Fantasy Impact -- The Ups and Downs
As we move into the second half of the season, teams are starting to make some major adjustments and trades to determine whether they are still in contention or not. With the exception of the Mets and the NL East, all of the divisions are fairly wide open. With that, and the non-waiver trade deadline approaching, teams are making moves all over the place; promoting young guys, getting hurt players back, and best of all, making crazy trades. So lets take a look at some of the guys you might be looking for to help your fantasy team...
Rising Values:
B.J. Upton -- Fantasy players have been waiting for his promotion to the majors for some time now and are licking their chops at the prospect of another big time stolen base guy. Unfortunately, he has as much trouble fielding a ground ball as I would have hitting a Johann Santana fastball. But the trade of Aubrey Huff and a move over to the hot corner may just be what the doctor ordered. He starts at third for the first itme this weekend in Triple-A and is looking at a possible August 1st promotion. If the move is successful and they bring him up to play everyday, he could be the boost in steals you've been craving.
Chris Denorfia -- After a successful spring, this youngster out of small Division III Wheaton College was hoping to make the Reds as a 4th outfielder. They sent him down to Triple-A though, opting for a guy like Quentin McCracken to come off the bench. He did have a small stint with the club in the first half, but despite his consistent hitting, found himself back in the minors. Well, with the trade of Austin Kearns, the kid is back. He provides more pop than a guy like Ryan Freel, so he should get a lot of regular playing time in the outfield. If you need help in the batting average department, Denorfia could be a huge help. If you look at his numbers, his average and OBP have climbed steadily since 2003.
Mike MacDougal -- A more established and well known player, MacDougal spent the whole first half of the season recovering from a torn shoulder muscle. He was penciled in as the Royals closer at the start and will now assume the role again upon his return. He may not get the number of opportunities you'd like, but if you're looking for some saves help, this looks like your guy.
Andy Marte -- Here's a guy that's been on a lot of people's radar for some time now. And now that he won the Triple-A Home Run Derby, he's been put front and center even more. He has been an on-base machine and has solid developing power as a corner infielder. The Indians are frustrated with Aaron Boone and are starting to give Ronnie Belliard some time at the hot corner. Expect an August 1st promotion and if you get him, a nice boost in your power numbers.
Stephen Drew -- Another guy people were high on in the pre-season, Drew is immediately being promoted by the Diamondbacks with Craig Counsell fracturing a rib yesterday. So far he's been hitting .284 in 342 AB with 13 HR and a .340 OBP in Triple-A and if you look at last year's numbers for him you'll see an even higher average and on-base percentage. He can definitely hit and has 20 HR potential for a full season.
Scott Baker -- I was big on Baker from the start of the year as all of the attention was on Francisco Liriano. He struggled a little going 2-5 with a 6.06 ERA, but he also had 41 K's in 49 innings and only issued 8 walks. He needed to adjust his control a little in the minors and definitely found success as he has gone 3-2 with a 2.92 and another 41 K's in another 49 innings. If the Twins really pitch him every 5 games and don't skip him in the rotation too much, he could be a great pick-up in AL only leagues.
Even Money:
Howie Kendrick -- The Angels brought up their second baseman of the future late this past week and if he gets the regular playing time he needs, he could be a big boost for your fantasy squad. The reason I list him here though is that so far, Adam Kennedy isn't going anywhere. There are trade rumors swirling about, but nothing concrete just yet. Kendrick is one of those guys to stash away though. If the Angels find themselves out of the playoff hunt, they will shop Kennedy to every contender they can. Only then will Kendrick's current value rise.
Milton Bradley -- On again, off again for the beleaguered outfielder. Bradley has struggled to entrench himself as a regular in Oakland's OF mostly due to hard luck injuries. Well, he's back and the team is looking to play him full time. Unfortunately, they do have somewhat capable outfielders in Bobby Kielty and Jay Payton that could push Bradley for at bats if he doesn't come back and immediately start hitting.
Erubiel Durazo -- His value doesn't change really, but the switch to Minnesota could be a blessing in disguise. The team is struggling with outfield injuries (Jason Kubel and Lew Ford), and their original DH, Rondell White is stuck in the minors and just looks awful. If Durazo can strat to hit, he could be a late season call up with a little bit of power.
Sidney Ponson -- Despite my loyalty to the Yankees, I don't think the Aruban Nightmare's value automatically increases once he dons the legendary pinstripes. He's struggled mightily the past few years, but he is definitely familiar with the AL East hitters. Unless he goes on some crazy hot streak, beware. On the upside, he really has nowhere to go but up.
Adam Loewen -- He had a rocky first go-around in the majors this year going 0-2 with a 7.12 ERA and 21 BB in 30+ innings. But he did show some flashes of brilliance in June just before his demotion and has been great in the minors since then with a 2-0 record with a 1.27 ERA, 21 K's and only 3 walks in 21.1 innings. Let him get his feet wet though. If he succumbs to the major league pressure again, he could hurt more than help.
Luis Matos -- He didn't have much value in the first half after losing his job to Corey Patterson while he played in the World Baseball Classic, and really doesn't have much now. But it could increase with the move to Washington if/when the Nationals deal away Alfonso Soriano and/or Jose Guillen. He will have to outplay Alex Escobar to win the playing time, but really...should that be too hard?
Going in the Tank:
Mark Prior -- On the DL yet again, this time with a strained oblique. You can hope all you want for a return to those 2003 numbers, but c'mon...this guy is just one health problem after another. Trade him to your league idiot who thinks that he'll be a monster next year.
Kerry Wood -- see above
Daniel Cabrera -- Shipped out to the minors finally, Cabrera needs to really work on his mechanics. A little bit of brilliance when he throws 10 K's is completely erased when he issues 10 walks in the same game. There's just no consistency here yet. He'll probably be back later on, but until he shows that he can keep his WHIP below 1.76 (really...it's that high) he is not going to help you out.
Todd Coffey/David Weathers -- I can lump them together here becasue the exact same thing has happened to them. Both attempted to close games for the Reds and both ultimately failed...miserably. With the addition of Eddie Guardado to close games and Bill Bray and Gary Majewski coming over from the Nationals, these guys just don't have the value...or even potential value...anymore.
Chad Billingsley -- It could have been a nice ride for the youngster, but his demotion is imminent. Brett Tomko is on his way back and Billingsley has struggled with his command since coming up (26 walks in 32.1 innings). He needs more time to hone his skills and will find himself doing just that in Triple-A again.
Dan Johnson -- Despite a mini-surge, the lumbering red-head is back in the minors with the activation of the aforementioned Bradley. Simple fact...he has been outhit by almost everyone else on the A's, and the club would rather go with the hot hitting Nick Swisher at first. Look for the kid to come back if/when Frank Thomas finds himself hurt again, but no sooner than that...atleast until maybe rosters expand.
Morgan Ensberg -- Oh how the mighty have fallen!! He goes from being on eof the hottest rising stars to being a Houston afterthought now. His shoulder problems have landed him on the DL and with the trade for Aubrey Huff, it doesn't look like he fits in anymore with the team. There's always the chance that he regains his form and they move Huff to the outfield, but really..is that what you were looking for when you drafted him?
Rising Values:
B.J. Upton -- Fantasy players have been waiting for his promotion to the majors for some time now and are licking their chops at the prospect of another big time stolen base guy. Unfortunately, he has as much trouble fielding a ground ball as I would have hitting a Johann Santana fastball. But the trade of Aubrey Huff and a move over to the hot corner may just be what the doctor ordered. He starts at third for the first itme this weekend in Triple-A and is looking at a possible August 1st promotion. If the move is successful and they bring him up to play everyday, he could be the boost in steals you've been craving.
Chris Denorfia -- After a successful spring, this youngster out of small Division III Wheaton College was hoping to make the Reds as a 4th outfielder. They sent him down to Triple-A though, opting for a guy like Quentin McCracken to come off the bench. He did have a small stint with the club in the first half, but despite his consistent hitting, found himself back in the minors. Well, with the trade of Austin Kearns, the kid is back. He provides more pop than a guy like Ryan Freel, so he should get a lot of regular playing time in the outfield. If you need help in the batting average department, Denorfia could be a huge help. If you look at his numbers, his average and OBP have climbed steadily since 2003.
Mike MacDougal -- A more established and well known player, MacDougal spent the whole first half of the season recovering from a torn shoulder muscle. He was penciled in as the Royals closer at the start and will now assume the role again upon his return. He may not get the number of opportunities you'd like, but if you're looking for some saves help, this looks like your guy.
Andy Marte -- Here's a guy that's been on a lot of people's radar for some time now. And now that he won the Triple-A Home Run Derby, he's been put front and center even more. He has been an on-base machine and has solid developing power as a corner infielder. The Indians are frustrated with Aaron Boone and are starting to give Ronnie Belliard some time at the hot corner. Expect an August 1st promotion and if you get him, a nice boost in your power numbers.
Stephen Drew -- Another guy people were high on in the pre-season, Drew is immediately being promoted by the Diamondbacks with Craig Counsell fracturing a rib yesterday. So far he's been hitting .284 in 342 AB with 13 HR and a .340 OBP in Triple-A and if you look at last year's numbers for him you'll see an even higher average and on-base percentage. He can definitely hit and has 20 HR potential for a full season.
Scott Baker -- I was big on Baker from the start of the year as all of the attention was on Francisco Liriano. He struggled a little going 2-5 with a 6.06 ERA, but he also had 41 K's in 49 innings and only issued 8 walks. He needed to adjust his control a little in the minors and definitely found success as he has gone 3-2 with a 2.92 and another 41 K's in another 49 innings. If the Twins really pitch him every 5 games and don't skip him in the rotation too much, he could be a great pick-up in AL only leagues.
Even Money:
Howie Kendrick -- The Angels brought up their second baseman of the future late this past week and if he gets the regular playing time he needs, he could be a big boost for your fantasy squad. The reason I list him here though is that so far, Adam Kennedy isn't going anywhere. There are trade rumors swirling about, but nothing concrete just yet. Kendrick is one of those guys to stash away though. If the Angels find themselves out of the playoff hunt, they will shop Kennedy to every contender they can. Only then will Kendrick's current value rise.
Milton Bradley -- On again, off again for the beleaguered outfielder. Bradley has struggled to entrench himself as a regular in Oakland's OF mostly due to hard luck injuries. Well, he's back and the team is looking to play him full time. Unfortunately, they do have somewhat capable outfielders in Bobby Kielty and Jay Payton that could push Bradley for at bats if he doesn't come back and immediately start hitting.
Erubiel Durazo -- His value doesn't change really, but the switch to Minnesota could be a blessing in disguise. The team is struggling with outfield injuries (Jason Kubel and Lew Ford), and their original DH, Rondell White is stuck in the minors and just looks awful. If Durazo can strat to hit, he could be a late season call up with a little bit of power.
Sidney Ponson -- Despite my loyalty to the Yankees, I don't think the Aruban Nightmare's value automatically increases once he dons the legendary pinstripes. He's struggled mightily the past few years, but he is definitely familiar with the AL East hitters. Unless he goes on some crazy hot streak, beware. On the upside, he really has nowhere to go but up.
Adam Loewen -- He had a rocky first go-around in the majors this year going 0-2 with a 7.12 ERA and 21 BB in 30+ innings. But he did show some flashes of brilliance in June just before his demotion and has been great in the minors since then with a 2-0 record with a 1.27 ERA, 21 K's and only 3 walks in 21.1 innings. Let him get his feet wet though. If he succumbs to the major league pressure again, he could hurt more than help.
Luis Matos -- He didn't have much value in the first half after losing his job to Corey Patterson while he played in the World Baseball Classic, and really doesn't have much now. But it could increase with the move to Washington if/when the Nationals deal away Alfonso Soriano and/or Jose Guillen. He will have to outplay Alex Escobar to win the playing time, but really...should that be too hard?
Going in the Tank:
Mark Prior -- On the DL yet again, this time with a strained oblique. You can hope all you want for a return to those 2003 numbers, but c'mon...this guy is just one health problem after another. Trade him to your league idiot who thinks that he'll be a monster next year.
Kerry Wood -- see above
Daniel Cabrera -- Shipped out to the minors finally, Cabrera needs to really work on his mechanics. A little bit of brilliance when he throws 10 K's is completely erased when he issues 10 walks in the same game. There's just no consistency here yet. He'll probably be back later on, but until he shows that he can keep his WHIP below 1.76 (really...it's that high) he is not going to help you out.
Todd Coffey/David Weathers -- I can lump them together here becasue the exact same thing has happened to them. Both attempted to close games for the Reds and both ultimately failed...miserably. With the addition of Eddie Guardado to close games and Bill Bray and Gary Majewski coming over from the Nationals, these guys just don't have the value...or even potential value...anymore.
Chad Billingsley -- It could have been a nice ride for the youngster, but his demotion is imminent. Brett Tomko is on his way back and Billingsley has struggled with his command since coming up (26 walks in 32.1 innings). He needs more time to hone his skills and will find himself doing just that in Triple-A again.
Dan Johnson -- Despite a mini-surge, the lumbering red-head is back in the minors with the activation of the aforementioned Bradley. Simple fact...he has been outhit by almost everyone else on the A's, and the club would rather go with the hot hitting Nick Swisher at first. Look for the kid to come back if/when Frank Thomas finds himself hurt again, but no sooner than that...atleast until maybe rosters expand.
Morgan Ensberg -- Oh how the mighty have fallen!! He goes from being on eof the hottest rising stars to being a Houston afterthought now. His shoulder problems have landed him on the DL and with the trade for Aubrey Huff, it doesn't look like he fits in anymore with the team. There's always the chance that he regains his form and they move Huff to the outfield, but really..is that what you were looking for when you drafted him?
posted by Howard Bender at
2:57 PM
