The return of another baseball season marks the return of another tradition: the search for talent in the far reaches of fantasy leagues. In this space, we’ll root through the dumpster bins as we try to locate the players who were either forsaken on draft day or who have stumbled on to playing time opportunities. Some guys will work out, some others — heh, perhaps more than some — won’t, but whether you’re looking for spare parts or trying to keep your head above water in a deep format, this column is for you.

Two quick notes: Most of the players discussed are best suited for mono leagues, although there is the occasional customer whose value extends to mixed formats. Finally, I use CBS for the ownership percentages.
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To stream pitchers is to play with fire, but at this time of year, you may find yourself in a situation in which you have to do it. You may be burned, but you could torch your competition, too.

Some streaming options stand out more than others. I didn’t necessarily pick the best of the best. Instead, I offered some of these barely owned if owned at all prospect types who possess some serious talent and therefore nice upside for those in very deep leagues who are hoping to be a little lucky.

Good luck to fantasy baseball players in these final few days – particularly the ones who read FanGraphs.

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My 12 leagues are coming to an end, and I’m scrambling in the leagues where scrambling makes sense. And so, as a selfish and lazy person, I will just scan the probables for Tuesday and discuss the names of the starting pitchers that we know less about.

Hey, it might be selfish and lazy, but it should be useful for us both.

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An innings limit and suspension are the events that resulted in opportunities for the two men discussed below. Hopefully, you’re in a position where a good start and a potential extra homer or two actually contribute to your money spot finish.

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One very good streamer on the pitching side.

One potentially good streamer on the hitting side.

Good luck to fantasy baseball players who are trying to bring it home for Jerome … Williams. And to those who aren’t doing it for him. It’s fine. I guess.

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All good things must come to an end, and for the purposes of this space, that means this is my final deep league wire column of the 2014 season. It’s been a lot of fun plunging the depths of the fantasy dumpster with you, and I appreciate you joining me each week in our ongoing quest to find cheap value in deep leagues.

But the fantasy playoffs are still ongoing in many leagues, so now is not the time for us to rest on our laurels. Let’s take a look at two young hurlers who could provide help with strikeouts in AL-only leagues this week.
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At a time when call-ups – those who arrived prior to September as well as the gaggle of them that joined major league rosters this month – pique the interest of many fantasy baseball owners, a player who reclaims playing time can be overlooked.

Not all call-ups will be exciting options just because they’re new to roto or head-to-head managers anyway. Some are players whom folks have seen fail a time or three. Those players are unlikely to capture imaginations, although an automatic dismissal is often hasty.

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At this time of year, it’s easy to find a number of September call ups to write about. The trick is to find those who might actually garner enough playing time to earn some actual fantasy value. Here are two of those fine gentlemen.

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Melky Cabrera’s finger injury has ended his 2014 season, and Blue Jays manager John Gibbons wants to give youngsters Anthony Gose and Kevin Pillar an extended look in the season’s last month.

“That could be your center and left fielder next year, you don’t know,” Gibbons recently told MLB.com. “You don’t know how things will shake out.”

Sounds like we have two contestants primed for a look in this week’s edition of the deep league wire.
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Searching for options that make sense for the stretch run? Streaming not the ideal method to achieve results in your fantasy baseball league? Need more fiber in your diet?

Who’s a good pickup at this time of year can change in an instant. It’s always tempting to ride a hot hand. But which hot hands are set up to keep it up?

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