Coming to an orthopedist near you!
We’ll be talking about some possible/probable September call ups over the weekend as we get ready to close out the month of August. But for today, we’re going to stick with the major leaguers that either need to be plucked off your fantasy baseball free agent waiver wire or sent packing from your roster as you try to finish the season at the top of your league’s standings. With a month left to the 2010 season, “crunch time” is an understatement. If you’re still able to make roster moves and you’re in a competitive spot, you’ve got to go (forgive me girls who play fantasy baseball) balls out and do as much as you can to help your team. Now I’m not saying mix and match and bench a superstar for a game or two, but if you’ve got a role player not pulling his weight, there’s too little time left to allow him to play through it. Here’s how things are looking to me today…
3 Up
Logan Morrison, 1B/OF FLA – I was actually a big fan of Morrison’s in Spring Training and actually thought he had a legitimate shot to supplant Gaby Sanchez as the Marlins starting first baseman back in March. However, he struggled mightily while Sanchez got off to a solid start and continued to have a great year. But Morrison, switched to the outfield in the minors, has finally put it together and is having a better than expected month of August. He’s currently on a 6 game hitting streak after just coming off a 9 game streak earlier in the month. His power isn’t really there yet, but while he’s keeping his average up and the Marlins are playing good ball, he could be a nice outfielder to move in and out of your bench.
Danny Valencia, 3B MIN — Whether Valencia continues as the Twins third baseman in 2011 is irrelevant and a debate that can easily wait until next year. However, the fact that Valencia has been locked in at the Minnesota hot corner for the last 30 games says plenty. Since his call up from Triple-A, Valencia is hitting .325 with a pair of home runs and 20 RBI in 56 games and it looks like he’s a permanent fixture, atleast for 2010. He’s always been a decent hitter with modest power potential, so he could be a solid fill-in guy for you at the corner infield spot, but don’t expect big eye-popping numbers. Good batting average and some runs scored ain’t so bad though.
Josh Thole, C NYM – With Rod Barajas livin’ la vida loca in Dodgertown these days, the Mets have been going with Thole as their primary backstop. While he’s not going to hit for much power, grabbing a catcher who can hit near the .300 mark is pretty damn good. He’s now hit safely in 5 of his last 6 games which includes 3 multi-hit games in that span. You might see a little power develop as we’ve seen with some other high-average catchers in the past, but I’d keep my expectations in check. Still, to have a guy out there playing 5 games a week and not killing you in the average department is important at this time of the year.
3 Down
Stephen Strasburg, SP WAS – Normally I don’t like to include injured players here, but this one, I suppose, has some gusto behind it. Three words Nats GM Mike Rizzo did not want to hear as his future ace was being examined, x-rayed, and MRI’d: Tommy John Surgery. Yup, that’s right. Oh how the mighty have fallen. A “significant tear” in the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and a trip to Dr. Lewis Yocum spells Tommy John surgery and not only wipes out the rest of this season, but, more than likely, 2011 as well. While most of us figured that the Nats woul dshut the kid down anyway, it doesn’t hurt as much right now for this season. This does, however, kill his value in keeper leagues as you would be heading into next year already down a roster/DL spot. Sure, he could come back strong for 2012, but if the Mayans are correct, it won’t even make a difference. Time to cut bait.
J.J. Hardy, SS MIN — I don’t usually like to let my beat writing covering the White Sox affect my fantasy baseball work, but with a heated battle in the AL Central, I can’t praise one Twin without cutting down another. And there’s no easier target to cut on than Hardy these days. Hardy’s left wrist continues to be an issue for him and will likely affect his production and playing time the rest of the way. He’s just 3 for his last 19 (.158) with just 2 RBI and has been losing time in the field because of it. With Alexei Casilla and Matt Tolbert contributing in the field, the Twins can and will continue to spell Hardy, especially on days when his wrist tightens up on him. It doesn’t appear that he is too reliable an option anymore and his power days have obviously been left back in Milwaukee.
Joe Saunders, SP ARI – Usually when a starting pitcher moves from the AL to the NL, you tend to see an improvement across the board. The ratios get a little better and the strikeouts show nice improvement. Well, no tthe case with Saunders here as his move to the Diamondbacks has been nothing short of disastrous. In his last outing, Saunders gave up 9 runs (6 earned) on 8 hits and 3 walks in just 4 innings of work while striking out just one batter. In fact, over his last 4 starts, the former Angel is 0-4 with a 7.77 ERA, a 1.91 WHIP and just 12 Ks in 22 innings of work. If you had any thought, whatsoever, that he could rebound and be a decent option in the final month, then you obviously have no intention of winning your league. Get him off your roster now!
That’s about it for right now. Remember, if you have any questions about free agent waiver wire stuff or anything else regarding the baseball fantasy world, you can email me at rotobuzzguy@gmail.com. Hell, if you just want to schmooze baseball, give me a shout. Always happy to chat.
Good luck and I’ll see you all in the money this year!
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