Ryan Zimmerman is back in the lineup after a DL stint.
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I love this time of the baseball year. You have mid-season trading between teams in the hunt and those that deem themselves 2009 candidates; call-ups from the minor leagues as players are having statistical meltdowns, showcasing for trade bait, covering for injuries, replacing traded players, or simply deserving of the call.
WELCOMING PARTY
Indians/Dodgers Trade: Casey Blake will be in some new digs this coming weekend as a trade occurred that sent him to Los Angeles from Cleveland. The Dodgers’ acquired Blake for two minor-league players, giving the Dodgers some much-needed pop in the line-up. The Dodgers surrendered minor leaguers Carlos Santana (C), and Jonathan Meloan (RHP).
This is a quick-fix solution for two reasons: One, Blake is a free-agent at the end of the season (which makes him worthy of NL Only waive-wire fodder IF you are in playoff contention) with the Indians covering some of the salary just to get some young talent and give themselves some room on their roster. Two, because the Dodgers still have Andy LaRoche “growing into his big boy shoes” at third base. Blake DeWitt took the biggest hit, being optioned to Triple-A.
PROPER ARTICLE TITLE: Desperately Seeking Production
Yankees/Pirates Trade: Brian Cashman has done it again. In my opinion, the Yankees gave away nothing for something. Damaso Marte will take over where Joba Chamberlain left off. No, I am not suggesting that they are the same caliber, just that Marte is a talented enough pitcher to get the job done and allow the Yankees to relax a little, when they head into the 7th, and 8th innings. Xavier Nady should have fetched a better price, not because he is “that” good, but because his statistical numbers suggest it. Nady, batting .327 with 13 homeruns, and over 50 runs and runs batted in should be considered a high priority player on trade day. Essentially, the Yankees traded away four second-tier minor league players for two better than average, all ready proven major leaguers.
PROPER ARTICLE TITLE: Yankees steal Booty from Pirates
Nationals/Diamondbacks Trade: With Brandon Lyon showing that he has holes in his game, the Diamondbacks started to prepare for their playoff run, acquiring CP Jon Rauch from the Nationals. They surrender a solid minor leaguer in second baseman Emilio Bonifacio to add another 6’ 11” pitcher to their staff. With Orlando Hudson on the staff and likely to receive and accept another long-term deal in the off-season, it makes sense for Arizona to deal away Bonaficio, however, I do not see the need to deal for Bonaficio when you have Cristian Guzman playing a solid shortstop position and Ronnie Belliard arguably your best power hitter with both Nick Johnson and Ryan Zimmerman on the disabled list.
PROPER ARTICLE TITLE: Riddle Me This Washington, “Why?”
WELCOME BACK, KOTTER…
Many players have made their comeback from injury. Some of them are very welcomed back as their absence has affected their team greatly. Here is list of those who may very well help impact your favorite major league team and/or your fantasy rosters.
DH David Ortiz, BOS ~ There is no doubt that Boston fans and fantasy managers are both ecstatic to see the return of Big Papi and his lumber. OF Brandon Moss was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
CP J.J. Putz, SEA ~ It seems that the Seattle Mariners do have something to cheer about, if only for the return of their closer, J.J. Putz. The team did something shocking though. Instead of turning RHP Ryan Rowland-Smith into their solid setup man, they optioned him to Triple-A to be stretched out for a potential 2009 starting rotation spot.
SP Mike Hampton, ATL ~ If he can stay healthy and pitch well, this is an added bonus for the Atlanta Braves who are once again beset with injuries, primarily with their pitching staff. I gave him three starts before he tweaks something new on his body.
RHP Charlie Morton was optioned to Triple-A Richmond.
SP Fausto Carmona, CLE ~ With the trading of CC Sabathia, this should be good news for the Tribe. If Carmona can pitch at or near his 2007 statistics, this should help ease the loss of Sabathia and still retain some hope of salvaging an ego-bruising 2008 campaign. The team optioned SP Aaron Laffey to their Triple-A Buffalo affiliate.
C Gerald Laird, TEX ~ The team got a taste of their future with Tyler Teagarden, but it was short-lived as he needed to be sent back down to the minors to qualify for the Olympic team. Laird is a serviceable catcher with limited pop at the plate. SP Kevin Millwood was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
RHP Esteban Loaiza, CWS ~ Another White Sox gets back on the roster. Loaiza has been a journeyman to say the least. What I like about him is his ability to turn it up in the second-half, making him a solid waiver-wire candidate if he gets starts, however, with the depth of their starting rotation, this does not appear as likely on his newest team.
CF Torii Hunter, LAA ~ Recovering from the loss of his grandmother, the team allowed Hunter as long as he needed to mourn his loss. That time appears over as the team activated him from the bereavement list, optioning RHP Jason Bulger to Triple-A Salt Lake.
CF Juan Pierre, LAD ~ On the other Los Angeles team, the news has come down the pipeline that the base stealing machine, Juan Pierre is on his way back, placing OF Delwyn Young on the 15 day disabled list with a right shoulder bruise.
OF Lastings Milledge, WAS ~ As he was starting to breakout statistically, Milledge received an injury set back. Now fully recovered, the Nationals have added him back into the line-up, moving Willie Harris over to left field while he is on fire at the plate. The team, carrying three catchers, Jesus Flores, Paul Lo Duca, and Will Nieves, designated Johnny Estrada for assignment.
SS Jason Bartlett, TAM ~ Solid in the field and better on the bases, this base stealing threat rejoins the team as they are immersed in a three-team hunt in the AL East. Ben Zobrist was optioned to Triple-A, regardless of his excellent plate presence while Bartlett was out.
OF Alfonso Soriano, CHC ~ There is no doubt that you heard about his return. The question is whether or not we get the 30/90/90/20 Soriano, or a lesser version of himself.
3B Ryan Zimmerman, WAS ~ Joining Milledge in a return to the line-up is Zimmerman. Easily the best hitter on the team, Zimmerman should return to the Nationals’ line-up and your fantasy roster as soon as possible.
SAY GOODBYE…FOR NOW!
There were other moves in which you may have just lost a player or prospect from the majors, significantly discounting the value of your bench or your keeper league rosters’ future.
C J.R. Towles, HOU ~ The team activated Humberto Quintero from the disabled list, thus ending the J.R. Towles experiment for now. Towles has the ability to hit the long ball but at this point, what he lacks is the plate presence necessary to start in the majors. He simply needs more seasoning at the Triple-A level.
RHP Ryan Tucker, FLA ~ Tucker was considered one of the top prospects in baseball, from a pitching perspective but a lousy stint in the majors and the return of RHP Andrew Miller has landed Tucker back in Triple-A. Tuckers’ demotion is yet another keeper league blow to many NL Only fantasy managers.
1B/OF Dan Ortmeier, SFG ~ Considered at the beginning of the season to be staple among a list of studs in the outfield barn, Ortmeier was giving his walking papers this past week. The team elected to recall C Steve Holm from their Triple-A Fresno affiliate. Is this in light of Bengie Molina’s age and declining power numbers?
SP Eric Stultz, LAD ~ Stultz did a mediocre job filling a roster spot, just long enough for the team to recall possibly their best pitching prospect, LHP Clayton Kershaw. Stultz does have some small potential in NL Only keeper leagues, but it is unlikely that he will produce any further dividends in 2008, especially with pitchers like Brad Penny preparing to make his return.
1B Joe Koshansky, COL ~ With the return of SS Troy Tulowitzki, the future starting first baseman for the Rockies has been optioned to Triple-A. The team obviously needs Tulowitzki to come out of his 2008 slump. With Todd Helton declining in power and durability, it is important to hold onto Koshansky in NL Only fantasy keeper formats.
THE GONG SHOW
Contained within this list is a handful of MLB prospects who are getting the opportunity to shine with their own “cup of coffee” in the Majors. Watch them closely, especially you keeper league owners, as they are ready to show their wares on the big stage.
RHP Jeff Samardzija, CHC ~ As they lose CP Kerry Wood to the disabled list, it is obvious that Carlos Marmol will assume the closer role. In addition, we get our first look at the former Notre Dame wideout and current pitcher for the Cubs’ organization. Samardzija has been a little better than average, but for fantasy keeper leagues, this is big news.
INF Josh Fields, CHW ~ Here is another look at this minor league prospect. Fields gets recalled because of Joe Crede’s stint on the disabled list with lower lumbar issues. Fields is big league material, but the team has not had a need for him till now.
RP/SP Justin Masterson, BOS ~ Although slated to be a future starter with the organization, it appears that with their bullpen woes, he is making an impact in 2008 as a relief pitcher/spot starter, and likely waiting until 2009 to be a full time starter.
INF Ian Stewart, COL ~ Jason Nix was selected out of spring training as the starting second baseman, and Stewart was relegated to the minor leagues. But the tides have now turned for both of them. Stewart has an opportunity to showcase the talents he brings to the table, allowing keeper league owners of Stewart to gauge where he is at in his development. Over his last seven games he’s batting .483 with 12 RBI.
LOST, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Here is a quick list of players who can have an impact on the quality of the major league roster and/or test your fantasy league management skills.
15-Day Disabled List: C Jorge Posada, NYY
Fantasy Waiver Option: C Kurt Suzuki, OAK; C Chris Snyder, ARI
15-Day Disabled List: RP Scott Linebrink, CWS
Fantasy Waiver Option: RP Mike Lincoln, CIN; RP John Grabow, PIT
15-Day Disabled List: SP Kevin Millwood, CLE
Fantasy Waiver Option: SP Joel Hanrahan, WAS, SP SP Francisco Liriano, MIN
15-Day Disabled List: 3B Joe Crede, CWS
Fantasy Waiver Option: 1B/3B Chris Davis, TEX, 3B Melvin Mora, BAL
15-Day Disabled List: CP Kerry Wood, CHC
Fantasy Waiver Option: RP Rafael Soriano, ATL, RP Tyler Yates, PIT
15-Day Disabled List: OF Joey Gathwright, KC
Fantasy Waiver Option: OF Willie Harris, WAS, OF Lastings Milledge, WAS
15-Day Disabled List: SP Jose Contreras, CWS
Fantasy Waiver Option: SP Glen Perkins, MIN; SP Vicente Padilla, TEX
