High Fives: Pickups, Injuries, News Items
As we approach the final days of the fantasy season, here are some players that might still be available that can help you.
1. Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants. I didn't get too excited about this guy when the Giants called him up, but he has hit nearly .340 since coming up with a few homers and 15 RBI. He should be catcher eligible, which could help, especially if you have missed out on some of the young catchers who have popped up this year. He won't carry you in any one category, but at this point of the season, he might be one of the better options available.
2. Johnathan Niese, New York Mets. Niese has only started twice in the majors, but his last one was a gem. Niese threw eight shutout innings and struck out seven against the Braves, so although the first one was ugly, he might be a decent spot starter when his next turn comes up. It is hard to say exactly how the Mets' rotation will shape up down the stretch, but he might be worth a start depending on the matchup.
3. Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians. Choo has quietly been hitting up a storm in Cleveland in the second half, and perhaps he has gone unnoticed in your league. He did in most of mine. After hitting just three homers in various "cups of coffee" in the majors, Choo has 11 this season for the Indians. In the last 18 games, Choo has hit .435 with five homers and 16 RBI. I don't believe that he is a keeper, but he could really help your team down the stretch.
4. Taylor Teagarden, Texas Rangers. Every time he plays, it seems that Teagarden is making an impact. He has three homers in his last six games, including a grand slam. He has driven in eight runs over that span, as well, making a play to get himself regular playing time in 2009. It seems the organization is going away from Jarrod Saltalamacchia, so it seems it will either be Teagarden or Max Ramirez behind the plate for the Rangers next season.
5. Blake DeWitt, Los Angeles Dodgers. In his second stint in the majors, DeWitt is now playing second for the Dodgers in place of injured Jeff Kent. He has been struggling the past couple of days at the plate, but he has been pretty solid all season long. With the 2nd base position being incredibly thin, DeWitt could be a help if you lost Kinsler or have been struggling with this position all year long.
Five pieces of injury news that are relevant in the final weeks of fantasy baseball.
1. B.J. Upton has been out for about a week with a strained quad, and could be back in the lineup on Wednesday. He was rumored to be back in the lineup on Tuesday, but he did not play. He is really hurting his fantasy owners, but it looks like he should be back before the end of the week.
2. Carlos Guillen has had trouble with his back over the last few days, and the prognosis is cloudy. Some reports I have read say he could be back before the end of the week, while some say his season could be over. You have to just keep him on the bench until you see that he plays a game. This kind of situation is the most frustrating to a fantasy owner when it is so unclear what might happen.
3. If all goes well in a side session that he is throwing later in the week, Erik Bedard could be back pitching for the Mariners before the end of the year. This season has been an utter and total disaster for the Mariners and Bedard, and I'm not even sure you want to throw Bedard if he does come back to pitch in the last week.
4. Rick Ankiel has an abdominal injury that will require surgery, the only question is when he will have it. Doesn't seem that he will be playing much, if at all for the rest of the season, so you are probably best off to just leave him out of your lineup for the rest of the season. The Cardinals are fading out of contention, which leaves them no motivation to trot Ankiel out there at less than 100%.
5. Alex Gordon returned to the Royals lineup on Sunday and had three hits in his first two games back. Gordon has had another very disappointing season, and a lot of fantasy owners wondering if he will live up to his enormous potential. He could help your team if he was dropped when he went on the Disabled List.
Five pieces of fantasy news heading down the stretch
1. After waiting all season long, the Rays have finally called up David Price. Price pitched 5.1 innings in his first appearance out of the bullpen, allowing two runs, including a homer to Derek Jeter. It appears he will get the start on September 23rd, and he could definitely help you down the stretch. Keeper leagues, if he is somehow still available, please grab him right away. You won't be sorry.
2. Robinson Cano was sat in a game on Monday for a lack of hustle, and was 0-4 on Tuesday. He has been a large disappointment this season, especially after batting .258 right now after nearly winning a batting title just two seasons ago. Cano will fall down the 2nd base rankings for 2009. If you have him, you have to just play him this season and hope for the best, but he probably won't be that productive this season.
3. Max Scherzer is back in the Diamondback's rotation and he has been making the most of his opportunities. Scherzer has allowed just four runs over 11 innings in two starts and has struck out 20. He will most likely get a few more starts, so grab him if you can, and he is even keeper worthy in leagues where you keep over 10.
4. Carlos Zambrano threw a no hitter for the Cubs against the Astros in a "road' game in Milwaukee. It was shocking considering that he was missing time with an arm injury. Feel free to get him back in your lineup in the last two weeks of the season.
5. Francisco Rodriguez has broken the single season record for saves in a season when he recorded save number 58. K-Rod will be able to reach 60 before the end of the season, and perhaps put the record out of reach for good. He is playing for a contract this season, and expect him to be the highest paid closer in baseball history going into next season.
Visit www.fightingchancefantasy.com for all your fantasy needs. Email fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com with any question and I guarantee a response within 18 hours.
1. Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants. I didn't get too excited about this guy when the Giants called him up, but he has hit nearly .340 since coming up with a few homers and 15 RBI. He should be catcher eligible, which could help, especially if you have missed out on some of the young catchers who have popped up this year. He won't carry you in any one category, but at this point of the season, he might be one of the better options available.
2. Johnathan Niese, New York Mets. Niese has only started twice in the majors, but his last one was a gem. Niese threw eight shutout innings and struck out seven against the Braves, so although the first one was ugly, he might be a decent spot starter when his next turn comes up. It is hard to say exactly how the Mets' rotation will shape up down the stretch, but he might be worth a start depending on the matchup.
3. Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians. Choo has quietly been hitting up a storm in Cleveland in the second half, and perhaps he has gone unnoticed in your league. He did in most of mine. After hitting just three homers in various "cups of coffee" in the majors, Choo has 11 this season for the Indians. In the last 18 games, Choo has hit .435 with five homers and 16 RBI. I don't believe that he is a keeper, but he could really help your team down the stretch.
4. Taylor Teagarden, Texas Rangers. Every time he plays, it seems that Teagarden is making an impact. He has three homers in his last six games, including a grand slam. He has driven in eight runs over that span, as well, making a play to get himself regular playing time in 2009. It seems the organization is going away from Jarrod Saltalamacchia, so it seems it will either be Teagarden or Max Ramirez behind the plate for the Rangers next season.
5. Blake DeWitt, Los Angeles Dodgers. In his second stint in the majors, DeWitt is now playing second for the Dodgers in place of injured Jeff Kent. He has been struggling the past couple of days at the plate, but he has been pretty solid all season long. With the 2nd base position being incredibly thin, DeWitt could be a help if you lost Kinsler or have been struggling with this position all year long.
Five pieces of injury news that are relevant in the final weeks of fantasy baseball.
1. B.J. Upton has been out for about a week with a strained quad, and could be back in the lineup on Wednesday. He was rumored to be back in the lineup on Tuesday, but he did not play. He is really hurting his fantasy owners, but it looks like he should be back before the end of the week.
2. Carlos Guillen has had trouble with his back over the last few days, and the prognosis is cloudy. Some reports I have read say he could be back before the end of the week, while some say his season could be over. You have to just keep him on the bench until you see that he plays a game. This kind of situation is the most frustrating to a fantasy owner when it is so unclear what might happen.
3. If all goes well in a side session that he is throwing later in the week, Erik Bedard could be back pitching for the Mariners before the end of the year. This season has been an utter and total disaster for the Mariners and Bedard, and I'm not even sure you want to throw Bedard if he does come back to pitch in the last week.
4. Rick Ankiel has an abdominal injury that will require surgery, the only question is when he will have it. Doesn't seem that he will be playing much, if at all for the rest of the season, so you are probably best off to just leave him out of your lineup for the rest of the season. The Cardinals are fading out of contention, which leaves them no motivation to trot Ankiel out there at less than 100%.
5. Alex Gordon returned to the Royals lineup on Sunday and had three hits in his first two games back. Gordon has had another very disappointing season, and a lot of fantasy owners wondering if he will live up to his enormous potential. He could help your team if he was dropped when he went on the Disabled List.
Five pieces of fantasy news heading down the stretch
1. After waiting all season long, the Rays have finally called up David Price. Price pitched 5.1 innings in his first appearance out of the bullpen, allowing two runs, including a homer to Derek Jeter. It appears he will get the start on September 23rd, and he could definitely help you down the stretch. Keeper leagues, if he is somehow still available, please grab him right away. You won't be sorry.
2. Robinson Cano was sat in a game on Monday for a lack of hustle, and was 0-4 on Tuesday. He has been a large disappointment this season, especially after batting .258 right now after nearly winning a batting title just two seasons ago. Cano will fall down the 2nd base rankings for 2009. If you have him, you have to just play him this season and hope for the best, but he probably won't be that productive this season.
3. Max Scherzer is back in the Diamondback's rotation and he has been making the most of his opportunities. Scherzer has allowed just four runs over 11 innings in two starts and has struck out 20. He will most likely get a few more starts, so grab him if you can, and he is even keeper worthy in leagues where you keep over 10.
4. Carlos Zambrano threw a no hitter for the Cubs against the Astros in a "road' game in Milwaukee. It was shocking considering that he was missing time with an arm injury. Feel free to get him back in your lineup in the last two weeks of the season.
5. Francisco Rodriguez has broken the single season record for saves in a season when he recorded save number 58. K-Rod will be able to reach 60 before the end of the season, and perhaps put the record out of reach for good. He is playing for a contract this season, and expect him to be the highest paid closer in baseball history going into next season.
Visit www.fightingchancefantasy.com for all your fantasy needs. Email fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com with any question and I guarantee a response within 18 hours.
posted by Ryan Hallam at
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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