It's the most specialized baseball article there is; as we focus solely on one category at a time.  As usual, your disclaimer: These are NOT everyday players, and nor are they claimed to be.  These are players that will help you in one way and one way only.  Sometimes our rosters are very deficient in one area or another, and these are players who are available on the cheap (or for free) who can help sure that area up.  So, with that out of the way, let's get started.

Speed Kills

Eric Patterson - 2B/OF - Oakland Athletics - Here we are, the perfect poster child for Free Agent Specialty.  Patterson will provide absolutely nothing for you except for stolen bases.  His OPS is pretty bad, but if you take another look, you'll realize it's not all that bad considering how little he's hitting.  He's an everyday player in Left Field, so he's going to get plenty of plate appearances, but again; don't expect anything else from him besides steals.  However, if you're desperate enough for steals, and have decent hitters in your lineup that can absorb Patterson, he might be the way to go.  Here's what Patterson has done since August 15th: .171 (7/41), 3 RBI, 5 Runs Scored, 5 SBs, 11 Ks, and an OPS of .526.

Chicks Dig the Long Ball

Miguel Montero - C - Arizona Diamondbacks - He's a backup catcher, but he's also on quite a roll, because he's 11-for-23 (.478) in his last seven games.  That's good, but he's also hit four HRs (including a Grand Slam) over that stretch, which is one of the best on the waiver wire.  Here's what Montero has done in his backup role over the last month: .481 (13/27) 4 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs Scored, 6 Ks, and an OPS of 1.574.

Sometimes Average is a good thing

Martin Prado - 2B/3B - Atlanta Braves - He's gone 10-21 over his last six games; most of it with Casey Kotchman out of the lineup.  He'll (Kotchman) be returning to the lineup soon, and Prado will be back to his backup/utility player role with the club.  He might get some more at-bats somewhere since he's hitting so well; but you may want to make sure you snag him now for use in the short term.  Here's what Prado has done over the last month: .451 (23/51), 9 RBI, 5 Runs Scored, 8 Ks, and an OPS of 1.099.

Pitching (a.k.a. I don't like Manny Delcarmen very much)

LaTroy Hawkins - RP - Houston Astros - Since joining the Astros from the MFY, he's been really, really good (as in, how he pretty much pitched before he went to the MFY).  He's even picked up a couple of wins; making him the highest rated pitcher on the wire this week.  Here are Hawkins numbers since joining the Astros: 7.0 IP, 2 W, 0 L, 1 SV, 12 Ks, 3 Holds, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP.

Bobby Seay - RP - Detroit Tigers - Rodney gets all the ink, but it's Seay that holds the Tigers' bullpen together, and especially over the last month; where he's become a holds machine.  Here's what Seay has done over the last month: 11.0 IP, 16 Ks, 5 Holds, 2.45 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.