FANTASY FURNACE

Players from losing teams make up this week’s group of waiver wire pickups. Two of them played their entire careers in Pittsburgh before getting traded at the start of this season. Here are this week”s pickups to consider:

Ryan Doumit-C,OF-Twins- This veteran switch-hitter, formerly a 2nd round pick of the now surprising Pittsburgh Pirates,  is the 6th highest ranked catcher in Fantasy Legues over the past two weeks; ahead of 93% owned Mike Napoli as well as 95% owned Brian McCann! During that span he has hit 3 HRs, drove in 11 and scored 7 runs while batting .313. He has 10 multi-hit games this month alone. Doumit, who also qualifies in two positions, is owned in 40% of leagues although that figure should be higher.

#18 Ryan Doumit has been ranked higher over the last two weeks than several higher priced catchers. He’s worth a look.. Photo: twinsdaily.com

Carlos Gomez-OF-Brewers- This speedster has been showing off some power of late and has already matched his career high for home runs (8) in a season. It’s a small number to be sure but remember he’s done it in just 197 ABs. The former N.Y. Met looks to have grabbed the starting CF position from OF Nyjer Morgan whose numbers are way down. Over the past two weeks Gomez has collected 3 HRs, 9 RBIs, scored 9 runs and stolen 4 bases while batting .333 (8-24). The only downside to Gomez’ game is his batting average which stands right at his career mark at .244. However, if you’re in need of SBs, his 18 so far this season is the most he’s had since nabbing 33 back in ’08. And his SLG % of .448 and OPS of .743 are the highest in his 6 year career. Gomez is owned in just 15% of leagues.

Paul Maholm-SP-Cubs- Another ex-Pirate, (8 years), Maholm is one of the hottest pitchers in the N.L. In his last 5 starts he’s posted a perfect 5-0 record, struck out 27 and walked only 5. During this stretch he’s ERA has dropped from an inflated 5.38 to a more serviceable 3.88 and in no game did Maholm give up more than 1 earned run. The former 1st round eighth overall pick in the 2003 draft in on pace to have his most wins in his career. The southpaw has also been rumored to be traded back to the Pirates  so stay tuned as that will only help his numbers. Only owned in 30% of leagues, he’s definite flier and streamer material, and should be owned in deeper leagues 12+.

Cubs SP Paul Maholm delivers vs the Pirates, his old team, in a 5-1 win on July 24th. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Steve Cishek-RP-Marlins- Since manager Ozzie Guillen took the closing job away from Heath Bell at the All-Star break, Cishek has been brilliant! Since July 14th, he has had three save opportunities and was successful each time. His numbers for the season are almost flawless, especially when you consider he’s pitching for an under achieving Marlin’s team that was expected to be a much improved group this season. Cishek is 4-1 with 41 K’s,  19 BB’s, and a 1.87 ERA; an ERA that tops all the other Marlin’s relievers. Although we don’t know when or if Bell (5.66 ERA) will get a shot at closing again, there are currently no signs of Guillen giving up on the youngster who has not allowed a run in 10 1/3 innings. He’s owned in 28% of leagues and should be a must add for those in all leagues in need of saves.

Denard Span-OF-Twins- Another speedster, Span has been on fire over the past week or so. In his last eight games he has scored 8 runs, collected 12 hits, 5 doubles, 2 stolen bases batted .458, and has 4 multi hit games. He’s brought his average up to .287, just about at his career mark, and on Sunday he scored his 50th run of the season. Although injured for most of the season last year, in 2010 and 2009 he had 26 and 23 stolen bases respectively. So again, if you have a need for speed, take a flier out on Span who is owned in just 17% of leagues. A must in A.L. league only and deeper leagues.

Twins Denard Span has batted .458 over the past week and has scored 8 runs in his last eight games. Photo twinslove.blogspot.com