Just a week and a half until we’re at the official mid-season point and there’s plenty of action going on. Between trades, injuries and demotions, jobs are changing hands left and right these days. Are you staying on top of all the action? For the most part, fantasy trade deadlines come in early to mid-August, but for those like me that have trade deadlines at the All-Star Break, you’ve got to get your work done early. You’ve got to scout your second half talent now and figure out your gameplan for leapfrogging your competition and landing at the top of your standings. Or, if you’re already up there, how to maintain that hold. Here’s a look at some players you might be interested in picking up…or letting go.
3 Up
Kyle Blanks, 1B SD — Obviously, Blanks value is hinging on the MRI results on Adrian Gonzalez’ knee. Right now, they’re calling Gonzalez’ injury a sprained knee and he’s listed as day to day, but if he needs a DL trip, then Blanks should get the call again for the remainder of the first half. He’s struggled a bit since his call-up, but seems to have come on as of late with two multi-hit games in the last 2 interleague contests against Texas. Blanks has solid power potential, so if you’re losing Gonzalez, grab Blanks to keep yourself covered for the time being.
Ryan Sadowski, SP SF — OK, so putting him here might be jumping the gun a bit here, but you never know. When the Giants demoted Jonathan Sanchez to the bullpen, Sadowski got his first crack at a starting job and delivered. He worked 6 scoreless innings against the Brewers while allowing 4 hits and walking 3. Now the walks may be attributed to nerves, but it’s obviously too early to tell. He did get an endorsement from manager Bruce Bochy and has officially been given a rotations spot, but I’m not 100% sold yet. This is a guy who, if you have an open bench spot and can afford to take a shot on him, then he may be worth a look. AT&T Park is great for pitchers and the Giants are playing good ball, providing plenty of run support these days.
Fausto Carmona, SP CLE — Here’s a possible set-up move for your second half. Remember Carmona? If you drafted him, then that bitter taste in your mouth is probably still there. Well, he’s finally coming on strong right now in the minors and if he continues to perform well, the Tribe is likely to bring him up for the second half. Right now he’s down in Double-A, and in his two starts (yes, he’s finally started pitching again) he’s 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA. Deeper mixed leaguers and AL-only folks should definitely take notice. He’s had the potential to turn around a fantasy rotation before, so maybe he can do it again.
3 Down
Kelly Johnson, 2B ATL — Recurring leg cramps and extended slumps are not the way to keep your starting job. Johnson has looked terrible this year with his .215 average and now with the hot play of Martin Prado, Johnson might be saying bye-bye to his job. He’s already losing at-bats each week, and it could be just a matter of time before the Braves make the move permanently. Bobby Cox has been gushing about Prado to the media lately.
Dexter Fowler, OF COL — This one pains me a little here for a few of reasons. I was a big fan of Fowler coming into this season and went big on him in two of my free agent drafts. It wasn’t that I was fooled by his 5 steal day back in April, I was pleased with the way he looked overall. Great speed, solid defense, some decent pop….all the tools you needed to succeed. Unfortunately, his average took a tumble with a pretty long slump and went from platooner to starter back to platooner again. Seth Smith has come on strong lately eating into his at bats, and Jim Tracy isn’t a basestealer’s manager. He wasn’t with Pittsburgh, he wasn’t with the Dodgers and he isn’t here with the Rockies. Don’t go dropping Fowler though as he could provide you with a good second half if he straightens himself out.
Elijah Dukes, OF WAS — Dukes is doing plenty of travelling between the majors and minors this year, a far cry from what his owners thought they were getting when they drafted him. With the Nationals latest deal (they sent Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan to the Pirates for Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett), they’ve brought in a major league ready centerfielder who gives them a little more speed and a little more consistency. That leaves Dukes as the odd man out since Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham are manning the corner spots. He’ll probably stay down until later in the year, unless there’s an injury, but look to see if he gets traded.
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