The value of the waiver wire can never be understated in our game. Who would have thought we’d find an MVP candidate ripe for the picking in early April? How about a closer that would finish second in all of baseball in total saves? If you take a look at the league leaders as we wind down the 2012 campaign, many of those top teams will have found a spot for these waiver wire gems. Without further ado, let’s give the 2012 Wire Troll All Stars their just accolades.

Out since early July with a strained lat, Cashner returned to the rotation last week and was in fine form. He tossed five strong innings against Arizona, allowing four hits, no walks, and a couple of earned runs in a no-decision. The Padres are going with a six-man rotation down the stretch and Cashner’s got the Rockies at home in his next start. San Diego has been on quite the roll since the break and the successful return of Cashner will do nothing but aide in ensuring a strong finish for the Friars.

It simply wouldn’t be 2012 if we didn’t have at least one closer change to discuss. Last week we saw a continuation of that theme with several moves occurring that could have serious implications if you’re chasing down saves in league play.

This will go down in history as one of, if not the biggest post non-waiver trade deadline deal of all time. Can anyone recall a deal of this magnitude occurring after the July 31 deadline? Can anyone remember a quarter of a billion dollars worth of player contracts changing hands at the end of August? What an incredible turn of events.

Finally, a Belt sighting has occurred. In the past six games, he’s gone 10-for-24 with five RBI. And given the loss of Cabrera, the Giants will need continued production from Belt if they are to hold off the hard-charging Dodgers.

The kid has barely had time to catch his breath since his recall from Double-A and all he’s done so far is a two-hit (including a triple and run) debut Thursday, a two-homer, four-RBI game Friday, and his first double (plus another run and ribbie) Saturday. What? No steals yet? The stiff! Kidding aside, it’s small wonder this dude has been flying off the wire – especially since he may qualify at both 3B and SS. You need to act fast if you want in on this one.