Zimmerman. Boys do eventually become men, and Dukes has kept his nose relatively clean since arriving in Washington at the start of 2008.

As difficult as it might be - sit through a couple of Nats games, and watch (and listen) the way the ball comes off of this guys bat! CRACK!!! SMACK!!! And he has a pretty good eye to boot. Will he be this year’s version of Josh Hamilton? Hmmm…That’s a stretch – but I'm through judging Elijah Dukes by his storied past.

The man from Southeast Florida can flat out crush a baseball – and his potential is off the charts if he can remain healthy for a full MLB season. If you’re in need of OF help, and 6’1”, 240 pound Elijah Dukes is still floating around on your waiver wire, don’t wait another 5 minutes. (Ask Manny Acta – that’s late for work!) GRAB HIM NOW!

The Deep

Phil Hughes – Starting Pitcher

Will Hughes ever be Huge?

Gonna make this one brief.

Phil Hughes is a smart speculative add.

Whether Chien Ming Wang rights the ship, or not – Hughes should be toeing the rubber at Coors Field, I mean Yankee Stadium, sooner than later. Word is that he will get the start against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday at Comerica Park. How long he stays up with the Yankees may depend on him.

Yes, watching the ball soar out over the fence, in the house that Steinbrenner built, at a ridiculous rate during the early go, is some cause for concern, but I wouldn’t avoid Hughes based on that.

Hughes doesn’t turn 23 until June, and his upside still remains very high – not to mention the Yankees have been known to put up some serious numbers themselves. I also hear they have a decent third baseman who should be returning sometime in May.

Okay, why be cute when Google creates higher website traffic based on keywords like A-rod, Alex Rodrieguez, yep spelled wrong even helps – Google’s funny that way.

Quick Trivia:

What word combination do you think garners more Google results?

A-Rod Sucks! Or A-rod Rules!

I’ll give you a minute to go try it yourself.

The results may surprise you.

 The Arizona Diamondbacks first Bobblehead offering of the season is Saturday April 25th. Coincidentally – this should be a hot ticket on its own merits.

The game is scheduled to feature two of Major League Baseball’s hardest throwing starting pitchers; as Randy Johnson and the San Francisco Giants roll in to Chase Field to take on the D-backs and Mad Max Scherzer!

In addition, witnessing these premier hurlers the first 25,000 fans through the gates of Chase Field will receive an exclusive Justin Upton Bobblehead.

Both the Upton brothers, B.J. and Justin, have the upside talent to have amazing careers in professional baseball – so this is one you won’t want to miss.

A couple pre-sell stadium giveaways have already made their way to eBay if you can’t make it to what should be a great day to see the snakes in the desert!

Check out more bobbleheads on Bobblehead Daze!

By Adam Forsyth

The Shallow

Scott Downs – Relief Pitcher

After the drop in velocity and loss of accuracy of BJ Ryan’s pitching, many foreshadowing fantasy managers started grabbing the entire Toronto Blue Jays bullpen in advance to a decision by Cito Gaston and upper management that was made official on Thursday night.

Scott Downs is the winner of the first opportunity to become the Jays closer and after a phenomenal 2008 Downs has picked up where he left off.
The effective lefty picked up a save and watched his ERA dip below the 1.00 mark (0.93) to go with a miniscule WHIP.

While these peripherals will more than likely bump themselves up over the course of the season, it appears that Downs is for real and should he continue to pitch effectively could be in line for 40+ saves on a good Jays team.

The Deep

Todd Coffey – Relief Pitcher

Who doesn’t love a big, burly closer that chugs his way to the mound upon being called in from the ‘pen?

With the 2009 version of the Milwaukee Brewers dealing with injuries to career save leader Trevor Hoffman, along with a hodge-podge of lesser-known journeymen and youngsters in training, it appears that Todd Coffey could be given the opportunity to pick up the odd vulture-type save, or pending injury the outright job.

After Carlos Villaneuva imploded when given the shot, Coffey has picked up two saves and pitched extremely effective for the Brew Crew and after a less than stellar start to his career in Cincinnati, he appears to have found a home in a town where the brew of choice is that off the bubbly alcohol type, if he continues to pitch as well as he has, perhaps this Coffey can influence a new-found appreciation for the other brew.

The Shallow

Denard Span - Outfield (LF, CF, RF)

After a horrendous spring, where he hit .190 in 84 at-bats, Span has quieted all his critics in a rather un-appealing Twins outfield.

Span has started the season right where he left off last year, hitting at the top of the Twins order and using his speed to get him into scoring position.

Not blessed with a powerful bat, Span still manages to toss the odd homer in his batch of singles. With the imminent return of Joe Mauer, Span only becomes that much more valuable, as he should be a lock at notching 100 runs and 30 steals.

For those in leagues that use individual outfield spots, Span’s versatility becomes all the more tantalizing. Don’t snooze on the Spaner.

The Deep

Brett Anderson – Starting Pitcher (SP)

Hard throwing lefty who hurls in a pitchers friendly park… What’s not to like?

After being selected in the 2nd round of the 2006 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Anderson was sent to the A’s as part of the Dan Haren deal.

Anderson, along with Trevor Cahill and Vincent Mazzaro, has drawn comparisons to some of the former “Big 3’s” of the past in Oakland (Hudson, Mulder, Zito & Haren, Harden, Blanton). As part of the A’s organization last year, Anderson displayed great stuff at High A Ball and Double AA, with an 11-5 combined record, a respectable WHIP of 1.16, which went along nicely with his 118 K’s in 105 innings.

Given the fact that he never started a game above Double AA, Anderson has shown solid poise and confidence when on the mound this season. As one of the many youthful A’s arms, Anderson has been given the opportunity to start in the majors at the young and raw age of 21.

Although he was a roughed up a bit in his last start against the Yankees at the tough to pitch in New Yankee Stadium – don’t let that dissuade you too much from gambling on Brett Anderson.

Keeper Leaguers, and Deep Mixed leagues looking for young guns with upside – need not look any further. If this bulldog pitches the way that got him there – he should have a solid career with the Oakland A’s!

Todays Daily Waiver Wire Pickups by: Ryan Roach

The Shallow

Jeff Francoeur - Outfield (RF)

Jeffy Francoeur had a miserable 2008, but a few adjustments in the box, and a tweak to his batting stance has got him focused on 2009 as a year to remember.

Coming out of the gates with hits in 10 of his first 12 games, Francoeur has seen a drastic improvement in his OBP (from .294 in all of 08, to .347 so far in 09).

Hitting in the heart of an improved Brave offence, Francoeur looks to be a legitimate threat to reach 25 homers and 100 RBIs.

If you are in need of some pop and can afford to take a chance a guy like Frenchy, try to remember what he provided for fantasy teams in 2007 - and take a shot on this home town hero.

The Deep

Jonathan Sanchez - Starting Pitcher (SP)

A season removed from 157 strikeouts in 158 innings, Sanchez possesses the nasty stuff to get the job done in the Bay.

As a 5th starter for the G-Men, Sanchez lines up against some of the NL’s weakest pitchers several times he takes the hill. Combine this with his fairly friendly pitcher’s park, and his young budding team - and Sanchez could be in line for some decent production in 09.

Sanchez is not a starting pitcher to build your rotation around, and he won’t produce mouth-watering stats across the board - but if you are starving for strikeouts, this is a guy worth targeting; especially on spot starts for you streamers out there.

Today’s Waiver Wire Pickups by: Ryan Roach

The Shallow

Shin-Soo…  (Outfield)

Gazoontite!

Watching Shin-Soo Choo in batting practice last year made me realize this South Korean Southpaw could help make Cleveland Rock in 2009!

The Indians are coming off a sizzling series against the Yanks, where Choo hit 2 long balls. The team looks ready to let this cat break out this year and get cozy in Right Field for the Tribe.

Choo has a power stroke that can notch him 25 plus homers in a rather potent Indian offense – that, let’s face it…just wasn’t all together in 2008.

When the Cleveland Indians were all healthy and clicking back in ‘07, they were 9th in the majors in dingers with 178, and now that Choo is a full-time member of the team, they are second in the majors with 22.

If he is still attainable through your Free Agent pool – we suggest you give strong consideration to making him one of your waiver wire pickups this week! In other words: Don’t wait for this Choo-Choo train to come into the station; board it now!

*Sorry*

Looking for more to Choo? Click here!

The Deep

Josh Fields – Third Base (3B)

2008 was obviously a year to forget for Josh Fields. Leaving that behind him, 2007 is a year to recall for fantasy owners. Fields of Dreams is off to a tremendous start with the Pale Hose, and looks entrenched as an everyday three bagger at a rather weak position this year in fantasy baseball.

Fields tickled our fancies in 2007, when he came up as a rookie with the Chicago White Sox, and mashed 23 long balls. Now that Joe Crede is just a name in the past (And much to the dismay of White Sox fan – a Twinkie, Errrg!) Fields looks like he could pick up right where he left off in 07.

The only strike against Mr. Fields cookies, is his consistent ability to hit for a crummy average (Career Major league .237 AVG and a career Minor league .275 AVG).

If you can eat the low AVG., ala Mark Reynolds style, then there is a place for Josh Fields on your fantasy team. Believe me, he’ll be a step up from guys like Melvin “Methuselah” Mora, Edwin “Over-rated” Encarnacion, and even Adrian “Contract Year” Beltre.

Production Prediction: 24 HRs, 73 RBIs, a .248 AVG, with 75 Runs, and 1 SB.