The Pickup Artist: Eye Pods

Need help navigating the waiver wire each week? Let the Pickup Artist be your guide.

Infielders

Alcides Escobar (SS, MIL) – 24%
Pay no attention to Escobar's .208 average and zero swipes through seven contests. Not only is he seeing the ball extremely well (2/2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 26 plate appearances), but he's been a bit unlucky (.227 BABIP, 27.3% line drive rate). If you're looking for 25-30 stolen bases and a decent average to boot, don't let this opportunity pass you by. Remember, it's about grabbing that player before they take off, not afterward.

Nick Johnson (1B, NYY) – 19%
Forget about Johnson's injury history for a moment and consider this: he's a left-handed hitter playing half his games in Yankee Stadium, he's an on-base machine hitting second in the most potent lineup in baseball, and as the Yankees' primary DH he'll have fewer chances to hurt himself. Sure it's wishful thinking, but if Johnson were able to accumulate 450 plate appearances – something he's accomplished in three of the past five seasons – he could very well match or exceed the .290-23-77-100 line he put up with Washington in '06. For those in OBP leagues, he's a no-brainer of an acquisition (career .402 OBP). Even in standard formats, he makes a fine utility man or corner infielder.

Alberto Callaspo (2B/3B, KC) – 23%
Playing time could get tricky once Alex Gordon returns, but if Callaspo can somehow earn everyday at-bats, a repeat of last season could be in store (.300-11-73-75). Those are mighty fine numbers for a two-bagger; his dual eligibility is just icing on the cake. At the very least, he deserves a spot on all mixed league benches.



Share Luke Scott (1B/OF, BAL) – 13%
Never mind that Scott's been the victim of bad fortune (.250 BABIP, 28.6% LD); how is he still available in almost 90 percent of leagues? He's done nothing but average 22 homers and 69 RBIs the past two seasons while qualifying as a first baseman and outfielder. Since when is that type of power and position eligibility frowned upon? He'll probably sit against most lefties, but 450 at-bats are plenty for Scott to merit a spot in fantasy lineups. One thing's for sure, hitting behind Miguel Tejada, Matt Wieters, and Adam Jones should result in the most RBI chances of the 31-year-old outfielder's career. Throw in another 20-plus homers and an average that won't kill you and the decision to add him should be an easy one.

Chris Snyder (C, ARI) – 12%
Snyder will need more than a rabbit's foot to hit over .250, but he's got good power and solid on-base skills. He's not quite one-catcher league material because of his batting average woes, but if you're in a league that starts two, he's an automatic plug-in for as long as Miguel Montero (torn meniscus) is out.

Outfielders

Scott Podsednik (OF, KC) - 41%
Scotty Pods is picking up right where he left off last season, hitting .457 with six steals through nine games. More importantly, it appears he's altered his approach at the dish, with five walks against just four strikeouts in 38 plate appearances (just 39 walks all of last season). His speed, consistent contact, and ability to bunt for base hits should keep his average above .270, and 40 thefts aren't out of the question based on the number of green lights he's seen thus far. At the very least, a repeat of 2009 (30 SB) sounds like a safe bet, although you probably shouldn't count on seven home runs again.

Marlon Byrd (OF, CHI) – 24%
Why all of a sudden have fantasy owners lost faith? So what if Byrd's hitting .185 through eight games; he was almost universally owned just a week ago. What gives? It's not like he hasn't hit for power. He's on pace for 40-plus homers and well over 100 RBI. Obviously he won't reach those totals, but that's proof enough he's been no stiff. Austin Jackson is owned in more leagues than Byrd right now. Does anybody else besides me think that is ludicrous? Take advantage of the fickle among us and scoop up the Byrd man before they realize their mistake.

Josh Willingham (OF, WAS) – 34%
Where there's a Willingham, there's a way. What are you waiting for?

Jose Guillen (OF, KC) – 14%
Another Kansas City Royal? You bet. The muscle Guillen's flexed over the past week (five homers, 9 RBI) should come as no surprise. For those with short memories, allow me to remind you that Guillen's topped 20 HR five times in his career and knocked in 90 or more three times, achieving both those benchmarks in two of the last three seasons. I know it may seem like he's been around forever, but he's just 33 years old – hardly some washed-up vet. If Guillen can stay healthy in 2010 and keep distractions to a minimum, he's got as good a chance as any waiver wire commodity to reach the 20-90 plateau.

Starting Pitchers

Ricky Romero (SP, SEA) – 49%
Admittedly, I'm not a huge Romero fan. Remember when everyone was drooling over him at this time last year? I wasn't one of them. Some will still argue that he had a solid rookie campaign but he was absolutely horrible the last four months of the season and his 1.52 WHIP was nothing short of a killer. That said, when you come within six outs of a no-no while striking out 12, even the skeptics (like me) have to fork over some credit. Romero's skill set portends success. He's got an above-average strikeout rate (7.32 K/9 in 32 MLB starts) and does really well at keeping the ball on the ground (54.6% GB as a big leaguer). The only real question is whether he can maintain the command he's shown thus far. If – and that's a big if based on last season's meltdown – Romero can consistently avoid the free pass, there's a very good chance his WHIP remains mixed-league worthy. Just don't be surprised if he comes crashing back down to earth again.

C.J. Wilson (SP, TEX) – 40%
Here's another guy I thought had no chance at being a successful starter. Obviously, the jury's still out with just one long outing under his belt (not including six starts in '05), but if his first turn is any indication (7 IP, 0 ER, 9 Ks, 2 BB), he might very well have mixed-league value all year long. Wilson not only brings a top-notch K rate to the table (career 8.45 K/9), but he can induce groundballs with the best of them (career 52.5% GB). At the very least, he looks like a fine spot starter against weaker opponents, or when the weather gets warmer a solid play on the road (Rangers Ballpark at Arlington can get pretty scary in the summer). Like Romero, keep an eye on Wilson's walks (4.07 BB/9).

Brian Matusz (SP, BAL) – 47%
Throw Matusz's 4.38 ERA out the window. The 23-year-old southpaw is brandishing a 10.95 K/9 in two starts against Tampa Bay, and has a fielder-independent ERA (FIP) of 2.02. Even if you account for a league-average HR rate, his expected fielder-independent ERA (xFIP) is still a more user-friendly 3.90. Matusz can certainly afford to cut down on his walks (4.38 BB/9) but it's not a major concern since five of those walks came in his first start and control has always been his strong suit (2.82 BB/9 last year with Baltimore; 2.5 BB/9 on the farm). He's sure to have a few hiccups in his first full season but this kid's got plenty of promise.

Carl Pavano (SP, MIN) – 37%
While Pavano's won-loss record and ERA might not say it, his 3.96 xFIP and 147/39 K/BB split do: Alyssa Milano's (below) ex was a passable mixed league starter in 2009. He's been even better through two turns in 2010, with a 3.28 xFIP and 10/1 K/BB in 13 frames. More runs and better defense could net Pavano double-digit wins and an ERA under 4.00 in 2010. Buy with confidence.

Relief Pitchers

Kevin Gregg (RP, TOR) – 36%
Word problem: Frasor's already blown two saves this season. Cito Gaston says he won't let Frasor close on back-to-back days. Gregg already has three saves in three chances and hasn't allowed a run in four appearances. Who looks more like Toronto's closer? Wait a minute ... Gaston just said Gregg's the closer until further notice. There you go.

Fernando Rodney (RP, LAA) – 31%
With Brian Fuentes going on the 15-day DL (back), Rodney will take over ninth-inning duty for at least the next couple weeks. Rodney's history as a closer is no secret but hey, saves are saves, right? He earned his first save of the season by tossing a perfect inning against the Yankees on Wednesday afternoon.

Jim Johnson (RP, BAL) – 10%
Jim Johnson looks like the best bet for saves in the Orioles pen for as long as it takes Mike Gonzalez to get right (15-day DL, shoulder). Johnson wasn't great when handed the role last season, and his place atop the closer depth chart might be short-lived, but if the goal is to accumulate saves, you take 'em where you can get 'em.

Deeper/Mono-League Formats

Jeremy Guthrie (SP, BAL) – 1%
Guthrie may be 0-2 but he's pitched better than his 4.05 ERA indicates (3.43 xFIP). His .361 BABIP aside, he's struck out 11 and walked just two in 13.1 frames (all against the Rays). Lest we forget, Guthrie's got two sub-4.00 ERA, sub-1.25 WHIP seasons on his resume and an improved outfield defense behind him.

Daric Barton (1B, OAK) – 10%
Poor man's Nick Johnson. Former first rounder doesn't pack a lot of punch (16 HRs in 704 career ABs) but he's got an excellent eye. Finally finding his stroke as a "A", OBP leaguers should consider him a must-add.

Jaime Garcia (SP, STL) – 4%
Tommy John survivor posted a 2.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP at three minor league stops last season (37.1 IP) and earned No. 5 spot in Cardinals rotation after a 3.00 ERA and 20/5 K/BB in 24 innings this spring. Affinity for the groundball, Dave Duncan tutelage, and expected run support could lead to one of better rookie campaigns. Innings most likely will be capped.

Jeff Mathis (C, LAA) – 4%
Mike Napoli still looms as a threat to Mathis' playing time (as does Jeff's career .204/.279.325 line), but in two-catcher formats, you can't argue against the PT (seven starts in nine games). Ride the hot hand.

Will Venable (OF, SD) – 7%
Versatile outfielder has started six of the Padres first seven games. Ironically, he might just keep Scott Hairston on the bench while matching Hairston's production from 2009 (.265-17-64-50-11).

Cliff Pennington (SS, OAK) – 8%
Stolen base prowess hasn't yet translated to the majors but Pennington did steal 57, 31 and 27 bases his last three seasons in the minors. He's also got six homers in his last 237 MLB at-bats. AL shortstops are an extremely rare species, so when you find a guy who won't hurt your batting average, can steal a few bases and give you a little pop, it's almost like Christmas day.

Aki Iwamura (2B, PIT) – 8%
Come to think of it, Iwamura might actually be a viable play in standard leagues. Aki doesn't do anything special but contributes enough across the board to make even the greediest fantasy GM content.

Ty Wigginton (1B/3B/MI, BAL) – 1%
With his ability to play all infield positions, expect Ty to get Wiggy with it while Brian Roberts is on the shelf. Power is well known (22-plus HRs in three of last four seasons) and multi-position eligibility a plus.

Position eligibility based on five games played/10 games started at a position in 2009. Ownership percentages courtesy of Yahoo! Fantasy Sports.