Remember me?
Well, the month of June is now gone and with fantasy baseball teams making every attempt they can to load up for the second half, your free agent waiver wire is probably starting to look like the Thanksgiving turkey at the Molina house. We’re seeing a ton of rookies get their call-ups and fantasy owners are jumping all over them like…well, do you remember in the old Peanuts cartoons when Charlie Brown and the gang would decorate a Christmas tree? You’d see a plain tree and then a blurry rendition of the gang surrounding it, arms flailing about, and in seconds they’d move away and the tree would be fully decorated? Well, imagine a Penuts crew-like onslaught on your waiver wire and I think you get the point. However, with everyone looking fo rthat new flavor of the month, plenty of veterans and early underperformers are being lost in the shuffle. While your competition is looking for the next big thing, you should be able to grab a nice second half crew of forgotten vets to help you make a push after the All Star Break. Here’s how things are looking right now…
3 Up
Bengie Molina, C TEX – I know I talked about this yesterday, but I feel very strongly that mixed and AL-only leaguers that could use a little power behind the dish should target Molina immediately. You have to figure that he will hit 7th in the lineup right behind the trio of Vladimir Guerrero, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. Can you say RBI opportunities galore? The Texas lineup is stacked, the ballpark is a hitter’s paradise, and Molina, being the savvy veteran that he is, should adjust back to AL pitching very easily. I expect immediate results. After all, look at what moving to Texas did for Guerrero. “Big Money” is only owned in 59% of fantasy baseball leagues on CBS Sportsline and only 37.5% on ESPN.com, so he’s available. Grab him while you can and enjoy the second half surge.
Gaby Sanchez, 1B FLA – Very quietly, Sanchez is having himself a very nice and productive season with the Fish. Sure, you’d like to see his power totals increase (8 HR and 37 RBI), but with a .375 June in which he hit half of his 2010 HR and 6 doubles to boot, you have to think that more power could be on the way. He’s currently hitting .308 on the year, is in absolutely no danger of losing his job, and could make for a fantastic option at your corner infield spot moving forward. Based on the ownership numbers I’ve seen on the three major fantasy baseball sites, he’s available and yours for the taking.
Erik Bedard, SP SEA – Remember him? If you’re looking to take a flier on a decent pitcher for the second half, than Bedard could be your answer. It looks like he will not only be activated early next week for a Tuesday start against the Royals, but he’ll end up a two start pitcher for the week. Unfortunately, that second start comes against the Yankees, but it does come at home and over the last 3 years, he’s 2-2 against the Bombers with a 3.62 ERA. Bedard always has good strikeout potential, and while the wins may be hard to come by, his ratios should be solid in the second half.
Honorable Mention: Kevin Cash, C BOS – First Victor Martinez gets hurt and now Jason Varitek is down. Cash will be put into action immediately and could end up being a nice fantasy baseball sleeper as the Boston backstop for the next month or two.
3 Down
Justin Smoak, 1B TEX – Seemed like only yesterday where too many people were falling all over themselves going after Smoak. Well, if you’ll pardon the pun, I’ll say that not every time there’s Smoak, there’s fire. After his fouth straight hitless game and with just 3 hits in his last 24 at bats, Smoak is hitting a woeful .212 on the season and is in serious danger of getting shipped back down to the minors. The Rangers have been known to give their rookies the hook fairly quickly when they’re not performing and considering Chris Davis is currently hitting .339 in the minors right now, there’s a strong chance we could see a switch over the All Star Break. Smoak’s only legit value at this time is in the deepest of keeper leagues.
Raul Ibanez, OF PHI – This one is more of a warning; a pre-emptive strike if you will. Domonic Brown is tearing it up in Triple-A right now and could be pushing the battered Phillies into a call-up very soon. With Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth as productive staples in the outfield, Ibanez, and his 6 HR and ugly .234 average, could be headed for some bench duty. It’s definitely not a guarantee, but a strong possibility right now if the Phils want to give Brown a serious look. The only two things that could save Ibanez’ playing time if Brown does get the call are 1. if he starts to remember how to hit or 2. if the club ends up dealing Werth who is a free agent after the season. I’d start making preparations to replace though. Better safe than sorry.
Coco Crisp, OF OAK – Whaaaaat??? Crisp in the 3 Down section??? What’s that about? Well, I’ll tell you. Despite the fact that Crisp has been tearing it up with a .407 average, 2 HR and 3 SB since his return from the DL, I’m telling you to get rid of him now. Don’t just drop him, though. Really try to trade him. Get as much value for him as you can possibly get, because it’s going to be all downhill from here. He already sat out yesterday’s game becaus emanager Bob Geren said Crisp’s “leges were a little spent.” Are you kidding me? After just 7 games? Crisp has been a huge disappointment over the years and is super-frail as well. Get what you can and get out while the gettin’s good.
Have a fantastic and safe 4th of July weekend!
For the best in free fantasy baseball advice, tips, strategies, free agent waiver wire suggestions, and analysis, stick with The Fantasy Baseball Buzz and I’ll have you at the top of your standings in no time. And, as always, for all questions, thoughts and/or comments related to the baseball fantasy world or not, you can reach me through the comments section below or at rotobuzzguy@gmail.com.
Good luck and I’ll see you all in the money this year!
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