Hidden Vigorish

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, the Pittsburgh Pirates were a perennial playoff contender. It was the seventies, and the Buccos won six divisional championships and two World Series. Hall of Fame announcer and bigger-than-life personality Bob Prince coined the phrase "hidden vigorish," which can mean a multiple of things, but in this instance refers to an underdog rising up to beat the odds in a given situation.

If anything, the Pirates of 2010 need all the hidden vigorish they can get. On Blog Talk Radio today I spoke about some of the scenarios in Pittsburgh that might play out on the field this summer. The team is comprised of in-season waiver wire pickups (ISWWPs), players that will probably go undrafted in a majority of leagues. These guys might not be worth owning outright, but could provide fantasy owners with a one week or one month fantasy boost in the right situation.

Last year I wrote of Garrett Jones's strong spring training. I'd be lying if I said I knew he'd put up 21 dingers in half a season, but there was no mistaking his performance. The guy was raking all March long. To be fair, some will remember Craig Monroe hitting six spring dingers and that meant little when he refused to hustle to first base on a strike out and was subsequently cut the next day.

Still, situations have a way of playing out with unexpected twists and turns. When I chatted with the esteemed Jason Thornbury today, we didn't get a chance to go into detail about ISWWP players. The following players might help fantasy teams.

ISWWPs

Andy LaRoche

LaRoche is expected to cede his third base spot to Pedro Alvarez on say, June 4, when Alvarez makes his major league debut at home against Tim Lincecum. But then what becomes of LaRoche? LaRoche played second base in the Instructional League last fall before Pittsburgh acquired a pricey Aki Iwamura (who is in the last year of his contract). Do you really think the Bucs will pay $5 million or so for Iwamura after 2010? I didn't think so. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Pirates trade Iwamura and move LaRoche to second this summer. LaRoche at third base doesn't provide much fantasy value, LaRoche at second does.

Garrett Jones

Okay, he's more of a late round draft pick or a $1 auction pick than an ISWWP. Universally, Jones is acknowledged as a player who won't produce at his rookie pace. But has that knocked his value too far down? He's always had power and was actually more of a fast runner in his teenage years before a late growth spurt turned him into the 6-foot-4 outfield/first baseman that he now is. Opportunity cost might be the biggest question surrounding a Jones pick up. There are always plenty of outfield options to gamble on, it seems. 

Lastings Milledge

Another late pick, Milledge seems like he's learned some life lessons after being traded to his third team in three years. A broken ring finger limited his power last year. The left field job is his to lose – hopefully he doesn't. Milledge could provide some nice fantasy depth numbers as a fourth or fifth fantasy outfielder.

Joel Hanrahan & Evan Meek

Octavio Dotel's ability to pitch as a closer, let alone stay healthy while doing so, remains to be seen. Hanrahan has either been really good or really bad as a late-inning reliever. As such, he should be kept on a short list of possible ISWWPs.

Evan Meek, a Rule 5 acquisition in 2008 from Tampa Bay, has some nasty stuff and the ability to make batters swing and miss. He's the ISWWP to get if Hanrahan fails.

Paul Maholm & Zach Duke

Maholm is set to make over $10 million the next two years and we know how Pittsburgh feels about salaries. As a left-handed pitcher, he's one of the Pirates' biggest trading chips. Maholm, along with Duke and Ryan Doumit, are the only players remaining from the previous David Littlefield regime.

In Duke's 17 losses last year, the Pirates totaled 23 runs. With a more porous infield defense behind Duke this year, the heavy ground ball pitcher will struggle. A trade could boost his wins total, obviously. Duke will earn $4.3 million in 2010.

Picking these pitchers up speculatively because of potential trades wouldn't be prudent, but snapping them up as ISWWPs might work. Keep in mind that Maholm is much better at home than away.

Delwyn Young

Young batted over .300 for about three of six months in 2009. He was at it again this spring, belting six homers and driving in 18 runs after being tossed around as an afterthought. He'll be ISWWP available. Young qualifies at both second base and outfield. An injury to Garrett Jones or Aki Iwamura could see him play full time.

Bobby Crosby

PNC Park isn't particularly kind to right-handed hitters like Crosby, but the rangy infielder could provide ISWWP middle-infield power to fantasy teams. Ronny Cedeno hasn't locked down shortstop this spring, though he enters 2010 as the team's starter.

 Pedro Alvarez

Finally, remember to know where Alvarez is in your league. He'll be up by June to help your team in power categories as an ISWWP.