Ignore what Ian Stewart did (or didn't do) during his first call up. He is a great hitting talent with 25+ home run potential.

Last week I discussed some younger players who are slightly under rated now, that will make for good keeper league trade targets.  It can sometimes be a tough decision to cash in your chips, but if you’re out of contention, there is no better time to make a dump trade than at the deadline.  The trend in the keeper leagues I play in, finds many people going after big name youth like Evan Longoria or Jay Bruce.  It can be harder to pry these fantastic talents from a contending owner’s hand.   What I’ve tried to do is look at some under the radar youth that will likely pay off more next year, but will come relatively cheaply this year.  This week with the trade deadline in many fantasy leagues getting closer, let’s discuss this topic further.

Ian Stewart, MI, Colorado Rockies

They’ve called him up twice now on the season.  As I mentioned last week, the post-first-call-up syndrome makes for a great target.  You won’t see him hyped in many front-page articles after his second call up.  You have to use this to your advantage here, as Ian Stewart is a great talent.  He has mashed this season in the high minors, and is the ripe age of 23.  Stewart is 2B eligible in some leagues and has 25 + home run per year upside.  Since he has not raked enough to get him hyped yet, you’ll have a better shot at getting him for less now.  Buy low.

Josh Fields, 3B/OF, Chicago White Sox

I’ll admit to buying into the pre-season hype on Fields.  I figured Joe Crede’s back would collapse early in the spring, or he’d be dealt.  How often does a team stick with a veteran bat when they have what seems like a much more talented younger athlete waiting in the wings?  Not that often.  Much to my dismay, Fields sat in Triple A until just a few weeks ago, while Crede kept hitting.  With Crede on the DL, Fields is back in the majors and not hitting very well.  That’s fine, because we’re not looking for players that everybody covets here.  We’re looking for under the radar types that you can sneak in on a late season keeper league deal.  Fields already mashed 23 home runs in 2007 so he has proven he can hit major league pitching.  He will not help your batting average now, or in the future.  However, he does steal the odd base and has 35 home run upside.  He will find at bats on someone’s roster in 2009, so look to acquire him now.

Andrew Miller, SP, Florida Marlins

Last week, I said that I wouldn’t highlight keeper pitchers as much, because they don’t make for great keeper league targets.  I haven’t changed my opinion in that regard,  since pitching is a physically unnatural thing for a human to do.  The stress on the elbow and shoulder joints is immense. Only the truly superior athletes, softer tossing pitchers and steroid freaks have had long successful pitching careers.  So now you ask, why I am mentioning Andrew Miller?  Well I figured somebody out there doesn’t believe me and will play the odds for next year.  Miller is a guy who is still learning to pitch, is still young and throws extreme heat.  Before getting hurt, he was striking out batters in gobs.  Since he didn’t come screaming out the gate after getting called up a year ago, and his overall numbers are fairly weak, he’s likely expendable for most teams.  Miller makes for a good target because you should be able to get him as a throw-in on a deal.  Miller still has huge upside and is still quite young at 24.

Players who I discussed last week that still make great targets: Adam Lind, Carlos Gonzalez, Steven Pearce and Billy Butler.

All right let’s see what’s happening around the league.

Well something is wrong with Shaun Marcum.  He is not the same pitcher since coming off the disabled list.  He was putting up stud numbers prior to a mysterious elbow injury but that was due to a low BABIP.  He was extremely lucky with balls being hit into play making outs.  Knowing the Blue Jays as I do, his elbow may still be hurting and they just aren’t telling us.  Let’s be fair and say the time to sell high with Marcum is likely over.

If you’re looking for batting average and run help, Akinori Iwamura is hitting .299 over the last month, .375 over the past week.  He hasn’t been doing much else mind you, but being in a productive line up like the Rays, he will get decent run totals.  Especially when he’s hitting like he has lately.  He’s likely out there in your shallow mixed league and is eligible at 2B and 3B in most leagues.

Just a small point here but George Sherrill has been pretty bad since the All-Star break. 

The heat you’re feeling is Prince Fielder’s bat.  He hit another home run on Tuesday and has six in his last 30 AB. 

Alexei Ramirez had a home run on Tuesday night.  How good has this guy been?  Ten home runs and eight stolen bases on the year, eligible at 2B! [Ed. Note – And a great nickname! The Cuban Missile]

Carlos Gonzalez had himself another great night, going 4 for 4 against the Blue Jays.  This kid has all the tools.

If you haven’t picked up Kelly Shoppach since I first mentioned him, what is stopping you now? He has three home runs in the past week with a sweet .440 batting average.  I highly doubt he’s still out there in most leagues.