Fantasy baseball waiver wire

Well, Wednesday sure was exciting.

Carlos Beltran, just the biggest bat on the market, changed coasts and landed with the defending World Series champs, potentially filling a glaring hole in the middle of their lineup. A three-team trade got the Cardinals some much-needed help in the rotation and the bullpen while simultaneously giving a the talented Colby Rasmus an equally-as-needed change of scenery. Toss in the Donovan McNabb trade, the groundwork for Kevin Kolb-to-Arizona, a huge deal keeping Santonio Holmes with the Jets and Ervin Santana's no-hitter, and it was quite the sports day. And all that happened before the clock struck 3 p.m. on the East Coast. It also scuttled the opening paragraph of this column.

Yes, it's our job to keep you dialed in to all this excitement. However, it's also our job to make sure you don't lose sight of the guys who are already in a fine fantasy spot but are simply being overlooked. I promise you they're out there. You just need to keep digging at this point of the season. Consider us your shovel.

Javy Guerra, Dodgers -- If anyone has an explanation as to why Guerra is owned in just about one-third of leagues, I'd love to hear it. Since taking over as the closer in Los Angeles, Guerra has converted all six of his save opportunities, picked up a win after pitching a clean inning in a tie game, and has allowed one run on six hits in eight innings. He also has struck out nine batters while walking just one. Again, why is he owned in just one-third of fantasy leagues? Get him now.

Pedro Alvarez, Pirates -- Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a walk in his first game back with the Pirates Monday. He'll start everyday at third (provided the Pirates don't make a move by Sunday), and Clint Hurdle had him fifth in the order in his return. In an 18-game stint at Triple-A Indianapolis, he had an impressive .365/.461/.587 slash with three homers and 13 RBI. At a position shallow on talent, Alvarez is worth a look.

Rubby De La Rosa, Dodgers -- I know I've talked about him in past weeks and I hate giving you a repeat on the waiver wire, but that's how much I like De La Rosa and how hard I find it to believe that he's only owned in about one of every 10 leagues. In his last five starts, he has surrendered seven runs on 24 hits and 11 walks in 31 innings while fanning 27 batters. Assuming he stays on schedule, he'll get the Diamondbacks in his next two turns before facing the Astros at home. He should be plenty useful over those three starts.

Dexter Fowler, Rockies -- Everyone has been ready for Fowler to bust out the past couple seasons, and he keeps finding ways to disappoint his many supporters. It's sometimes easy to forget that we're talking about a 25-year-old since we've been saying his name for a while now, but it appears Fowler may be figuring it out. In his last seven games, the Colorado outfielder is 12-for-26 with two doubles, three triples, eight RBI and a steal. Those steals are what could make him a hot commodity, and with an OBP nearing .360, the chances for him to flash his speed on the bases should be plentiful. If you're pining for speed, he's worthy of a starting spot in 12-teamers that start three outfielders.

Mike Carp, Mariners -- Carp finally appears like he's in Seattle to stay. After mashing his way to a .343/.411/.659 line with 21 homers and 64 RBI at Triple-A Tacoma, Carp is 13-for-31 with two homers and eight RBI since his recall.

Reed Johnson, Cubs -- I'm not going to get into what I feel the Cubs' deadline plans should be, because that would lead to a diatribe you don't want to hear right now. If Jim Hendry comes to his senses and is able to deal Marlon Byrd, Kosuke Fukudome (accomplished) or, less likely, Alfonso Soriano, Johnson, who has a .328/.369/.555 slash in 137 at-bats this year, would be the main beneficiary.

Jose Altuve, Astros -- Altuve looks like the Astros' new everyday second baseman. He skipped past Triple-A, posting a .361/.451/.606 line at Double-A Corpus Christi. He had 13 doubles and seven triples, while swiping 19 bags, although he was caught nine times.

Chat with me 140 characters at a time on Twitter, @MBeller.