3 Up, 3 Down

     We’ve got a short week this coming scoring period as we all get a little breather with the All Star Break starting on Monday.  But while your fellow owners are taking their respite, it could be a good time for you to do some waiver work and start shoring up your bench for the second half.  Remember, as the latter part of the season goes, more and more owners will stop working the wire;  whether it’s due to their team being out of it,  they just can’t handle the intensity needed to do this kind of work for 6 straight months, whatever.  For you, for those making a run for the championship, rest comes in October.  Due dilligence for 6 months and then sit back and enjoy your championship while the playoffs and World Series commence.  That’s when you hang back.  For now, work, work, work.  And here’s a few names for you to keep track of…

3 Up

David Murphy, OF TEX — You may not see it right away, but here is the big winner of the Chris Davis demotion.  With Davis gone and the return of Josh Hamilton, Hank Blalock moves over to first with Murphy taking over the DH slot.  Sure, Andruw Jones may take a few games there depending on the matchup, but the team will realize that they can do even more, offensively, just by sitting Marlon Byrd instead of Murphy.  Then there’s also the fact that Blalock has the durability of a piece of China right before the bull comes through.  If/when the Blalock does break, Murphy should move over to first.  Just watch the Justin Smoak promotion though.  Either way, if that does happen, Murphy just goes back to DHing.  He’s got good power upside and with Hamilton back, the lineup will get a bit more thunderous.

Manny Parra, SP  MIL — At some point, the Brewers are going to realize that if they really do, in fact, want to compete this year, they’re not gonna do it with Seth McClung or Mike Burns in the rotation.  It’s bad enough that they’re relying so heavily on Braden Looper and Jeff Suppan.  But while I don’t see Parra being the difference maker for this club, he is still going to be an improvement on what they’ve got.  He threw 7 shutout innings in his last Triple-A start and looks like he’s ready to be brought back up.  His WHIP may be a little high, but hopefully he continues to cut down on the walks.  You might want to give him a look if you need some back of the rotation fantasy help for the second half.

Jonathan Sanchez, SP  SF — This one here is sink or swim for both Sanchez and the fantasy owners gambling on him.  The 26 year old lefty has penty of potential, but he just can’t seem to harness it on a consistent basis.  Last season he averaged almost a strikeout per inning and had been steadily cutting back on the walks he was giving out, but this year has just been a disaster.  He was pulled from the rotation in favor of rookie Ryan Sadowski, but now gets the spot back with Randy Johnson on the DL.  This is a big audition for him.  He’ll either succeed and stay in the rotation or he’ll flop and be done for good.  If he succeeds, the Giants could also trade him which, I think, a change of scenery would do him good.  It’s risk/reward, so if you can afford to take the shot then why not?

3 Down

Phil Hughes, SP  NYY — I think if we asked Hughes how he felt about being passed over for the starter’s spot vacated by Chien-Ming Wang’s second trip to the DL, his answer would sound cliche but with a bittersweet undertone.  What was it that Crash taught Ebby?  “I’m just happy to be here, and the good Lord willing, things will work out.”  Sure, that’s what Hughes will say, but you can’t tell me that he’s happy with, “you’re doing so well as our 8th inning set up guy, that we don’t want to move you.”  It’s a shame, really, as I’ve always been a big fan of this kid.  Personally I still think he and Joba Chamberlain should switch roles, but none of the Steinbrenner’s will take my calls.  Hughes value remains as low as it has been since he went to the pen and won’t get any better unless he moves back into the rotation. 

Jeff Francoeur, OF  ATL –  Frenchy’s .247 batting avergae rides again!  We all saw what the Braves did with him last year, and don’t think that they’re not planning that a second time around.  Francoeur has been benched for the last 3 games in favor of Matt Diaz, and all signs are pointing to this being the norm, not the anomaly.  Even if Diaz cools off a bit, this could still turn into a full time platoon situation.  I should hope that you have another option in your outfield.

Wladimir Balentien, OF SEA — Another outfielder who had the chance to be something but is now losing value.  When Endy Chavez was lost for the season, it looked like Balentien was going to get a lot more playing time.  And he did.  But 8 hits for the month of June just wasn’t going to cut it and the ball club looked for help.  Enter Ryan Langerhans.  Suddenly Balentien’s playing time has diminished and, at best, it’s looking like a platoon situation.  Neither is going to have much of a fantasy impact while they’re splitting up the playing time, so it looks like it’s safe to ditch Balentien now.  But definitely keep an eye on him.  He’s still got decent potential and if he can outplay his platoon partner, then just maybe he’ll get a bit of value back.