Rocco Baldelli is fighting his way back into a career. Mitochondrial disorder be damned!!

Mixed League Options

Eddie Guardado, RP, Rangers – When Guardado had reconstructive elbow surgery (a la Tommy John) at age 36, after 15 years in the major leagues, he was told that he should consider retirement. After an unimpressive return to baseball last summer with the Reds, he again was advised to consider life after baseball. But the Texas Rangers called and signed “Everyday Eddie” to a one-year deal, and now here he is, just chosen to succeed the injured C. J. Wilson as their closer. Guardado no longer blows hitters away, but uses his considerable guile and a deceptive delivery to keep hitters off balance. He will close out games for at least the next two weeks, and could keep the job if he impresses manager Ron Washington, who was looking for an excuse to take the job away from Wilson anyway. Everyday Eddie should be added in all leagues.

Josh Johnson, SP, Marlins – Johnson put together an impressive rookie campaign for the Marlins in 2006, going 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA and 7.6K/9IP. All signs pointed to a promising 2007 for Johnson, but he blew out his arm and ended up missing the entire season after surgery in August of last year. He’s started five games this season since his return, and had quality starts in all but one of them. He is striking batters out at roughly the same rate, and he will only improve with time. The buy low window on Johnson will slam shut after another good outing or two, so grab him now before everybody is on to this diamond in the rough.

Ian Kennedy, SP, Yankees – He was so impressive last fall when the Yankees brought him up for the stretch run, that the team was certain Kennedy was ready for the big time this season. But he struggled mightily in April and May, and got away from the things that made him so successful in the minors. After a stint on the DL, the Yanks left him in Triple A, where his stuff of old has largely returned, making it look like the young hurler is ready for another go at it. Just in time too, as the Yankees are in dire need of pitching help. Kennedy is being called upon to fill in for Joba Chamberlain, and will get several starts over the next few weeks. If he pitches well, he can earn himself a permanent job, so he will certainly be motivated. For all those reasons, he makes a great fantasy pickup that could ultimately be a difference maker in many leagues.

Brandon Inge, C, Tigers – It’s been a strange year for Inge. He went from man without a position on the trading block, to being forced back behind the dish to catch, a position he would rather not play; and now he is the primary every day catcher for the Tigers after they traded away their perennial All Star, Ivan Rodriguez. Inge has never been a guy who hits for average; he has batted .239 over his eight years in the majors. However, he does have a fair amount of pop in his bat, and will hit for power with regular at bats. It’s not clear just how much catching takes out of him, and whether the extra effort it takes to don the tools of ignorance game after game will affect his power swing. He should still be good for 5-10 home runs the rest of the way, along with RBI opportunities and plenty of runs scored as part of the Detroit lineup.

NL Only Options

Brandon Moss, OF, Pirates – The deal that sent Jason Bay to the Red Sox and Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers netted the Pirates several very good players, among them, Brandon Moss. Pittsburgh got themselves a major league ready prospect who can hit for power and average, and also play excellent defense at his position. He hit 17 home runs last season in Triple A, but it’s worth noting that he also hit 41 doubles. Moss is just 24 years old, and his power is still developing. In time, those doubles should convert to plus home run power. Keeper leaguers should be all over this guy for certain, and NL mono- leaguers who could use an outfielder, can do a lot worse than Moss.

Joe Mather, OF, Cardinals – The Cardinals have had a tough year of injuries, the most recent being outfielder Chris Duncan, who will have neck surgery that will sideline him for the rest of the season, and could jeopardize his career. Joe Mather was brought up to replace him. Last season between Double A and Triple A, Mather hit a total of 31 home runs in 508 at bats. He batted .303 at the Double A level, but just .241 at Triple A, and sadly, the Triple A number is much closer to his career average and pretty much where the touts project him to be. In general, Mather looks to be a fourth outfielder type of player, with good power, no speed, and average defensive ability. Since Rick Ankiel is also banged up, Mather will get decent playing time for the time being. He could mash a few homers while he is here, so if you are in a NL only league and in need of home runs, Mather should be a decent short-term pickup for you.

Emilio Bonifacio, 2B, Nationals – The Nationals traded their best bullpen pitcher, Jon Rauch, to obtain Bonifacio with the intention of making him their second baseman and leadoff man for the future. As is always the case with the National, after August 1^st the future is now, as they release all their more expensive players and install the younger, cheaper players for the rest of the season. Bonifacio has played five games so far, and has gone 8 for 22 (.364) with five runs scored and two stolen bases. He has plus speed that compares favorably with Juan Pierre, and as the sparkplug at the top of the order he’ll be expected to use his speed to steal often. He can help your NL only team in the steal category down the stretch, but don ‘t expect him to continue hitting at that lofty rate. Keeper leaguers will also want to stash Bonifacio away for 2009 and deep mixed leaguers desperate for steals can use him for the short term.

AL Only Options

Rocco Baldelli, OF, Rays – Last season I drafted Baldelli, getting him somewhere in the late middle rounds and thinking I had pulled one on all my league mates. I thought I had a surefire 30/30 player, or at least something close to that, in the kid from Rhode Island. But his hamstrings kept balking, and then came the odd diagnosis of a mitochondrial disorder that robbed his body of energy and the power to recover from exercise. Slowly, his name disappeared from view, save for the occasional head-scratching update, and it appeared he was done. Then, just like that, his name popped up again, and there was talk of him coming back. And he is finally at the doorstep and waiting for the Rays to open the door and invite him back in. What is not clear is what kind of player he will be if he does actually return. Can he still hit the long ball? Will he even try to steal bases? Is he still good defensively, or has he lost some of his range, strength, batting eye? The only questions you really need to ask are; how much potential does he have, and do you have a bench spot to spare? If the answer to the second question is yes, you should grab him and find out the answer to the first. The upside is a .300 hitter with plus power and plus speed who will play the game hard. The downside is, he is done. Do you feel lucky?

Bryan LaHair, 1B, Mariners – LaHair is like the second coming of Richie Sexson, standing 6’5” tall, striking out in bunches, with a mile-long swing perfectly suited to mashing the long ball. The main difference between the two is that LaHair actually has the potential to hit for average, whereas Sexson never could. LaHair was called up when Sexson was released, primarily to be the left handed hitting half of a platoon at first base with Miguel Cairo. For fantasy purposes, LaHair is best suited to deep AL only leagues for teams that need home runs. In his first 18 games he has two round trippers, and is batting a healthy .288. He has also struck out 17 times against just five walks. So he is truly only an option for the desperate among you. Keeper leaguers might want to take a flier on the 25-year-old slugger as he could develop into a hitter who can also hit for average on top of his prodigious power. 

Gio Gonzalez, SP, Athletics – Billy Beane has once again turned over a good portion of the A’s roster, dumping the players that would be prohibitively expensive to sign, and adding young talent with short service time that he can control for years to come. Beane seems to have a particularly discerning eye for young, developing pitching talent; Gio Gonzalez being one example of Beane’s prowess in that regard. Acquired in the trade that sent Nick Swisher to Chicago, Gonzalez is a highly touted prospect that had been lights out in the White Sox minor league system in the last few years. With the A’s Triple A affiliate this season Gonzalez has been somewhat erratic with his control. He is striking out batters at a rate of more than one per inning (128K in 123IP) , but giving up far too many gopher balls (12 in 23 games). AL only and deep mixed leaguers should monitor Gonzalez’ starts at the major league level and be ready to pounce if he puts it all together at this level. Keeper leaguers should add Gonzalez right away, as the 22-year-old appears to have the stuff to be a dominant starter some time in the next year or two.