Casper the Friendly Ghost: Fantasy Baseball Players Hidden on the Waiver Wire

With the trading deadline having already passed in most fantasy baseball leagues, as a fantasy owner, you are now forced to look to the waiver wire for any additions to your roster. Sure, there may be a few underperforming veterans available (Alex Rios, anyone?), but more than likely the only players that can add any value to your squad will be young rookies with a hunger to succeed or prove they belong on a big league roster.

Finding these types of players is not always easy. Sometimes, these players have a ghost-like quality which leaves them hidden on your league's waiver wire. Have no fear! With a little investigation (and perhaps some chain rattling), we can root these players out of hiding and onto your fantasy baseball roster.

Casper Wells (SEA) –

The namesake of this article's title, Wells seemed to appear out of the fog that is the Mariner's roster. After a trade which brought him (along with Charlie Furbush) from Detroit for Doug Fister, Wells has emerged as quite the find for the Mariners. After languishing as the 4th (even 5th) outfielder on the Tigers, Wells' 6 HR since the All Star break are good for 2nd in the AL during that span. Let him emerge forth onto your roster as well.

Lucas Duda (NYM) –

Duda's power in the minor leagues appeared to put him into a position to battle for the right field spot on the Mets roster in 2012 (or at least the 4th OF spot). However, an injury to Ike Davis brought Duda out of hiding to take over at first base (and the cleanup spot in the batting order). The rest of the season will go a long way to solidify Duda's role on the team for next season. With Carlos Beltran traded, Duda may have to spend some time in the instructional league in the offseason learning RF but in the meantime you should consider floating him into your line up.

John Mayberry, Jr. (PHI) –

After spending 2 seasons in Triple-A, Mayberry profiled as the fourth outfielder for the Phillies in 2011. However, with injuries and poor performance from players such as Raul Ibanez and Domonoc Brown, Mayberry has had an opportunity to surprise everyone with his play. Manager Charlie Manuel has gone so far as to say Mayberry has earned a place in the line up even when Ibanez returns. "That's how you win jobs", Manuel said. "He's a good-looking hitter".

Kyle Blanks (SD) –

After fading into the shadows after a less-than-stellar performance in 2010, Blanks has made the most of things recently with 6 HR, 18 RBI in 96 AB since the All Star break. As a part of a somewhat resurgent Padres offense recently, don't let his performance in recent seasons allow you to see through his value right now.

Aaron Miles (LAD) –

Miles has scared up over 350 AB this season. He has delivered a decent average and has even gone on a modest power surge recently causing manager Don Mattingly to use him in the number 3 spot in the Dodgers batting order. With eligibility at both second and third base, Miles could give a little spirit to your fantasy roster.

If your fantasy opponents need a good scare, consider pulling one of these apparitions off the waiver wire. Without a shadow of a doubt, you might just find yourself in the playoff ‘haunt'.

Pun intended.