Picking Up and Dropping Off
Picking Up:
1. Shane Victorino, OF PHI: Will remain in center field for probably the remainder of the season as Aaron Rowand breaks his ankle in on-field collision. Solid combination of power, speed, and now...consistent at bats. Should be picked up in all NL only and most mixed leagues.
2. Neifi Perez, 2B DET: Traded over to Detroit after the Placido Polanco injury and manager Jim Leyland says he's starting over Omar Infante. He won't give you very much but if you're desperate for middle infield help, he'll probably be playing every day.
3. Kaz Matsui, 2B COL: The team waited until after the Mets series in Shea to bring him up to help his transition. They also sent Jason Smith down so it looks like Matsui should get most of the starts at second base. It'll probably take him a little time to get into a groove, but the Colorado air should be a nice help.
4. Joe Nelson, RP KC: The revolving door continues, but until he blows a few opportunities, the closer's job for the Royals is his. He's got decent stuff to make it work for the next month and a half, and really...who's his competition? Are the Royals really going to give Ambiorix Burgos a third chance to screw up?
5. Willy Taveras, OF HOU: Currently in the midst of a 24 game hitting streak and he swiped 4 bags last week. With Preston Wilson gone and Chris Burke coming back down to earth, Taveras is getting the playing time and making the most of it. Nice cheap steals here.
Also on the rise: 2B Dustin Pedroia, 2B Ryan Theriot, RP Arthur Rhodes, RP Justin Duchscherer
Dropping Off:
1. Coco Crisp, OF BOS: Went 1 for 19 in the series against the Yankees while watching Johnny Damon steal the show. Was hitting around .300 going in as the leadoff guy, but with that performance, we're sure to see him back down in the 7 hole.
2. Josh Johnson, SP FLA: Posted a 2.21 ERA in the first half, but only a 4.17 ERA in 7 starts since the All Star Break. He'll still be better than a lot out there, but the amount of innings and the general workload are wearing on him.
3. Stephen Drew, SS ARI: With the imminent return of Craig Counsell and the current slump, Drew could be looking at some lost at bats. There's even a strong chance he goes from regular player to platoon/utility status.
4. Moises Alou, OF SF: Missing another stretch of games due to a leg injury this time. He'll be day to day for the rest of the season, I'm sure, so you might want to look elsewhere for a regular outfielder. Hmmm. Maybe check out that Victorino character.
5. Tom Gordon, RP PHI: Suffering from shoulder soreness he took a few days off. When he came back and tested his shoulder, it still wasn't looking good. He's now on the 15 day DL and the club isn't entirely sure of exactly when he could return.
Also on the decline: OF Aaron Rowand, RP Huston Street, SS Cesar Izturis
1. Shane Victorino, OF PHI: Will remain in center field for probably the remainder of the season as Aaron Rowand breaks his ankle in on-field collision. Solid combination of power, speed, and now...consistent at bats. Should be picked up in all NL only and most mixed leagues.
2. Neifi Perez, 2B DET: Traded over to Detroit after the Placido Polanco injury and manager Jim Leyland says he's starting over Omar Infante. He won't give you very much but if you're desperate for middle infield help, he'll probably be playing every day.
3. Kaz Matsui, 2B COL: The team waited until after the Mets series in Shea to bring him up to help his transition. They also sent Jason Smith down so it looks like Matsui should get most of the starts at second base. It'll probably take him a little time to get into a groove, but the Colorado air should be a nice help.
4. Joe Nelson, RP KC: The revolving door continues, but until he blows a few opportunities, the closer's job for the Royals is his. He's got decent stuff to make it work for the next month and a half, and really...who's his competition? Are the Royals really going to give Ambiorix Burgos a third chance to screw up?
5. Willy Taveras, OF HOU: Currently in the midst of a 24 game hitting streak and he swiped 4 bags last week. With Preston Wilson gone and Chris Burke coming back down to earth, Taveras is getting the playing time and making the most of it. Nice cheap steals here.
Also on the rise: 2B Dustin Pedroia, 2B Ryan Theriot, RP Arthur Rhodes, RP Justin Duchscherer
Dropping Off:
1. Coco Crisp, OF BOS: Went 1 for 19 in the series against the Yankees while watching Johnny Damon steal the show. Was hitting around .300 going in as the leadoff guy, but with that performance, we're sure to see him back down in the 7 hole.
2. Josh Johnson, SP FLA: Posted a 2.21 ERA in the first half, but only a 4.17 ERA in 7 starts since the All Star Break. He'll still be better than a lot out there, but the amount of innings and the general workload are wearing on him.
3. Stephen Drew, SS ARI: With the imminent return of Craig Counsell and the current slump, Drew could be looking at some lost at bats. There's even a strong chance he goes from regular player to platoon/utility status.
4. Moises Alou, OF SF: Missing another stretch of games due to a leg injury this time. He'll be day to day for the rest of the season, I'm sure, so you might want to look elsewhere for a regular outfielder. Hmmm. Maybe check out that Victorino character.
5. Tom Gordon, RP PHI: Suffering from shoulder soreness he took a few days off. When he came back and tested his shoulder, it still wasn't looking good. He's now on the 15 day DL and the club isn't entirely sure of exactly when he could return.
Also on the decline: OF Aaron Rowand, RP Huston Street, SS Cesar Izturis
posted by Howard Bender at
5:11 PM
