Waiver Wired: Swipe Lewis, Bartlett

WAIVER WIRED WEDNESDAY

NATIONAL LEAGUE

FRED LEWIS, OF, GIANTS

In the need for speed? Well, who isn't, outside of the Jacoby Ellsbury owner in your league?

Time to check out the Bay area for some shifty speed. I know, it's hard to stomach the idea of owning a Giants player, but it's hard to look the other way any longer.

No, Lewis isn't an everyday player, but he's starting about 4-5 times a week, he'll pinch hit or pinch run quite a bit and his run production (37 runs) is another bonus. His steals output is up to 11, but more importantly he's 5-for-5 since May 25.

Add in some modest pop (Lewis averaged 10 HR over 162 in the minors and 4 HR this year) and you have yourself a nice DL fill-in, or even better, if he keeps up this pace.

Three times in the minors he swiped at least 30 in a season, so the speed is legit.

Just forget the Giants logo on his uniform, hold your breath, and hit the button.

Here's Lewis pinch-hit triple off Trevor Hoffman to tie the Padres on Sunday. And yes, the videographer is possibly the biggest Giants out there.




AMERICAN LEAGUE

JASON BARTLETT, SS, RAYS

Another guy with 5 steals since May 25 is Bartlett, who is probably still available on your wire, unless you play in a deep league, an AL-only format, or there's 7 owners who are Clearwater natives.

Bartlett average isn't sexy (.243), but he hit .283 in May and he's running like everyone thought he wound after swiping 23 bags in the Twin Cities. It's realistic to expect 20 more bags this season.

After being dealt to Tampa Bay in the Delmon Young/Matt Garza swap, Bartlett has been largely disappointing, but 3 swipes against the White Sox on May 29 shows he's got the wheels.

Although be forewarned, Bartlett did swipe those off A.J. Pierzynski, who was once challenged by a Chicago Sun-Times beat writer that he could steal a base off the White Sox catcher. And A.J. took him up on it.

It's a long video, but it's sort of fun to watch...especially if you're a Pierzynski-Hater.