We now have just under one third of the season left to play and as they say on road trips, now is the time to…….PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL
In fantasy baseball terms that means do everything you can with your team(s).
If you are in first place do NOT let up now – continue making smart moves.
If you are in contention for a money spot be vigilant in finding key pieces on the free agent/waiver list and in maximizing your lineup each week.
If things haven’t gone well this (and I share your pain if you too had Jacoby Ellsbury as a second round pick in March/April) YOU still have things to play for:
- Your league may have a second half prize, or
- Your finish may determine your draft spot or minor league pick next year, or
- You can stock your keeper league team with some players who may be very valuable next year, and
- If nothing else play hard all year to keep the competitive level in your league – if you fail to do your best you may be rewarding one team and punishing another. YOU don’t want to be that guy or gal.
Let’s take a look at some players likely available in your league this week that can help you finish strong no matter where you are in the standings.
AL only leagues
Peter Bourjos, OF, LA Angels – Bourjos, 23, is the centerfielder for likely the next decade for the Halos. In his first two seasons in the minors he stole 50 and 32 bases while hitting .290. This year in AAA, he was moved to left field and when called up this week was hitting well over .300 (thanks to a league record fifty two hits in July) with 13 HR and 27 SB. The reason he was moved to LF was nine time Gold Glove CF Torii Hunter and thus there would be likely be more playing time in left field if/when Bourjos was called up this year. It speaks VOLUMES that when Bourjos arrived the Angels moved Hunter to right field and installed Bourjos in center. He is a must add in AL keeper leagues – if not already owned.
J.P. Arencibia, C, Toronto – Arencibia might have been in the Blue Jays lineup earlier in the year but for the excellent season that John Buck was having behind the plate and with the bat. Arencibia meanwhile was destroying PCL pitching with 31 home runs, 32 doubles, and 79 runs batted in, while hitting .303. With Buck’s injury, Toronto management had the chance to see what their young catcher could do and Arencibia didn’t disappoint, drilling a fast ball deep into the left field bleacher in his first time at bat in the majors on Saturday. For his first day in the major leagues, he was 4-5 with two home runs, a double and a single……. Another must add in AL keeper leagues.
Dan Johnson, 1B, Tampa Bay- Johnson will likely split time at first base until Carlos Pena is off the disabled list and ready to play (although there is some chance that doesn’t happen this year). IF Johnson gets enough at bats to prove himself this year, he will either be the starting first baseman for the Jays next year or finally branded a AAAA player for the last time – he has been brilliant in the minors but never put it together when he was in the majors with Oakland several years ago. Give him credit – he battled back in the Rays organization, took a one year hiatus in Japan last year and came back to play well enough at AAA Durham to get another chance – if he makes it and you can pick him up this year it will be brilliant (but yes lots of Ifs there).
Chris Sale, P, Chicago White Sox – Sale was a first round draft pick in June – thirteenth pick overall. He signed early and at stops at A Winston and AAA Charlotte has been excellent as a reliever (2.61 ERA and 1.19 WHIP). I think Sale’s future is brighter as a starting pitcher, but with nineteen strikeout in ten plus innings he could be viewed as a power closer for the Pale Hose, and I suspect will work out of the bullpen for the balance of this year. Another good speculative addition for next year rather than immediate help this season.
NL only leagues:
Juan Francisco, 3B, Cincinnati – Francisco has been the minor league player of the year for the Reds and I believe has three 20+ home run seasons in the minor leagues. I am not sure how much he will play this year but could still help in deeper NL formats, but is a very good pickup for those looking to stock the cupboard for next year.
Brett Wallace, 1B/3B, Houston – Wallace is undoubtedly the most traded, highest rank prospect we have ever seen. Drafted by St. Louis, traded to Oakland, then to Toronto via Philadelphia and now to Houston. Hopefully if you had him on a National League farm time you kept him. In many leagues he was not eligible for pickup last week, so he should command top dollar this week. He will be a fixture at 1B for years with the Astros will good batting average and 20 home run power……assuming he is not traded again.
Daniel Hudson, P, Arizona – Traded from the White Sox to the Diamondbacks in the Edwin Jackson trade, Hudson has pitched in the NL like he did in AAA in the American league. In my view players traded from one league to another shouldn’t be eligible to be kept the following year, BUT if your rules are different, he is a very good target.
PS – coming up next week will be Mike Minor in Atlanta – save some FAAB for Minor as he will be an excellent starter for many years for the Braves – and maybe your team.
Mixed Leagues – While most mixed leagues are not keeper leagues, yours may be, so take note of these players and some are definitely good additions this year in redraft mixed leagues, especially:
J.P. Arencibia – for deeper leagues that require two catchers
Peter Bourjos – if you need stolen bases
Daniel Hudson – if you need some starting pitching help{jcomments on}