It's the most specialized baseball article there is; as we focus
solely on one category at a time. As usual, your disclaimer: These are
NOT everyday players, and nor are they claimed to be. These are players
that will help you in one way and one way only. Sometimes our rosters are
very deficient in one area or another, and these are players who are available
on the cheap (or for free) who can help sure that area up. So, with that
out of the way, let's get started.
Speed Kills
Eric Patterson - 2B/OF - Oakland Athletics - Patterson is just another member of the speedy A's. While the A's offense if never going to collect any power records; they're certainly going to give pitchers fits. Over the last month, the only player to steal more bases ... was another A. Here's Patterson over the last month: .205 (15/73), 7 RBI, 7 Runs Scored, 7 SBs, 13 Ks, and an OPS of .540.
Chicks Dig the Long Ball
Brandon Moss - OF - Pittsburgh Pirates - Many Red Sox fans
tried to pooh-pooh his departure in the Jason Bay/Manny Ramirez trade;
but Brandon Moss was a pretty decent prospect, and leaving the
microscope and playing in front of 426 people in Pittsburgh every
night; Moss has flourished, and put up some nice power numbers. Here's
what Moss has done over the last 30 days: .250 (22/88) 5 HR, 11 RBI, 8 Runs
Scored, 21 Ks, and an OPS of .834.
Sometimes Average is a good thing
Nate Schierholtz - OF - San Francisco Giants - Yet another Giant makes this section this week, and this time, it's an Olympic Hero and September call-up. Schierholtz was in Bejing a month ago, and now here he is in the big show; and he's come out of the gate hot: .500 (11/22) 1 HR, 2 BRI, 6 Runs Scored, 1 K, and an OPS of 1.269.
Pitching (a.k.a. Something the 4th Place Yankees could use.)
Matt Harrison - SP - Texas Rangers - A Rangers Pitcher on this list? Well, yes, although wait until you see his ERA. Harrison has gotten something that most Texas Pitchers don't have the luxury of; enough run support. This propensity to pile up wins of late gets him the nod in this spot, so if that's what you need; grab him. If you need a complete guy, you may want to move on. Here's Harrison's past month: 35.0 IP, 4 W, 1 L, 22 Ks, a 5.14 ERA and a WHIP of 1.46.
Jeff Bennett - SP/RP - Atlanta Braves - Holds, holds, holds ... who doesn't need more holds in their lineup. I know I sure do. So, if you're set with your pitching, and can absorb a pitcher with otherwise average numbers into your lineup, but still need holds; Bennett might be your guy. Here's Bennett over the last month: 16.1 IP, 0 W, 2 L, 6 Ks, 5 Holds, a 3.86 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.