Thank you to everyone that participated in the online chat and real-time help. Here is this weeks installment of waiver wire talk.

Frank Thomas Util, OAK - Now I personally do not like Thomas, nor do I like tying up my Util spot with a player that cannot be moved around. But in deep leagues, have a player with almost guaranteed playing time, and hitting 4th or 5th in the lineup is critical. Besides, a happy player is a hitting player. So take a chance on him over the week or so.

• Shallow leagues - leave on the wire
• Deep Mixed - bench player
• AL-Only - a must add if th other owner was dumb enough to drop him.

John Danks SP CHW - Just like I touted Gavin Floyd the other week I am back to talk about another White Sox pitcher. Hopefully this one works out better then Floyd did last week. Of course Floyd did face the Yankees. Anyway, Danks is doing very well and has not allowed a HR this year. I know that will change with pitching in his home park, but a spot starting is a good idea at this point. His largest change from last year is the GB/FB rate 1.32 verses 0.76 last year.

• Shallow Mixed - watch closely or use in pitch-and-ditch in H2H
• Deep Mixed - Spot start
• AL-Only - Spot Start for now

Mark Teahen OF, KC - As much as it pains me, because I have him in several leagues, Teahen is quickly becoming an expendable player. The good part is, not many people have invested alot in him, if at all. The lack of extra base hits is a major concern. If you recall, earlier in the year I had this to say about Teahen:

Baseball prospectus posted a great article on Mark Teahen. They seem to think that his “regression” last year was a move back to his old approach at the plate. They do not see his power numbers climbing for 2008.

I think their assessment of the situation seems very accurate. I think it may be time to cut bait if you have not already.

• Shallow Mixed - drop
• Deep Mixed - drop unless you are still covering injuries
• AL-Only - bench until something good happens

Casey Kotchman 1B LAA - Ok, I am going to do this a gently as I can… If Kotchman is available in your deep league, drop what you are doing and pick him up. Kotchman has a pure swing, an the development of power has been expected over the past few years. If the .329 batting average doesn’t catch your eye, then the 6.1% K rate the 1.60 K/BB ratio should. A .296 BABIP indicates that he has not been “lucky” this year. A sustained average above .350 will not happen, but over .325 is possible.

• Shallow Mixed - watch and use on short days
• Deep Mixed - add immediately
• AL-Only - add immediately

Jarrod Saltalamacchia C/1B TEX - Once again, here we are talking about Salty as a call-up. Texas was smart to let him gain confidence in Triple-A, but yet stupid for letting the two catchers they currently have on the roster prevent him from starting the year at the MLB level. Well, now he is back, and should receive plenty of at bats between DH, 1B, and even Catcher. Don’t expect a high average, but the power potential is more then enticing if you have a catcher issue in your league.

• Shallow Mixed - leave on waiver wire
• Deep Mixed - pick-up in 2 catcher leagues and keeper leagues
• AL-Only - grab as soon as you can

Carlos Delgado 1B NYM - Delgado is playing terrible, and it may be time that you give up on him. Why you might ask? Besides the fact that he is older then I am, he has a terrible .287 OBP and an even worse .073 ISO. The isolated power number is the most alarming. A singles type hitter usually post a .100 ISO. Without the power, what is he worth? Nothing. Injuries and age appeared to have caught up with him, and I would blame you if you cut him.

• Shallow Mixed - no thank you
• Deep Mixed - I would drop now
• NL-Only - bench until something positive happens

Adam Lind OF, TOR - With the departure of Frank Thomas, and the crappy play of Shannon Stewart, Lind should get plenty of playing time in left field. This guy has a career batting average above .330 throughout his minor league career. Lind is only 24, and had some struggles last year when he was called up. I stated last year that Lind is a special player, and I am still holding to that. Take a close look at this kid, especially if you have injuries that you are covering for.

• Shallow Mixed - monitor for now
• Deep Mixed - bench player to start
• AL-Only - must add at this point

Jonathan Sanchez SP, SF - Oh how Fantasy Baseball can mistreat you. I did some research and decided that Sanchez facing the Reds at home was a solid matchup. However, instead of picking him up in every league when i had the chance, I took him in one of them as a test. Sanchez has been on my radar since last year, but I was unsure and unwilling to take a full dive. Well then he goes out and destroys the Reds and everyone has begun to add him. You know what, maybe you should take a look at Sanchez and his sick 36 strikeouts in 28 innings. However, buyer beware, young pitches will fluctuate from start to start.

• Shallow Mixed - pitch-and-ditch usage encouraged
• Deep Mixed - add and spot start right now
• NL-Only - must add and start

That is all for this week.