It’s free agent time again, and today, we’ll look into the pool of offensiver players likely to be on your waiver wire. A couple of intriguing call-ups Wladimir Balentien and Jarod Saltalamacchia are back with their parents clubs, and a host of veteran producers can be found at several positions.

Youngsters Balentien and Fred Lewis are intriguing all-around talents in the outfield, while veterans Jason Giambi and Troy Glaus are big-time power threats on the corners of the infield. Up the middle, Giants second baseman Eugenio Velez can supply some speed and rare upside.

The full list:

Frankling Gutierrez, OF, Cleveland Indians
Status: Heating up at the plate
Key Stats: Has multi-hit efforts in each of his last three games
What to Watch For: Improved plate discipline (5:20 strikeouts to walks)
Other Notes: Has reversed career trends — hit .330 vs. lefties, .232 vs. righties in 2007; hitting .208/.302 in ‘08

Wladimir Balentien, OF, Seattle Mariners
Status: Most talented player on your waiver wire
Key Stats: Went 2-for-4 with a 3-run homer in his ‘08 debut
What to Watch For: How immense ability translates to everyday lineup
Other Notes: Replaced Brad Wilkerson, who was designated for assignment, in right field. Barring an extended slump, will play every day there

Fred Lewis, OF, San Francisco Giants
Status: Producing across the board
Key Stats: .337 average, 12 XBH, 4 SBs
What to Watch For: Continued success as Giants leadoff hitter (.386 avg. as leadoff, .158 elsewhere)
Other Notes: Has pop in his bat, as evidenced by 8 doubles, 2 triples and 2 homers. Also has the speed to swipe 25 bases

Mike Cameron, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Status: Back after serving 25-game drug suspension
Key Stats: Averaging 21 homers, 25 stolen bases over last 9 seasons
What to Watch For: If the suspension changed the fact that he is a notoriously slow starter
Other Notes: Left a pitcher’s park in San Diego for a more hitter-friendly Miller Park in Milwaukee

Felipe Lopez, 2B/SS, Washington Nationals
Status: Back in the Nats’ everyday lineup
Key Stats: Thrives in a leadoff role, batting .304 with a home run and 9 RBIs
What to Watch For: Green light on the basepaths; has just 1 SB in last 11 games
Other Notes: Also getting some run in the outfield, which will mean more consistent ABs and multi-position eligibility

Eugenio Velez, 2B, San Francisco Giants
Status: Picking up the pace in stolen bases
Key Stats: Batting .290 with 4 SBs and 5 runs over last 8 games
What to Watch For: Omar Vizquel’s return from the DL and how it affects his playing time
Other Notes: Had a seven-game hitting streak snapped on Wednesday

Ronny Cedeno, 2B/SS, Chicago Cubs
Status: Making a case for more playing time
Key Stats: Has 16 RBIs in just 45 at-bats; hitting .444 with RISP and 2 outs
What to Watch For: How manager Lou Piniella can keep him in the lineup
Other Notes: Second baseman Mark DeRosa can also play in the outfield, which could free up ABs for Cedeno

Jorge Cantu, 1B/3B, Florida Marlins
Status: Has been surprisingly effective (at least offensively) in the middle of the Marlins’ order
Key Stats: Has feasted on mediocrity, batting .452 (19-of-42) vs. the Nationals and Pirates
What to Watch For: Better production at home (.260, 0 HRs, 2 RBIs)
Other Notes: Good thing there is no threat to his starting job — Cantu has the second-most errors (6) in the National League

Jason Giambi, 1B/DH, New York Yankees
Status: Being relied upon to produce for injury-ravaged Yankees
Key Stats: Has 5 HRs, despite .164 average; has 6 RBIs in his last 5 games
What to Watch For: Average to climb into .250 range
Other Notes: Making an incredible $23.4 million this season … that’s approximately $2 million per base hit thus far

Troy Glaus, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals
Status: Healthy and producing
Key Stats: Tied for MLB lead with 12 doubles; has driven in 21 runs
What to Watch For: A return to powerful form (has just 1 HR in 100 ABs)
Other Notes: Has hit 29+ home runs in each of his 6 seasons with at least 500 at-bats

Dioner Navarro, C, Tampa Bay Rays
Status: On fire since returning from the DL (finger)
Key Stats: Hitting .400 this season, albeit in just 35 at-bats
What to Watch For: How his numbers fare over a larger sample size
Other Notes: Dating back to last season, is hitting .315 with 6 home runs and 29 RBIs over his last 171 at-bats

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, Texas Rangers
Status: Up from the minors and splitting time with Gerald Laird
Key Stats: Hit .291 with 2 home runs and 13 RBIs in 15 games at Triple-A Oklahoma
What to Watch For: Salty to get a hot bat and win more playing time
Other Notes: Saltalamacchia could also play at first base. This scenario would play out if he gets off to a quick start with the bat, but does not progress behind the plate.

In other news …

You gotta check out this well-crafted picture of Odalis Perez on Fantasy Baseball Search.

If you’re in serious need of fantasy baseball free agent help, these guys probably won’t do anything for you.

We have some names in common with The Fantasy Fanatic.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryDiamond.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.