What's the Buzz? 7/31/06
The trading deadline has come and gone and there was quite a bit of player movement. No one really that big went anywhere but there was a lot of roster tweaking going on. You can catch up on all of the latest trades and fantasy analysis by checking out Elliot Madison's Trade Central and Analysis from earlier today. He gives you the scoop on everything that went down today along with what he expects for fantasy fallout.
In other news today...
The Twins boosted their offense today by activating OF Torii Hunter from the disabled list. It couldn't have come at a better time as Rondell White is still sitting with hamstring tightness. Hunter's return was highlighted with a 3 for 5, 3 run, 4 RBI performance with a 3 run shot in the 4th inning as the Twinkies pounded the Rangers today 15-4. There's still no word on exactly when White will return, but when he does, the outfield in Minnesota will look a lot better with him, Hunter and a platoon of Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel.
All you Armando Benitez owners need to be careful for now. Giants GM Brian Sabean seems to be pushing for a closer-by committee these days. I don't know who he's looking to get in there; maybe Kevin Correja? Vinnie Chulk? Steve Kline? I don't know about you guys, but despite some of his struggles, I would take Benitez over any of those guys, any day. Some people are saying Brian Wilson, but in a potential pennant race, his inexperience is working against him.
Most of the Mets news came earlier in all the trade talk, but if you don't know...Lastings Milledge will be called up on Tuesday to take Xavier Nady's spot in right field (platoon with Endy Chavez probably to start) and reliever Duaner Sanchez is done for the season after separating his shoulder in a car accident. Let's see how Milledge does in his second go around, but if he's playing every day, he should have some solid value.
Red Sox catcher and team captain Jason Varitek is day to day after leaving today's game in the third inning with what looked like an ankle injury. He was pulling up into second and seemed to land awkwardly while stepping on the bag. Unless test results reveal anything serious, expect him only to miss a game or two. Doug Mirabelli should get a couple of extra starts this week.
The Sox also lost OF Trot Nixon to the DL today as expected. Reliever Bryan Corey will take his roster spot, but Wily Mo Pena will grab all of the at bats in right field. Pena is someone you should definitely try and grab if you need some OF help. He'll provide some good solid power in that lineup.
Among their wheeling and dealing, the Royals put 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (back) and RHP Brandon Duckworth (elbow) on the 15 day DL. They also activated OF Reggie Sanders today. Sanders will start back at DH and move back into the OF once Mike Sweeney comes back. Newly acquired Ryan Shealy will take over at first base. If you can, grab Shealy. He should provide you with a little pop over the final 2 months of the season.
So I guess as a punishment for railing the organization and mouthing off to the press, the Devil Rays will make B.J. Upton play for the team he seems to hate so much. While placing Ty Wigginton on the DL (fractured hand), the club called up Upton and will use them as their primary third baseman. Recently acquired Ben Zobrist will replace Julio Lugo at shortstop. I don't foresee Zobrist having a lot of value, but if you need speed and stolen bases, then Upton should be your guy.
You read it earlier, but I still feel the need to report it. After acquiring Sean Casey from the Pirates today, the Tigers sent 1B Chris Shelton to the minors. He'll definitely be back when rosters expand in September and maybe even sooner if the oft-injured Casey needs a DL visit, but for now, his value is in the toilet.
That seems to be it for today, so enjoy your waiver hunting over the next few days...
Catch you next time...
In other news today...
The Twins boosted their offense today by activating OF Torii Hunter from the disabled list. It couldn't have come at a better time as Rondell White is still sitting with hamstring tightness. Hunter's return was highlighted with a 3 for 5, 3 run, 4 RBI performance with a 3 run shot in the 4th inning as the Twinkies pounded the Rangers today 15-4. There's still no word on exactly when White will return, but when he does, the outfield in Minnesota will look a lot better with him, Hunter and a platoon of Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel.
All you Armando Benitez owners need to be careful for now. Giants GM Brian Sabean seems to be pushing for a closer-by committee these days. I don't know who he's looking to get in there; maybe Kevin Correja? Vinnie Chulk? Steve Kline? I don't know about you guys, but despite some of his struggles, I would take Benitez over any of those guys, any day. Some people are saying Brian Wilson, but in a potential pennant race, his inexperience is working against him.
Most of the Mets news came earlier in all the trade talk, but if you don't know...Lastings Milledge will be called up on Tuesday to take Xavier Nady's spot in right field (platoon with Endy Chavez probably to start) and reliever Duaner Sanchez is done for the season after separating his shoulder in a car accident. Let's see how Milledge does in his second go around, but if he's playing every day, he should have some solid value.
Red Sox catcher and team captain Jason Varitek is day to day after leaving today's game in the third inning with what looked like an ankle injury. He was pulling up into second and seemed to land awkwardly while stepping on the bag. Unless test results reveal anything serious, expect him only to miss a game or two. Doug Mirabelli should get a couple of extra starts this week.
The Sox also lost OF Trot Nixon to the DL today as expected. Reliever Bryan Corey will take his roster spot, but Wily Mo Pena will grab all of the at bats in right field. Pena is someone you should definitely try and grab if you need some OF help. He'll provide some good solid power in that lineup.
Among their wheeling and dealing, the Royals put 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (back) and RHP Brandon Duckworth (elbow) on the 15 day DL. They also activated OF Reggie Sanders today. Sanders will start back at DH and move back into the OF once Mike Sweeney comes back. Newly acquired Ryan Shealy will take over at first base. If you can, grab Shealy. He should provide you with a little pop over the final 2 months of the season.
So I guess as a punishment for railing the organization and mouthing off to the press, the Devil Rays will make B.J. Upton play for the team he seems to hate so much. While placing Ty Wigginton on the DL (fractured hand), the club called up Upton and will use them as their primary third baseman. Recently acquired Ben Zobrist will replace Julio Lugo at shortstop. I don't foresee Zobrist having a lot of value, but if you need speed and stolen bases, then Upton should be your guy.
You read it earlier, but I still feel the need to report it. After acquiring Sean Casey from the Pirates today, the Tigers sent 1B Chris Shelton to the minors. He'll definitely be back when rosters expand in September and maybe even sooner if the oft-injured Casey needs a DL visit, but for now, his value is in the toilet.
That seems to be it for today, so enjoy your waiver hunting over the next few days...
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:49 PM
