Earlier in the baseball season, Tom Glavine said he was close to retirement. The 43-year-old was struggling with his arm. But now he says he’s ready to pitch.

One problem — the Atlanta Braves released Glavine on Wednesday. In a written release, Braves general manager Frank Wren wasn’t very specific about why Glavine was released:

Said Wren: “We appreciate and respect everything Tom has done for and brought to the Atlanta Braves organization and our fans. His accomplishments for our club during his Hall of Fame career is a measure of his dedication that we will always respect and admire. We wish him nothing but the very best.”

The truth is that Glavine was due $1 million if he was added to Atlanta’s active roster. Considering that he had thrown 11 consecutive scoreless innings in his last two rehab starts, Glavine wanted to be called up to the big leagues.

But scouts for the Braves have indicated that they don’t think Glavine has enough velocity left to get major league hitters out. As a result, the Braves decided to cut him now rather than give him the $1 million.

Does Glavine have any fantasy baseball value? That’s unlikely. The Braves usually know what they are doing with pitchers. That said, expect for Glavine to sign with another team soon and be added to the starting rotation. If he performs well in his first few starts, it might be time to start considering the future Hall of Fame hurler for your fantasy team.

Tom Glavine Rumors (Image: Zuma Press)

QB Seneca Wallace, Seattle Seahawks
It appears as if Matt Hasselbeck will be missing another game in Week 17. In his place, Seneca Wallace could very well have a big game. He’s going against an Arizona Cardinals defense that just got destroyed in Week 16.

RB LaMont Jordan, New England Patriots
After missing most of the season with a calf injury, LaMont Jordan is back and producing for the Patriots. Although he’s not starting, he’s been getting goal line carries and the bulk of the carries when the game is out of reach. In the last two weeks, he has three touchdowns.

WR Jerheme Urban, Arizona Cardinals
Since Anquan Boldin is going to likely miss another week and most fantasy football leagues already have Steve Breaston on a roster, Jerheme Urban is the player to target on most waiver wires. He’s getting a few passes his way and with the Cardinals going against the Seahawks, he could be productive in Week 17.

TE Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins
In the first couple weeks of the season, Anthony Fasano looked like the real deal in terms of fantasy football production. He then went on a long dry spell but now he’s back in the fantasy equation after posting three touchdowns in the last three weeks.

QB Dan Orlovsky, Detroit Lions
Although the Lions are a horrible team, Dan Orlovsky is actually a decent play in Week 15. Going up against the New Orleans Saints, Orlovsky could very well finish with a pair of touchdown passes to go along with decent yardage.

RB DeShaun Foster, San Francisco 49ers
Filling in for the injured Frank Gore in Week 15, DeShaun Foster put up more than 100 combined yards against the Miami Dolphins. If Gore misses another week, Foster should have an even better game this week against the St. Louis Rams.

WR Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks
After two straight quality games, it’s safe to start trusting Deion Branch. He followed up a two touchdown game in Week 14 with five catches for 76 yards in Week 16. Although his matchup this week against the New York Jets isn’t great, he’s still a good emergency starter.

TE Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders
Although the Oakland Raiders offense is very bad, Zach Miller is their best offensive player at the moment. He has three straight games with at least five catches and six straight games of at least 40 yards. Miller should have a solid week in fantasy football in Week 15 against the Houston Texans.

QB Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers
It took a while for Shaun Hill to get his shot this season but he’s been very productive as a starter. Fantasy football owners looking for an emergency starting quarterback would be wise to look Hill’s way. He doesn’t have a big arm or great weapons — but the bottom line is that he’s a productive fantasy player.

RB Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks
The starter at running back currently for the Seahawks is Maurice Morris. He’s beaten out Julius Jones and now is getting the vast majority of the carries. In Week 15 of the fantasy football season, Morris and the Seahawks take on the anemic St. Louis Rams. Morris should be able to have a quality game against their sub par defense.

WR Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks
Another way to try to take advantage of the Rams in Week 15 is to pick up Deion Branch. Branch is coming off of his best game of the season by far — a two touchdown performance against the New England Patriots. Branch isn’t a great start but he’s getting close to 100% and is a boom or bust choice going forward.

TE Martellus Bennett, Dallas Cowboys
Even though Jason Witten is back in the fold for the Cowboys, Martellus Bennett is still getting some action. Bennett, the backup tight end for Dallas, is a definite threat near the end zone. In the last four games, Bennett only has six catches but three of them have been touchdowns.

QB Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
Although he’s still out injured Matt Schaub should be returning in one of the upcoming weeks. There’s even a chance that he may be ready to go in Week 14. Once he gets back on the field, Schaub very well could be a top ten starter the rest of the way. If he’s available on your Week 14 waiver wire, go ahead and pick him up.

RB Brandon Jackson, Green Bay Packers
Ryan Grant has had a disappointing season and now he even has an injury. While the injury isn’t considered severe, Brandon Jackson has looked better than Grant for much of the season. Don’t be surprised to see Jackson get the starting job so that the Packers can see what they have in the second-year running back.

WR Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins
Go ahead and pick this guy up if he’s available. Davone Bess is going to get a lot of action the rest of the season and could even become Chad Pennington’s go-to wide receiver. He has good speed and has the potential to break one just about every week.

TE John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks
With Matt Hasselbeck back as the starter at quarterback, the receiving options are more trustworthy for the Seahawks and fantasy football owners alike. John Carlson has had a good rookie season at tight end and should have a good end to his season. With the wide receivers still struggling, Carlson may be Hasselbeck’s best option.

QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Usually when you are looking for a quarterback, you don’t look at the Ravens. But right now, rookie quarterback Joe Flacco is turning heads. He has at least one touchdown in his last six games and has two touchdowns in three of his last four games. This week against the Cincinnati Bengals he should be able to keep those streaks alive.

RB Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks
Although Julius Jones has been the running back for most of the season for the Seahawks, he seems to have lost his starting job to Maurice Morris. Last week, Morris had 14 carries for 103 yards and also had three receptions. He’s not a great option at the moment but he’s somewhat reliable in a pinch.

WR Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins
With Greg Camarillo out for the season, Davone Bess now moves up the depth charts and into a starting roll. Quarterback Chad Pennington is playing well so any wide receiver whose on the field a lot will have value. Since Bess is young, his ceiling is higher than if a veteran took over that role. Keep an eye on him.

TE Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers
After missing several weeks due to injury, Heath Miller was back in the lineup for the Steelers this past weekend. In his return, Miller caught four passes and scored a touchdown. He’d be a risky start in Week 13 but Miller definitely has top ten tight end talent and would be a good pickup off of a fantasy football waiver wire.

QB Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers
Being a quarterback in a Mike Martz offense is generally a good thing. Shaun Hill of the 49ers seems to be taking advantage of that opportunity. Hill, who replaced an ineffective JT O’Sullivan, played very well last week and should be a good backup fantasy football quarterback from here on.

RB Tatum Bell, Denver Broncos
If you are looking to strike gold on the Week 12 waiver wire, you definitely have to consider Tatum Bell a sleeper. Bell has been signed by the Broncos after a bevy of injuries depleted their running back corps. Bell has had success in that system before and could excel once again if given a shot.

WR Justin Gage, Tennessee Titans
With teams looking to defend the run, Kerry Collins and the Titans have been forced to pass more in recent weeks. When healthy, Gage has been the team’s number one receiver. He now has three touchdowns in the last two weeks and should continue to get plenty of looks going forward.

TE Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots
As Matt Cassel grows into his role, he seems to be looking more and more for Benjamin Watson. Watson had a big week in Week 11 and is now definitely a Week 12 waiver wire possibility. If he gets enough passes his way, he could easily end up as a top ten tight end over the course of the rest of the season.

If any of these players are available on the waiver wire of your fantasy football league, don’t hesitate to pick them up ASAP. These players are more than capable of helping you win a fantasy football championship in 2008.

QB Tyler Thigpen, Kansas City Chiefs
Entering the 2008 fantasy football season, Tyler Thigpen was the third quarterback on the Chiefs depth chart. Now Thigpen has ascended to the starting spot and he’s producing very well. He appears to be a legit quarterback and is very likely Kansas City’s QB of the future. Pick him up now and he can serve as a quality fantasy football option depending on the matchup.

RB Peyton Hillis, Denver Broncos
Although he’s more of a fullback, Peyton Hillis should become the new running back for the Broncos. Injuries to Selvin Young, Michael Pittman, Andre Hall and Ryan Torain have opened the door for Hillis to get a shot. As any fantasy football veteran can tell you, picking up the right Broncos running back at the right time can lead to big things.

WR Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs
With Thigpen delivering him the ball, Mark Bradley has emerged as a quality fantasy football wide receiver option. In fact, with as hot as he currently is, he’s a player you need to get into your starting lineup. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he can use his quicks to make plays and score touchdowns.

TE Kevin Boss, New York Giants
For the third consecutive week, Kevin Boss scored a touchdown. He’s emerging as one of Eli Manning’s favorite targets, especially around the endzone. With as well as he has been playing in recent weeks, Boss certainly can start on your 2008 fantasy football team.

QB Sage Rosenfels, Houston Texans
With Matt Schaub out with a torn knee ligament, Sage Rosenfels will take over the reins for the Houston Texans at quarterback. If he’s on your fantasy football league’s waiver wire, pick him up because he’s definitely a fantasy sleeper from here on out. You can expect him to put up at least 200 yards and a touchdown each week.

RB Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos
Heading into Week 10, Ryan Torain may literally be the Denver Broncos only healthy running back. Michael Pittman and Andre Hall are out for the year and Selvin Young is still banged up. That leaves this rookie to carry the load for the Broncos. Expect him to have a good amount of success.

WR Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs
Tyler Thigpen is quickly becoming a decent quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. For that reason, his wide receivers are now more valuable. Mark Bradley may be his second receiver but he’s also the safety valve who will get a lot of looks going forward. He even mixed in a passing touchdown this week.

TE Vishante Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings
Once again, Vishante Shiancoe is on the waiver wire list. He just keeps producing and producing at the tight end position. He remains a sleeper tight end because he’s not respected among most fantasy football owners, for a whatever reasons. But if he keeps producing, you might as well roster him.

QB Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers
Shaun Hill is now the starting quarterback in San Francisco and makes for a very fine Week 9 Waiver Wire pickup. With Mike Martz still with the 49ers, you can expect the team to throw the ball a lot. Hill was somewhat effective last season and has a chance to become a decent backup for the rest of the fantasy football season.

RB Kevin Faulk, New England Patriots
With injuries to Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan, the door is open for Kevin Faulk to be the main running back option. The good thing about Faulk is that not only is he good running the ball, he’s also a good receiver. If you need an emergency starter off the waiver wire, you could do much worse than Faulk.

WR Ted Ginn, Jr., Miami Dolphins
After a very slow start to his season, Ted Ginn, Jr. showed why he’s regarded as a big time talent. It’s unknown whether he will ever live up to his potential but with the Miami offense looking solid and quarterback Chad Pennington playing well, Ginn is a wide receiver to keep an eye on.

TE Martellus Bennett, Dallas Cowboys
If Jason Witten is going to miss any action, consider picking up Martellus Bennett. Bennett is the backup tight end in Dallas and he has impressed coaching with his receiving abilities. While he’s an obvious fall off from Witten, Bennett could serve as a sufficient starter for the time being.