Picking Up and Dropping Off
We're going to try and make this one a weekly special for you as well.
Based on performance, projections and MLB activity, we're going to list, each week, 5 guys you should see about buying low and 5 guys you should consider dropping or trading away as quick as possible.
Picking Up:
1. Robinson Cano -- The stay on the DL for his hamstring was longer than expected, but all the better for a hamstring to heal. He'll be back in about a week and a half and should resume his steady hitting with an average around .300.
2. Adam Jones -- The rookie is now starting in center field for the Mariners and has also been mentioned in trade talks for Alfonso Soriano. Has a good combination of power and speed as evidenced by his .277 average with 14 HR and 13 SB in 328 AB at AAA-Tacoma. If he goes to the Nats, he should battle with Luis Matos for playing time in center and that's no too difficult.
3. Reggie Sanders -- Trade rumors are swirling and all of them have Sanders going to a contender. If he finds his way into a solid lineup, another 12 -15 HRs could be found in the second half for him.
4. Brandon McCarthy -- Pretty much a win-win situation with him. If the White Sox deal away either Javier Vazquez or Freddy Garcia, then he slides into the rotation. If they trade him for help of their own, he slides right into the rotation. He's ready.
5. Adrian Gonzalez -- Quietly putting up solid numbers as the Padres 1st baseman and they aren't considering moving him at all. They're even trying to shop Ryan Klesko. Recent HR surge could raise the price a little.
Dropping Off:
1. Trot Nixon -- Definite decrease in playing time up ahead as Wily Mo Pena is finally activated from the disabled list.
2. Aaron Boone -- Poor hitting and mediocre defense has the Indians ready to bring up Andy Marte to take over the hot corner. Ronnie Belliard is getting a few starts over there as well.
3. Mike Lamb -- Has very strong bench potential if/when Morgan Ensberg returns to hitting and goes back to third. Chris Burke is staying in center which leaves right field and 1st base for the trio of Lance Berkman, Aubrey Huff and Lamb. Hmmm....which one's sitting?
4. Tom Gordon -- Any trade out of Philadelphia will certainly put Gordon back into a set-up role rather than remaining a closer.
5. Corey Patterson -- .191 average with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 runs and 1 SB for all of July so far. The decline has begun and David Newhan's return is just around the corner to crowd up the Orioles outfield again. Sucker someone else with those bloated first half numbers.
Based on performance, projections and MLB activity, we're going to list, each week, 5 guys you should see about buying low and 5 guys you should consider dropping or trading away as quick as possible.
Picking Up:
1. Robinson Cano -- The stay on the DL for his hamstring was longer than expected, but all the better for a hamstring to heal. He'll be back in about a week and a half and should resume his steady hitting with an average around .300.
2. Adam Jones -- The rookie is now starting in center field for the Mariners and has also been mentioned in trade talks for Alfonso Soriano. Has a good combination of power and speed as evidenced by his .277 average with 14 HR and 13 SB in 328 AB at AAA-Tacoma. If he goes to the Nats, he should battle with Luis Matos for playing time in center and that's no too difficult.
3. Reggie Sanders -- Trade rumors are swirling and all of them have Sanders going to a contender. If he finds his way into a solid lineup, another 12 -15 HRs could be found in the second half for him.
4. Brandon McCarthy -- Pretty much a win-win situation with him. If the White Sox deal away either Javier Vazquez or Freddy Garcia, then he slides into the rotation. If they trade him for help of their own, he slides right into the rotation. He's ready.
5. Adrian Gonzalez -- Quietly putting up solid numbers as the Padres 1st baseman and they aren't considering moving him at all. They're even trying to shop Ryan Klesko. Recent HR surge could raise the price a little.
Dropping Off:
1. Trot Nixon -- Definite decrease in playing time up ahead as Wily Mo Pena is finally activated from the disabled list.
2. Aaron Boone -- Poor hitting and mediocre defense has the Indians ready to bring up Andy Marte to take over the hot corner. Ronnie Belliard is getting a few starts over there as well.
3. Mike Lamb -- Has very strong bench potential if/when Morgan Ensberg returns to hitting and goes back to third. Chris Burke is staying in center which leaves right field and 1st base for the trio of Lance Berkman, Aubrey Huff and Lamb. Hmmm....which one's sitting?
4. Tom Gordon -- Any trade out of Philadelphia will certainly put Gordon back into a set-up role rather than remaining a closer.
5. Corey Patterson -- .191 average with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 runs and 1 SB for all of July so far. The decline has begun and David Newhan's return is just around the corner to crowd up the Orioles outfield again. Sucker someone else with those bloated first half numbers.
posted by Howard Bender at
5:49 PM
