Cheap Sources...

During the Pre-Season, one of the buzz words is always 'cheap sources...'  Cheap sources of speed, power, so on and so forth.  In 2008, names like Bourn and Gomez were brought up for speed, while others such as Cust were regarded as cheap sources of power.  Now, most, if not all, of the players discussed as cheap sources of x, y, and z in the pre-season have been drafted or scooped up in competitive leagues, so the time has come to re-evaluate, and find new cheapies...

Richie Sexson, 1B - HR/RBI

'Big Sexy' has sent 5 screamers leaving the yard already this April, knocking in 15 and scoring 11 himself.  His .231 BA is no surprise to anybody, but what is surprising is how many leagues he's still available in (4 of my 6 leagues).

I was touting Sexson as a sleeper pre-season, and was met with a mixture of opinions, but I think he's a good bet for 30 HR and 100 RBI, which is more than almost everyone else on your Waiver Wire can say.  He reached both those marks in both '05 and '06, only played 23 games in '04, and reached them in '01 and '03, falling just 1 HR shy in '02.  I put him around .255 - .260, but he could very well bat .230 - .240, but if you can sustain that, plug him at 1B, and see what value you can get for your current corner man, the net value could be great.  Right now he's the cheapest 30/100 man there is.

Other Notables: Mike Jacobs, Josh Willingham

Skip Schumaker, OF -- AVG/R/SB

I have a policy that I generally follow.  'Don't carry Cardinal Outfielders because Tony LaRussa is a walking platoon'.  I've been told in good faith, that Skip's current gig in LF/CF is safe, as is his lead-off spot in St.  Louis.  If that is the case, this is a good sign for fantasy owners who are paying attention.  Skip bat .333 in 177 AB in '07, and has jumped out to a .317 mark in his first 60 AB of '08.  In those 60 AB he's swiped 3 bags (0 caught), and scored 16 Runs.

Even when the Cardinal line-up returns to Earth, almost every player batting lead-off is worth owning on someteam for the run scoring potential.  If Schumaker is able to swipe 20 - 25 bags (this is the question mark), and bat .300+, he could be a nice value pick-up for those with woes in the OF.

Other Notables: Luis Castillo, Joey Gathright (- .AVG)

Joey Devine, RP -- K, ERA, WHIP, SV(?)

Once touted as a future Closer in Atlanta, Devine was moved this off-season for (gag) Mark Kotsay, to Oakland, where he's currently struck out 5, walked 3, Won 2, and not allowed a Run, to date.  Now, the caveat here is that Oakland has to continue the trend they started this winter in selling off parts; and that means moving current Closer Huston Street.  If this happens and Devine assumes the 9th inning duties for Big Green, his value skyrockets.

The aforementioned Street found himself in a similar spot in '05, sitting behind then A's Closer Octavio Dotel.  Owners who stashed him early were handsomely rewarded with 23 Waiver Wire Saves, a 1.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 72 K in 78.1 IP.  Scale that down a tad, and that's the potential Devine has if Street is moved.  If you are an unfortunate owner of Joe Borowski, Eric Gagne, or another Closer who makes you sweat, stashing Devine isn't a bad idea.  Patience, however, is key.

Other Notables: Mike Gonzalez, Carlos Marmol

Anthony Reyes, RP/(SP?) -- W, ERA, WHIP, K, HLD, SV(?)

Reyes is a bit of a Wild Card, here.  After being hyped for years, he's found himself in the Cardinals bullpen.  The good news is that in the 9.2 innings of work this year, he's looked fantastic -- 8 K, 2 Runs, 9 base-runners, a Win, and even a Save.  Could Reyes finally be putting it together?  Or is he just destined to be a bullpen arm?  I'm really not sure -- but regardless, he's pitching well, can be a fantasy asset this season, and is likely hanging out in Free Agency.  Remember, cheap is key here.  Beggars can't be choosers.

One must assume that Wellemeyer, Looper, and Lohse come back to Earth and/or get injured at some point this season.  This is a potential route back into the rotation for Tony, who may finally be ready to thrive there.

Conversely, Jason Isringhausen hasn't been the paragon of health the last several seasons, and we've already seen St. Louis throw now-starter Adam Wainwright into the closer role successfully (Carlos Beltran's knee is still shaking from that curve that ended the '06 NLCS), and having already notched a Save this year when Izzy was unavailable, Reyes could find himself in that position as well.

Other Notables: N/A

Mike Cameron, OF -- HR/SB/R

Safeco Field, Shea Stadium, Petco Park -- what do these three places have in common?

Give up?  They're not exactly Arlington, Colorado, or Philadelphia with respect to HR allowed.  Still, despite 'Killa Cam' calling these parks home for the last 7 years, he's been an unbelievably reliable source of both power and speed.

Slated to bat #2 for Milwaukee upon return from his 25-game suspension to begin the year, Cameron should see plenty of fastballs sandwiched between Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun.  I think, even after missing all of April, Cameron will go 20/20, scoring a load of Runs in the process.  He's going to bat .250, so don't get ahead of yourself, but 20/20 isn't something you can just shake a stick at, so it may be worth it depending on the rest of your supporting cast.

Other Notables: N/A

Now that I've tipped my hand, who are some of your cheap sources at the moment?

Until next time...