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During this time of the year, many Major League Baseball owners are busy attempting to work out deals and scrolling through their options as the trade deadline slowly draws closer.  Fantasy baseball owners are in the same situation.  With many solid options still floating around in waivers, people are looking for the best options to add to their squad, whether it be a superstar in disguise or a “hot” veteran for the bench.  Below are ten names that could prove to be useful as the season draws on.  Looking at the list, each player’s availability at ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, and CBS Sports are displayed.  Now, without further ado, here is the Week 11 Waiver Wire.

Infielders:

Gordon Beckham, 3B, CHW (ESPN- 4.4% owned) (Yahoo! Sports- 9% owned) (CBS Sports- 50% owned)

With the top two prospects in baseball having already joined the big league party, it was about time White Sox’ prospect Gordon Beckham received his callup.  Over his minor league career, Beckham hit for a .326 batting average, with four homeruns, 25 RBI, 29 runs scored, two stolen bases, a .378 OBP, and a .904 OPS.  Since his Thursday debut, Beckham is hitting for a measly .100 average, but one should not be concerned.  As he matures, the young shortstop will slowly develop into a top of the lineup threat, especially with hitters Carlos Quentin, Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski, and Alexei Ramirez around him.  Another aspect that attracts owners to the infielder is his eligibility.  He is currently listed as a third baseman and shortstop, allowing people to shift their respective lineups in order to have his bat contributing on a daily basis.

The real question mark fans have is his power.  There was surely a lack of it in 45 games of farm ball; however, 49 long balls in three years at Georgia can certainly turn some heads.  Other than this, it appears as though Beckham will be a stud in due time.  To conclude, my best advice to a fantasy owner is this:  If he’s available (which he should be), then I suggest grabbing him.  If you play in a mixed league format, place him on your bench until his bat finally begins to heat up.  In deeper AL-only formats, try him as a starter if you’d like, but don’t be too disappointed if he continues to struggle over the next week.  Finally, in keeper leagues, this guy is a must grab.  He will be your starting shortstop sometime over the next two seasons, so why not just grab him now?

Adam Kennedy, 2B, OAK (ESPN- 21.5% owned) (Yahoo! Sports- 19% owned) (CBS Sports- 40% owned)

I’d hate to say I told you so, but I told you so.  For any of my readers who remember, Adam Kennedy found himself on my Week 8 wire, but apparently no one got the memo.  Kennedy is currently hitting for a .325 average, with four home runs, 19 RBI, 14 runs scored, and six stolen bases.  Here’s a line from the previous piece:  “My guess is that, with everyday at-bats, he should be able to keep up a steady average while also picking up an RBI here and there.”  Kennedy is proving to be effective on a “hot” Oakland team, and having power guys Jason Giambi, Matt Holliday, and Jack Cust behind him only helps the cause.

For now, he appears to finally have the starting job locked up, especially with Mark Ellis not beginning his Class A rehab assignment until June 16.  Kennedy should continue to put up solid statistics as the weeks roll on, and this time around grab him.  In mixed leagues, Kennedy is now a starter.  Unless you have someone better, place him in the lineup as soon as possible.  Otherwise, he will make a fine backup/injury replacement.  This also goes for deeper AL-only formats.  Now, let me just say this one last time nice and slowly for all the owners out there.  I highly suggest you grab Kennedy now!

Edwin Maysonet, 2B, HOU (ESPN- 0.6% owned) (Yahoo! Sports- 1% owned) (CBS Sports- 3% owned)

Continuing on with the middle infield theme, we take a glance over at Edwin Maysonet of the Houston Astros.  Thus far in 2009 (44 at-bats), he is hitting for a .341 average, with one homerun, six RBI, and six runs scored.  Maysonet is currently in a solid spot to succeed as starting second baseman Kazuo Matsui worked his way back onto the disabled list on Friday.  From listening to previous Astros’ broadcasts, it seems like the team is on the hunt for anything to replace Matsui, for his injury woes and lack of production are two issues the team would love to forget.

Maysonet could be the guy to finally steal the spot from the veteran.  The young second baseman will not hit 15 homers this year, yet he can make up for the lack of “pop” with a solid batting average.  So far, so good.  In mixed leagues, monitor his progress over the next week.  Maysonet is a nice pickup in deeper NL-only formats, and he can be started ASAP.

Juan Uribe, 3B, SF (ESPN- 0.5% owned) (Yahoo! Sports- 1% owned) (CBS Sports- 6% owned)

Juan Uribe is the perfect example of a “same face, different place” situation.  Over the past few years, he has found himself in a Chicago White Sox uniform, only to be booted out due to the play of current starters Alexei Ramirez and Chris Getz.  Now, he is looking for a second chance in San Francisco.  Thus far, he’s hitting for a .306 average, with one homerun, 12 RBI, and eight runs scored.  Ever since he was reinstated from his bereavement list on May 22, he has hit for a .340 average over his last 15 games.  To put it simply, the guy is doing well after making the transition from the American League over to the National League.

Uribe has the potential to hit 15+ homeruns this season, though I wouldn’t get my hopes up.  One thing he does provide is eligibility.  He can be used as a third baseman, a second baseman, or a shortstop, providing the ultimate backup infielder for any fantasy squad.  For now, he can be used as a bench/injury reserve guy in mixed leagues, unless of course your current starter is playing poorly.  In deeper NL-only formats, Uribe is a solid starter.

Outfielders:

Andrew McCutchen, CF, PIT (ESPN- 22.2% owned) (Yahoo! Sports- 33% owned) (CBS Sports- 71% owned)

The Pittsburgh Pirates organization is currently under intense scrutiny for trading away their top position player, centerfielder Nate McLouth, to the Atlanta Braves this past week.  Andrew McCutchen, a rookie who will now be taking McLouth’s position, is here to silence the storm.  During his stay at Triple-A Indianapolis, he hit for a .303 average, with four home runs, 20 RBI, 41 runs scored, ten stolen bases, a .361 OBP, and an .853 OPS.  Now in the Majors, he is batting .324, with five RBI, five runs scored, and one stolen base.  McCutchen is expected to eventually develop into a solid youngster, providing both power and speed to a growing Pirates lineup.  He displayed several of the qualities scouts raved about against the Atlanta Braves.

McCutchen’s speed will provide fantasy owners with several benefits, as he can easily extend a single into a double, and as we watched against Atlanta, a double into a triple.  The extra stolen bases will not hurt an owner’s points either.  Once his power develops, he will be featured in a scary young lineup.  Hitting around him in the future will be Nyjer Morgan, Brandon Moss, Ryan Doumit, Andy LaRoche, and top prospect Pedro Alvarez.  Maybe that McLouth trade wasn’t as bad as it was originally thought to be.  For now, McCutchen is a must start in all fantasy formats, including both mixed and NL-only leagues.  We could be looking at this year’s top young outfielder, so grab him now while he’s flying off of waivers.

Tony K. Gwynn, CF, SD (ESPN- 1% owned) (Yahoo! Sports- 1% owned) (CBS Sports- 6% owned)

Is there a better sight in baseball than watching the son of one of the greatest Padres in history, Tony Gwynn, scour the outfield grass in San Diego?  It was a picture perfect match for Tony K. Gwynn, and I am pretty sure he feels the same way.  Gwynn has had a resurgence since moving to the city his father once ruled, as he is now hitting for a .345 average, with two RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases.  In his last 13 games, the youngster has batted .400.  So what does the future look like for him?  Scrolling down the Padres’ depth chart, there does not appear to be anyone standing in his way, giving him both the starting center field spot and full-time at-bats.

Once Gwynn reaches base, his speed becomes an immediate threat.  Steals are imminent with him on the base paths, allowing fantasy owners to take full advantage.  This comes into play in 5X5 formats, as the stolen base is a key weapon that one can use to win week-after-week.  I suggest grabbing him and placing him on your bench in mixed leagues, while making him a starter in deeper NL-only formats.  Let’s all hope that being in California can help Gwynn stay on the path to success.

Gary Sheffield, LF, NYM (ESPN- 14.4% owned) (Yahoo! Sports- 16% owned) (CBS Sports- 43% owned)

From looking at the availability of Sheffield over the past week, everyone is dropping him at an immense rate.  It is about time we put this to a halt.  In 2009, Sheffield is hitting for a .258 average, with five homeruns, 20 RBI, 26 runs scored, and two stolen bases.  There are several reasons to explain why so many people are giving up on the veteran.  For one, he isn’t playing everyday.  Second, the guy is hitting under .260.  Lastly, he is performing on a hurt knee.

So why is he on this week’s waiver wire?  This week, he will be receiving plenty of at-bats, as he faces three straight lefties from Philadelphia.  Also, with more at-bats should come increased production, so that lousy .258 average should begin making its way up once again.  Finally, he has come out and said that he will play on the hurt knee instead of sitting out, allowing fantasy owners to breathe a small sigh of relief.  If you would like, pick him up in mixed leagues and put him on your bench.  Another option would be to stick him in the “utility” role.  In deeper NL-only formats, he is a must start, especially with the week ahead.  Who knows, the old man with the quick hands may still have a good bit left in the tank.
Pitchers:

Ryan Madson, RP, PHI (ESPN- 15.3% owned) (Yahoo! Sports- 40% owned) (CBS Sports- 50% owned)

The solid closer out of Philadelphia, Brad Lidge, has finally hit the disabled list.  Many had to believe he was hurt all along, for his performance this season pales in comparison to what he accomplished only a year ago.  Now, though, the Phillies need a closer, and Ryan Madson appears to be the right man for the job.

So far this season, Madson is 2-1 with a 2.15 ERA.  He has recorded three saves, while also striking out 31 and walking nine.  Every fan of the MLB knows that the Phillies can provide save opportunities, so Madson should have a nice time racking up the fantasy points over the next few weeks.  He should be a solid option in all fantasy formats until Lidge returns, so if he’s available, you should grab him.  If you are going to try to get him, be quick!  He’s flying off of waivers faster than you can say Andrew McCutchen.

J.A. Happ, SP, PHI (ESPN- 9.7% owned) (Yahoo! Sports- 40% owned) (CBS Sports- 63% owned)

The second Philly in a row to make this week’s waiver wire, J.A. Happ has been a pleasant surprise in Philadelphia’s rotation.  Thus far in 2009, Happ is 4-0 with a 2.98 ERA.  He has also recorded 34 strikeouts and 18 walks.  Like Madson, he is also backed by a solid offense.

Whenever a lineup boasts hitters such as Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, and Pedro Feliz, you’re bound to see some runs cross home plate.  Happ makes a nice pickup in all fantasy formats, and he should be started as soon as possible.  He is also a two-start pitcher this week, only upping his fantasy value.  If he can continue to pick up wins, then he may end up being one of the biggest sleepers of the year.

Vin Mazzaro, SP, OAK (ESPN- 2.3% owned) (Yahoo! Sports- 7% owned) (CBS Sports- 29% owned)

It looks like Oakland has a young stud on their hands.  Vin Mazzaro has been unstoppable in two career starts, going 2-0 with a 0 ERA.  He has also recorded five strikeouts and four walks.  He has only thrown 13 2/3 innings; however, this kid has been absolutely lights-out.

In his most recent start against the Baltimore Orioles, he went 7 1/3, allowing just five hits and striking out four.  At this point, Mazzaro should be picked up in all fantasy formats.  To put it simply, he’s the real deal, and you don’t want to miss out.  Grab him, make him a starter on your squad, and watch the magic unfold.  Before season’s end, we could be looking at an AL Rookie of the Year candidate.