MLB Fantasy News 2011

[HacheMan]

Brandon Allen intriguing in deep leagues

Eric Karabell

• Oakland Athletics first baseman Brandon Allen had three hits and scored twice Sunday, batting eighth against Texas Rangers lefty Matt Harrison. Allen, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Brad Ziegler trade, was called up from the minors over the weekend, where his power has been evident. The Athletics might opt to keep playing Conor Jackson, but if they let Allen play, watch his progress for deeper leagues.

• San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt -- yeah, we've discussed him before! -- hit two solo home runs Sunday, his third and fourth of the season. No, Belt wasn't sent back to Triple-A immediately after the game, but still, there's no indication regular at-bats are pending. Aubrey Huff is hitting .333 in August. Leave Belt as a fantasy free agent.


• Speaking of the minors, Florida Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison was surprisingly sent to Triple-A over the weekend. Morrison, hitting .206 since the All-Star break, should return to the majors soon, where he can add to his 17 home runs and 60 RBIs, but drop him in a standard league. Bryan Petersen -- with a 1.003 OPS at Triple-A New Orleans -- is getting a look in left field, for those in deeper leagues.


• Chicago White Sox utility man Brent Lillibridge homered Sunday, his 10th of the season in 150 at-bats. Lillibridge also has 10 stolen bases. He's one home run short of Adam Dunn, and tied for second on the team in steals. Lillibridge isn't standard-league worthy, but what an AL-only dollar pickup he's been! Just be careful if Lillibridge gets 400 at-bats in 2012; he won't hit .260.


• Cincinnati Reds left-hander Aroldis Chapman allowed a run Sunday, his first in 13⅔ innings, covering a month. In that time Chapman struck out 24 hitters and walked four. Chapman is owned in 26.1 percent of ESPN standard leagues, for the numbers and potential saves. Own him for the numbers. Francisco Cordero (0.96 WHIP) is a safe closer.

 

[HacheMan]

Delmon To Detroit
Twins designated hitter Jim Thome went deep twice in Monday's 9-6 defeat of the Tigers, tallying the 599th and 600th home runs of his major league career. He's only the eighth player in the history of Major League Baseball to reach the 600-homer plateau, and one of only five players in that elite group with zero ties to performance-enhancing drugs.

With a .277/.403/.577 career batting line, 2,263 career hits and 1,662 career RBI, Thome is already a sure-thing Hall of Famer. And as a 40-year-old veteran showing very little letup offensively, he's likely to pad those stats for another couple years.

As fantasy enthusiasts with little care for the personalities of the players we draft, we tend to lose track of which guys are considered likable and which are considered clubhouse cancers. Thome, by all accounts, has been a class act from the start. Consider this tweet from Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein:

"I don't think I've ever heard anyone, anywhere, say a bad thing about Jim Thome. That's hard to do in a 23-year career."

Indeed it is.

This is Tuesday's edition of the MLB Daily Dose...

* In a waiver trade that came seemingly out of nowhere, the Tigers acquired outfielder Delmon Young from the Twins on Monday afternoon for left-handed pitching prospect Cole Nelson and a player to be named later.

Young struggled mightily for Minnesota this season, batting just .266/.305/.357 in 84 games while showing diminished athleticism in the outfield. But he registered a cool .826 OPS with 21 home runs and 112 RBI across 153 contests last year, and he slugged a homer in his first at-bat with Detroit on Monday night. He's a frustrating player to watch, and he's been dropped by many of the fantasy owners who drafted him, but there's a chance he can catch fire for the Tigers and provide value in mixed leagues down the stretch.

The Tigers have benched Magglio Ordonez in order to free up playing time. Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch should start alongside Young going forward.

* Time for the weekly -- or maybe it's daily --- update on Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

According to reports, A-Rod took 13 at-bats in a simulated game Sunday in Tampa, Florida and was cleared afterward to transfer his minor league rehab assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 35-year-old had a double, a home run and two RBI in seven plate appearances at Single-A. If everything continues to run smoothly, Rodriguez could return to the Yankees' starting lineup in time for Thursday night's series opener against the Twins.

A-Rod was batting .295/.366/.485 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI in 344 plate appearances before undergoing a minor knee procedure in mid-July.

National League Quick Hits: Mets closer Jason Isringhausen notched his 300th career save in Monday's 5-4 defeat of the Padres … Phillies lefty Cole Hamels underwent a precautionary MRI on his throwing shoulder Monday … Stephen Strasburg (elbow) will make his third minor league rehab start Wednesday with Single-A Hagerstown … Pablo Sandoval is day-to-day after fouling a ball off his left foot Monday … The Giants are not expecting Carlos Beltran (wrist) to return to action until later this week … Jose Tabata is expected to rejoin the Pirates on Tuesday after missing the past six weeks with a strained left quad … Jesus Guzman has missed three straight games due to a sore left elbow … Cardinals utilityman Nick Punto (oblique) has been cleared to begin taking groundballs … Mets left-hander Johan Santana has been cleared to resume his throwing program and is still aiming to pitch in the majors this season … Edward Mujica is day-to-day with a strained lat muscle … Mike Stanton hit the third-longest home run of the season in Monday's loss to the Rockies … Braves rookie Freddie Freeman hit a walkoff two-run single Monday against Giants closer Brian Wilson … J.D. Martinez will continue to bat third for the Astros … Aaron Harang made an early exit from his Monday start due to a bruised arm … Giants setup man Sergio Romo (elbow) could be headed to the disabled list … Ivan Rodriguez (oblique) will attempt to resume baseball activities Tuesday … Peter Moylan threw batting practice Monday for the first time since undergoing back surgery in May … The Brewers have won 17 of their last 19 games.

American League Quick Hits: The Rangers are not expecting Adrian Beltre (hamstring) to return to the majors until September … Brett Lawrie has three home runs, three doubles, a triple and eight RBI through his first 10 major league games … The Yankees are not expected to promote top catching prospect Jesus Montero until rosters expand in September … Nelson Cruz was pulled Monday with tightness in his left quad … Twins center fielder Denard Span continues to suffer from concussion-related symptoms … Derek Jeter went 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBI and a stolen base in Monday's defeat of the Royals … The Mariners released right-handed reliever Chris Ray … The Blue Jays failed to reach an agreement with first-round pick Tyler Beede, the only first-rounder to go unsigned … Mariano Rivera earned his 34th save of the season Monday in a win over the Royals … Angels rookie Garrett Richards suffered a groin strain while making a start Monday against the Rangers … Chris Davis is day-to-day with a sore right shoulder … The Yankees are not expected to promote left-handed prospect Manny Banuelos this season.
​

 

[HacheMan]

Does Strasburg still have value in 2011?

By Tristan H. Cockcroft
ESPN.com


The Stephen Strasburg era is about to resume.

In one of the more unexpected developments of 2011, Strasburg, fantasy's most anticipated rookie of 2010, has progressed quickly enough in his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery that he might yet make major league appearances before the season's end. After undergoing the operation Sept. 3, 2010, Strasburg resumed light throwing in early February, hurling off a mound in mid-May and pitching to live hitters July 13, then advanced to a minor league rehabilitation assignment in Class A, where he has already made two starts: Aug. 7 and this past Friday.


As minor league rehab stints can last no longer than 30 days, not to mention Tommy John surgery alumnus Jordan Zimmermann is nearing the final starts of his own season, Strasburg's anticipated return to the Nationals looks like it might be sometime around Labor Day. He might in fact be directly handed the baton once Zimmermann gets shut down. And at his current rate of progression, Strasburg might yet make four or five major league starts before season's end.


Remarkable, considering that six months ago, when spring training camps opened, it didn't look like Strasburg would even be healthy enough for 30 days of rehab in the minors, let alone pitch for the Nationals.


It's for that reason that I'm declaring today your last chance to snatch up Strasburg on the cheap, primarily from a keeper league angle but also directed at those of you in NL-only or deep mixed leagues.

Consider the possibilities with Strasburg: Combined in his two rehab starts, the first for Class A Hagerstown and the second for Class A (advanced) Potomac, the right-hander has faced 20 hitters, recorded 14 outs, struck out nine and allowed one run and five hits. Per ESPN Stats & Information, he has thrown 51 of his 64 pitches for strikes, and seven of his nine strikeouts were swinging. In his most recent outing, he didn't allow a single ball in play to leave the infield.


Tiny as that sample is, and granted against Class A competition, that's still a 1.93 ERA and 17.36 strikeouts-per-nine ratio, numbers that are decidedly "Strasburg." Remember, this is a pitcher who in 2010 had the best K's-per-nine ratio (12.18) and 15th-best ERA (2.91) among starters with 60-plus innings. There's little question that a healthy Strasburg can be a top performer in each of those categories.


Why today, then? It's simple: Strasburg remains available in 68.0 percent of ESPN leagues, but that number has dropped by 16.3 percent in the past seven days. In addition, he's a day from his next rehab start, scheduled again with Class A Hagerstown on Wednesday and should be of greater length, perhaps four to five innings. The buzz is growing, and if Strasburg throws, say, four innings of eight-strikeout baseball, the headlines would only grow larger and you'd hear more comments like, "Strasburg is almost here!"


To be clear, I don't regard Strasburg's value as much in shallow mixed leagues, especially those with stringent innings caps. A four-to-five-start stretch by Strasburg might result in a mere 20-25 innings total and spread out over about five per outing, potentially a waste to owners who have to carefully count their starts. Perhaps in standard ESPN leagues, he'll have only minimal value.


But what about NL-only leagues, where the pool runs deeper? What about leagues with daily transactions yet no innings cap, where streaming is a viable strategy? Surely in those, Strasburg has value. … Isn't it a smarter strategy to chase five innings of outstanding strikeout totals from the right-hander rather than rolling the dice on the likes of Paul Maholm, Joe Saunders and Jason Hammel?


It's the keeper leagues where your window is rapidly closing, because the closer Strasburg gets to active duty, the more confident his owners become. He has long been hailed a potential top-10 fantasy starter, a dynasty league foundation piece, and I ranked him accordingly in my midseason keeper top 250. Get him now, because by Thursday, your opportunity might have already passed.


Strasburg isn't the only pitcher for whom I declare today your last chance. Here are three others you should snatch up while you still can:


Ivan Nova, New York Yankees: Thank the Yankees and their six-man rotation for your buying opportunity, because if there were any clarity in their group of six, Nova might already have been scooped up in all ESPN leagues as opposed to the 80.8 percent he is today. He has already answered the primary question surrounding him in 2010: After managing .208/.282/.299 numbers in the first three innings of his starts but .306/.375/.447 thereafter, he has narrowed those margins to .245/.309/.359 in his first three and .274/.343/.409 thereafter this season. The stamina criticism is no longer valid; he has lasted into the seventh inning in 10 of his 19 starts and each of his past three. Nova also has improved his breaking pitches -- curveball and slider -- to the point where he has thrown them 30.3 percent of the time, up from 24.5 in 2010, and limited opponents to .193/.216/.252 rates in the 125 plate appearances that have ended with either. Nova might still be fully adapting to the big leagues, but he's also backed by one of the game's best offenses, as evidenced by his 11 wins. There's plenty of value.



TOP 100 STARTING PITCHERS

Note: Tristan H. Cockcroft's top 100 starting pitchers are ranked for their expected performance from this point forward, not for statistics that have already been accrued.
<TABLE><THEAD><TR><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rnk </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player, Team <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev
Rnk </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Justin Verlander, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Roy Halladay, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cliff Lee, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Felix Hernandez, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">CC Sabathia, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Lincecum, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Clayton Kershaw, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cole Hamels, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dan Haren, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jered Weaver, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Zack Greinke, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jon Lester, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Cain, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Price, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">James Shields, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Beckett, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Johnny Cueto, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ian Kennedy, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Yovani Gallardo, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Hudson, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ricky Romero, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mat Latos, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ervin Santana, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Daniel Hudson, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Morrow, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Carpenter, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ubaldo Jimenez, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Garza, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Madison Bumgarner, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shaun Marcum, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Beachy, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Anibal Sanchez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jhoulys Chacin, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tommy Hanson, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Max Scherzer, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">C.J. Wilson, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Justin Masterson, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hiroki Kuroda, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Danks, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Vogelsong, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wandy Rodriguez, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ricky Nolasco, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Gio Gonzalez, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeremy Hellickson, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Dempster, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jaime Garcia, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Colby Lewis, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ted Lilly, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Stauffer, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Pineda, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bartolo Colon, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Leake, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chad Billingsley, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jair Jurrjens, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cory Luebke, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bud Norris, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeff Niemann, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Roy Oswalt, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Phil Hughes, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jake Peavy, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Gavin Floyd, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vance Worley, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Harrison, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Myers, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Tomlin, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ivan Nova, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Doug Fister, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Javier Vazquez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Scott Baker, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Randy Wolf, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>77 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alexi Ogando, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Derek Holland, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jordan Zimmermann, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon McCarthy, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Freddy Garcia, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Cecil, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>77 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Erik Bedard, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Trevor Cahill, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Edwin Jackson, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonathan Sanchez, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Harang, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">James McDonald, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rich Harden, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Homer Bailey, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonathon Niese, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">R.A. Dickey, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Philip Humber, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Buehrle, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Vargas, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Francisco Liriano, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Felipe Paulino, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Luke Hochevar, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Charlie Morton, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle Lohse, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>95 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Lackey, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bronson Arroyo, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>97 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wade Davis, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Pelfrey, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jake Westbrook, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeremy Guthrie, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants: Keepers, keepers, keepers. Obviously everyone knows about Bumgarner at this point; he's claimed in 99.6 percent of ESPN leagues and ranks 45th among starting pitchers on the Player Rater. But his listing here is a signal that he's a viable keeper-league prospect, although some might believe otherwise. Here's the reason: He has the 10th-best WAR (wins above replacement) of any starting pitcher, primarily because that category values the "three true outcome" categories: strikeouts, walks and home runs allowed. Bumgarner has the sixth-lowest homers-per-nine ratio (0.43) and ninth-best K's-per-walk ratio (4.06). He also has ramped up his fastball velocity (91.8 mph on average) and has a career-high 22.2 miss percentage on swings. This is a skill set trending toward that of a perennial fantasy ace.


John Danks, Chicago White Sox: He's one of the forgotten men of the top 40 fantasy starters probably because of either the five wins he has in 20 starts or the near month he spent on the disabled list thanks to an oblique injury around the All-Star break. Danks has pitched well since his return, however, with two wins, three quality starts, a 3.16 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in five starts, including that challenging matchup versus the New York Yankees on Aug. 2 (6 IP, 9 H, 4 ER). Most importantly, however, he has 34 strikeouts compared to nine walks in 31 1/3 innings, showing a propensity for K's that wasn't apparent earlier in his career. Danks might not be an elite keeper, but from a re-draft perspective, he might be one of the sneakier options out there. After all, last week's column showed that the White Sox have one of the more fantasy-friendly schedules for pitchers down the stretch.


Three up



Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox: He's your classic put-the-ball-in-play pitcher, and those types tend to be susceptible to streaks, primarily because they have to rely so much upon the defense behind them or be pitch-perfect with their command. Consider that among active pitchers with at least 1,000 innings since 2000, Buehrle has the fourth-lowest strikeouts-per-nine ratio (5.06). He's a pitcher with a slim margin for error, but lately, he's toeing that line rather effectively. He's in the midst of an eight-quality-start streak, during which he has four wins, a 1.89 ERA and 1.00 WHIP … yet merely a 5.37 K's-per-nine ratio. Two things stand out as strengths of Buehrle's during that span: A 1.42 walks-per-nine ratio, seventh-best among pitchers with 50-plus innings; and a 57.7 percent ground ball rate, 11th-most and very out of character for the left-hander. So long as Buehrle is commanding the strike zone this effectively while keeping the ball down, he can be of help … even in shallow mixed leagues. (But a streak it probably is.)


Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay Rays: Speaking of streaks, this is quite the hot one that Niemann is currently riding, six quality starts and five wins in his past seven starts, during which time he has a 1.65 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. But two things stand out as oddities for him: He has averaged 8.08 K's-per-nine and has a 48.3 percent ground-ball rate in those seven outings, significantly higher than the 6.43 K's-per-nine ratio he had in his first 74 big-league appearances and the 43.6 percent ground-ball rate he had in 69 outings from Opening Day 2009 to June 30, 2011. Niemann has been using his curveball more to generate strikeouts -- he has a 32.1 percent swing-and-miss rate with it, up from 26.3 percent in his previous 69 outings -- and his two-seam fastball is responsible for the increase in grounders. Don't dismiss this as a fluke; he might yet be able to sustain value all year.


Javier Vazquez, Florida Marlins: Fantasy owners might have long written him off -- he's owned in only 15.3 percent of ESPN leagues -- but in recent weeks we've seen a version of Vazquez much closer to the strikeout artist of his prime years. In six starts since the All-Star break he has 38 whiffs in 38 1/3 frames, including a pair of 10-strikeout outings (July 16 @CHC, Aug. 13 vs. SF), and a 3.29 ERA and 1.10 WHIP to go with it. In fact, in his past 11 starts, Vazquez has a 2.36 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. A large number of soft matchups have contributed, but he's also generating more swings and misses (32.7 percent in his past six turns), which backs up the increased strikeout rate. Considering the Marlins still call a pitchers' haven their home, Vazquez might yet finish 2011 on a high note.


Three down



Gio Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics: Monday represented Gonzalez's fifth consecutive outing where he failed to meet the quality-start minimums, and during that time he has lost all five starts with a 7.90 ERA and ghastly 5.93 walks-per-nine innings ratio. Walks have always been his undoing; he averaged 5.49 per nine in 30 games between 2008-09, when he was adapting to major league competition, and that resulted in a 6.24 ERA in those years. Blame the matchups if you want, as there was a Yankees outing and one in Toronto mixed in there, but how about that Safeco Field start where he surrendered six runs on 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings? During his five-start slump, Gonzalez has thrown 57.4 percent strikes, 44.9 percent pitches in the strike zone and 50.8 percent first-pitch strikes; his numbers in those categories were 60.4, 47.0 and 53.6 in his first 19 outings. Until he restores his command to 2010 and early-2011 levels, he can't be trusted in fantasy leagues.


Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins: At what point are fantasy owners as a whole going to give up on this guy? Liriano might have notched his eighth win of the season on Monday, and pitched a quality start before that, but in each of those outings as well as the one before it, there were nothing but warning signs. On Monday, he served up five runs on nine hits, two of them home runs, in six innings of work, most notably serving up 11 fly balls, odd for a pitcher who at his best posts ground-ball rates greater than 50 percent. In the outing before that, he had seven walks in six innings, and before that he allowed seven runs and 10 hits in five frames in a truly ugly outing. Liriano has been great on rare occasions this season, but they have been few and far between; he hasn't had a streak of greater than two quality starts all year and has 11 quality starts total in his 22 starts (50.0 percent). He was at serious risk of dropping out of my rankings altogether.


Jonathan Sanchez, San Francisco Giants: Barry Zito's sprained right ankle, suffered during a rehabilitation stint for Triple-A Fresno, buys Sanchez more time in the Giants' rotation, but at some point he's going to need to provide them results. In two starts since his return from a biceps injury, Sanchez has a 9.00 ERA and six walks in nine innings. His fastball has averaged 89.3 mph, and during that time he has allowed six line drives on 15 balls in play (40.0 percent) and a .375 well-hit average. Perhaps time is all Sanchez needs to recapture his 2010 form, but until he shows improvement, he can't be trusted in any format.

 

[HacheMan]

Mike Carp continues August tear

Eric Karabell

• Seattle Mariners first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp homered twice Monday, extending baseball's longest current hitting streak to 15 games, after Dan Uggla's 33-game streak ended Sunday. Carp enters Tuesday hitting .389 in August, with 17 RBIs in 13 games, and he's become worth adding in any format while he's hot.

• Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Randy Wolf tossed eight shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday for his fourth consecutive win, and he's allowed one or fewer runs in three of them. With starts against the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates ahead, he's worth adding in standard leagues.


• Meanwhile, Ted Lilly lost to Wolf in Milwaukee, but allowed only two hits -- one of them a Ryan Braun home run -- in seven innings. Lilly's ERA is a bit inflated (4.54), but as usual his WHIP (1.21) makes him enticing, and he is likely to improve. Indeed, Lilly sports a 2.07 ERA in his past four starts.


• Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit homered among four hits on Monday, knocking in three runs and raising his batting average from .277 to .302. Doumit has missed much of this season with a broken left ankle, and expectations were so low that he wasn't drafted in standard leagues, but he's hitting now. Doumit has hit double-digit home runs the past three seasons, and might do so again.


• Atlanta Braves outfielder Jose Constanza hit three singles in three at-bats Monday, raising his batting average to .414 in 58 at-bats. We've discussed Constanza in this space before, noting that his elevated BABIP would eventually equalize. However, Constanza is also running and scoring runs; add him even in standard leagues until the tide turns.


• And finally a hearty congrats to Minnesota Twins designated hitter Jim Thome, who cracked a pair of home runs Monday, giving him 600 for his storied career. Thome knocked in five runs and is currently hitting .254. Owned in 8.9 percent of leagues, Thome doesn't warrant standard-league attention, unlike most of his career, but we can smile a bit today.

 

[HacheMan]

Reyes, Weeks slowly progessing

Stephania Bell

We're rounding the bend and preparing to enter the final stretch of Major League Baseball's regular season, when injury issues are as critical as ever. Major league teams with an eye on the playoffs might be cautious about returning their stars too quickly, while fantasy owners are wishing those players could return, well, yesterday.

Adrian Beltre (hamstring) is a good example of this; his owners need him back, but the Rangers have indicated they will proceed even more cautiously this time around with their power-hitting third baseman. Beltre strained his left hamstring in late July, his first such experience with the injury, but he is getting an education on why these ailments are so problematic. He reinjured himself running the bases a little more than a week ago, just before he was set to rejoin the team, and undoubtedly that activity will be postponed a while longer this time. According to the Rangers' official website, the team is not expecting Beltre back until September.
Meanwhile, Rangers teammate Nelson Cruz left Monday's game because of tightness in his left quad. This is not the same quad that sent him to the DL in May, but it is the one that bothered him in late July. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Cruz said after the game that he was removed as a precaution with the team in the lead, and he could be back in the lineup Tuesday. It's still worth watching to see if, indeed, he returns so quickly and more importantly, if it's truly a non-issue. His owners have to hope the problem doesn't affect him the rest of this season.

Rickie Weeks is speaking again. Although he was understandably mum about the severity of his injury after spraining his ankle in late July, the Brewers' second baseman now says he's making progress, and even feels a little ahead of schedule, according to the team's website. He has been doing pool workouts and playing catch, and he progressed to fielding grounders last weekend. However, that's still quite a ways from doing everything necessary to resume play.
In fact, this is when an injury such as this can trick an athlete. The daily routine starts to feel normal, light activity even feels good. It gets an athlete thinking he can do even more and wanting to push ahead faster. Enter the rehab staff, which knows when to apply the brakes, or at least downshift so that no one gets ahead of himself. Progressions are not usually linear; regaining sprinting speed, especially rounding corners and high-level agility, can take much longer. Weeks originally was given a timetable of 4-6 weeks, and next week will mark one month since the injury. Given that he has yet to run, it does not appear he is going to beat that projection. Until he does start running, it's tough to even venture a guess as to how soon he could return.
New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes (hamstring) is making progress -- he's fielding ground balls and hitting -- but is still not expected to return from the DL when eligible, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. There is no indication as to when he will test his running, but it sounds as if the Mets are being understandably cautious with their speedy infielder, given his history of hamstring issues and a previous DL stint this year for the same injury.
Stop me if you've heard this one before: The San Francisco Giants have injury concerns. No sooner do they make what looks to be the key trade to get them to the postseason, their acquisition, outfielder Carlos Beltran, suffers a vague hand injury. He has been day-to-day for more than a week, and even after getting a cortisone shot several days ago, the symptoms appear to be lingering. Beltran did not recall a specific time it happened, although it appeared to begin after an at-bat in which he struck out. The San Jose Mercury News reports Beltran could be out for the entire series against the Atlanta Braves if he cannot take batting practice. Could a DL stint be close behind?
Meanwhile the Giants are hoping there will be no second visit to the DL for Pablo Sandoval. The Panda fouled a ball off his foot in the first inning of Monday's game and was sent for X-rays. Fortunately they came back negative, but how long it takes for his foot to tolerate running and pivoting during his swing remains to be seen. In closing (see what I did there?), the Giants' closer and personality extraordinaire, Brian Wilson, is dealing with a sore back. Wilson managed to pitch through the issue Monday but blew the save. Whether the back was a factor is unclear. Stay tuned.

 

[HacheMan]

Paging Frank Francisco

Tuesday saw a notable (and sudden) change in AL closing duties, as Jon Rauch (appendicitis) is expected to miss 3-4 weeks, leaving Frank Fransciso to handle closing duties while Rauch is out. I don't fully trust Francisco to be a reliable closing option (fitting that the picture embedded here shows him appearing to have just given up a homer), but he has thrown nine consecutive scoreless innings since July 22, and obviously qualifies as a must-own player despite a 4.17 ERA and 1.50 WHIP on the season.

In other closer-related news, Bobby Parnell will have a chance to secure his status as the Mets' top ninth-inning option now that Jason Isringhausen has recorded his 300th save. Parnell has a strong 49/17 K/BB ratio in 39 2/3 innings this season, but also has a 5.49 ERA and 1.68 WHIP since the beginning of July, meaning that owners adding him should be aware that they're doing so with plenty of risk.

Elsewhere, Carlos Marmol registered his eighth blown save of the year by surrendering a walk-off grand slam to Brian Bogusevic in a 6-5 loss. A hideous outing, but it should be noted that Marmol had recorded nine straight saves prior to that, allowing just three hits and one run in his last 9 2/3 innings of work.

In other news…

Tuesday was a good day for Frank Francisco, but a positively horrendous day for San Francisco, as the Giants saw the Braves pick up a walk-off win for a second straight night, and may soon ask coaches Roberto Kelly and Hensley Meulens to take the field as they search for healthy players.

First, there's Carlos Beltran, who finally hit the DL due to his strained right hand. Beat writer Andrew Baggarly reports that he's been sent for a second opinion and an MRI, and though it's possible Beltran will be ready to return when eligible on Tuesday, his timetable obviously hinges on the results of those tests. Brandon Belt remains the primary beneficiary of Beltran's absence, but is 0-for-6 with three strikeouts since homering twice on Sunday.

Another notable Giant headed for the DL is Jonathan Sanchez, who left Tuesday's game in the third inning with a left ankle injury. Sanchez was on crutches after the game, and is expected to be out "awhile," according to Bruce Bochy.

But that's not all. San Francisco setup man Sergio Romo (elbow) hit the DL and was sent back to San Francisco for further testing. Additionally, Nate Schierholtz (foot) had X-rays which mercifully came back negative, and X-rays on Jeff Keppinger's wrist came back negative as well (both are considered day-to-day). Ending on a positive note, Pablo Sandoval was back in the starting lineup after fouling a ball off his foot Monday, going 1-for-4.

Chris Davis is expected to miss the rest of the year due to a tear in his shoulder, with a Thursday visit to Dr. Lewis Yocum determining whether or not he needs surgery. Davis crushed Triple-A pitching this year (a .368 average, 24 homers, 66 RBI and a 1.229 OPS), but was far from proving he's suddenly ready to hit big league pitching, posting a .241 average with four homers, a 658 OPS and 6/38 BB/K ratio in 116 at-bats.

Monday's MRI on Cole Hamels' left shoulder only showed mild inflammation, so the left-hander will avoid a trip to the DL for now. However, Hamels is expected to be skipped in the rotation this week and will throw on Wednesday in hopes of starting next Monday or Tuesday against the Mets.

Though it was initially reported that he was dealing with an illness, David Ortiz sat out both games of Tuesday's doubleheader due to right heel bursitis. Per beat writer Brian MacPherson, Ortiz is expected to be in a walking boot for a few days, but Terry Francona doesn't believe he'll need a trip to the DL.

Though Hanley Ramirez (shoulder) is eligible to return on Friday in San Diego, manager Jack McKeon said that the shortstop isn't expected to join the Marlins on their current road trip. If that holds true, the first day Ramirez could return would be next Tuesday against Cincinnati.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattStroup

Pitcher injury notes: Jair Jurrjens (knee) told MLB.com that "This is the best I've felt this year" as he prepares to return from the DL Wednesday … Bronson Arroyo (Achilles) expects to make his scheduled start on Thursday … Garrett Richards (right abductor strain) hit the disabled list, clearing the way for Joel Pineiro to return to the rotation on Saturday against Baltimore … Chris Narveson (thumb) could return to start on Aug. 22 … Joe Blanton (elbow) could throw off a mound next week, but if he returns this season it will likely be as a reliever … Francisco Rodriguez was unavailable Tuesday due to leg soreness … Andrew Cashner (shoulder) is slated for a minor league rehab assignment next week in hopes of helping the Cubs' bullpen down the stretch … Freddy Garcia (finger) is hoping to rejoin the rotation this weekend against the Twins … Alex Cobb (rib cage) is slated for season-ending surgery on Thursday … The Astros are planning to shut down Jordan Lyles after four or five more starts … Zach Britton (shoulder) allowed one run over five innings at Triple-A and could return as soon as this weekend.

Position player injury notes: Nelson Cruz (quad) was back in the lineup Tuesday after leaving Monday's game for precautionary reasons … Jason Kipnis (oblique) hopes to return later this week … The Pirates activated Jose Tabata and sent Pedro Alvarez (.196 average) to Triple-A … Jordan Schafer (finger) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment and could debut for the Astros next week … Grady Sizemore (knee, hernia) is hitting off a tee and playing catch, but previous timetables have indicated that he's out until some time in September … An MRI confirmed that Rajai Davis has a torn left hamstring, leaving no timetable for the outrfielder's return … Michael Cuddyer (neck) missed a fifth straight game … Denard Span (lingering concussion issues) could return on Wednesday.

Position player injury notes (part 2): Placido Polanco (sports hernia) hit the DL, but is expected to avoid surgery and is eligible to return as soon as Aug. 21 … Omar Infante (finger) is expected to return this weekend … Conor Jackson (neck, back) could be back Thursday, and needs to hurry since Brandon Allen is 7-for-13 since joining the A's … Edgar Renteria left Tuesday's game with a strained groin … Jesus Guzman (elbow) returned to the starting lineup Tuesday … Michael Brantley (wrist) also returned to action … A.J. Pierzynski has been diagnosed with a fractured right wrist, leaving Tyler Flowers as Chicago's starting catcher.

Miscellaneous notes: SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that Logan Morrison is not expected to file a grievance against the Marlins over his minor league demotion … The Cardinals have suspended pitching prospect Shelby Miller indefinitely for violation of team policy after what's believed to be an alcohol-related altercation … Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that Orlando Hernandez is expected to announce his retirement.

Editor's Note: For exclusive columns, rankings, projections and more, check out Rotoworld's MLB Season Pass.

Notable pitching: Roy Halladay struck out 14 (throwing 123 pitches) in a complete-game loss against Arizona … Chris Carpenter struck out a season-high 10 in a no-decision against the Pirates … Brian Matusz gave up six runs in 6 2/3 innings against the A's in his return to the rotation … James Shields recorded his ninth complete game, but was outpitched by Jon Lester … Randall Delgado threw six no-hit innings before allowing a leadoff homer to Cody Ross in the seventh, but has been sent back to Triple-A to make room for Jair Jurrjens … Yovani Gallardo held the Dogers to one run on four hits with nine strikeouts in eight innings … Jeff Niemann struck out 10 in a complete-game win over the Red Sox … Leo Nunez gave up two runs on three hits in a second straight shaky outing, but still escaped with his 33rd save … Derek Holland gave up three runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings against the Angels.

Notable hitting: The currently scalding Casper Wells homered for a fourth consecutive game … Garrett Jones' fourth homer of the month was a walk-off shot off Arthur Rhodes that landed in the Allegheny River … Jacoby Ellsbury hit his 21st and 22nd homers of the year … Josh Hamilton picked up three hits and homered for just the second time since July 19 … Albert Pujols hit home run No. 30 … In his first start since rejoining the Diamondbacks, Lyle Overbay went 3-for-4 with three RBI in Arizona's 3-2 win over the Phillies … Jose Bautista reached base five times and hit his 35th homer … Josh Willingham hit his fifth homer of the month … Carlos Gonzalez hit his third homer in his last five games … Troy Tulowitzki is now hitting .418 with five homers and 12 RBI in August.

 

[HacheMan]

Parnell Throws Gas, Will Close

Monday night marked the deadline for teams to sign their draft picks, and action was fast and furious all the way up until clock struck midnight.

Or, that is to say, it was fast and furious among the hard-core fans. It's hard for many to get very excited about a bunch of names they didn't know who might or might not make it to the major leagues. Still, it's fun to dream of the future, especially when your team is out of it.

In that honor, we'll name the tiers after the best values in the history of baseball's draft. Even if your team missed out on signing their first or second pick this week, they might just have uncovered the next Mike Piazza, who was famously selected in the 62nd round as a favor to his godfather.


Tier 1: Elite (3) (AKA: The "Albert Pujols, 13th round, Pick #402" Tier.)


Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox
Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
Joel Hanrahan, Pittsburgh Pirates

Yeah. The King was drafted in the 13th round. There were concerns he might not be able to stay at catcher, or third base, and that he wouldn't have the bat for first. Whoops!
Seriously, any calls that Mariano Rivera is done are overblown. Yeah, he's blown as many saves as last year, and he's given up home runs in two of his past three appearances, but that's still only three home runs on the year. Even pointing out his career-worst ground-ball rate is picking the nits. He's still Mo and he still has the cutter.
Still, no closer is going to assail Jonathan Papelbon's position at the top if he keeps pitching like this. In his past ten outings, he has three baserunners. And no walks. And 11 strikeouts. Even if Craig Kimbrel has more Kimbrels, and Joel Hanrahan has more saves (and somehow avoided his third blown save of the season despite giving up the tying run Tuesday night), Papelbon carries the crown another week.


Tier 2: Rock Steady (6) (AKA: The "Roy Oswalt, 23rd round, Pick #684" Tier.)


John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers
Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Heath Bell, San Diego Padres
J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks
Andrew Bailey, Oakland Athletics

Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers

It's doubtful that there were three players better in Roy Oswalt's draft, let alone 683. Even on the tail end of his career, Oswalt has shown pinpoint control and strikeout stuff. He managed to survive in a hitter's park and put the Astros on his back for years. No wonder his back hurts now.
Andrew Bailey drops in this tier, and it's not only about the game he blew against Texas Sunday. What is worrisome is that he has five walks in his last nine outings. That might not sound so terrible, but to put this in perspective, Bailey has eight walks in 25 1/3 innings this year. He had 13 walks in 49 innings last year. He's had some arm issues, and any loss of control would have to be a red flag. Grant Balfour is the backup after Brian Fuentes burned bridges in the organization with his public comments, most likely.
On a full-year basis, Jose Valverde is still a shaky entrant into this tier. He's still walking batters at a career-high rate, and striking them out at a career-worst rate. He's also lost the nice ground-ball rate he showed last year for the first time in his career. But! He still strikes out about a batter per nine, and he hasn't blown a save all year. He could be living just enough, just enough for the city (of Detroit).


Tier 3: OK options (9) (AKA: The "Ian Kinsler, 17th round, Pick #496" />" Tier.)

Jordan Walden, Anaheim Angels
Sergio Santos, Chicago White Sox
Drew Storen, Washington Nationals
Brandon League, Seattle Mariners

Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs
Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants

Fernando Salas, St. Louis Cardinals

Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins

Ryan Madson, Philadelphia Phillies

Comment:
Maybe his low batting average scares you off in some fantasy leagues, but Ian Kinsler's blend of power, patience at speed at an infield position makes him one of baseball's best real-life players. That almost five hundred players went before him seems unbelievable, but then again it's obvious that he's worked on his ability to make contact as he's matured. Looks like scouts just never thought he could make it this far.
In a lot of ways, Jordan Walden is a better pitcher than Jose Valverde. He gets more strikeouts. He issues fewer walks. More of his contact travels along the ground. He has more velocity. He has more long-term upside, given his age and stuff. But the games are still played, and Walden just blew his eighth save, which leads the league. As long as his manager can look past his results and instead focus on the process, Walden should keep his job. But the BS often catches eyes, so Walden drops to represent this risk.
Sergio Santos had another save snatched from his fingers this week when Ozzie Guillen opted to use Chris Sale to pitch to two lefties in the ninth inning against the Royals. Again, this is a smart way to go -- platooning relievers makes the best use of their skills -- but it will cost Santos owner saves going forward. Santos cost himself a save Tuesday night, but it wasn't a blowup. He's safe for now.

Brian Wilson is in trouble. Not with the law, but something is not right. He's walking a batter more than usual and his swinging strike rate is at a career low as well. He's gotten a little unlucky on batted balls, and he still has a strong mix of whiffs and grounders, but this isn't the same Brian Wilson we had last year. He has five walks in his last five appearances and blew a save spectacularly against the Braves on Monday. His back hurts, too. With Sergio Romo on the DL, it looks like Jeremy Affeldt would be next, but it also looks like the Giants may sink or swim with Wilson anyway. If you think his walk rate is not a problem, consider that Carlos Marmol only has four more walks then Wilson… and 25 more strikeouts. That's why he moves up past Wilson despite blowing his own save Tuesday night.
Why move Fernando Salas, Joe Nathan, and Ryan Madson up in a wholesale move? Because the tiers were a little off. In an effort to keep these tiers even, we might have pushed some guys too far down. But so many things in our lives are normally distributed: meaning that they fall in a bell curve pattern. There are a few elite players, a big chunk in the middle, and then a few really bad players. Consider this the chunk in the middle. All of these closers have slight question marks that keep them from the elite, even if Salas blew a save Tuesday night. None of them are really question marks as the next tier is labeled.


Tier 4: Question marks (6) (AKA: The "Kevin Youkilis, 8th round, Pick #243" Tier.)


Leo Nunez, Florida Marlins

Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays
Kevin Gregg, Baltimore Orioles
Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds

Javy Guerra, Los Angeles Dodgers

Mark Melancon, Houston Astros

Comment:
The Greek God of Walks, Kevin Youkilis, is a great player in his own right. But the eighth round is not quite the dead zone as the double-digit rounds. Cliff Lee was also picked in this round, and high-upside players with question marks often fall this far. So, great pick Sox, but not greatest pick.
Now the tiers look a little better. These guys aren't quite roller coasters, but there are legit question marks about each. The 'king' of this tier is Leo Nunez, who just blew a save and hurt himself in the process. A comebacker nipped his pitching hand, but he stayed in the game. Really, Nunez is a strong pitcher -- he has a better than three-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio -- but he does have a gopheritis problem. Good thing he pitches in a nice home park. Mike Dunn and Edward Mujica are next on the depth chart but Nunez got right back on the horse with a save Tuesday night.
This is why the tiers needed to be changed: Closers like Kyle Farnsworth, Kevin Gregg, Francisco Cordero, Javy Guerra and Mark Melancon are flawed closers, but they are relatively safe. Call it a flashing yellow -- you'll probably proceed, but you never know when a truck is barreling towards the intersection.
Of these closers, Farnsworth and his pinpoint control this year (eight walks in 46 innings) might have the best 'true talent' but it doesn't take much more than a look at his career ratios to know that he could implode as well. If Co-Co Cordero didn't have a nice ERA and WHIP, he'd be in more trouble. He barely has a two-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio and the flamethrowing Aroldis Chapman is breathing fire down his back. The rest don't really have much behind them -- Gregg has Jim Johnson, who is starting some too, Melancon has Wilton Lopez most likely, and Guerra is just hoping Jonathan Broxton doesn't get healthy in time. The lack of competition mean they deserve a higher ranking than their talent demands.

Read more about the most volatile closer situations on the next page.

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Tier 5: Rollercoaster rides (5) (AKA: The "Ryan Howard, 5th round, Pick #141" Tier.)


1st Chair: Chris Perez, 2nd Chair: Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians
1st Chair: Neftali Feliz, 2nd Chair: Mike Adams, Texas Rangers

1st Chair: Frank Francisco, 2nd Chair: Casey Janssen, Toronto Blue Jays

1st Chair: Bobby Parnell, 2nd Chair: Jason Isringhausen, New York Mets

1st Chair: Rafael Betancourt, 2nd Chair: Rex Brothers, Colorado Rockies

Comment:
Ryan Howard is a beast, but if you take away points for his glove, position and baserunning -- as you should when thinking about him from a real-life baseball perspective -- then he's not as exciting a player. And, in the fifth round, he had the highest price here. Hopefully you didn't pay a fifth round fantasy pick on any of the closers in this tier!
Chris Perez has righted the ship somewhat with four straight scoreless outings. He struck out two in those four-plus innings, though, against one walk, so he's still not showing good ratios. We cannot forget his rough stretch, nor can we forget his bad strikeout-to-walk ratio. Maybe a nice home stretch will set him right and keep Vinnie Pestano from being a hot pickup.
Don't drop Mike Adams just yet. Neftali Feliz has been better recently, with four straight scoreless outings, but he's still walking guys (two in his last four). On the other hand, he also has five strikeouts in those four innings, so that's a better ratio then he's shown all year. His manager claims he's solid in the role, but now there are two great options behind him.
It took an appendix issue, but Frank Francisco is back in the closer's seat in Toronto. Frankie Frank has secretly been good for the last month: He's only given up one run (on a home run, yes), with 11 strikeouts against one walk in twelve appearances. He could even take the role and keep it depending on how long Jon Rauch is out.
A new closer is being minted in New York. We said here after the Francisco Rodriguez trade that it would probably be Jason Isringhausen first, as a bridge to Bobby Parnell, but that Parnell was the team's best long-term option. We even suggested that Izzy's quest for 300 saves would mark a possible transition period. We never thought the team would announce, the day after Isringhausen managed his to reach his milestone, that the team was going to move towards Parnell as the closer. No matter, here we are, and it makes a lot of sense for the team to do this. They have to look to next year, and Parnell does have the upside to be a long-term closer. He throws triple-digit gas and has an excellent slider. The problem is that both his control and command -- his ability to hit the strike zone as well as his ability to hit his spots -- are iffy. He's been better this year, though, and his current walk rate actually would be sustainable as long as he can avoid getting hit around. We know that triple-digit gas is not enough, but give me a head-case gas-thrower with iffy control over a heady pitcher trying to get by on slop and guile any day. Parnell is a must-get if there are no other closers on you wire, but it's probably unsafe to drop any other established closer for him.
Oh, and while Huston Street is out with his lat issue, the Rockies will go with Rafael Betancourt most likely. If they want to look to the future, though, Rex Brothers has been showing an excellent strikeout rate has had the Closer of the Future handle slapped on him before. I'm happy to discuss these situations on twitter any time.

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Injured

Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers (elbow)
Jon Rauch, Toronto Blue Jays (appendicitis)
Huston Street, Colorado Rockies (strained lat)

Comment:
Huston Street was put on the DL, but it was backdated. If his lat issue cooperates, he could be back in a week. Jon Rauch should also be out the minimum. Jonathan Broxton is throwing, but can he get back quick enough to even get into some minor league games before the season is over? Set his upside cap at about three saves in the final two weeks.

The Deposed:
Fernando Rodney, Los Angeles
Ryan Franklin, St. Louis
Brandon Lyon, Houston
Matt Thornton, Chicago A.L.
Vicente Padilla, Los Angeles Dodgers
Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee
David Aardsma, Seattle

We'll leave Jason Isringhausen off until Parnell saves a game or two, but our question from last week was answered with a resounding "yes."

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The Steals Department

Johnny Giavotella was our deep league recommendation last week, and he's in the midst of a two-week stretch where he's stolen four bags. Now, for our mixed league steals guy, we'll recommend his keystone partner. Alcides Escobar has no power or patience, but it's really only the patience that's a shame for those looking for steals. If he walked more, he'd have more chances to steal. No matter, he still has some batted ball luck coming his way, and he should steal another six-to-ten bases over the rest of the season. A .260 batting average is not as bad as it used to be, either. There are many worse ways to get your steals.

The biggest winner in the Delmon Young trade was Ben Revere, who gets a starting job back. Revere is another slap hitter who could walk more, but he strikes out even less than Escobar and has better batted ball luck coming his way. In fact, if position is no concern, Revere is the better bet for a .270+ batting average going forward, and more steals. It's actually surprising that he's owned in so many fewer leagues than the KC shortstop. He's a burner and has a regular job. He could be a better option than Juan Pierre, who has fewer steals in way more plate appearances and the same flaws.

 

[HacheMan]

Parnell Throws Gas, Will Close

Monday night marked the deadline for teams to sign their draft picks, and action was fast and furious all the way up until clock struck midnight.

Or, that is to say, it was fast and furious among the hard-core fans. It's hard for many to get very excited about a bunch of names they didn't know who might or might not make it to the major leagues. Still, it's fun to dream of the future, especially when your team is out of it.

In that honor, we'll name the tiers after the best values in the history of baseball's draft. Even if your team missed out on signing their first or second pick this week, they might just have uncovered the next Mike Piazza, who was famously selected in the 62nd round as a favor to his godfather.


Tier 1: Elite (3) (AKA: The "Albert Pujols, 13th round, Pick #402" Tier.)


Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox
Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
Joel Hanrahan, Pittsburgh Pirates

Yeah. The King was drafted in the 13th round. There were concerns he might not be able to stay at catcher, or third base, and that he wouldn't have the bat for first. Whoops!
Seriously, any calls that Mariano Rivera is done are overblown. Yeah, he's blown as many saves as last year, and he's given up home runs in two of his past three appearances, but that's still only three home runs on the year. Even pointing out his career-worst ground-ball rate is picking the nits. He's still Mo and he still has the cutter.
Still, no closer is going to assail Jonathan Papelbon's position at the top if he keeps pitching like this. In his past ten outings, he has three baserunners. And no walks. And 11 strikeouts. Even if Craig Kimbrel has more Kimbrels, and Joel Hanrahan has more saves (and somehow avoided his third blown save of the season despite giving up the tying run Tuesday night), Papelbon carries the crown another week.


Tier 2: Rock Steady (6) (AKA: The "Roy Oswalt, 23rd round, Pick #684" Tier.)


John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers
Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Heath Bell, San Diego Padres
J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks
Andrew Bailey, Oakland Athletics

Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers

It's doubtful that there were three players better in Roy Oswalt's draft, let alone 683. Even on the tail end of his career, Oswalt has shown pinpoint control and strikeout stuff. He managed to survive in a hitter's park and put the Astros on his back for years. No wonder his back hurts now.
Andrew Bailey drops in this tier, and it's not only about the game he blew against Texas Sunday. What is worrisome is that he has five walks in his last nine outings. That might not sound so terrible, but to put this in perspective, Bailey has eight walks in 25 1/3 innings this year. He had 13 walks in 49 innings last year. He's had some arm issues, and any loss of control would have to be a red flag. Grant Balfour is the backup after Brian Fuentes burned bridges in the organization with his public comments, most likely.
On a full-year basis, Jose Valverde is still a shaky entrant into this tier. He's still walking batters at a career-high rate, and striking them out at a career-worst rate. He's also lost the nice ground-ball rate he showed last year for the first time in his career. But! He still strikes out about a batter per nine, and he hasn't blown a save all year. He could be living just enough, just enough for the city (of Detroit).


Tier 3: OK options (9) (AKA: The "Ian Kinsler, 17th round, Pick #496" />" Tier.)

Jordan Walden, Anaheim Angels
Sergio Santos, Chicago White Sox
Drew Storen, Washington Nationals
Brandon League, Seattle Mariners

Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs
Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants

Fernando Salas, St. Louis Cardinals

Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins

Ryan Madson, Philadelphia Phillies

Comment:
Maybe his low batting average scares you off in some fantasy leagues, but Ian Kinsler's blend of power, patience at speed at an infield position makes him one of baseball's best real-life players. That almost five hundred players went before him seems unbelievable, but then again it's obvious that he's worked on his ability to make contact as he's matured. Looks like scouts just never thought he could make it this far.
In a lot of ways, Jordan Walden is a better pitcher than Jose Valverde. He gets more strikeouts. He issues fewer walks. More of his contact travels along the ground. He has more velocity. He has more long-term upside, given his age and stuff. But the games are still played, and Walden just blew his eighth save, which leads the league. As long as his manager can look past his results and instead focus on the process, Walden should keep his job. But the BS often catches eyes, so Walden drops to represent this risk.
Sergio Santos had another save snatched from his fingers this week when Ozzie Guillen opted to use Chris Sale to pitch to two lefties in the ninth inning against the Royals. Again, this is a smart way to go -- platooning relievers makes the best use of their skills -- but it will cost Santos owner saves going forward. Santos cost himself a save Tuesday night, but it wasn't a blowup. He's safe for now.

Brian Wilson is in trouble. Not with the law, but something is not right. He's walking a batter more than usual and his swinging strike rate is at a career low as well. He's gotten a little unlucky on batted balls, and he still has a strong mix of whiffs and grounders, but this isn't the same Brian Wilson we had last year. He has five walks in his last five appearances and blew a save spectacularly against the Braves on Monday. His back hurts, too. With Sergio Romo on the DL, it looks like Jeremy Affeldt would be next, but it also looks like the Giants may sink or swim with Wilson anyway. If you think his walk rate is not a problem, consider that Carlos Marmol only has four more walks then Wilson… and 25 more strikeouts. That's why he moves up past Wilson despite blowing his own save Tuesday night.
Why move Fernando Salas, Joe Nathan, and Ryan Madson up in a wholesale move? Because the tiers were a little off. In an effort to keep these tiers even, we might have pushed some guys too far down. But so many things in our lives are normally distributed: meaning that they fall in a bell curve pattern. There are a few elite players, a big chunk in the middle, and then a few really bad players. Consider this the chunk in the middle. All of these closers have slight question marks that keep them from the elite, even if Salas blew a save Tuesday night. None of them are really question marks as the next tier is labeled.


Tier 4: Question marks (6) (AKA: The "Kevin Youkilis, 8th round, Pick #243" Tier.)


Leo Nunez, Florida Marlins

Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays
Kevin Gregg, Baltimore Orioles
Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds

Javy Guerra, Los Angeles Dodgers

Mark Melancon, Houston Astros

Comment:
The Greek God of Walks, Kevin Youkilis, is a great player in his own right. But the eighth round is not quite the dead zone as the double-digit rounds. Cliff Lee was also picked in this round, and high-upside players with question marks often fall this far. So, great pick Sox, but not greatest pick.
Now the tiers look a little better. These guys aren't quite roller coasters, but there are legit question marks about each. The 'king' of this tier is Leo Nunez, who just blew a save and hurt himself in the process. A comebacker nipped his pitching hand, but he stayed in the game. Really, Nunez is a strong pitcher -- he has a better than three-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio -- but he does have a gopheritis problem. Good thing he pitches in a nice home park. Mike Dunn and Edward Mujica are next on the depth chart but Nunez got right back on the horse with a save Tuesday night.
This is why the tiers needed to be changed: Closers like Kyle Farnsworth, Kevin Gregg, Francisco Cordero, Javy Guerra and Mark Melancon are flawed closers, but they are relatively safe. Call it a flashing yellow -- you'll probably proceed, but you never know when a truck is barreling towards the intersection.
Of these closers, Farnsworth and his pinpoint control this year (eight walks in 46 innings) might have the best 'true talent' but it doesn't take much more than a look at his career ratios to know that he could implode as well. If Co-Co Cordero didn't have a nice ERA and WHIP, he'd be in more trouble. He barely has a two-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio and the flamethrowing Aroldis Chapman is breathing fire down his back. The rest don't really have much behind them -- Gregg has Jim Johnson, who is starting some too, Melancon has Wilton Lopez most likely, and Guerra is just hoping Jonathan Broxton doesn't get healthy in time. The lack of competition mean they deserve a higher ranking than their talent demands.

Read more about the most volatile closer situations on the next page.

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Tier 5: Rollercoaster rides (5) (AKA: The "Ryan Howard, 5th round, Pick #141" Tier.)


1st Chair: Chris Perez, 2nd Chair: Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians
1st Chair: Neftali Feliz, 2nd Chair: Mike Adams, Texas Rangers

1st Chair: Frank Francisco, 2nd Chair: Casey Janssen, Toronto Blue Jays

1st Chair: Bobby Parnell, 2nd Chair: Jason Isringhausen, New York Mets

1st Chair: Rafael Betancourt, 2nd Chair: Rex Brothers, Colorado Rockies

Comment:
Ryan Howard is a beast, but if you take away points for his glove, position and baserunning -- as you should when thinking about him from a real-life baseball perspective -- then he's not as exciting a player. And, in the fifth round, he had the highest price here. Hopefully you didn't pay a fifth round fantasy pick on any of the closers in this tier!
Chris Perez has righted the ship somewhat with four straight scoreless outings. He struck out two in those four-plus innings, though, against one walk, so he's still not showing good ratios. We cannot forget his rough stretch, nor can we forget his bad strikeout-to-walk ratio. Maybe a nice home stretch will set him right and keep Vinnie Pestano from being a hot pickup.
Don't drop Mike Adams just yet. Neftali Feliz has been better recently, with four straight scoreless outings, but he's still walking guys (two in his last four). On the other hand, he also has five strikeouts in those four innings, so that's a better ratio then he's shown all year. His manager claims he's solid in the role, but now there are two great options behind him.
It took an appendix issue, but Frank Francisco is back in the closer's seat in Toronto. Frankie Frank has secretly been good for the last month: He's only given up one run (on a home run, yes), with 11 strikeouts against one walk in twelve appearances. He could even take the role and keep it depending on how long Jon Rauch is out.
A new closer is being minted in New York. We said here after the Francisco Rodriguez trade that it would probably be Jason Isringhausen first, as a bridge to Bobby Parnell, but that Parnell was the team's best long-term option. We even suggested that Izzy's quest for 300 saves would mark a possible transition period. We never thought the team would announce, the day after Isringhausen managed his to reach his milestone, that the team was going to move towards Parnell as the closer. No matter, here we are, and it makes a lot of sense for the team to do this. They have to look to next year, and Parnell does have the upside to be a long-term closer. He throws triple-digit gas and has an excellent slider. The problem is that both his control and command -- his ability to hit the strike zone as well as his ability to hit his spots -- are iffy. He's been better this year, though, and his current walk rate actually would be sustainable as long as he can avoid getting hit around. We know that triple-digit gas is not enough, but give me a head-case gas-thrower with iffy control over a heady pitcher trying to get by on slop and guile any day. Parnell is a must-get if there are no other closers on you wire, but it's probably unsafe to drop any other established closer for him.
Oh, and while Huston Street is out with his lat issue, the Rockies will go with Rafael Betancourt most likely. If they want to look to the future, though, Rex Brothers has been showing an excellent strikeout rate has had the Closer of the Future handle slapped on him before. I'm happy to discuss these situations on twitter any time.

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Injured

Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers (elbow)
Jon Rauch, Toronto Blue Jays (appendicitis)
Huston Street, Colorado Rockies (strained lat)

Comment:
Huston Street was put on the DL, but it was backdated. If his lat issue cooperates, he could be back in a week. Jon Rauch should also be out the minimum. Jonathan Broxton is throwing, but can he get back quick enough to even get into some minor league games before the season is over? Set his upside cap at about three saves in the final two weeks.

The Deposed:
Fernando Rodney, Los Angeles
Ryan Franklin, St. Louis
Brandon Lyon, Houston
Matt Thornton, Chicago A.L.
Vicente Padilla, Los Angeles Dodgers
Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee
David Aardsma, Seattle

We'll leave Jason Isringhausen off until Parnell saves a game or two, but our question from last week was answered with a resounding "yes."

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The Steals Department

Johnny Giavotella was our deep league recommendation last week, and he's in the midst of a two-week stretch where he's stolen four bags. Now, for our mixed league steals guy, we'll recommend his keystone partner. Alcides Escobar has no power or patience, but it's really only the patience that's a shame for those looking for steals. If he walked more, he'd have more chances to steal. No matter, he still has some batted ball luck coming his way, and he should steal another six-to-ten bases over the rest of the season. A .260 batting average is not as bad as it used to be, either. There are many worse ways to get your steals.

The biggest winner in the Delmon Young trade was Ben Revere, who gets a starting job back. Revere is another slap hitter who could walk more, but he strikes out even less than Escobar and has better batted ball luck coming his way. In fact, if position is no concern, Revere is the better bet for a .270+ batting average going forward, and more steals. It's actually surprising that he's owned in so many fewer leagues than the KC shortstop. He's a burner and has a regular job. He could be a better option than Juan Pierre, who has fewer steals in way more plate appearances and the same flaws.

 

[HacheMan]

Justin Upton lives up to expectations


Wolf! Wolf!


If that doesn't get your attention, I understand. Proverbially speaking, this boy has cried "wolf" so many times since 2007 the calls might now fall upon deaf ears. Through a little over four calendar years -- since the date of this particular player's big-league debut on Aug. 2, 2007 -- Justin Upton's critics have been the clear winners of this debate. He had not developed into an MVP candidate …


… Until now.


Through 120 games this season, Upton finds himself on pace for better-than-.300-30-100 numbers (.305-33-100, to be specific), which represent the first time he has accomplished the feat in his career. Perhaps most importantly, at least from an MVP-voting (yet non-fantasy) perspective, Upton benefits from two other things: improved defense, as he ranks second among qualified right fielders in Ultimate Zone Rating per 150 games played (UZR/150), per FanGraphs, with a 14.8 number; and that his Arizona Diamondbacks are clear playoff contenders, currently residing atop the National League West standings.


Yes, Upton, 23, has clearly arrived in this, his fourth full big league season, and his critics might yet be slow on the uptake.


Let's dig deeper into Upton's statistical improvements:


• Contact rate: His has soared this season, to a career-best 79.6 percent, ranking him in the 37th percentile among qualified hitters. From 2007-10, by comparison, Upton's contact rate was 70.5 percent, eighth-worst among the 195 players with at least 1,500 plate appearances (fourth percentile).


• Power output: Upton is on pace to set new career highs in isolated power (.256), well-hit average (.274) and fly ball rate (44.0 percent). As mentioned above, he's on track not only for a personal best in home runs (33), but doubles (45), which portends good things in the power department in future years.


• Splits balance: What was once a somewhat wide split in his numbers versus right- and left-handed pitchers -- Upton had a career OPS 95 points greater against lefties (.918) than righties (.824) entering 2011 -- has narrowed to a mere 24-point margin (.957 versus lefties, .933 righties) this season. Most notably, Upton is batting 36 points higher against righties (.314-.278). A more aggressive approach might be one reason: He has swung at 48.2 percent of pitches against right-handers, up from 41.5 a year ago, and 31.9 percent of the first pitches he sees in a plate appearance against a righty, up from 23.7.

• Road performance: Once criticized as a Chase Field product -- his career OPS was .163 points higher there (.905) than on the road (.742) entering 2011 -- Upton has made significant strides in road games recently. While his season OPS is 303 points higher at home (1.087) than on the road (.785), look at his road numbers since July 1: .244/.326/.564 rates, that .890 road OPS during that span 39 points higher than his overall career OPS (.851) and 28 points higher than his best single-season road OPS (.862, 2009). Small sample, yes, but look at where he played them: He homered three times at Petco (July 26-28) and once each at Busch Stadium (July 7-9), Dodger Stadium (July 29-31) and AT&T Park (Aug. 1-3), every one of those widely regarded a pitcher's park. That's progress.


Put them together and we're talking about a 23-year-old who has finally realized his fantasy-superstar potential, a player for whom today might represent your last chance to acquire him at a reasonable price -- that referring more to keeper than redraft leagues. Upton is now ranked sixth on the Player Rater, but his critics have been vocal enough over the years that he might still be snuck through at a trade price closer to that of a mere top-25 player overall. At that price, he would be a steal.


After all, would anyone be surprised if Upton gets drafted across the board as a first-rounder and backs up the pick with a top-five overall season?


Yes, I'm crying "wolf" again, but there's a key difference: Unlike the boy, I was never lying; Upton was always coming.


Today isn't merely your last chance to acquire Upton. Here are three others you should snatch up while you still can, ranging from redraft to keeper league values:



TOP 125 HITTERS

Note: Tristan H. Cockcroft's top 125 hitters are ranked for their expected performance from this point forward, not for statistics that have already been accrued.
<TABLE><THEAD><TR><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rnk </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player, Team <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev
Rnk </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Albert Pujols, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Braun, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Kemp, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Robinson Cano, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Miguel Cabrera, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adrian Gonzalez, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Troy Tulowitzki, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Teixeira, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joey Votto, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Curtis Granderson, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Justin Upton, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Bautista, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Prince Fielder, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dustin Pedroia, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Holliday, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Hamilton, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Howard, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andrew McCutchen, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Evan Longoria, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Gonzalez, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Wright, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Paul Konerko, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nelson Cruz, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Ortiz, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hunter Pence, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chase Utley, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Stanton, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Bourn, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ian Kinsler, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jimmy Rollins, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jay Bruce, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dan Uggla, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hanley Ramirez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Asdrubal Cabrera, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shane Victorino, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Youkilis, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Drew Stubbs, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carl Crawford, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Zimmerman, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adam Jones, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ben Zobrist, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Victor Martinez, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Rodriguez, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Young, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brian McCann, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Reyes, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Santana, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Phillips, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Starlin Castro, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Elvis Andrus, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aramis Ramirez, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Corey Hart, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Morse, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Young, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Billy Butler, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Reynolds, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Pablo Sandoval, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Quentin, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Lance Berkman, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adam Lind, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alexei Ramirez, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joe Mauer, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Gardner, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Gordon, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">J.J. Hardy, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Derek Jeter, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Desmond Jennings, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Cuddyer, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Martin Prado, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jayson Werth, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Melky Cabrera, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nick Swisher, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">B.J. Upton, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Napoli, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Freddie Freeman, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>77 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Coco Crisp, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cameron Maybin, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Angel Pagan, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Neil Walker, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeff Francoeur, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nick Markakis, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Trumbo, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Kipnis, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>97 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andre Ethier, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Eric Hosmer, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jhonny Peralta, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Joyce, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dustin Ackley, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Avila, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>104 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shin-Soo Choo, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>103 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brennan Boesch, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ichiro Suzuki, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hideki Matsui, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>95 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Juan Pierre, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>114 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Yunel Escobar, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>97 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Johnny Damon, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>101 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Willingham, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>108 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Torii Hunter, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>110 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jesus Guzman, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>117 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>101 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Lawrie, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>113 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>102 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Roberts, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>120 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>103 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Beltran, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>104 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Miguel Montero, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>105 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Colby Rasmus, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>102 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>106 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adrian Beltre, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>112 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>107 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Danny Espinosa, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>108 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Seth Smith, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>118 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>109 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Delmon Young, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>115 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>110 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Howard Kendrick, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>111 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Carp, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>112 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Constanza, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>113 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Bourgeois, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>105 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>114 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Kubel, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>109 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>115 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Bay, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>121 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>116 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Casey McGehee, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>122 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>117 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kelly Johnson, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>118 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jemile Weeks, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>111 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>119 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Rios, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>119 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>120 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Freese, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>125 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>121 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Garrett Jones, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>122 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle Blanks, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>123 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vernon Wells, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>107 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>124 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Pena, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>125 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Todd Helton, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Cameron Maybin, San Diego Padres: The cries in defense of Maybin might not have been anywhere near as strong as those for Upton, but the argument is similarly legitimate, just on a much smaller scale. Now in his fifth big league season, Maybin, 24, is on pace for a .274 batting average, 85 runs scored and 41 stolen bases, every one of those easily representing a career high. Like Upton, Maybin has elevated his contact rate, from 68.6 percent from 2007-10 to 76.6 percent this season, not to mention has put forth a .219 well-hit average and 16.8 percent line-drive rate since June 1 (up from .169 and 13.0 in April-May) that makes it look as if all he needed was a team patient enough to grant him the at-bats to get settled at this level. Most notably, Maybin is a .316/.369/.484 hitter in his road games this season, with counting numbers that would project to 18 homers, 77 RBIs and 133 runs scored if granted a full 162 games away from Petco. The Padres still have 18 road games, including seven at Arizona's Chase Field and three at Colorado's Coors Field, so at the bare minimum he would be an excellent fantasy play in those series. From a keeper angle, he's certainly underrated.


Kyle Blanks, Padres: As Maybin is already spoken for in practically every ESPN league -- the words above are advice to target him in trade -- why not take another readily available teammate? Blanks, whose career has been sidetracked by July 30, 2010, Tommy John surgery, has shown glimpses of his awesome, Mike Stanton-esque power potential since his healthy return. After belting 11 homers with a .351 batting average in 35 games for Triple-A Tucson, Blanks has managed three homers and a .197 isolated power in his first 24 games for the Padres. The memory of his terrible 2010 might remain fresh enough for some fantasy owners, which explains his minuscule 4.3 percent ESPN ownership, but at the bare minimum he would be a matchups play down the stretch, in the Maybin mold but on a lesser scale. In an NL-only league, if you can carry him over at a discount rate, Blanks, a probable regular for the 2012 Padres, might be a sneaky keeper option.


Mike Stanton, Florida Marlins: Speaking of Stanton, he's also a franchise keeper league player who might be attainable at a relative discount … and that even applies to those of you in redraft leagues. How is it that full-season paces of 37 homers and 98 RBIs can be considered a "disappointing" year? Consider this: Per Baseball-Reference.com's P-I (play index) tool, only six players in baseball history hit more homers in their second seasons, and only four had at least as many at 21 or younger: Eddie Mathews, Mel Ott, Frank Robinson and Albert Pujols, three of them Hall of Famers and Pujols a lock once he retires. It's for that reason Dan Szymborski, in his Who's next to 600 home runs? column, projected Stanton the third-most-likely current major leaguer to reach the plateau (among those who haven't already), despite Stanton being only 8 percent of the way there. High praise, and definitely worthy of the high price in trade.


Three up



Melky Cabrera, Kansas City Royals: The Royals were widely criticized for two outfielders they signed within 24 hours of one another last December -- Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur -- and now, almost exactly three-quarters of the way through the season (75.2 percent, to be exact), both signings look like home runs for oft-questioned general manager Dayton Moore. But if I'm picking which of the two is more likely to keep it up through the final quarter -- who is "Bona Fee-day," if you will -- it's Cabrera. His improvements are unmistakable: He's fitter, more focused and more aggressive -- at the plate and on the basepaths. To those who believe he's a total fluke -- myself included earlier in the year -- consider that he's a .366/.382/.569 hitter in 31 games since the All-Star break, meaning he has actually improved of late. He's locked in as the Royals' everyday center fielder and No. 2 hitter, the latter a role sure to boost his counting numbers (runs, RBIs and steals). Enjoy this, because there isn't a sign he's about to cool anytime soon.


Mike Carp, Seattle Mariners: As with Cabrera, opportunity often makes all the difference for certain players, and in the case of the Mariners, there are plenty of opportunities for youngsters in the outfield and at designated hitter these days. Casper Wells, who has home runs in four consecutive games at Safeco Field, is one such Mariners hitter, but Carp's progress extends a little further back and is a little more relevant for our purposes. He has started each of the Mariners' past 23 games and finished all but one of them, and managed .374/.412/.637 rates -- including six home runs and 26 RBIs during that span. Look at some of the competition he faced: Red Sox (two series), Yankees, Rays, Angels and Rangers. Twelve of those games were at Safeco. Call it a flash in the pan if you want -- and some regression, of course, needs be expected -- but this is a 25-year-old who managed .282/.365/.520 rates in 286 Triple-A contests from 2009-11, meaning there's some legitimacy to his production. AL-only owners should have Carp active across the board, and he's even useful in shallow-mixed leagues right now.


Jose Constanza, Atlanta Braves: He's the sneaky inclusion in my top 125 rankings, and it's from the angle that if I'm pro-Jason Bourgeois, doesn't it then follow that I'd be pro-Constanza? Compare their minor league track records: Bourgeois had .296/.348/.405 career rates, a 12.5 percent strikeout rate and 6.5 percent walk rate in 504 Triple-A games, averaging 37 steals per 162 games played; Constanza had .316/.368/.374 career rates, a 12.9 percent K rate and 7.4 percent walk rate in 199 Triple-A games, averaging 46 steals per 162 attempts. Both had a "minor league journeyman" label, though Constanza is one year, eight months younger. He's with the better offensive team of the two, but also the No. 8 hitter, whereas Bourgeois is primarily the leadoff man (meaning a few additional at-bats and more favorable opportunities to run). In no way should you expect Constanza to continue homering at his 2-in-17 games current pace, but there's no doubt he can help you in stolen bases and runs scored, while offering a respectable batting average. He's a must-own in NL-only, and meaningful in mixed, too.


Three down



Andre Ethier, Los Angeles Dodgers: His midsummer struggles, historically speaking, are mind-boggling. Ethier is a .243/.319/.318 hitter in 29 games since the All-Star break, and since the day he snapped his 30-game hit streak in May, he has batted only .260/.338/.386 with a 23.2 percent strikeout rate. It isn't the first time this has happened; from his first 68 games after returning from a broken finger last July (conveniently taking him through Aug. 20), he was a .256/.320/.397 hitter with a 21.0 percent K rate. Injuries can be blamed for last summer's swoon, and perhaps they might explain this year's, too, as he dealt with a sore left elbow in May, then compounded the problem when he hurt his right elbow, his back and his big toe in a crash with the wall in a May 21 game. If true, hand it to Ethier for playing through pain, but at the same time his fantasy owners must recognize the adverse impact on his stats. He's so much more name than true value.


Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals: Another thing fantasy owners can't do is forgive rookies for their struggles, because while most of us understand the lengthy learning curve many face, the fact remains that these kids' poor numbers during their adjustment periods have a catastrophic effect on our teams. Such is the case with Moustakas, who has a mere six hits in 13 games in August, .128/.163/.128 rates in the month and zero extra-base hits, whiffing 13 times in 47 at-bats (27.7 percent K rate). Kudos to the Royals for being patient with the 22-year-old, who at times in the minors struggled to quickly adjust -- look at his 2009 Class A stat line as an example -- but fantasy owners can't afford the same. At this point, redraft owners might find zero value in Moustakas the rest of the year; the hope for his keeper leagues is that he makes the necessary adjustments in the spring.


Gaby Sanchez, Florida Marlins: One of the hottest hitters of the first two months of the season -- he ranked 11th in batting average (.322) among those with 150-plus plate appearances and 19th in RBIs (35) -- Sanchez's bat has cooled considerably since. He regressed to the level of mere mixed-league corner infielder/NL-only option in June and July, turning in so-so .250-7-23 numbers in 52 games, and in August has slipped to .122/.200/.143 rates in 14 games. As has always been true in his big league career, he remains more of a lefty masher (.315/.391/.526 lifetime rates against them) who has ordinary stats against righties (.257/.328/.420). The latter numbers are league-average at best from a first baseman, meaning Sanchez's matchups, on a daily and weekly basis, need be carefully considered from this point forward.


New position eligibility



The following players have become eligible at new positions -- it's 10 games to qualify at a new spot -- in ESPN standard leagues during the past week: Alfredo Amezaga (2B), Mike Aviles (SS), Eric Hinske (1B), Brett Lawrie (3B), Brent Lillibridge (1B), Eduardo Nunez (2B), Jimmy Paredes (3B).

 

[HacheMan]

Justin Upton lives up to expectations


Wolf! Wolf!


If that doesn't get your attention, I understand. Proverbially speaking, this boy has cried "wolf" so many times since 2007 the calls might now fall upon deaf ears. Through a little over four calendar years -- since the date of this particular player's big-league debut on Aug. 2, 2007 -- Justin Upton's critics have been the clear winners of this debate. He had not developed into an MVP candidate …


… Until now.


Through 120 games this season, Upton finds himself on pace for better-than-.300-30-100 numbers (.305-33-100, to be specific), which represent the first time he has accomplished the feat in his career. Perhaps most importantly, at least from an MVP-voting (yet non-fantasy) perspective, Upton benefits from two other things: improved defense, as he ranks second among qualified right fielders in Ultimate Zone Rating per 150 games played (UZR/150), per FanGraphs, with a 14.8 number; and that his Arizona Diamondbacks are clear playoff contenders, currently residing atop the National League West standings.


Yes, Upton, 23, has clearly arrived in this, his fourth full big league season, and his critics might yet be slow on the uptake.


Let's dig deeper into Upton's statistical improvements:


• Contact rate: His has soared this season, to a career-best 79.6 percent, ranking him in the 37th percentile among qualified hitters. From 2007-10, by comparison, Upton's contact rate was 70.5 percent, eighth-worst among the 195 players with at least 1,500 plate appearances (fourth percentile).


• Power output: Upton is on pace to set new career highs in isolated power (.256), well-hit average (.274) and fly ball rate (44.0 percent). As mentioned above, he's on track not only for a personal best in home runs (33), but doubles (45), which portends good things in the power department in future years.


• Splits balance: What was once a somewhat wide split in his numbers versus right- and left-handed pitchers -- Upton had a career OPS 95 points greater against lefties (.918) than righties (.824) entering 2011 -- has narrowed to a mere 24-point margin (.957 versus lefties, .933 righties) this season. Most notably, Upton is batting 36 points higher against righties (.314-.278). A more aggressive approach might be one reason: He has swung at 48.2 percent of pitches against right-handers, up from 41.5 a year ago, and 31.9 percent of the first pitches he sees in a plate appearance against a righty, up from 23.7.

• Road performance: Once criticized as a Chase Field product -- his career OPS was .163 points higher there (.905) than on the road (.742) entering 2011 -- Upton has made significant strides in road games recently. While his season OPS is 303 points higher at home (1.087) than on the road (.785), look at his road numbers since July 1: .244/.326/.564 rates, that .890 road OPS during that span 39 points higher than his overall career OPS (.851) and 28 points higher than his best single-season road OPS (.862, 2009). Small sample, yes, but look at where he played them: He homered three times at Petco (July 26-28) and once each at Busch Stadium (July 7-9), Dodger Stadium (July 29-31) and AT&T Park (Aug. 1-3), every one of those widely regarded a pitcher's park. That's progress.


Put them together and we're talking about a 23-year-old who has finally realized his fantasy-superstar potential, a player for whom today might represent your last chance to acquire him at a reasonable price -- that referring more to keeper than redraft leagues. Upton is now ranked sixth on the Player Rater, but his critics have been vocal enough over the years that he might still be snuck through at a trade price closer to that of a mere top-25 player overall. At that price, he would be a steal.


After all, would anyone be surprised if Upton gets drafted across the board as a first-rounder and backs up the pick with a top-five overall season?


Yes, I'm crying "wolf" again, but there's a key difference: Unlike the boy, I was never lying; Upton was always coming.


Today isn't merely your last chance to acquire Upton. Here are three others you should snatch up while you still can, ranging from redraft to keeper league values:



TOP 125 HITTERS

Note: Tristan H. Cockcroft's top 125 hitters are ranked for their expected performance from this point forward, not for statistics that have already been accrued.
<TABLE><THEAD><TR><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rnk </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player, Team <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev
Rnk </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Albert Pujols, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Braun, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Kemp, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Robinson Cano, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Miguel Cabrera, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adrian Gonzalez, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Troy Tulowitzki, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Teixeira, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joey Votto, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Curtis Granderson, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Justin Upton, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Bautista, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Prince Fielder, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dustin Pedroia, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Holliday, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Hamilton, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Howard, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andrew McCutchen, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Evan Longoria, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Gonzalez, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Wright, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Paul Konerko, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nelson Cruz, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Ortiz, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hunter Pence, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chase Utley, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Stanton, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Bourn, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ian Kinsler, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jimmy Rollins, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jay Bruce, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dan Uggla, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hanley Ramirez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Asdrubal Cabrera, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shane Victorino, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Youkilis, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Drew Stubbs, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carl Crawford, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Zimmerman, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adam Jones, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ben Zobrist, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Victor Martinez, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Rodriguez, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Young, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brian McCann, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Reyes, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Santana, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Phillips, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Starlin Castro, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Elvis Andrus, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aramis Ramirez, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Corey Hart, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Morse, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Young, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Billy Butler, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Reynolds, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Pablo Sandoval, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Quentin, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Lance Berkman, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adam Lind, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alexei Ramirez, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joe Mauer, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Gardner, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Gordon, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">J.J. Hardy, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Derek Jeter, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Desmond Jennings, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Cuddyer, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Martin Prado, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jayson Werth, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Melky Cabrera, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nick Swisher, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">B.J. Upton, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Napoli, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Freddie Freeman, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>77 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Coco Crisp, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cameron Maybin, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Angel Pagan, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Neil Walker, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeff Francoeur, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nick Markakis, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Trumbo, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Kipnis, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>97 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andre Ethier, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Eric Hosmer, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jhonny Peralta, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Joyce, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dustin Ackley, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Avila, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>104 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shin-Soo Choo, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>103 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brennan Boesch, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ichiro Suzuki, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hideki Matsui, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>95 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Juan Pierre, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>114 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Yunel Escobar, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>97 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Johnny Damon, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>101 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Willingham, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>108 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Torii Hunter, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>110 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jesus Guzman, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>117 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>101 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Lawrie, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>113 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>102 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Roberts, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>120 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>103 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Beltran, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>104 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Miguel Montero, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>105 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Colby Rasmus, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>102 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>106 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adrian Beltre, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>112 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>107 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Danny Espinosa, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>108 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Seth Smith, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>118 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>109 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Delmon Young, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>115 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>110 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Howard Kendrick, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>111 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Carp, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>112 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Constanza, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>113 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Bourgeois, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>105 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>114 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Kubel, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>109 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>115 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Bay, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>121 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>116 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Casey McGehee, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>122 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>117 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kelly Johnson, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>118 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jemile Weeks, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>111 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>119 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Rios, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>119 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>120 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Freese, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>125 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>121 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Garrett Jones, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>122 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle Blanks, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>123 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vernon Wells, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>107 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>124 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Pena, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>125 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Todd Helton, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Cameron Maybin, San Diego Padres: The cries in defense of Maybin might not have been anywhere near as strong as those for Upton, but the argument is similarly legitimate, just on a much smaller scale. Now in his fifth big league season, Maybin, 24, is on pace for a .274 batting average, 85 runs scored and 41 stolen bases, every one of those easily representing a career high. Like Upton, Maybin has elevated his contact rate, from 68.6 percent from 2007-10 to 76.6 percent this season, not to mention has put forth a .219 well-hit average and 16.8 percent line-drive rate since June 1 (up from .169 and 13.0 in April-May) that makes it look as if all he needed was a team patient enough to grant him the at-bats to get settled at this level. Most notably, Maybin is a .316/.369/.484 hitter in his road games this season, with counting numbers that would project to 18 homers, 77 RBIs and 133 runs scored if granted a full 162 games away from Petco. The Padres still have 18 road games, including seven at Arizona's Chase Field and three at Colorado's Coors Field, so at the bare minimum he would be an excellent fantasy play in those series. From a keeper angle, he's certainly underrated.


Kyle Blanks, Padres: As Maybin is already spoken for in practically every ESPN league -- the words above are advice to target him in trade -- why not take another readily available teammate? Blanks, whose career has been sidetracked by July 30, 2010, Tommy John surgery, has shown glimpses of his awesome, Mike Stanton-esque power potential since his healthy return. After belting 11 homers with a .351 batting average in 35 games for Triple-A Tucson, Blanks has managed three homers and a .197 isolated power in his first 24 games for the Padres. The memory of his terrible 2010 might remain fresh enough for some fantasy owners, which explains his minuscule 4.3 percent ESPN ownership, but at the bare minimum he would be a matchups play down the stretch, in the Maybin mold but on a lesser scale. In an NL-only league, if you can carry him over at a discount rate, Blanks, a probable regular for the 2012 Padres, might be a sneaky keeper option.


Mike Stanton, Florida Marlins: Speaking of Stanton, he's also a franchise keeper league player who might be attainable at a relative discount … and that even applies to those of you in redraft leagues. How is it that full-season paces of 37 homers and 98 RBIs can be considered a "disappointing" year? Consider this: Per Baseball-Reference.com's P-I (play index) tool, only six players in baseball history hit more homers in their second seasons, and only four had at least as many at 21 or younger: Eddie Mathews, Mel Ott, Frank Robinson and Albert Pujols, three of them Hall of Famers and Pujols a lock once he retires. It's for that reason Dan Szymborski, in his Who's next to 600 home runs? column, projected Stanton the third-most-likely current major leaguer to reach the plateau (among those who haven't already), despite Stanton being only 8 percent of the way there. High praise, and definitely worthy of the high price in trade.


Three up



Melky Cabrera, Kansas City Royals: The Royals were widely criticized for two outfielders they signed within 24 hours of one another last December -- Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur -- and now, almost exactly three-quarters of the way through the season (75.2 percent, to be exact), both signings look like home runs for oft-questioned general manager Dayton Moore. But if I'm picking which of the two is more likely to keep it up through the final quarter -- who is "Bona Fee-day," if you will -- it's Cabrera. His improvements are unmistakable: He's fitter, more focused and more aggressive -- at the plate and on the basepaths. To those who believe he's a total fluke -- myself included earlier in the year -- consider that he's a .366/.382/.569 hitter in 31 games since the All-Star break, meaning he has actually improved of late. He's locked in as the Royals' everyday center fielder and No. 2 hitter, the latter a role sure to boost his counting numbers (runs, RBIs and steals). Enjoy this, because there isn't a sign he's about to cool anytime soon.


Mike Carp, Seattle Mariners: As with Cabrera, opportunity often makes all the difference for certain players, and in the case of the Mariners, there are plenty of opportunities for youngsters in the outfield and at designated hitter these days. Casper Wells, who has home runs in four consecutive games at Safeco Field, is one such Mariners hitter, but Carp's progress extends a little further back and is a little more relevant for our purposes. He has started each of the Mariners' past 23 games and finished all but one of them, and managed .374/.412/.637 rates -- including six home runs and 26 RBIs during that span. Look at some of the competition he faced: Red Sox (two series), Yankees, Rays, Angels and Rangers. Twelve of those games were at Safeco. Call it a flash in the pan if you want -- and some regression, of course, needs be expected -- but this is a 25-year-old who managed .282/.365/.520 rates in 286 Triple-A contests from 2009-11, meaning there's some legitimacy to his production. AL-only owners should have Carp active across the board, and he's even useful in shallow-mixed leagues right now.


Jose Constanza, Atlanta Braves: He's the sneaky inclusion in my top 125 rankings, and it's from the angle that if I'm pro-Jason Bourgeois, doesn't it then follow that I'd be pro-Constanza? Compare their minor league track records: Bourgeois had .296/.348/.405 career rates, a 12.5 percent strikeout rate and 6.5 percent walk rate in 504 Triple-A games, averaging 37 steals per 162 games played; Constanza had .316/.368/.374 career rates, a 12.9 percent K rate and 7.4 percent walk rate in 199 Triple-A games, averaging 46 steals per 162 attempts. Both had a "minor league journeyman" label, though Constanza is one year, eight months younger. He's with the better offensive team of the two, but also the No. 8 hitter, whereas Bourgeois is primarily the leadoff man (meaning a few additional at-bats and more favorable opportunities to run). In no way should you expect Constanza to continue homering at his 2-in-17 games current pace, but there's no doubt he can help you in stolen bases and runs scored, while offering a respectable batting average. He's a must-own in NL-only, and meaningful in mixed, too.


Three down



Andre Ethier, Los Angeles Dodgers: His midsummer struggles, historically speaking, are mind-boggling. Ethier is a .243/.319/.318 hitter in 29 games since the All-Star break, and since the day he snapped his 30-game hit streak in May, he has batted only .260/.338/.386 with a 23.2 percent strikeout rate. It isn't the first time this has happened; from his first 68 games after returning from a broken finger last July (conveniently taking him through Aug. 20), he was a .256/.320/.397 hitter with a 21.0 percent K rate. Injuries can be blamed for last summer's swoon, and perhaps they might explain this year's, too, as he dealt with a sore left elbow in May, then compounded the problem when he hurt his right elbow, his back and his big toe in a crash with the wall in a May 21 game. If true, hand it to Ethier for playing through pain, but at the same time his fantasy owners must recognize the adverse impact on his stats. He's so much more name than true value.


Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals: Another thing fantasy owners can't do is forgive rookies for their struggles, because while most of us understand the lengthy learning curve many face, the fact remains that these kids' poor numbers during their adjustment periods have a catastrophic effect on our teams. Such is the case with Moustakas, who has a mere six hits in 13 games in August, .128/.163/.128 rates in the month and zero extra-base hits, whiffing 13 times in 47 at-bats (27.7 percent K rate). Kudos to the Royals for being patient with the 22-year-old, who at times in the minors struggled to quickly adjust -- look at his 2009 Class A stat line as an example -- but fantasy owners can't afford the same. At this point, redraft owners might find zero value in Moustakas the rest of the year; the hope for his keeper leagues is that he makes the necessary adjustments in the spring.


Gaby Sanchez, Florida Marlins: One of the hottest hitters of the first two months of the season -- he ranked 11th in batting average (.322) among those with 150-plus plate appearances and 19th in RBIs (35) -- Sanchez's bat has cooled considerably since. He regressed to the level of mere mixed-league corner infielder/NL-only option in June and July, turning in so-so .250-7-23 numbers in 52 games, and in August has slipped to .122/.200/.143 rates in 14 games. As has always been true in his big league career, he remains more of a lefty masher (.315/.391/.526 lifetime rates against them) who has ordinary stats against righties (.257/.328/.420). The latter numbers are league-average at best from a first baseman, meaning Sanchez's matchups, on a daily and weekly basis, need be carefully considered from this point forward.


New position eligibility



The following players have become eligible at new positions -- it's 10 games to qualify at a new spot -- in ESPN standard leagues during the past week: Alfredo Amezaga (2B), Mike Aviles (SS), Eric Hinske (1B), Brett Lawrie (3B), Brent Lillibridge (1B), Eduardo Nunez (2B), Jimmy Paredes (3B).

 

[HacheMan]

Jose Tabata returns, offers speed

Eric Karabell

• Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jose Tabata returned from the disabled list Tuesday with a single in four at-bats and a walk. Tabata, owned in 18.6 percent of ESPN standard leagues, missed six weeks with a quad injury. He has been disappointing this season, notably with his .265 batting average, but he's a source of stolen bases.


<OFFER>• San Francisco Giants left-hander Jonathan Sanchez left in the third inning Tuesday with a sprained ankle, and he's unlikely to make his next start. It's best to let go of Sanchez, owned in 54.2 percent of leagues but struggling since returning from the minor leagues two weeks ago, because this hasn't been 2010 for him, and now he's hurt.

• Meanwhile, Atlanta Braves right-hander Randall Delgado, making his second big league start Tuesday, held those Giants hitless into the seventh inning before Cody Ross homered. Delgado, 21, was sent back to the minors after the game, but remember the name in 2012. Also, remember the Giants can't hit, so enjoy most starting pitchers against them.
• Detroit Tigers outfielder Delmon Young hit two singles and scored a run in his second game with his new team Tuesday, hitting third in the lineup, despite the Minnesota Twins starting a right-handed pitcher. Young is hitting .271 on the season, and if he keeps batting ahead of Miguel Cabrera, it should keep getting better.
• Cincinnati Reds first baseman Yonder Alonso stroked a pair of singles in four at-bats Tuesday, lifting his batting average to .435 in 23 at-bats. Alonso, playing left field because the Reds have Joey Votto at first base, can surely hit, but playing time has been less assured. If Dusty Baker plays him, Alonso can help a fantasy team.
• San Diego Padres left-hander Cory Luebke threw six innings of three-hit, one-run ball Tuesday, lowering his ERA to 2.99, and his WHIP to 0.99. Luebke also boasts 104 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings, and those using the rookie only in home starts should know he's been far better on the road (2.12 ERA). Add Luebke for all starts.

 

[HacheMan]

Jose Tabata returns, offers speed

Eric Karabell

• Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jose Tabata returned from the disabled list Tuesday with a single in four at-bats and a walk. Tabata, owned in 18.6 percent of ESPN standard leagues, missed six weeks with a quad injury. He has been disappointing this season, notably with his .265 batting average, but he's a source of stolen bases.


<OFFER>• San Francisco Giants left-hander Jonathan Sanchez left in the third inning Tuesday with a sprained ankle, and he's unlikely to make his next start. It's best to let go of Sanchez, owned in 54.2 percent of leagues but struggling since returning from the minor leagues two weeks ago, because this hasn't been 2010 for him, and now he's hurt.

• Meanwhile, Atlanta Braves right-hander Randall Delgado, making his second big league start Tuesday, held those Giants hitless into the seventh inning before Cody Ross homered. Delgado, 21, was sent back to the minors after the game, but remember the name in 2012. Also, remember the Giants can't hit, so enjoy most starting pitchers against them.
• Detroit Tigers outfielder Delmon Young hit two singles and scored a run in his second game with his new team Tuesday, hitting third in the lineup, despite the Minnesota Twins starting a right-handed pitcher. Young is hitting .271 on the season, and if he keeps batting ahead of Miguel Cabrera, it should keep getting better.
• Cincinnati Reds first baseman Yonder Alonso stroked a pair of singles in four at-bats Tuesday, lifting his batting average to .435 in 23 at-bats. Alonso, playing left field because the Reds have Joey Votto at first base, can surely hit, but playing time has been less assured. If Dusty Baker plays him, Alonso can help a fantasy team.
• San Diego Padres left-hander Cory Luebke threw six innings of three-hit, one-run ball Tuesday, lowering his ERA to 2.99, and his WHIP to 0.99. Luebke also boasts 104 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings, and those using the rookie only in home starts should know he's been far better on the road (2.12 ERA). Add Luebke for all starts.

 

[HacheMan]

Top 250 Keeper Rankings
This year's final set of Strike Zone player rankings focuses strictly on 2012 and beyond. I'm looking mostly at the next two years in these keeper rankings, though I am providing a little credit for 2014 and '15. As always, there are position rankings with notes and an overall top 250 list.

Click to see other Keeper rankings:
Top 250 | SP | RP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C | DH

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Team</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1 </TD><TD>Ryan Braun </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>2 </TD><TD>Matt Kemp </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3 </TD><TD>Albert Pujols </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>4 </TD><TD>Jose Bautista </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5 </TD><TD>Adrian Gonzalez </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>6 </TD><TD>Troy Tulowitzki </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7 </TD><TD>Joey Votto </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>8 </TD><TD>Miguel Cabrera </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9 </TD><TD>Jacoby Ellsbury </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>10 </TD><TD>Hanley Ramirez </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11 </TD><TD>Justin Upton </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>12 </TD><TD>Robinson Cano </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13 </TD><TD>Carlos Gonzalez </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>14 </TD><TD>Evan Longoria </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15 </TD><TD>Jose Reyes </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>16 </TD><TD>Roy Halladay </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17 </TD><TD>Andrew McCutchen </TD><TD>Pirates </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>18 </TD><TD>David Wright </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19 </TD><TD>Felix Hernandez </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>20 </TD><TD>Carl Crawford </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21 </TD><TD>Prince Fielder </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>22 </TD><TD>Clayton Kershaw </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23 </TD><TD>Dustin Pedroia </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>24 </TD><TD>Tim Lincecum </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25 </TD><TD>Matt Holliday </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>26 </TD><TD>Ryan Zimmerman </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27 </TD><TD>Mark Teixeira </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>28 </TD><TD>Chase Utley </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29 </TD><TD>Buster Posey </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>30 </TD><TD>Elvis Andrus </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31 </TD><TD>Curtis Granderson </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>32 </TD><TD>Alex Rodriguez </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33 </TD><TD>Mike Stanton </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>34 </TD><TD>Justin Verlander </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35 </TD><TD>Ryan Howard </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>36 </TD><TD>Ian Kinsler </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37 </TD><TD>Josh Hamilton </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>38 </TD><TD>Jason Heyward </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39 </TD><TD>Jon Lester </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>40 </TD><TD>Brian McCann </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41 </TD><TD>Rickie Weeks </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>42 </TD><TD>Michael Bourn </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43 </TD><TD>CC Sabathia </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>44 </TD><TD>Joe Mauer </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45 </TD><TD>Hunter Pence </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>46 </TD><TD>Drew Stubbs </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47 </TD><TD>Jered Weaver </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>48 </TD><TD>Carlos Santana </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49 </TD><TD>Adam Jones </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>50 </TD><TD>David Price </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51 </TD><TD>Nelson Cruz </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>52 </TD><TD>Desmond Jennings </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53 </TD><TD>Cliff Lee </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>54 </TD><TD>Dustin Ackley </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55 </TD><TD>Shin-Soo Choo </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>56 </TD><TD>Tommy Hanson </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57 </TD><TD>Asdrubal Cabrera </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>58 </TD><TD>Jay Bruce </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59 </TD><TD>Cole Hamels </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>60 </TD><TD>Pablo Sandoval </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>61 </TD><TD>Matt Cain </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>62 </TD><TD>B.J. Upton </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>63 </TD><TD>Craig Kimbrel </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>64 </TD><TD>Stephen Strasburg </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>65 </TD><TD>Victor Martinez </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>66 </TD><TD>Starlin Castro </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>67 </TD><TD>Eric Hosmer </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>68 </TD><TD>Madison Bumgarner </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>69 </TD><TD>Chris Young </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>70 </TD><TD>Colby Rasmus </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>71 </TD><TD>Jimmy Rollins </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>72 </TD><TD>Zack Greinke </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>73 </TD><TD>Jonathan Papelbon </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>74 </TD><TD>Brett Gardner </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>75 </TD><TD>Adrian Beltre </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>76 </TD><TD>Yovani Gallardo </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>77 </TD><TD>Ben Zobrist </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>78 </TD><TD>Andre Ethier </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>79 </TD><TD>Brian Wilson </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>80 </TD><TD>Dan Haren </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>81 </TD><TD>Josh Beckett </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>82 </TD><TD>Freddie Freeman </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>83 </TD><TD>Kevin Youkilis </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>84 </TD><TD>Michael Pineda </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>85 </TD><TD>Shane Victorino </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>86 </TD><TD>Mat Latos </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>87 </TD><TD>Brett Lawrie </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>88 </TD><TD>Mariano Rivera </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>89 </TD><TD>Billy Butler </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>90 </TD><TD>Stephen Drew </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>91 </TD><TD>Jordan Zimmermann </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>92 </TD><TD>Alex Gordon </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>93 </TD><TD>Jeremy Hellickson </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>94 </TD><TD>Brandon Phillips </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>95 </TD><TD>Jordan Walden </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>96 </TD><TD>Nick Markakis </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>97 </TD><TD>Shaun Marcum </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>98 </TD><TD>David Ortiz </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>99 </TD><TD>Aramis Ramirez </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>100 </TD><TD>Jayson Werth </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>101 </TD><TD>Alexei Ramirez </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>102 </TD><TD>Heath Bell </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>103 </TD><TD>Gio Gonzalez </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>104 </TD><TD>Adam Lind </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>105 </TD><TD>Corey Hart </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>106 </TD><TD>Josh Johnson </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>107 </TD><TD>Dan Uggla </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>108 </TD><TD>Cameron Maybin </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>109 </TD><TD>Michael Young </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>110 </TD><TD>Jaime Garcia </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>111 </TD><TD>Ricky Romero </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>112 </TD><TD>Logan Morrison </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>113 </TD><TD>Neftali Feliz </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>114 </TD><TD>Paul Konerko </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>115 </TD><TD>Ubaldo Jimenez </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>116 </TD><TD>Jason Kipnis </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>117 </TD><TD>Andrew Bailey </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>118 </TD><TD>Yunel Escobar </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>119 </TD><TD>Adam Dunn </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>120 </TD><TD>Drew Storen </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>121 </TD><TD>Ian Kennedy </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>122 </TD><TD>Carlos Marmol </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>123 </TD><TD>Alex Rios </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>124 </TD><TD>Miguel Montero </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>125 </TD><TD>Ryan Madson </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>126 </TD><TD>Mike Morse </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>127 </TD><TD>James Shields </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>128 </TD><TD>Joakim Soria </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>129 </TD><TD>Joel Hanrahan </TD><TD>Pirates </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>130 </TD><TD>Carlos Beltran </TD><TD>Giants </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>131 </TD><TD>Matt Garza </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>132 </TD><TD>Erick Aybar </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>133 </TD><TD>John Axford </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>134 </TD><TD>Daniel Hudson </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>135 </TD><TD>Howie Kendrick </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>136 </TD><TD>Mike Trout </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>137 </TD><TD>Chase Headley </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>138 </TD><TD>Jose Valverde </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>139 </TD><TD>Tim Hudson </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>140 </TD><TD>Neil Walker </TD><TD>Pirates </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>141 </TD><TD>Ichiro Suzuki </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>142 </TD><TD>Sergio Santos </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>143 </TD><TD>Johnny Cueto </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>144 </TD><TD>Austin Jackson </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>145 </TD><TD>Mark Reynolds </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>146 </TD><TD>C.J. Wilson </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>147 </TD><TD>Ike Davis </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>148 </TD><TD>Francisco Rodriguez </TD><TD>Brewers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>149 </TD><TD>Carlos Quentin </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>150 </TD><TD>Danny Espinosa </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>151 </TD><TD>Adam Wainwright </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>152 </TD><TD>Jhonny Peralta </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>153 </TD><TD>Justin Morneau </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>154 </TD><TD>Chris Carpenter </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>155 </TD><TD>Jhoulys Chacin </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>156 </TD><TD>Aroldis Chapman </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>157 </TD><TD>Jose Tabata </TD><TD>Pirates </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>158 </TD><TD>J.J. Hardy </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>159 </TD><TD>Trevor Cahill </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>160 </TD><TD>Pedro Alvarez </TD><TD>Pirates </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>161 </TD><TD>Chris Perez </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>162 </TD><TD>Jemile Weeks </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>163 </TD><TD>Geovany Soto </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>164 </TD><TD>Chad Billingsley </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>165 </TD><TD>Martin Prado </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>166 </TD><TD>Lance Berkman </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>167 </TD><TD>Francisco Cordero </TD><TD>Reds </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>168 </TD><TD>Brian Roberts </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>169 </TD><TD>Nick Swisher </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>170 </TD><TD>Cory Luebke </TD><TD>Padres </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>171 </TD><TD>Max Scherzer </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>172 </TD><TD>Jed Lowrie </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>173 </TD><TD>Clay Buchholz </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>174 </TD><TD>Huston Street </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>175 </TD><TD>Denard Span </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>176 </TD><TD>Mike Moustakas </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>177 </TD><TD>Matt Wieters </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>178 </TD><TD>John Danks </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>179 </TD><TD>Coco Crisp </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>180 </TD><TD>Ricky Nolasco </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>181 </TD><TD>Gordon Beckham </TD><TD>White Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>182 </TD><TD>Domonic Brown </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>183 </TD><TD>J.J. Putz </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>184 </TD><TD>Anibal Sanchez </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>185 </TD><TD>Alex Avila </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>186 </TD><TD>Brandon Beachy </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>187 </TD><TD>Peter Bourjos </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>188 </TD><TD>Mark Melancon </TD><TD>Astros </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>189 </TD><TD>Jarrod Saltalamacchia </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>190 </TD><TD>Matt Moore </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>191 </TD><TD>Vernon Wells </TD><TD>Rays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>192 </TD><TD>Jose Altuve </TD><TD>Astros </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>193 </TD><TD>Leo Nunez </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>194 </TD><TD>Derek Jeter </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>195 </TD><TD>Brandon Morrow </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>196 </TD><TD>Mike Napoli </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>197 </TD><TD>Ian Desmond </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>198 </TD><TD>Ervin Santana </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>199 </TD><TD>Michael Cuddyer </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>200 </TD><TD>Matt Joyce </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>201 </TD><TD>Gaby Sanchez </TD><TD>Marlins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>202 </TD><TD>Kenley Jansen </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>203 </TD><TD>Francisco Liriano </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>204 </TD><TD>Rafael Furcal </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>205 </TD><TD>Brennan Boesch </TD><TD>Phillies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>206 </TD><TD>Jair Jurrjens </TD><TD>Braves </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>207 </TD><TD>Daniel Bard </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>208 </TD><TD>Jason Kubel </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>209 </TD><TD>Chris Iannetta </TD><TD>Rockies </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>210 </TD><TD>Joe Nathan </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>211 </TD><TD>Torii Hunter </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>212 </TD><TD>Kendry Morales </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>213 </TD><TD>J.P. Arencibia </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>214 </TD><TD>Edwin Jackson </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>215 </TD><TD>Johan Santana </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>216 </TD><TD>Rajai Davis </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>217 </TD><TD>Brandon League </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>218 </TD><TD>Kelly Johnson </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>219 </TD><TD>Bryce Harper </TD><TD>Nationals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>220 </TD><TD>Alexi Ogando </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>221 </TD><TD>Bobby Parnell </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>222 </TD><TD>Edwin Encarnacion </TD><TD>Blue Jays </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>223 </TD><TD>Paul Goldschmidt </TD><TD>Diamondbacks </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>224 </TD><TD>Brian Matusz </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>225 </TD><TD>Bobby Abreu </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>226 </TD><TD>Fernando Salas </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>227 </TD><TD>Kurt Suzuki </TD><TD>Athletics </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>228 </TD><TD>Grady Sizemore </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>229 </TD><TD>Wandy Rodriguez </TD><TD>Astros </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>230 </TD><TD>Michael Brantley </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>231 </TD><TD>Alfonso Soriano </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>232 </TD><TD>Mark Trumbo </TD><TD>Angels </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>233 </TD><TD>Yadier Molina </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>234 </TD><TD>Angel Pagan </TD><TD>Mets </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>235 </TD><TD>Jonathan Broxton </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>236 </TD><TD>Colby Lewis </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>237 </TD><TD>Justin Masterson </TD><TD>Indians </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>238 </TD><TD>Jesus Montero </TD><TD>Yankees </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>239 </TD><TD>Josh Reddick </TD><TD>Red Sox </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>240 </TD><TD>Matt Capps </TD><TD>Twins </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>241 </TD><TD>Carlos Pena </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>242 </TD><TD>Alcides Escobar </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>243 </TD><TD>Delmon Young </TD><TD>Tigers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>244 </TD><TD>Kevin Gregg </TD><TD>Orioles </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>245 </TD><TD>Ryan Dempster </TD><TD>Cubs </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>246 </TD><TD>David Freese </TD><TD>Cardinals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>247 </TD><TD>Justin Smoak </TD><TD>Mariners </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>248 </TD><TD>Derek Holland </TD><TD>Rangers </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>249 </TD><TD>Jeff Francoeur </TD><TD>Royals </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>250 </TD><TD>Dee Gordon </TD><TD>Dodgers </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HacheMan]

Vazquez Vindicated?
We are currently in the dog days of summer, but this is crunch-time in most fantasy leagues. Assuming you haven't already wrapped up a playoff spot, these can be some pretty tense days. Everybody is out there scouring the waiver wire for the extra stolen base or the streaming option that can put them over the top.

If you are currently one of those jockeying for position, my only advice is that you shouldn't waste a roster spot on someone who hasn't come around by now. For instance, if you are still waiting on the likes of Adam Dunn, Francisco Liriano ,Vernon Wells or Aaron Hill to justify their ADP, well, you are probably going to have a lot of time to focus on fantasy football in the coming weeks and months.

Let's move on to the good stuff.

MIXED LEAGUES

Ryan Raburn 2B/OF, Tigers (Yahoo: 21 percent owned, ESPN: 14.5 percent)

I'm giving serious thought to the notion that we should just ignore this guy every year until the second half of the season begins. Like clockwork, Raburn is batting .305 (18-for-59) with three homers, two doubles, one triple and eight RBI since the All-Star break. The recent Delmon Young trade might squeeze him out of at-bats eventually, but he should get most of the playing time at second base while Carlos Guillen recovers from wrist soreness. He's worth a shot if you're looking to fill a MI (middle infielder) spot.

Frank Francisco RP, Blue Jays (Yahoo: 40 percent owned, ESPN: 48.6 percent)

Jon Rauch underwent an appendectomy on Monday and is expected to miss at least three weeks, which means Francisco will be the Jays' primary closer for now. While Rauch was probably pitching himself out of the job anyway, Francisco has actually been very solid recently, allowing just earned one run (on a solo homer) over 13 1/3 innings while striking out 11 and walking just one. He is a must-own in all formats.

Ryan Doumit C/OF, Pirates (Yahoo: 10 percent owned, ESPN: 1.5 percent)

Doumit has been limited to just 44 games this season due to an ankle injury, but the good news is that he is batting .313 (10-for-32) with two homers and four RBI since returning from the disabled list earlier this month. Sure, this is a very small sample, but let's be honest, it doesn't take much in the way of production to garner attention at the catcher position. The 30-year-old should continue to see most of the playing time behind the plate, at least until Chris Snyder returns from back surgery next month, so go ahead and pick him up in deeper mixed formats while he's healthy for once.

Randy Wolf SP, Brewers (Yahoo: 32 percent owned, ESPN: 36.7 percent)

I'll admit it, Wolf isn't pitching nearly as well as his current 3.30 ERA would indicate. But at this time of year, we don't have the time to wait for regression to the mean. The veteran left-hander has won four straight starts while pitching for the hottest team in baseball. He has also allowed three earned runs or less in six out of his last seven starts dating back to early-July. With a start against the depleted Mets on tap for Saturday at pitcher-friendly Citi Field, he looks like a solid matchup play.

Bobby Parnell RP, Mets (Yahoo: 11 percent owned, ESPN: 8.9 percent)

The transition is officially underway. Moments after Jason Isringhausen put the finishing touches on his 300th career save Monday night against the Padres, Mets manager Terry Collins announced that Bobby Parnell would get the bulk of the save opportunities moving forward. The 26-year-old right-hander has struggled since the All-Star break and his command remains an issue at times, but with his high-90s heat and an improved slider, he has all the talent to be a long-term solution at closer. I wouldn't drop a more established closer for him, but he should be owned in all formats.

Kurt Suzuki C, Athletics (Yahoo: 36 percent owned, ESPN: 22.9 percent)

It isn't saying much, but Suzuki is in the middle of his best month of the season. Including his two-homer game on Wednesday afternoon against the Orioles, the 27-year-old backstop is batting .268 (11-for-41) with four homers, three doubles, seven RBI and a 6/6 K/BB ratio so far in August. I have been waiting for Suzuki to bust out for a while now, because while he is striking out more often this season, he is also hitting more line drives and flyballs. He could be worth consideration in deeper mixed formats if you're currently waiting on the likes of Carlos Ruiz or Miguel Olivo to get hot again.

Jose Tabata OF, Pirates (Yahoo: 41 percent owned, ESPN: 18.6 percent)

I don't hide my enthusiasm for Tabata very well. Not only did I feature him among my keeper targets in the annual Rotoworld Draft Guide, but I also liked him as a rebound candidate in the Midseason Pass. While his recovery from a quad injury took a bit longer than originally expected, Tabata has led off each of his first two games back from the disabled list and hit a two-run homer on Wednesday night. Alex Presley's eventual return could complicate things in the Pirates' outfield, but I'm much more confident in Tabata's ability to be a fantasy asset the rest of the way.

Javier Vazquez SP, Marlins (Yahoo: 39 percent owned, ESPN: 16.6 percent)

I mentioned Vazquez a little over a month ago and while he has had one dud since then, what we're really witnessing is a sustained period of success. The 35-year-old right-hander has a 2.36 ERA and 57/13 K/BB ratio in 68 2/3 innings over his last 11 outings dating back to mid-June. Perhaps most encouraging, he averaged 91.3 mph on his fastball during Saturday's win against the Giants, equaling his 2009 average. I wouldn't hesitate to use him in most matchups at this point.

Shopping at the five-and-dime:

(Players owned in less than 10 percent of Y! and ESPN.com leagues)

Wilson Betemit 3B, Tigers (Yahoo: 8 percent owned, ESPN: 8.5 percent)

Betemit has thrived as the Tigers' regular third baseman since coming over from the Royals last month, batting .316/.355/.474 with two homers, three doubles and 12 RBI over 62 plate appearances. Many routinely scoff when Betemit is suggested as an option in mixed leagues, but I'm honestly intrigued to see what he can do now that he'll be playing his home games in an environment that is more hitter-friendly than Kauffman Stadium. If you are looking for someone to fill your CI (corner infielder) spot, you could do worse than find out.

Nate Schierholtz OF, Giants (Yahoo: 5 percent owned, ESPN: 7.4 percent)

You might have expected to see Brandon Belt here, but as much as I like him, I fear he'll go back to the bench or maybe even the minors once Carlos Beltran is ready to return from the disabled list. Besides, Schierholtz is plenty productive on his own right now. The 27-year-old has proven to be one of the Giants' best hitters since the start of July, batting .299 with five home runs and nine doubles. While he gave the Giants a bit of a scare after fouling a ball off his foot on Monday night, Schierholtz went 2-for-5 in his return to the lineup Wednesday. His role should be pretty secure moving forward, so he is worthy of consideration in deeper mixed and five-outfielder formats.

Kyle Blanks 1B/OF, Padres (Yahoo: 5 percent owned, ESPN: 4.3 percent)

While I included Blanks in my NL-only recommendations three weeks ago, it hasn't taken him long to be relevant in mixed leagues again. After collecting just three hits over his first 32 at-bats, the 6-foot-6 monster is batting .370 with three homers, four doubles, one triple and 10 RBI over his last 13 games. I realize this includes an unsustainable batting average on balls in play, but he is hitting more line drives than ever before and has a fly ball rate approaching 50 percent. Blanks could be a major asset in the power department down the stretch.

<!--RW-->

AL ONLY

Casper Wells OF, Mariners (Yahoo: 4 percent owned, ESPN: 9 percent)

Wells has struck out 19 times in 46 at-bats since being acquired from the Tigers in the Doug Fister deal last month, but he also has five homers, including four in the last five games. All five of his home runs have been at Safeco Field, which is a pretty noteworthy accomplishment. I'm not sold on Wells as an everyday player in the long-run, but the 26-year-old has 13 homers and an .875 OPS over his first 252 at-bats in the big leagues. That sort of power shouldn't be left on the waiver wire in AL-only leagues. Wells was hit in the nose by a Brandon Morrow fastball on Wednesday night, but could return to the starting lineup as soon as Friday.

Josh Bell 3B, Orioles (Yahoo: 0 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)

Chris Davis is likely done for the season with a slight tear in his shoulder, so Mark Reynolds is expected to get the majority of the playing time at first base while Bell plays the hot corner. The 24-year-old has really struggled against major league pitching until now, batting just .208/.228/.279 with a .507 OPS over 202 plate appearances, but has at least hit safely in each of his last three games. His stock has taken a severe hit over the past two years, but he has a chance to play his way back into the O's long-term plans with a strong finish to the season.

Tyler Flowers C, White Sox (Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0.1 percent)

A.J. Pierzynski was placed on the disabled list Tuesday for the first time in his career with a fractured right wrist. It's not clear how long he'll be sidelined, as he could even need surgery, but Flowers has the opportunity to benefit during his absence. The 25-year-old hasn't progressed the way the White Sox originally hoped he would, but he has at least bounced back from a subpar 2010 season to bat .261/.390/.500 with 15 homers and an .890 OPS over 270 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season. Fields is a batting average risk due to a his lowly contact rate, but he has enough power potential to be owned in AL-only leagues.

Tim Wakefield SP, Red Sox (Yahoo: 3 percent owned, ESPN: 2.7 percent)

Wakefield has failed to notch his 200th career victory in each of his last four attempts, but he actually hasn't pitched all that poorly, posting a 4.08 ERA and 19/6 K/BB ratio over 28 2/3 innings during the same timespan. He'll get his next opportunity on Saturday against the last-place Royals. No, I'm not guaranteeing a victory here, but Wakefield probably won't hurt you in AL-only leagues even if he walks away empty-handed again.

NL ONLY

Bryan Petersen OF, Marlins (Yahoo: 0 percent owned, ESPN: 0.1 percent)

I don't claim to understand the whole Logan Morrison demotion, but Petersen has at least decided to get hot at the right time, batting .476 (10-for-21) with two doubles, three triples, one RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base over his last six games. With his line-drive approach and above-average speed, Marlins manager Jack McKeon has really taken to using him out of the No. 2 spot in the lineup recently. Things could change if and when Morrison returns from the minor leagues, but Petersen is well worth using in most NL-only leagues at the moment.

Wade Miley SP, Diamondbacks (Yahoo: 0 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)

The Diamondbacks were dealt a tough blow over the weekend when the recently-acquired Jason Marquis suffered a fractured right fibula. While they could have replaced him with either Zach Duke or Micah Owings in the starting rotation, they instead opted to call up Wade Miley from Triple-A Reno. Miley, 24, has an impressive 3.64 ERA and 56/16 K/BB ratio over 54 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level this season. And in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, no less. He also carries the reputation of a ground ball pitcher, so I'm a little less nervous about him starting his major league career in the desert. I would consider keeping him in reserve for his first major league start this weekend against Atlanta, but he could really surprise over the next few weeks.

Chris Marrero 1B, Nationals (Yahoo: N/A, ESPN: 0 percent owned)

Davey Johnson said earlier this week that he plans to give Michael Morse playing time in left field in an effort to prepare him for next season. While this will clear the way for Adam LaRoche to get his old job back following shoulder surgery, Chris Marrero will likely benefit in the short-term, as the 2006 first-round pick is widely expected to make his major league debut in September. The 23-year-old is batting .308/.384/.467 with 14 homers, 68 RBI and an .851 OPS over 119 games with Triple-A Syracuse this season. Some still wonder whether he'll hit for enough power to stick at first base in the long, but he should get enough playing time down the stretch warrant a pickup in NL-only leagues.

 

[HacheMan]

Giant Health Problems
It's almost like Carlos Beltran took the Mets' injury problems with him to San Francisco. Here's a team that was remarkably healthy last year, and now they are a M.A.S.H. unit. Beltran himself is headed to Cleveland for a second opinion on his wrist, but the rest of his team has been crowding into the doctor's office too.

The latest to bite the dust is Brian Wilson. After back problems felled him for a few days, Wilson started feeling pain in his elbow. Dr. James Andrews cleared him of major structural damage, but that's just not a name you want associated with your closer. Maybe it'll just be the two-to-three days the team is hoping it will be, but Wilson is out for now. With Sergio Romo on the DL, that makes Jeremy Affeldt and Santiago Casilla the platoon closers. Yuck. At least Romo doesn't have damage in his elbow, but with the amount of sliders he throws, he's a candidate for elbow problems perpetually.

Of course, that wasn't it. Sure, Pablo Sandoval returned to the lineup Wednesday, but he's had foot issues recently. Jonathan Sanchez turned his ankle and the team is hoping he won't need a DL stint. Aaron Rowand has an intercostal problem and is battling through it, but honestly, which fantasy players care. Jeff Keppinger has a bone bruise, meaning that Mike Fontenot (three hits Wednesday) is going to be getting more playing time at second. Nate Schierholtz, who has been a revelation in left field, was just back in the lineup Wednesday after fouling a ball off his foot. Veteran teams!

* Other teams weren't immune, of course, but their news wasn't so bad. Other than A.J. Pierzynski, who might need surgery on his wrist, the major news was better. Oh, and Alex Rodriguez might not be back Thursday as planned -- just Friday. The Mets haven't rid themselves of all their injury jinx, obviously, as Johan Santana won't throw for another week, but at least Jose Reyes will try to run Friday to test his hamstring. Jason Kipnis, though still out with oblique soreness, took batting practice and grounders so he should avoid the DL. Michael Cuddyer's neck strain might put him on the DL Thursday, but that would be backdated a week. There was even some good news! Stephen Strasburg could return September second if he doesn't have any setbacks. It might seem like rushing, but recovery times on that surgery have been declining for some time now. David Ortiz hopes to miss only a week with his heel issue. Josh Hamilton returned to the lineup after back spasms forced him from Tuesday's game.

* Kurt Suzuki had a good day at the plate. Not only did he homer twice, but he also applied the game-ending tag at the plate. He's still too borderline, since last year looks like his upside. Angel Pagan, on the other side, is now playing to his upside again, with two hits, three RBI and a stolen base on Wednesday. Jose Tabata came back and hit a home run! He's a decent fringe mixed leaguer. Paul Goldschmidt has struck out too much to be a mixed leaguer, but he took Cliff Lee deep. Maybe he has some future in him. Shin-Soo Choo had three hits Wednesday, which is a nice sign of percolation. Alex Gordon hit a three-run home run off of Bartolo Colon, which is nice because he'd been slowing down. He's still not likely to be as good the rest of the way. Tony Gwynn, Jr. hit a home run! Off Zack Greinke! It doesn't happen often, and he's a speed-only flier at best. Mike Stanton homered in the fourth straight game. He's got a little power.

* Mounting the mound, we have more morsels to digest. Jair Jurrjens returned from the DL to give up five runs in six innings (with one strikeout) against the Giants. Bud Norris struck out five in five, and also walked three. That's a typical Norris-ian start, but he got the win with three earned runs, which is a little rarer. Mat Latos hit 96 MPH during his start and struck out six in six, so allowing three runs to the Mets at home is secondary information. Dillon Gee is way shakier, even if he held the Pads to one run in 6 2/3 innings. Johnny Cueto held the Nationals to one run in eight innings with five strikeouts and no walks. He's accomplished this by improving his ground-ball rate, mostly, and at this point maybe the improvement is believable. Still, a few more home runs are coming. Fausto Carmona only allowed one run to the White Sox, and he came within two outs of a complete game. If he can continue to avoid the home run as he has recently, he can be a borderline play in deeper leagues.

Some pitchers are just too borderline to depend on. Kyle Lohse held the Pirates to two runs in seven innings. He even struck out seven against one walk! The thing is, he doesn't normally strike people out, doesn't get ground balls, and depends on good control (and the whims of the umpire) to win games. You know what, just repeat all of that for his opponent Paul Maholm, who gave up three runs in five innings, except insert 'ground balls' for 'control.' Or Mark Buehrle, who also has great control and not much else. He gave up four runs in 7 1/3 innings to the Indians, and those 12 hits show how hittable he is. Pass even with the nice ERA. Bartolo Colon is turning into a pumpkin. He gave up five runs (two home runs) in five innings against the Royals. He was never getting the swinging strikes to support his small-sample strikeout rate anyway. Ricky Nolasco gave up 11 runs in three innings against the Rockies. The only consolation is that most Nolasco owners probably weren't starting him there. Still, it's hard to figure out why this guy who gets swinging strikes, has great control, and is an average ground-baller has so many bad days at the office.

* Time to pick on the pen? Mark Melancon didn't make it look good -- he allowed the tying run to get to third -- but he finished the game anyway. Too bad he didn't get a strikeout, because that's the part of his game that needs the most help. Huston Street played catch before the game and is 'progressing' well.

National League Quick Hits: Ryan Howard sprained something in his hand but doesn't think he'll need tests … The Diamondbacks are still looking for a shortstop, but it probably won't be Miguel Tejada or Edgar Renteria … Dee Gordon threw again and wants to be back August 25th … Kyle Blanks (shoulder) was held out Wednesday with lingering soreness but should be back any day … Nathan Eovaldi held the Brewers to two runs in six innings, and can strike out more in the future than the two he had Wednesday; His stuff makes him relevant in all leagues, even if only as a spot-starter … Yonder Alonso started in left field, but where he'll end up is important because his defense and lack of position is holding him back right now … Allen Craig's kneecap is still bothering him some, so he'll only play the outfield corners, which is to say he won't play much at all (even if he did just homer twice and put up three RBI Wednesday) … Ross Detwiler held the Reds to one run in six innings, but doesn't get ground balls, doesn't strike people out, and has okay control so he's only an NL-only flier at best … The Joe Saunders that gave up five runs to the Phillies in six innings (with three strike outs), that's the real Joe Saunders … Casey Blake left the game with pain in the back of his shoulder.

American League Quick Hits: Denard Span (concussion) missed a third straight game and Ben Revere slid over to center to fill in … Brandon Morrow dominated the Mariners as he should … Freddy Garcia (finger) will attempt to throw his split finger Thursday to test it out … Mike Napoli doubled twice against his old team and must be happy to be finally free … Howie Kendrick had two hits (one a home run) but is still subject to the whims of the lineup in Anaheim … Dustin Ackley went oh for three with three strikeouts and is officially in the first slump of his career … Jeremy Guthrie will miss his Saturday start against the Angels with shoulder soreness … Conor Jackson (neck, back) missed another game and Brandon Allen tripled, so that job could be changing hands as we watch … Miguel Olivo was hit by a foul tip in the jaw and left the game … Blake Beaven gave up three home runs for the second straight start, but the Blue Jays are no joke, even in Seattle … Tyler Chatwood has been replaced in the rotation by Jerome Williams but neither is ownable … Ryan Lavarnway is a strong catching prospect for the Red Sox and might even come up with David Ortiz out … Mike Scioscia is once again denigrating a young catcher's defense; This time Hank Conger won't come back up to the major leagues until he's throwing better he says … On a more positive note, Ryan Westmoreland (brain surgery) saw live pitching Wednesday for the first time since his surgery.

 

[HacheMan]

Minors: Ryan Lavarnway profile, Top 11

Jason Grey


Rumor has it, the Red Sox will promote catching prospect Ryan Lavarnway to the big leagues soon, maybe even by the time you read this. David Ortiz's battle with bursitis in his heel, along with some other injuries on the roster, could create an opportunity, and Lavarnway was pulled from his Triple-A game Wednesday in preparation for a call-up.

"I have no doubt he could go up [to the majors] and handle it offensively with his approach and swing," Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen told WEEI's Alex Speier recently.
A sixth-round pick in the 2008 draft out of Yale, Lavarnway put up consecutive 20-homer seasons in the minors in 2009 and 2010, with 102 RBIs in 2010 between high Class A and Double-A. However, he has taken it to another level this season, having already hit 30 homers between Double-A and Triple-A while posting a .372 on-base percentage.

I got to see a lot of Lavarnway in last year's Arizona Fall League, and for one series this season. I like the fact that he generates pop with a small load and a short stroke for a power hitter. That helps compensate for his lack of good bat speed. He has power to all fields and has gotten less pull-happy this season thanks to more consistent leverage, getting both halves of his body in better sync with each other. (At times last year, I saw his timing was off because of his weight shift.) Another positive is he can make decent contact with solid knowledge of the strike zone. <OFFER>A big 6-foot-4 right-handed hitter, Lavarnway can be busted inside with good heat. Double-A and Triple-A hurlers don't hit those spots inside on the hands as well, but big league pitchers will be able to take more advantage of that. I do think he'll be able to hit in the majors, but he has some challenges ahead at the next level.
While his bat is ready to get a big league look, Lavarnway's other challenge is his defense, which is shaky at best. Lavarnway lacks agility, and needs to do a better job of using his whole body to block the plate. I was actually a little surprised at his caught-stealing percentages. He threw out a respectable 33 percent of runners last year, and 37 percent at Double-A and 32 percent at Triple-A this season. But his pop times are in the 2.0-2.1 range in the multiple occasions that I've timed him, and he might have trouble throwing out runners at the next level. In fact, Lavarnway actually had more at-bats at DH than behind the plate at Double-A this season, though he has been catching more at Triple-A since being promoted. I don't think it's a defensive skill set you want behind the plate on an everyday basis, even given his offensive upside, but he doesn't really profile anywhere else. Thankfully, fantasy players need him to play there only enough to preserve his eligibility, but the bottom line is Lavarnway's defense isn't helping his case to stay in the lineup, and he's probably best suited at DH.
The lazy comparison here is to Mike Napoli. Both are primarily offensive options with pop that you'd only like to use at catcher only occasionally. However, Napoli is a good four inches shorter than Lavarnway, and has fewer holes in his swing.
Lavarnway was expected to be called up in September to serve as a third catcher/bench bat for the stretch run, but he might have a chance to get some at-bats in the next week or two. With Jason Varitek heading to free agency again after this season, Lavarnway could figure prominently in the club's 2012 plans. A call-up would provide an opportunity for owners to get some use out of him the next week or two in deep AL-only leagues, as well as stash him away in keeper formats as a future power option at catcher.

Top 11 for '11 (plus recent call-ups analysis)


The now-standard caveats: There's a certain throwing-darts-at-the-wall nature to determining a list such as this because there's no telling when a player will actually arrive on the scene. Who will get the summons obviously depends on a variety of factors, such as team needs, injuries and performance.
Thus, for the purpose of this list, I try to balance a prospect's upside with who is likely to get an opportunity in the near future. I look for potential paths to big league playing time, factor in service-time concerns and rank only players who: 1) are still rookie-eligible (thus no Lorenzo Cain or Dayan Viciedo) and 2) are not already in the major leagues. To highlight some different names, I'm also not including players such as Teheran who already have been in the big leagues this year but have been sent back down, nor players such as Desmond Jennings who recently have gotten the call.
Also, please note that this list is for 2011 fantasy value only, not for the long haul, so you won't see names such as Bryce Harper on it. Not yet, anyway. It spotlights players who could help fantasy teams this season, with no regard for 2012 and beyond. Season the list to your particular taste and your fantasy team's needs.
Be aware that any player who is likely to have significant impact in mixed leagues for the final six weeks likely has been summoned already or have already seen big league time (such as Teheran or Mike Trout). So at this point, any rookies who get their first promotion to the majors will be considerations more in AL- or NL-only leagues if they get the call. The potential for regular playing time could make them appealing in those setups.
1. Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs: The Cubs reportedly have not decided whether they want to take a look at the 2009 first-round pick before the season is over, but he could get a late-season audition in center field for the team in preparation for taking over there next season. He has been heating up with the bat at Triple-A after a slow start there, hitting .303 with eight homers and four steals in 122 at-bats. He has posted a .378 on-base percentage with 18 homers and 19 steals this season. He's not on the 40-man roster, which means the club doesn't have to use a space to protect him from the offseason Rule 5 draft if they don't call him up. That may factor into things.
2. Brad Peacock, SP, Nationals: Peacock has fanned 161 batters and walked just 39 in 129 2/3 minor league innings this season, and the Nationals have previously said that he's likely to get a chance in their rotation before the end of the season. I profiled Peacock earlier this year.

3. Drew Pomeranz, SP, Rockies: I profiled Pomeranz a couple weeks ago. He's now officially a part of the Rockies as part of the Ubaldo Jimenez deal, and the Rockies have not ruled out a September call-up.
4. Leonys Martin, OF, Rangers: The 23-year-old Cuban has hit his way up the ladder in his first pro season and could work his way into the Rangers' center-field picture down the stretch, although he's scuffled a bit since hitting Triple-A. He's still expected to be a September call-up, though, and has hit .296 with a .370 on-base percentage in 63 games across three levels in 2011. Although he has 16 steals, he also has been thrown out 11 times. Batting average, speed and defense are what he could bring to the table.
5. Matt Moore, SP, Rays: Don't be fooled by this (low) ranking; Moore is the best pitching prospect in baseball. But the Rays are very patient when it comes to promoting their pitching prospects, so I don't expect Moore to have much impact down the stretch. Maybe they give him a few bullpen innings or a start or two in September, but he's more of a consideration for 2012. I mention him because for those of you in keeper leagues, a potential promotion, even a cup-of-coffee call-up, could provide a chance for you to stash him next season. Moore has 188 strikeouts in 137 innings this season, and hasn't missed a beat in six starts since being promoted to Triple-A, obliterating the competition there as well with a 1.04 ERA and back-to-back ten-strikeout games. I profiled him just after the Futures Game.
6. Trevor Bauer, P, Diamondbacks: The third overall pick in the 2011 draft is likely to be the first of that class to reach the majors; he could pitch out of the D-backs bullpen in September, though there also are rumblings he could start. He advanced to Double-A after his third pro start, and fanned eight in five shutout innings in his first outing there. Like Moore, he's included here because his promotion will be an opportunity to stash away a likely member of the team's 2012 rotation in keeper leagues, as opposed to stats he could put up right now.
7. Ryan Lavarnway, C, Red Sox: Profiled above.
8. Tom Milone, SP, Nationals: This crafty lefty just returned from the disabled list (biceps issue) at Triple-A, and Nats manager Davey Johnson has already expressed his wish to see Milone and Peacock in the big leagues by the end of the season. Milone has 131 strikeouts to just 13 walks in 129 2/3 Triple-A innings this season.
9. Jesus Montero, C, Yankees: Montero's bat has shown signs of life since July, and he's even hitting for power again. "I hate to say this, but I think Monty's getting a little bored in the minor leagues. He's ready for that next challenge," his Triple-A hitting coach, Butch Wynegar, told the New York Daily News recently. "I told [Yankees GM] Brian Cashman I think he needs that next challenge, and I hope he gets it next month."
10. Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds: Ramon Hernandez continues to be the subject of waiver-wire trade rumors, with Mesoraco ready and waiting in the wings to step in for him. I profiled Mesoraco in June.
11. Eric Surkamp, SP, Giants: Perhaps a bit of a reach, but if the Giants have an unexpected injury in their rotation that causes them to need to reach down to the minors for another starter, Surkamp, a Double-A hurler, could get looked at ahead of a Triple-A starter such as Dan Runzler. Surkamp has a 2.14 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 134 1/3 innings. He possesses good secondary stuff, but the southpaw must show he has a good enough fastball to succeed in the majors.

 

[HacheMan]

Potential late-season saves options

By Tristan H. Cockcroft


In a season in which there has been remarkably little turnover at the closer position, might we be on the verge of there being a new influx of finishers?

It'd make sense; with Wednesday's games in the books, 75.8 percent of the scheduled Major League Baseball regular season is now complete. Contenders, at least this season, have clearly separated themselves from the noncontenders; by my count 17 of the 30 teams are out of the race -- sorry, Cincinnati Reds -- and another, the Tampa Bay Rays, is teetering on the brink.


What's the relevance?


As teams turn the page to 2012, it makes sense teams with closer candidates for next season might choose to get a look at those pitchers this year, even if only to get a sense of whether they'll need to trade or sign someone with experience during the winter. Go back through the history books: Last season, Juan Gutierrez and Koji Uehara were two new closers tested in late August and September. (Both teams ultimately decided to sign free agents.) In 2009, it was Carlos Marmol and Ryan Madson, both of whom have experienced plenty of success in the role since. In 2008, it was Fernando Rodney and Chad Qualls who used their performances as springboards to surprisingly productive 2009s.


That's a mixed bag, yes, and the wide spectrum of results in subsequent seasons underscores the point that none of the names discussed today are guaranteed to sustain any potential late-August or September success into 2012. As an aside, I'd rarely carry over a closer in a keeper league, except in the uber-rare circumstance that I had a Craig Kimbrel type at a deep, deep discount. So when we're talking speculative late-season saves -- continuing with the topic of "last-chance" investments in the rankings columns this week -- don't target any of these candidates with a clear mind on keeper-league value.



TOP 75 RELIEF PITCHERS

Note: Tristan H. Cockcroft's top 75 relief pitchers are ranked for their expected performance from this point forward, not for statistics that have already been accrued.
<TABLE><THEAD><TR><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rnk </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player, Team <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev
Rnk </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Craig Kimbrel, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mariano Rivera, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonathan Papelbon, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Drew Storen, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brian Wilson, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Valverde, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Axford, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Heath Bell, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joel Hanrahan, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Madson, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Neftali Feliz, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andrew Bailey, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">J.J. Putz, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carlos Marmol, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joakim Soria, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jordan Walden, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Francisco Cordero, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joe Nathan, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Fernando Salas, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sergio Santos, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Perez, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle Farnsworth, TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon League, SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Javy Guerra, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Leo Nunez, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Frank Francisco, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Huston Street, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aroldis Chapman, CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Melancon, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Gregg, BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Adams, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Hernandez, ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonny Venters, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tyler Clippard, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Sale, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bobby Parnell, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rafael Betancourt, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Francisco Rodriguez, MIL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Robertson, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Isringhausen, NYM </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Daniel Bard, BOS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Edward Mujica, FLA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Koji Uehara, TEX </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Louis Coleman, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Antonio Bastardo, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vinnie Pestano, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sean Marshall, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Octavio Dotel, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Crow, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rafael Soriano, NYY </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sergio Romo, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Capps, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kerry Wood, CHC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brian Fuentes, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Grant Balfour, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Motte, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wilton Lopez, HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jose Veras, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joaquin Benoit, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jon Rauch, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brad Lidge, PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Thornton, CHW </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Greg Holland, KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Glen Perkins, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Guillermo Mota, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chad Qualls, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Scott Downs, LAA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Casey Janssen, TOR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tony Sipp, CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle McClellan, STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Belisle, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rex Brothers, COL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kenley Jansen, LAD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Luke Gregerson, SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Fautino De Los Santos, OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Those 2008-10 examples, however, demonstrate that saves can be had off the waiver wire, even at this advanced stage of the year, and those of you in redraft leagues would do well to scour your waiver wire if you need help in the category. Let's take a closer look, team-by-team:


New York Mets



Perhaps there is no greater example of a "2012 closer audition" team this season than the New York Mets. Jason Isringhausen, the Mets' stand-in finisher since the Francisco Rodriguez trade, recently notched his 300th career save, and manager Terry Collins' intent was clear following the feat: He's going to audition several relievers in the closer role, now that Isringhausen has accomplished his desired career milestone. Besides Isringhausen, Bobby Parnell and Pedro Beato could be candidates for saves in the season's concluding weeks.


Oh, who are you kidding, this is all a ruse designed to throw us off the path to Parnell, right Terry? Fantasy owners have already gravitated toward Parnell -- he's owned in just 10.5 percent of ESPN leagues but that has risen by 8.3 percent in the past seven days -- and with good reason. He's the Mets' hardest thrower, his fastball averaging 97.0 mph this season. He leads them in strikeout rate, averaging 11.07 per nine innings, and for nearly three seasons, he has been hailed as a future closer by the team.


At the same time, Parnell has a 4.20 ERA and 1.55 WHIP and has been scored upon in eight of his past 14 appearances, so perhaps Collins' strategy is the truth, not merely him protecting his young pitcher from the pressures of being a full-time closer in New York. Parnell might have the skills to close, making him an attractive NL-only and deep-mixed pickup, but prepare for a rocky ride. Ask Mets fans: They're quick to remind you of his many historical struggles.


Toronto Blue Jays



The key difference between this bullpen and that of the Mets is that, with Jon Rauch on the disabled list for the next 3-4 weeks, there's a clear-cut closer in Toronto: Frank Francisco, who was supposed to be "the guy" for the Blue Jays all season. Like Parnell, Francisco's bandwagon can take you on an adventure, as in the 17 single months in his career in which he has pitched 10 or more innings, his ERA was under 2.50 five times, but seven times it was over 4.50.


Francisco's "Jekyll" version has been the one toeing the mound of late, as he has gone 10 consecutive outings without allowing a run and has a 0.68 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 11.00 strikeouts-per-walk ratio in 13 appearances since the All-Star break. During that time he has faced some hefty competition: Yankees (twice), Rangers (three times) and red-hot Athletics (once). Hot streak, perhaps, but exploiting such trends is often necessary when filling the saves category.


If it eases your mind, consider handcuffing Francisco to the man most likely to set him up, Casey Janssen, who has a 0.87 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 11 appearances since the All-Star break.


Chicago White Sox



If there's a current setup man who most fits the bill as a sneaky keeper-league candidate, it's Chris Sale, the 2010 first-rounder who has being considered as either the White Sox's future closer or a potential rotation option. That's why this might be a smart time for the White Sox to give the left-hander a test; determining his effectiveness in the ninth inning now might make their decision on his 2012 role, closer or starter, a little easier come wintertime.


As he did late last season, Sale has quickly risen the ranks in the White Sox's bullpen in recent weeks. He has a 0.61 ERA, 0.48 WHIP and 9.82 K's-per-nine ratio in 10 appearances since the All-Star break, even vulturing two saves from usual White Sox closer Sergio Santos, himself the owner of a 1.04 ERA during that span. Since June 1, Sale has a 1.24 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 3.89 K's-per-walk ratio in 26 games. Santos, by comparison, has a 4.32 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 3.90 K's-per-walk ratio in 29 games.


Manager Ozzie Guillen might continue to play matchups in the ninth inning for now, knowing Santos has allowed an OPS 315 points higher against lefties (.690) than righties (.375), while Sale has limited left-handers to .214/.274/.296 rates, but Santos is probably on a short leash. Any further missteps could lead to Sale getting a few consecutive chances -- as Santos did April 25-26 in New York, when he initially grabbed the role -- and rolling with it, making him a must-have handcuff at this point and a player to closely track in all formats.


Cincinnati Reds



As with Sale, Aroldis Chapman's future -- closer or starter -- is in question. He has been outstanding in a setup role since returning June 25 from a shoulder injury; he has a 1.54 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 15.81 K's-per-nine ratio in 22 games during that span, but perhaps most importantly, his walks-per-nine ratio is a sparkling by his standards (3.09). Fantasy owners have already been able to squeeze value out of Chapman despite his having only one save in that 22-game span, if only because he has as many or more strikeouts in that time than 55 starting pitchers who have worked eight or more times … including teammate Johnny Cueto (also has 41).


Being that the Reds are effectively out of the playoff race, barring a miracle, perhaps they'll want to take a look at Chapman as a closer in the season's concluding weeks, if only to get a sense of his potential there long term. Considering how much he can help in the ERA/WHIP/K's categories, he should be owned in a lot more than the 23.8 percent of ESPN leagues in which he is currently.


The problem with that, of course, is that the man ahead of him, Francisco Cordero, has done nothing recently to warrant losing his job, and is paid "closer money" ($12 million this season). Since blowing three consecutive save chances to conclude the season's first half, Cordero is 6-for-6 in saves with a 0.82 ERA in 10 games. The argument for status quo in Cincinnati is every bit as compelling.


Colorado Rockies



With usual closer Huston Street sidelined by a triceps injury, lights-out setup man Rafael Betancourt has been getting work in the closer role for the out-of-the-race Rockies, but as the weeks roll b, the team might think more about testing a hard-throwing rookie in the role as they retool for 2012: Rex Brothers. That, of course, depends largely on how quickly and effectively Street heals -- he is currently expected to return around the first day he's eligible, Aug. 24.


Brothers' stuff is filthy; he has a fastball that averages 95.0 mph and a slider he has used to strike out 18 batters in 33 plate appearances ending with the pitch. It's that combination that has helped him to a 12.00 K's-per-nine ratio in 32 appearances, ninth-best among relievers with 20-plus innings. He has long been groomed as a future closer for the Rockies, though that future might yet be more than a year off, being that Street remains signed through the 2012 season.


Brothers' shortcomings are his command, as his 4.67 walks-per-nine ratio ranks among the bottom third of relievers with 20-plus innings, and a so-so changeup, which increases his appeal -- at least at this stage of his career -- as a lefty specialist. Still, the Rockies might want to see exactly what they have in him, and his strikeout potential alone makes him an NL-only sleeper. Unfortunately, he is the least likely of any of the listed candidates so far to notch a 2011 save, if only because Street might recapture the role for the final 5-6 weeks.

 

[HacheMan]

Jeff Francoeur tops list of '11 overachievers

Eric Karabell


The Kansas City Royals and veteran outfielder Jeff Francoeur agreed to a two-year contact extension that was announced Thursday, and although I'm happy for the man -- he's actually quite nice -- the fact is that fantasy owners should avoid making a similar investment. Francoeur has had a nice comeback season, generally speaking; he's hitting .277 with 15 home runs and a surprising career-high 19 stolen bases. He's also on pace for a career high in walks, so at least he's trying to more patient at the plate, though it's certainly not what I would call a good pace.


Regardless (and predictably), Francoeur wasn't drafted in many ESPN standard leagues, even though he's now at 100 percent owned (along with three other outfielders that weren't widely drafted: Melky Cabrera, Ryan Roberts and Desmond Jennings). There have been other top free-agent pickups this season -- Mark Trumbo, Justin Masterson, Ryan Vogelsong and Alex Avila jump to mind -- but my point is that even now, as a top-50 choice on the ESPN Player Rater (entering Thursday), Francoeur has been erratic. In two months this season, he was terrific (.912 OPS in April, .908 OPS in July and a combined seven home runs, 34 RBIs and 32 runs) and in two other months he wasn't good at all (.675 OPS in May, .647 OPS in June). So what will Frenchy do the rest of August and September? Beats me, but the inconsistency factor alone makes him risky.
Credit the Royals for being the only team in baseball to boast three outfielders among the top 35 at the position on the Player Rater, but I wouldn't call two of them strong keepers. Francoeur's overall performance looks strong enough to own, but the fact is, when he wasn't playing particularly well for a two-month period, he was a liability. That's dangerous. Add in a sketchy career resume in recent seasons and it's why Francoeur unfortunately must go to the top of my list of top-50 Player Rater choices that would not make for recommended keeper options. The Royals can do what they want, as they so often do, but fantasy owners would be wise to let Francoeur slide back into drafts next spring. In fact, I'd draft him after the 15th round in a standard league.
Here are other names from the current top 50 that you really shouldn't choose as the core of your keeper list: Melky Cabrera, OF, Royals: The major league leader in at-bats, Cabrera didn't figure to be a regular for this team back in March. Remember Lorenzo Cain? He was part of the Zack Greinke offseason deal and seemed like a sleeper; at Triple-A he's hitting .306 with 15 home runs and 12 steals but hasn't received one big league at-bat after the Brewers gave him 147 in 2010. One must think Cain gets some opportunity in 2012, and certainly Alex Gordon and Francoeur appear set in the outfield corners. Cabrera has been terrific; he had previously delivered a double-double in home runs and stolen bases in 2009, but to hit .310 and be on pace for 100 runs is stunning, especially with just 27 walks all season. Look for more modest numbers in 2012, if he gets close to 500 at-bats at all.


Craig Kimbrel, RP, Atlanta Braves: What?! He's fantasy's best relief pitcher and my choice for top NL rookie! He might save 50 games and fan 120 hitters! Yep, he might. But closers make for terrible keepers, unless it's a really deep league and everyone else is keeping their save guys. Why? Because there is so much turnover. There's no way I'd make a closer one of my five keepers in a 10-team league, no matter what my leaguemates do. Today we all love Kimbrel, but closers generally have short career arcs, and this guy reminds me of Eric Gagne. He had a nice run, and then it was over, just like that. The fact that Kimbrel leads all closers in innings pitched could also be an issue, perhaps not in 2012, but in time. Don't keep your closers, whether they're the best statistically or named Mariano Rivera, because it's not particularly tough to draft saves or find them in April on the waiver wire. Paul Konerko, 1B, Chicago White Sox: It's incredible how this guy just seems to be improving with age. In 2009, Konerko hit 28 home runs and produced an .842 OPS, right around his career mark. In 2010, his OPS was a career-best .977 and its current .953 mark isn't far off. But Konerko is 35 and plays fantasy's deepest position (other than starting pitcher). Old players don't make for very good keepers, even when they hit 35 home runs, because when the end comes, you might get Raul Ibanez. Or Lance Berkman, circa 2010. Of course, Berkman famously was not toast, but I have to say, that has no bearing whatsoever on 2012, as older folks tend to get hurt and not recover quickly. Throw Berkman and even David Ortiz into this section, too, because although they've helped us win this year, they remain risky moving forward. I'm more likely to take a young corner option such as Eric Hosmer or Freddie Freeman and watch them emerge, though truth be told, position scarcity matters, too. Starlin Castro, welcome to my keeper list!

 

[HacheMan]

Red Sox Lose Youk to DL
The Red Sox are obviously still an excellent bet to make the postseason, but their lineup isn't nearly as intimidating as it was a few days ago. While David Ortiz is currently sidelined with right heel bursitis, Kevin Youkilis was placed on the disabled list Thursday with back stiffness.

Youkilis has played through various bumps and bruises this season, which at least provides some explanation for his current .266/.380/.481 batting line. The interesting part is that while his line drive rate is right where it should be, he is hitting more ground balls this season than ever before. In comparison with most players, his .300 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) looks pretty respectable, but not so much when you consider that his career average BABIP is .329. Simply put, he has been an easier out this season than in the past.

The good news is that opposed to the Clay Buchholz situation, doctors didn't find anything structurally wrong with Youkilis' back, so he is expected to return from the disabled list as soon as he is eligible during the first week of September.

The Red Sox called up prospect catcher/designated hitter Ryan Lavarnway to replace Youkilis on the active roster and he is expected to fill in at DH while Ortiz is sidelined. The 24-year-old was batting .293/.372/.559 with 30 homers and 85 RBI between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket this season. With his catcher-eligibility, he is worth a whirl in AL-only formats. Jed Lowrie should get most of the playing time at third base for now while Mike Aviles continues to fill in at shortstop for Marco Scutaro, who is day-to-day with a back issue of his own.

While the Red Sox will try to patch things together until they get healthy, here are some more news and notes from around the baseball world.

* If you ever needed proof that Jeff Francoeur is one of the most polarizing figures in the internet baseball community, look no further than the reaction to his new two-year, $13.5 million contract extension on Thursday. Granted, nobody was really in love with it, but there was plenty of spirited debate about whether the contract was actually justified.

Most will agree that Francoeur has exceeded all expectations this season. The 27-year-old is batting .277/.329/.463 with 15 homers, 66 RBI, a career-high 19 stolen bases and a .793 OPS over 513 plate appearances. Hate him all you want, but there's plenty of value there, especially in fantasy leagues.

It's pretty difficult to quibble with the money since the Royals have little in the way of payroll commitments in 2012 and 2013, but Francoeur isn't exactly the best bet for a repeat. Besides, there's an argument to be made that the Royals could get essentially the same production with Melky Cabrera in right field and promoting the younger, cheaper Lorenzo Cain to play center field. No, this contract isn't the end of the world, but many will continue to question Dayton Moore's philosophy in regard to major league talent.

* Alex Rodriguez remains in a state of limbo. He went through a workout at Target Field on Thursday afternoon, after which Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he won't be activated from the disabled list until Saturday at the earliest. While A-Rod went 4-for-11 (.364) with a home run and a double during his four-game rehab assignment, he his legs aren't quite up to speed.

Rodriguez underwent surgery on July 11 to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. The 36-year-old third baseman was homerless over his final 85 at-bats before going on the disabled list, but the hope is that he will be able to drive the ball with authority upon his return. The Yankees are in pretty great shape to make the playoffs, so while it would be nice to have him back in fantasy leagues, they have little reason to rush him back into the lineup.

* Nationals prospect outfielder Bryce Harper might be done for the season. The 18-year-old phenom strained his right hamstring while running the bases Thursday in a game with Double-A Harrisburg. It isn't a major concern, but since there are only two and a half weeks left in the minor league schedule, it doesn't make much sense to push him back on the field if he doesn't improve in the next few days.

Harper dominated with Class A Hagerstown this season, batting .318/.423/.554 with 14 homers and a .977 OPS, but he has looked his age since a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg in early July, batting .256/.329/.395 with three homers, 12 RBI and a .724 OPS. While it would be a shame to see his first professional season end like this, he is expected to play in the Arizona Fall League for a second straight year in October.

NL Quick Hits: Cole Hamels (shoulder) is expected to throw a bullpen session Friday … Clayton Kershaw struck out six over eight shutout innings Thursday in a win over the Brewers … Tim Lincecum yielded one-run over seven innings in Thursday's tough-luck loss to the Braves … Tommy Hanson (shoulder) is likely to miss at least one more week … Ryan Howard was held out of the lineup Thursday after dealing with cramping in his right hand during Wednesday's game … Rickie Weeks (ankle) took some light batting practice Wednesday, but is unlikely to return until September … Shane Victorino had his recent suspension reduced to two games and began serving it Tuesday night … Jordan Zimmerman tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings in a win over the Reds on Thursday night … Stephen Strasburg (elbow) will make his fourth minor league rehab start Monday with Class A Hagerstown … Brian Wilson (elbow) was unavailable for the third straight game Thursday … Tim Stauffer spun seven shutout frames in Thursday's win over the Marlins … Mike Minor struck out nine over six shutout frames in a win over the Giants on Thursday … The MLBPA formally filed a grievance against the Cubs on Thursday on behalf of Carlos Zambrano … Chipper Jones homered and doubled in a win over the Giants on Thursday … Carlos Ruiz (groin) missed his second straight game Thursday … Jonathan Sanchez (ankle) is scheduled to throw off flat ground Thursday … Jesus Flores hit his first home run since May 8, 2009 in Thursday's win over the Reds … Andres Torres (leg) began a minor league rehab assignment Thursday … Chris Heisey (oblique) won't be ready to return from the disabled list when he's eligible Sunday … Peter Moylan (back) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Monday … The Rockies released Mike Jacobs after he was suspended 50 games for testing positive for human growth hormone … The Astros released Nelson Figueroa … Brewers pitching prospect Wily Peralta is under consideration to start the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Pirates …


AL Quick Hits: Joe Mauer played right field for the first time in his career Thursday … Denard Span was placed on the disabled list Thursday with lingering symptoms from his concussion in June … Dustin Pedroia went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Royals … Ricky Romero struck out six in a complete-game three-hit shutout over the Athletics on Thursday night ... Brian Roberts had a checkup Thursday with concussion specialist Dr. Michael Collins … Colby Rasmus went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in a win over Athletics on Thursday … Michael Cuddyer was given an epidural in his neck Thursday … Jason Kipnis (oblique) was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup due to a tight right hamstring … Jason Kubel missed Thursday's game due to a private family matter … A.J. Pierzynski (wrist) was cleared to begin light baseball activities Friday … Trevor Cahill was smoked for seven runs over 5 1/3 innings in Thursday's loss to the Blue Jays … Mitch Moreland was scratched from Thursday's lineup with tightness in his right hamstring … Mark Trumbo hit a walkoff two-run homer off Mike Adams in the bottom of the ninth in a 2-1 win over the Rangers on Thursday night … Phil Humber will be reevaluated Friday after exiting Thursday's start against the Indians in the second inning when he was struck above the right eye with a comebacker … Carlos Carrasco (elbow) is unlikely to return until September … The Angels optioned rookie right-hander Tyler Chatwood to Triple-A Salt Lake, paving the way for Jerome Williams to replace him in the starting rotation … Casper Wells is day-to-day after being hit in the nose by a Brandon Morrow fastball on Wednesday night … The Rays plan to activate John Jaso (oblique) from the disabled list before Friday's game … Alex Cobb underwent season-ending surgery Thursday to remove blockage from his rib cage … White Sox prospect outfielder Dayan Viciedo is day-to-day after suffering an injury to his right hand on Wednesday … Brandon Inge get at-bats against left-hander when he returns from the minor leagues in September … The Angels recalled catcher Hank Conger from Triple-A Salt Lake … The Indians released Austin Kearns … Joba Chamberlain (Tommy John surgery) expects to begin a throwing program in a few weeks and aims to be ready to rejoin the Yankees in mid-April … Twins pitching prospect Kyle Gibson will get a second opinion on his ailing right elbow next week … Mariners prospect left-hander James Paxton will be shut down for the rest of the season due to back soreness and reaching his innings-limit …

 

[HacheMan]

Dog Days Ahead

With the month of August winding down, postseason races are coming into focus, both in reality and in fantasy leagues. Getting the most out of your two-start pitchers and streamers becomes increasingly important here in the late stage of the season, so tread carefully.

The American League features plenty of two-start options this week, but a higher percentage than usual would have to be described as risky. You'll find more safe plays in the Senior Circuit, but only one or two true aces find their names on the list. Scour your league's waiver wire for two-start pitchers in the "Decent Plays" category with favorable tilts.

Arizona is the only team scheduled to match up against more lefties than righties in the upcoming week. Be cautious with Kelly Johnson, who has struggled against southpaws with a 528 OPS, but be sure to play Paul Goldschmidt, who crushed left-handers in Triple-A and has continued to do so since his call-up.

Going Twice...



American League

Strong Plays
Brandon Morrow: KC (Chen), TB (Price)
C.J. Wilson: BOS (Bedard), LAA (Pineiro)
David Price: DET (Penny), @TOR (Morrow)
Jeff Niemann: DET (Verlander), @TOR (Mills)
Justin Verlander: @TB (Niemann), @MIN (Pavano)
Fausto Carmona: SEA (Vargas), KC (Chen)

Decent Plays
Colby Lewis: BOS (Lackey), LAA (Chatwood)
Blake Beavan: @CLE (Masterson), CWS (Stewart)
Jason Vargas: @CLE (Carmona), CWS (Peavy)
Ivan Nova: OAK (McCarthy), @BAL (Simon)
Carl Pavano: BAL (Matusz), DET (Verlander)
Erik Bedard: @TEX (Wilson), OAK (Moscoso)

At Your Own Risk
Brandon McCarthy: @NYY Nova), @BOS (Lackey)
Brian Duensing: BAL (Simon), DET (Penny)
Bruce Chen: @TOR (Morrow), @CLE (Carmona)
Brad Penny: @TB (Price), @MIN (Duensing)
John Lackey: @TEX (Lewis), OAK (McCarthy)
Alfredo Simon: @MIN (Duensing), NYY (Nova)
Brian Matusz: @MIN (Pavano), NYY (Hughes)

National League

Strong Plays
Jordan Zimmermann: ARI (Kennedy), @CIN (Cueto)
Chris Carpenter: LAD (Eovaldi), PIT (Karstens)
Matt Cain: SD (Latos), HOU (Norris)
Cliff Lee: NYM (Niese), FLA (Nolasco)
Zack Greinke: @PIT (Karstens), CHC (Coleman)
Bud Norris: @COL (Cook), @SF (Cain)
Johnny Cueto: @FLA (Nolasco), WAS (Zimmermann)
Ian Kennedy: @WAS (Zimmermann), SD (Luebke)

Decent Plays
Ross Detwiler: ARI (Saunders), @CIN (Leake)
Kyle Lohse: LAD (Kershaw), PIT (Maholm)
Jeff Karstens: MIL (Greinke), @STL (Carpenter)
Paul Maholm: MIL (Narveson), @STL (Lohse)
Jon Niese: @PHI (Lee), ATL (Hanson)
Nathan Eovaldi: @STL (Carpenter), COL (Chacin)
Brett Myers: @COL (Chacin), @SF
Jhoulys Chacin: HOU (Myers), @LAD (Eovaldi)
Ryan Dempster: ATL (Jurrjens), @MIL (Gallardo)
Jair Jurrjens: @CHC (Dempster), @NYM (Dickey)
Joe Saunders: @WAS (Detwiler), SD (Harang)

At Your Own Risk
Casey Coleman: ATL (Minor), @MIL (Greinke)


Streamer City



The following pitchers are generally available in over 50 percent of fantasy leagues and have favorable match-ups this week:

American League

Wednesday, 8/24: Kevin Slowey vs. BAL
The talented right-hander should be able to dismantle the Orioles at Target Field.

Thursday, 8/25: Brett Cecil vs. KC
Cecil owns a 2.75 ERA over his past five starts and has completed at least seven innings in four of them.

Friday, 8/26: David Huff vs. KC
Huff has allowed only one earned run in 17 2/3 big-league innings this season.

National League

Thursday, 8/25: Edwin Jackson vs. PIT
Jackson appears to be settling in with his new club, having put together back-to-back solid starts.

Friday, 8/26: Henry Sosa @ SF
The promising rookie will unleash his mid-90s fastballs on the Giants' depleted lineup.

Friday, 8/26: Esmil Rogers @ LAD
He's allowed more than three runs only once in four starts since returning to the Colorado rotation.

<!--RW-->


Total Games



American League

5: CWS, LAA
6: KC, OAK, TOR
7: BAL, BOS, CLE, DET, MIN, NYY, SEA, TB, TEX

National League

5: SD
6: CIN, COL, FLA, LAD, NYM, PHI, SF
7: ARI, ATL, CHC, HOU, MIL, STL, WAS
8: PIT


Lefty/Righty Breakdown



American League

BAL: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
BOS: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
CWS: 4 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
CLE: 4 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
DET: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
KC: 3 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
LAA: 3 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
MIN: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
NYY: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
OAK: 3 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP
SEA: 6 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
TB: 6 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
TEX: 6 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
TOR: 3 vs. RHP, 3 vs. LHP

National League

ARI: 3 vs. RHP, 4 vs. LHP
ATL: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
CHC: 6 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
CIN: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
COL: 4 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
FLA: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
HOU: 6 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
LAD: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
MIL: 6 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
NYM: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
PHI: 5 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
PIT: 7 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
SD: 4 vs. RHP, 1 vs. LHP
SF: 6 vs. RHP, 0 vs. LHP
STL: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP
WAS: 5 vs. RHP, 2 vs. LHP


The Infirmary



You can get a full listing of injured players at Rotoworld's Injury Page, but here's the latest on a few prominent players who have been out of action:

Garrett Richards: Out until September
Jason Marquis: Out for the season
Tommy Hanson: Out until late August
Kevin Youkilis: Out indefinitely
A.J. Pierzynski: Out until September
Denard Span: Out indefinitely
Placido Polanco: Out indefinitely
Carlos Beltran: Out until late August
Jon Rauch: Out until mid-September