Feel that you are too far back in some categories? Or maybe your concerned your opponents will come creeping up on you. As long as the folks behind you in a category are not going to be able to pass you, feel free to neglect or even ignore the category and worry about the stats that can help you move up in your league. The same goes if your lagging in some areas; if you are 30 SBs behind the person in front of you, don't bother adding someone with speed.
Now some of you out there hate dropping players and sifting through the waiver wire, but this is no time to hang on to fantasy junk. If you want to make a late impact, you have to add guys who can help you gain points immediately in categories that you can move up in. That's where UPDATE! comes in, helping you identify useful players that are likely sitting on the waiver wire:
BATTING AVERAGE
JACK WILSON, Pittsburgh Pirates SS
Comment: Fantasy owners tend to give up on batting average as barely any ground can be made on a daily basis, but if you load up on players like Wilson, you might be surprised how quick you can catch up. Since August, Wilson has hovered around .400 and there is reason to believe he can keep swinging a hot bat. Historically, September has been Wilson's best month, so while he may not keep up as torrid a pace, he will still help you raise your team's average.
Honorable Mention: EDWIN ENCARNACION, Cincinnati Reds 3B and MOISES ALOU, New York Mets OF
RUNS
NATE MCLOUTH, Pittsburgh Pirates OF
Comment: Nasty Nate was a waiver-wire god a few weeks ago when he was popping HRs at a silly rate, but many owners have cut ties with him since his power outage. Lucky you, because Nate has been a solid source of runs despite cooling off considerably. Regardless of the drop in batting average, he has still gotten on base and because of his speed and base-stealing ability, he is a consistent threat to score.
Honorable Mention: AKINORI IWAMURA, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 3B and CHRIS YOUNG, Arizona Diamondbacks OF
HOME RUNS
JOSH FIELDS, Chicago White Sox 3B
Comment: Fields is a terrific option to help boost your HR totals (although be prepared to take on a horrible batting average). How's this for a little perspective: if his numbers were extrapolated over an entire season, he would have 30-plus home runs and 100-plus RBI — great numbers for the third base position. He had nine dingers in August and has looked comfortable at the dish in recent weeks.
Honorable Mention: ADRIAN BELTRE, Seattle Mariners 3B and AUBREY HUFF, Baltimore Orioles 1B/OF
RUNS BATTED IN
JAMES LONEY, Los Angeles Dodgers 1B
Comment: This is one of the tougher categories to make ground in simply because all the useful RBI guys are likely sitting on someone's fantasy roster. But if you do need assistance, look no further than Mr. Loney. The Dodgers talented first baseman has been a steady source of production since playing regularly, with a pace that would see him finish a season with about 80-95 RBI. He'll even aid your team's batting average to boot.
Honorable Mention: JOSE BAUTISTA, Pittsburgh Pirates OF and PAT BURRELL, Philadelphia Phillies OF
STOLEN BASES
RAJAI DAVIS, San Francisco Giants OF
Comment: Davis has some wheels on him. He had just five stolen bags in two months for the Pirates before his trade to San Francisco, but he has been given the green light since his move. He started September stealing bases in four consecutive games and since the Giants have nothing to play for, expect Davis to get enough playing time to help your case in the stolen base department.
Honorable Mention: JERRY OWENS, Chicago White Sox OF and JACOBY ELLSBURY, Boston Red Sox OF
WINS
PAUL BYRD, Cleveland Indians SP
Comment: When you need wins, always look for a pitcher on a team competing for the playoffs. Byrd is a perfect candidate in this case, especially after winning seven of his last nine decisions (including two complete games shutouts) while on a roll with the resurgent Indians. His career-high win total for a season is 17, but he can match or pass that in 2007 if he keeps it going.
Honorable Mention: GREGG MADDUX, San Diego Padres SP and JON LESTER, Boston Red Sox SP
SAVES
JOAQUIN BENOIT, Texas Rangers RP
Comment: With the free-fall of C.J. Wilson, Joaquin Benoit, who is enjoying a great season, has closed the door on opponents recently. Benoit, a former starter, has found his niche as a relief pitcher this year and fantasy owners desperate for saves should try their hand at the 30-year old. Texas may not see many save opportunities, but if they do, Benoit is the best bet to pitch in the ninth inning for the rest of the season.
Honorable Mention: HIDEKI OKAJIMA, Boston Red Sox RP and CHAD QUALLS, Houston Astros RP
ERA/WHIP
CLAY BUCHHOLZ, Boston Red Sox SP/RP
Comment: Fantasy owners hit the drop button with some ferocity when it was announced that Buchholz would not remain in the rotation despite coming off a no-hitter. Those same fantasy owners then missed out of Buchholz's three-inning, three strikeout, shutout performance for a win five days later. The only downside here is that he is not likely to make too many appearances as the Sox want to limit his innings. But there is plenty of upside to get excited about as he could be one injury away from re-joining the rotation. Either way, when he does pitch, expect him to perform.
Honorable Mention: ZACK GREINKE, Kansas City Royals SP/RP and MATT HERGES, Colorado Rockies RP
STRIKEOUTS
RICK VANDENHURK, Florida Marlins SP
Comment: How in the world can UPDATE! recommend a guy with a 6-plus ERA and a WHIP over 1.70? Hey, no one said winning a fantasy title was going to be pretty, and while Vandenhurk can't provide much of anything, he can get batters to whiff. Since the beginning of August, he's been striking out over a batter per inning, so if you are comfortable in the ERA and WHIP department, feel free to snatch him up.
Honorable Mention: DANIEL CABRERA, Baltimore Orioles SP and WANDY RODRIGUEZ, Houston Astros SP
Starbonell is UPDATE! Major League Baseball Editor.
