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Instead of looking at the top pick-up, I'm going to project the top pick-ups for roster expansion for this coming week.

JOHN PATTERSON SP-WSH (490) - I like pitchers who will get two starts either this week or next, potentially giving him seven starts in the coming five weeks. Patterson should be able to go straight to the Supreme Court and sue for lack of support from the Nats offense, but he has become a premiere pitcher at a bargain price, which opens up much needed cap room for the rest of the team. Throw in key injuries elsewhere in baseball such as Ben Sheets, and Patterson becomes even more attractive.

CHRIS CARPENTER SP-STL (930) - Surprisingly, Carpenter is not owned on a lot of full season teams, that should change this week although both of his starts are on the road. Only negative is that Carpenter will be eased through the last couple weeks of the season as the Cards should have the best NL record in tow.

GRADY SIZEMORE OF-CLE (400) - Did you catch his straight steal of home earlier this week?? Sizemore does a nice job of filling up a stat sheet in all five categories at the lowest possible price.

JHONNY PERALTA SS-CLE (500) - Has been compared a lot with Derek Jeter later, except in fantasy cap salary as well as real life Jhonny comes a lot cheaper. And with 9 HR/30 RBI in his last 41 games Peralta is actually becoming more valuable statistically.

TRAVIS HAFNER OF-CLE (810) - The Tribe theme continues, not surprising as they are one of baseball's most offensive teams and will spend September fighting for their playoff lives. Mr. Gorilla Ball got slowed by injury for a few weeks, but Hafner has picked it back up and slugged over .750 in June and July.

CHASE UTLEY 2B-PHI (480) - On most rosters already, but if you've already not done so, grab him. As is the case with Cleveland, Philly is also right in the thick of a Wild Card race, which means Utley will be used heavily, and is also a convenient replacement for the slumping Brian Roberts.

KEN GRIFFEY JR OF-CIN (810) - Has been as hot as anyone lately, the worry is that he may be traded this week. I wouldn't worry too much about that, actually I do because the Reds and Nationals seem to be trading partners. How many games in RFK before he would become Ken Grumpy again??

KYLE FARNSWORTH RP-ATL (480) - I touted him as my sleeper of the year back in 2002, well I was only 3½ years late. Farnsworth closed out two games this week and even though Bobby Cox hasn't officially said so, Farnsworth appears to be the Braves close. Oakland's Houston Street is a more conservative choice on a team battling for playoff position.

CATCHERS - Barmes was just the tip of the iceberg as far as high-percentage players being on the shelf as of the beginning of the week. Nonetheless 131 of the top 250 owners still started Joe Mauer this week, and was on the bench on 86 other rosters. Mauer was followed by San Diego's Ramon Hernandez (106), Jason Varitek (88), and Victor Martinez (Eddie Murray fired - HOO - RAY!!)

FIRST BASE - Owners of Justin Morneau were somehow more concerned with his ailments. Only 25 of the top 250 started him this week, with him being on the benches of 137 other top teams. High-salaried players top the list this week with Albert Pujols (155) and Derrick Lee (138), followed by 460 bargain Nick Johnson (118), who will replace Barmes on many rosters this week. Mark Teixeira (93) and David Ortiz (45) were also well represented.

SECOND BASE - Brian Roberts (shoulder) was yet another coin flip this week, 74 top teams started him, while another 141 taxied him. Chone Figgins (163) and Chase Utley (138) were the top plays this week. With Placido Palanco now traded, Utley buys figure to go through the roof this week, although Roberts is also slated to return.

THIRD BASE - A New York player tops this list, just not the one you may be thinking of. Those tiring of Troy Glaus' (110) slumping ways are slowly turning towards the Mets David Wright (144) who comes at virtually the same price. 109 of the top owners got to enjoy Alex Rodriguez's monster mid-week game, and is followed by Colorado rookie Garrett Atkins (59) and Melvin Mora (44)

SHORTSTOPS - 223 of the top 250 started Barmes this week, although four had him on their taxi. I'm guessing those four either (a) live in his condo unit or (b) were witnesses to a bald-headed man taking a bump at the hands of a tire-iron. Another dynamic with the Barmes injury is that there is a limited amount of attractive shortstops in this game. Miguel Tejada (144) and Jose Reyes (109) figure to be huge pick-up this week, but you still can't replace that 400 salary. Other possible options are the Padres Khalil Greene and Cincinnati's Felipe Lopez.

OUTFIELD - Some much needed sanity prevails here. Miguel Cabrera (219) is Mr. Automatic, with stolen base king Scott Podsednik (202), and Bobby Abreu (188) not far behind. Jason Bay (144) is also popular while Brady Clark (106) and Kevin Mench (98) help out for salary cap purposes. Pat Burrell (71) rounds out the top seven.

STARTING PITCHERS - Everything seemed to be a coin flip this week. Pedro Martinez (153 starts) started twice, so many elected to bench Johan Santana (86 starts/123 taxis). Of course both came through huge in their early week starts. Marlin teammates Josh Beckett (186) and Dontrelle Willis (158) wound up as the top starters this week. Other coin flips included Jake Peavy (110/126) who got roughed up some following a bout with the flu. Other tough calls included Brett Myers (105/83), Roy Halladay (86/64), Carlos Zambrano (83/115), and A.J. Burnett (53/95). I was surprised to see Miguel Batista (39/41) on more rosters than Ryan Dempster (27) - Dempster's stuff as a closer, including a 90 MPH slider, looks absolutely nasty. Was also surprised not to see Ben Sheets on a lot of rosters.