The Hot 8: Week 16

Time is running out to make the necessary moves your team needs to make the playoffs or sustain come playoff time. The next few weeks are the best time to select a key free agent who can make a great impact on your team. Players will be traded to new teams, prospects will be called upon and certain players will finally be given a shot to see what they can do. There will be a lot of fluctuation in the next few weeks and this is your chance to capitalize.

SECOND HALF SOX

1) Jed Lowrie (3B/SS) -- Red Sox -- Lowrie was activated from the 60 day disabled list on Saturday and proceeded to jack a HR in his third at bat. The Red Sox designated Julio Lugo for assignment clearing the way for a Lowrie/Nick Green platoon situation at SS for now. Lowrie is the more talented hitter and after he is eased back into things it is my belief he will get the majority of playing time over the popular Green.

2) Clay Bucholz (RHP - Starter) -- Red Sox -- To make room for Lowrie the Red Sox sent back down Bucholz who had just won his first major league game in nearly a year by holding the Blue Jays to 1 run in 5.2 innings. Bucholz is caught up in a numbers game in Boston this year as they have just accumulated too many starting pitchers. I think it is a tragedy holding this kid back any longer because every inning he pitches in AAA is probably one less than he will in his major league career and that is a shame. There is a possibility that the Red Sox could deal for Roy Halladay before the deadline and if so I guarantee that Bucholz will be a part of that deal. One way or another, Bucholz will pitch in the majors again this season and when he does he has already proven that he has the ability to dominate.

OUTFIELDERS, OUTFIELDERS EVERYWHERE

3) Garrett Jones (Outfield) -- Pirates -- This is a great story and one which I have told a couple of times on Fantasy Baseball Tonight. Jones was on his way to visit his ailing Father in an Illinois hospital when the Pirates dealt Eric Hinske to the Yankees in return for some low minor leaguers. Jones himself has been a career minor leaguer scratching away for nearly a decade in the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins organizations before catching on with Pittsburgh earlier this year. With an open roster spot the Pirates gave a call to AAA Indianapolis to promote Jones only to find out he had just taken a leave of absence to be with his Father. The folks in Indianapolis called Jones on his cell phone and gave him the news and a decision had to be made. Go to Pittsburgh and realize a dream long overdue or go to Illinois and be with his severely ill Father? Jones called his family to which his Dad got on the line and told him he wouldn't speak to him if he didn't get his butt to Pittsburgh immediately. He did exactly that and has been raking ever since. Jones has 7 HR in his first 57 AB's already and is playing with the fire and passion of a guy who's dream has just come true.

4) Carlos Gomez (Outfield) -- Twins -- I loved Gomez coming into the season but he fell flat for most of the first half. Fantasy owners everywhere have given up on him this season but he has been coming on since the beginning of July. Gomez has some power to go with his good speed and when he is right he can be a very good fantasy performer. The Twins have recognized that Gomez is on a hot streak and are playing him everyday now until he cools off which may not be for quite awhile. This is a great pickup right now if you can still get him.

5) Franklin Gutierrez (Outfield) -- Mariners -- Gutierrez is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game. His range factor is through the roof and he's got a very strong arm to boot. The problem offensively with Gutierrez is that while he destroys left handed pitching he is below average across the board against righties. This year he's improved his strategy against RHP and instead of trying to drive the ball as he does against LHP, he's now just trying to make simple contact and go up the middle and to right field most times. This has been paying off in recent weeks as Gutierrez has raised his average to .294 overall and already has 12 HR, 44 runs and 41 RBI. He is an everyday player and is starting to come on strong offensively.

6) Chris Dickerson (Outfield) -- Reds -- With Jay Bruce out for 6-8 weeks with a broken wrist, Dickerson is the one who will get first crack at Bruce's spot in the everyday lineup. Though Dickerson has missed a few games recently with back spasms, it doesn't appear that it will be anything that will keep him out of the lineup long term. Dickerson has a nice blend of power and speed and is especially useful in OBP leagues because while he doesn't usually hit for a high average, he is an on-base machine. If Dickerson were to go down, Drew Stubbs would be next in line to get a shot and that would also be a very good roster addition too. For now though give Dickerson a shot. The upside could be very good if he can just stay on field.

ANGEL IN THE INFIELD

7) Erick Aybar (Shortstop) -- Angels -- I am so frustrated with the way the Angels have been handling their prized middle infield prospects lately. They seems to never want to give them a long term tryout and rather drag them in and out of the lineup on a day in and day out basis. Finally, Aybar has appeared to scratch his way into a full time role and is doing an exceptional job of late. He's hitting .304/.342/.413 on the season and has 3 HR's and 7 SB too. Aybar is fast and has the ability to steal 30+ bases in a full season. As long as he's getting on base and in the lineup most days, he will steal bases and score runs at a real good pace. With just about every fantasy owner crying over the lack of middle infield help, Aybar is owned in just 5% of leagues right now. So stop you're sobbing and help yourself already!

A VOTE FOR PEDRO

8) Pedro Martinez (RHP - Starter) -- Phillies -- He didn't get the $5 million he had wanted at the beginning of the season, but Martinez is back in the big leagues and with a contender once again. He doesn't have the velocity the he once did but his ball still moves with the crisp bite that it always has and that is troublesome for hitters. I am one of the few guys who believes Martinez warrants some fantasy consideration now. He won't post an ERA in the 2's or strikeout a hitter an inning anymore but the guy knows how to pitch and right now that is all Philadelphia really needs. Martinez will be able to last long enough in games for the Phillies offense to score the runs necessary to get him wins. Don't expect anything close to the Cy Young form, but he'll give the Phillies and your fantasy team a nice little lift right when you need it the most.


That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at jeff@fantasybaseballsearch.com