Diamond market: Rivera getting full-time at-bats
by Herija Green, KFFL
KFFL: Over a dozen expert league championships — a proven source of player news and fantasy content.
KEY
Acquire - Add player (in most circumstances)
Watch - Track player; consider adding if trend continues
Pass - Do not add player (in most circumstances)
Catchers
Rod Barajas, Toronto
Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston recently indicated Barajas would be seeing more of the playing time behind the plate, though that hardly qualifies as a revelation. Barajas' 40 July at-bats are nearly double that of catcher Gregg Zaun's 21 for the month, and Barajas has been the better hitter this season. Barajas is not a factor in shallow leagues, but he is absolutely worth owning in deeper formats that start two catchers.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire
First Basemen
Paul Lo Duca, Washington
With first baseman Dmitri Young (diabetes) placed on the DL with diabetic symptoms and other replacements unavailable, Lo Duca is expected to serve as the primary first baseman for the time being. Lo Duca, who has battled injuries throughout the 2008 season, is 11-for-41 (.268) with six RBI this month. A career .286 hitter, Lo Duca could be worth adding in deeper two-catcher formats as, despite the position change, his fantasy value is found behind the dish.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Acquire
Second Basemen
Edgar V. Gonzalez, San Diego
Lost amid the wasteland that has been the Padres' 2008 campaign is the emergence of another Gonzalez in America's Finest City. The older brother of All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Edgar has been arguably the team's most consistent hitter since taking over for second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (shoulder) in early June. With a .311-5-21 line in 180 at-bats this season, Gonzalez should be owned in all NL-only leagues and is also a worthy addition as a middle infielder in deeper mixed formats.
Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire
Ray Durham, Milwaukee
The trade of Durham creates a unique situation for fantasy owners, whose natural reaction could be that Durham's transition from starting second baseman for the Giants to backup in Milwaukee diminishes his value. Now while that may be true in the short term, Durham's arrival puts pressure on second baseman Rickie Weeks, who has struggled for much of 2008. If Weeks can't get things going offensively, manager Ned Yost may have no choice but to insert Durham atop the Brewers' potent lineup for the stretch run, which would boost his value considerably. Look to stash Durham in deeper mixed leagues if you have the roster flexibility.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Acquire
Pablo Ozuna, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Blue Crew inked Ozuna over the weekend and designated infielder Luis Maza for assignment. Ozuna figures to serve in a utility role for the Dodgers and can play all over the diamond. He was hitting .281 in part-time duty with the White Sox earlier this season and does have some speed. However, he is not worth owning outside of deep NL-only leagues.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Watch
Third Basemen
Edwin Encarnacion, Cincinnati
Encarnacion is on a roll over his past eight games, posting 13 hits in his last 28 at-bats, including four home runs. He has also scored seven runs and driven in six more during that stretch. Encarnacion is notoriously streaky, but he should be considered a viable short-term option in all formats.
Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire
Melvin Mora, Baltimore
Mora was a beast during the team's four-game set with the Tigers coming out of the All-Star break as he homered in each of the team's first three games and finished the series 6-for-18 with seven RBI. Mora is enjoying his best month of the season, hitting .302 and matching or setting monthly highs in home runs (four), RBI (16) and runs (14). He is worth adding in deep mixed setups.
Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire
Ian Stewart, Colorado
With first baseman Todd Helton (back) out indefinitely, the Rockies have recalled Stewart to man the hot corner while usual third baseman Garrett Atkins slides over to first. Stewart has shown prodigious power in the minors and is considered one of Colorado's top prospects. He has gone 3-for-8 with four RBI since being recalled Saturday, July 19, and could be worth adding as a corner or middle infielder (he should have second-base eligibility in most leagues) with some upside in deeper mixed varieties.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Acquire
Shortstops
Juan Castro, Baltimore
The O's acquired the veteran journeyman from the Rockies on Saturday, July 19, with Castro the team's latest attempt to solidify a position that has been a disaster since the offseason trade of shortstop Miguel Tejada (Houston Astros). Castro has been around since 1995, but he carries a .229 career average and is 0-for-14 this season. Bypass Castro for now in all formats but do keep an eye on him in AL-only leagues.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
AL-only: Watch
Outfielders
Darin Erstad, Houston
It would appear that Erstad's solid first half (.294-2-15), combined with the struggles of speedy outfielder Michael Bourn, has earned the veteran the starting gig in center for the time being. Despite the new role, Erstad has minimal power and speed, and he doesn't hold any real value outside NL-only leagues. He has also gone 0-for-11 since the All-Star break, which could open the door back up for Bourn.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire
Juan Rivera, Los Angeles Angels
Outfielder Gary Matthews, Jr. (knee) reportedly has a small tear in his patella tendon, and the team is still deciding how to handle the situation. A trip to the disabled list is possible, as is season-ending surgery. Matthews' health woes further solidifies Rivera's spot in the Angels' lineup, where he is 12-for-32 (.375) with three home runs and eight RBI this month. Rivera's long-term value for the season won't be known until the team commits to a course of action with Matthews, but he should be owned in all AL-only formats. Those in deeper mixed leagues should take a more passive approach and put him on their watch lists.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
AL-only: Acquire
Dave Roberts, San Francisco
Roberts (knee), who has missed almost all of 2008, could be activated by the club in the next few days. He could see some time initially with outfielder Fred Lewis (foot) sidelined by a bunion on his right foot, but Roberts' long-term prognosis for playing time isn't good unless the team chooses to trade outfielder Randy Winn. Pick him up in NL-only leagues in case manager Bruce Bochy finds playing time for him. Ignore him in all other formats.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire
Willie Harris, Washington
Injuries have led to more playing time for Harris, who has taken advantage by posting a .333-2-10 line in 48 July at-bats. The journeyman did a nice job in a part-time role with the Braves in 2007, and he has enough speed to be an option in deeper mixed leagues. However, his primary value lies in NL-only formats, and he should be owned in all such setups.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Acquire
Starting Pitchers
Chris Carpenter, St. Louis
Out since April 2007 recovering from Tommy John surgery, Carpenter (elbow) made his first rehab start Sunday, July 20, tossing four scoreless frames for Double-A Springfield. Despite not allowing a run, Carpenter struggled with his command, managing just 30 strikes in 61 pitches and issuing four walks. The team is hoping to have Carpenter back in the rotation sometime in August, which makes him an interesting stash option in all leagues for those that have the roster space.
Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire
Josh M. Johnson, Florida
Johnson has looked solid in his first two starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, allowing just two runs over 6 2/3 innings against the powerful Philadelphia Phillies Sunday, July 20. Johnson was very good (12-7, 3.10 ERA) during the 2006 campaign - his only full season in the majors - and could be worth a speculative addition in deeper mixed setups for those struggling with their starting pitching.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Acquire
Anibal Sanchez, Florida
Sanchez (shoulder) looks to be nearing a return to the majors after working six innings for Double-A Carolina on Friday, July 18. Sanchez, who is currently making his way back from rotator cuff surgery, is scheduled to make another start for the Mudcats on Wednesday, July 23, and he could return to the Marlins by Monday, July 28. That is not a firm return date at this point, but Sanchez is good enough to warrant adding proactively in NL-only leagues.
Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire
Relief Pitchers
Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs
With closer Kerry Wood (finger) likely to end up on the 15-day DL courtesy of a blister, Marmol figures to see some save opportunities. If an impatient owner dumped Marmol during his recent rough patch, scoop him up immediately.
Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire
Rafael Soriano, Atlanta
Soriano (elbow) is set to be activated from the disabled list Monday, July 21, but with reliever Mike Gonzalez perfect in four save opportunities since being activated, it remains to be seen what role Soriano will fill. If you're desperate for saves he could be worth taking a flier on just in case manager Bobby Cox elects to give save opportunities to both.
Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire
advertisement
