The Hot 8: Week 17

With the trade deadline looming, everybody is trying to speculate which teams are going to buy and which are going to sell as well as what players they wish to part with and so on and so forth. I see fantasy owners guessing already on which players may or may not be traded by making waiver claims or trading for such players. Instead of worrying about which players are going to go from bad teams to good teams, how about focusing on the players who will be taking over on the bad teams? After all, these guys are the ones that are going to see more playing time the rest of the way. Unless you are Matt Holliday or Roy Halladay, chances are the players moving on to the contending teams will have a lesser role than they did before. This makes them less valuable fantasy wise. So don't get caught up in the hype. Keep your eyes on the prize and make moves for the players that will help you close out this championship season and not the ones who are in the headlines this week.

DON'T FIGHT THE POWER

1) Garrett Jones (Outfield) -- Pirates -- This is Jones second week in a row in The Hot 8 and I assure you if he is still available in your league he won't be for long. Jones has 10 HR's in his first 80 AB's this year and is hitting at a nice little clip of .350/.402/.825. He is a big powerful kid who is playing with purpose in what might have been his last ever attempt at a major league career. If you read this blog every week then you are familiar with the Garrett Jones story and if not go back and read about the decision that may have changed his life. Power like this does not grow on trees and I don't know of any fantasy team that has too much power.

ABSOLUTE MUSTS

2) Joel Pineiro (RHP - Starter) -- Cardinals -- Pineiro is a ground ball machine. Dave Duncan has him pitching to his strengths and not trying to be something he is not and this approach is working wonders for the thirty year old right hander. I feel that Pineiro is a must have fantasy starter at this point. If your team is thin in the pitching department especially with starters or if you have been going the ole' pitch and ditch route it is time for you to stick with Pineiro now. This is the kind of guy that can lead you to the championship this year believe me. He is owned in less than half of leagues right now so leave this screen right now and make the move for Pineiro. Just please come right back...3) Seth Smith (Outfield) -- Rockies -- I have been touting Rockies outfielders all season long with my favorite being Dexter Fowler. But Smith was on my preseason watch list and I personally drafted him in both of my fantasy leagues this year. He had not been getting the playing time I thought he would have received earlier in the season but he now appears to be the Rockies everyday left fielder. It is no coincidence that Colorado is now atop the wild card standings in the National League and poised to make a strong playoff push. Smith's numbers are fantastic this year especially for a platoon player who often would be used for one at-bat a game. He has power, gets on base, hits for a solid average, drives in runs and can even steal a few bases. This is a great opportunity for your fantasy team to pickup a player that is sure to start for you down the stretch this season.

IMPACT ROOKIES

4) Michael Saunders (Outfield) -- Mariners -- Saunders is a dynamic player who should have been called up long ago in my humble opinion. He is a big kid who has nice drive with his legs and loft in his swing. This suggests that he will be a legitimate power hitter at the big league level. But that is not the limit to Saunders game, not by a long shot. He has a great understanding of the strike zone and is a disciplined hitter. He uses all fields and shows power even when hitting to left field. Better yet, he is a good athlete who has above average speed and hustles every time out of the box. He is even a good drag bunter and will use it whenever he needs to just to get on base or move a runner over. The Mariners are going to love this kid and he will be their everyday left fielder for the rest of this year. I think he can be a difference maker in fantasy leagues the rest of the way. If you have the space I suggest picking him up if for no other reason than to keep him out of your competitions hands.

5) Chris Tillman (RHP - Starter) -- Orioles -- Tillman's time has finally come. He will be called up to start for the Orioles on Wednesday, making his major league debut opposite Zach Grienke and the Kansas City Royals. While I am not sold on Tillman's ability to dominate in the big leagues the way he has in the minors, he could be a useful piece in your fantasy leagues. The problem I have with Tillman is that I don't see an obvious out-pitch and he doesn't quite have the command of all his pitches the way Vin Mazzaro or Matt Maloney does. The Orioles are building themselves a very good ballclub for the future here and Tillman is definitely a part of that puzzle. If you are in a keeper league he is a must right away. Otherwise, he can be useful as a spot starter now and then when you are lacking or in two start weeks.

6) Matt Latos (RHP - Starter) -- Padres -- Unlike Chris Tillman, Latos has plenty of out-pitches and wow factors. His fastball is ridiculously good with sharp movement and 96 MPH speed coming on a downward plane from his 6'5" frame. His slider features fierce two way movement that can make even the best of hitters look silly. As big as Latos is, his ego and attitude may be even bigger. He is not a hard worker and has rubbed teammates the wrong way with his "better than the room" carelessness. He has already shown he can get major league hitters out after starting out the season in the A Midwest League. He may throw a no-hitter in his career if he doesn't burn out quickly.

ME AND JULIO, DOWN BY THE BALL-FIELD

7) Julio Lugo (Shortstop) -- Cardinals -- In all the hype surrounding the Cardinals acquisition of Matt Holliday, the minor deal they made with the Red Sox for Julio Lugo has kind of got lost in the shuffle. All Lugo has done since coming to St. Louis is go 6-10 with 2 3B, 1 2B and 1 HR. He also stole a base in his first game with the red birds, something he is sure to do more of while playing for Tony LaRussa. I love this pickup by the Cardinals. Lugo was just what they needed in the middle of their infield and while he doesn't possess the defense, he will be great for fantasy owners. Anybody who claims there are no middle infielders out there in free agency, Lugo is only owned in 2% of Yahoo leagues right now!

BACK FROM OBLIVION

8) Sergio Mitre (RHP - Starter) -- Yankees -- Mitre has long been abandoned by both major league general managers and fantasy league players. But now here he is resurrecting his career with the charging New York Yankees and making his way back onto our fantasy radar. Mitre was dominating in AAA this year and seems to have matured quite a bit since his days in Chicago and Florida. The Yankees will give Mitre a chance to win every time out and if he can just do a formidable job, he will turn out to be this years version of Aaron Small.


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