Welcome to August and while enticing free agents galore remain available for fantasy managers to take chances on, the decisions on whom to part with get tougher. Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo, for example, is recovering from surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his wrist, and latest word is he hopes to return this season. Well -- and I am not blaming him -- I hope that if I keep a roster spot for him he does, but I do not know if I can wait until mid-September.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Rays lefty Blake Snell underwent elbow surgery. Same deal: Sometime in September is the expectation. Well, my fantasy season could be done by then. That hardly means that my dropping of Gallo and/or Snell for the flavor of this week is worth it. Perhaps Cincinnati Reds newcomer Josh VanMeter and Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy will aid us more these final two months. I think they will but it just feels so wrong to dump a 40-homer fellow and the defending AL Cy Young award winner for ... Anthony Santander? Yikes.
Anyhow, here we go with another blog entry focusing on the free-agent hitters and pitchers that one writer thinks deserve more attention and others that, well, do not. Good luck on your drops, too. There are no right answers today.
Corner infield
Below 50% must add: We all realize that some of these percentage figures might not look like your league(s), but this is what we have. Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel Sano is probably never going to win a batting title, but he has 18 home runs in 57 games. That works! Go get Sano and Baltimore Orioles afterthought Renato Nunez, who is already at 25 home runs. I get it. They do little else for a fantasy team, but I am finding with so many home runs hit, one still never has enough power.
Worth adding: New York Yankees surprise Gio Urshela continues to play regularly and with Luke Voit on the shelf -- I would drop him first if it is between Voit and Gallo, for example -- that should continue. Urshela plays Gold Glove defense, and he is hitting for average and occasional power. Toronto Blue Jays veteran Justin Smoak helps nobody in batting average but he has been unlucky; that .220 BABIP is 50 points below his career mark and the Jays lineup looks better now with all the prospects active.
Mixed league stash: Los Angeles Angels rookie Matt Thaiss has a few home runs this week and while he is not supposed to be a big power option, with these happy fun baseballs perhaps he is. Stash and see what happens.
Drop 'em: Voit might be done for the regular season, so move on. The Atlanta Braves are not playing rookie Austin Riley anymore, so why are you? The Garrett Cooper experience was nice for a while. No longer. And Matt Carpenter isn't even hitting on his rehab assignment. I feel like so many of us were clearly duped by what Carpenter achieved over the final three-plus months last season into waiting longer for him. Lesson learned!
Don't drop 'em: I would like to see what new Rays acquisition Jesus Aguilar does before cutting him, though I bet he only faces left-handers. Wait, why is he still 45% rostered in the first place? Whatevs.
Middle infield
Below 50% must add: If you like Milwaukee Brewers rookie Keston Hiura, and you apparently do a bit as he just crossed 50% rostered, then add Toronto's Bo Bichette. Similar player, except Bichette is leading off. Oh, and get Hiura in more leagues. He is terrific. As for Danny Santana of the Texas Rangers, I simply do not know how he is still doing this, but he is and it is August so perhaps it is legit. His playing time is not in question so go get him. Danny Santana over Matt Carpenter in 2019. Imagine if you had done that on draft day!
Worth adding: The Twins keep playing Luis Arraez at third base and, through more than 150 plate appearances, he is hitting better than .350. He rarely strikes out. Batting average still counts in your league, right? Cardinals fill-in Tommy Edman can steal a base and score runs from the leadoff spot, but I'd go Arraez first. Tigers infielder Niko Goodrum has reached double-digits in homers and steals, and playing time will not be an issue.
Mixed league stash: The Dodgers have to be all-in to win it all, and with an opening at second base, I am thinking it is a matter of weeks before Gavin Lux gets the call. He is raking at Triple-A, and looks ready. Perhaps they wait until September. I would call him!
Drop 'em: Glad I spent FAAB money on Michael Brosseau. Nice one, Eric! Speaking of Rays, the team seems concerned about Brandon Lowe. If you need the bench spot, you know what to do.
Don't drop 'em: Why are you cutting Nick Senzel? As Teddy KGB said better than I ever could in "Rounders," bad judgment.
Outfield
Below 50% must add: This has been mentioned in this space before, and not just by me, but Cleveland Indians rookie Oscar Mercado is providing five-category goodness, and it looks legit. With the organization adding corner outfielders with power to lengthen the lineup, it should only help Mercado to score more runs.
Worth adding: Look at the Atlanta Braves as they have replaced injured Nick Markakis and struggling rookie Austin Riley with speedy center fielder Ender Inciarte and rejuvenated slugger Adam Duvall. Inciarte can steal bases. Duvall hits for power. Each can defend. Duvall topped 30 home runs in 2016 and 2017 and seems like at his current pace he can get there in two months. Keep an eye on aforementioned Baltimore Orioles youngster Anthony Santander, for he is playing regularly and producing. One other option is Mark Canha, as he is hitting better than he has shown consistently at any other time -- and against right-handed pitching -- and should handle center field duties for the Oakland Athletics with Ramon Laureano out a month. I think the Laureano injury is different than those of Gallo, Voit and Snell.
Mixed league stash: The Houston Astros traded seemingly every one of their top prospects except Kyle Tucker. This is good. Tucker could get the call to be in an awesome big league lineup at any point.
Drop 'em: Start with Markakis and Riley. Would not have said that a month ago! Justin Upton looks terrible at the plate for the Angels. Kole Calhoun is a better addition. And while I like the Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger, he has already missed more time than expected and the organization has no motivation to push him back into the losing lineup. What a sleeper Haniger will be in 2020!
Don't drop 'em: Nick Castellanos might start hitting as expected after his trade to the Cubs, but as colleague Tristan H. Cockcroft noted in the staff analysis of all the big trade deadline moves, well, perhaps it just won't work out.
Catcher
Worth adding: Updating my list of catchers that should be rostered in all formats, let us go with the typical foursome of Gary Sanchez, J.T. Realmuto, Willson Contreras and Yasmani Grandal. Close to being a must-roster are Mitch Garver, Christian Vazquez, Travis d'Arnaud (surprise!), Omar Narvaez, Carson Kelly, Roberto Perez and rookie Will Smith. Smith will hit and play regularly for the Dodgers. A few of them might be rostered in your league, but perhaps not all of them. That is my new top 10-plus at the position, even with Sanchez injured. A few weeks ago, I could not find 11 catchers to roster. Good times!
Mixed league stash: Nobody jumps to mind other than youngsters Danny Jansen and Francisco Mejia, but if it is them or Cleveland's Perez, for example, why ignore the fellow hitting for power today?
Drop 'em: Yadier Molina and Buster Posey are not helping your fantasy teams. I feel like we mention this each week.
Don't drop 'em: Keep Sanchez rostered, obviously. His groin injury is not so serious that he misses more weeks.
Starting pitcher
Below 50% worth adding: It is always contextual here, and based on matchups for the next fortnight or so. Nobody is really a must-addition. Frankly, check out the pitching forecaster with all the matchups and go from there. Regardless, from the most added list, get intrigued about Zach Plesac, Zac Gallen, Jeff Samardzija, Anthony DeSclafani and Michael Pineda. And remember, Cockcroft had a name or two among the pitchers with nice August schedules, including Pineda.
Mixed league stash: New Philadelphia lefty Drew Smyly has made Phillies fans mighty smiley twice, and the schedule does not appear too daunting the next two weeks. Keep an eye on Cleveland right-hander Danny Salazar. It has been a while since he was relevant in fantasy, but it is never too late to return.
Drop 'em: I hate parting with Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff and Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling, but they are hurt and not helping anyone. It might be a while for Yankees right-hander Luis Severino as well. One could say I waited months for him so another one is no big deal, but if you need the spot, waiting longer makes no sense. I doubt it works out in 2019 for Severino.
Don't drop 'em: I think Snell returns in early September if the Rays are contending -- and they should be -- and he can still make a difference. In addition, I have to presume the Indians believe both Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco return soon, thus the Trevor Bauer trade, but who knows for sure.
Relief pitcher
Below 50% must add: Little actually changed with the trade deadline. Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy led the sport in July saves, so get him. It appears that Archie Bradley is the Arizona closer, and he has pitched well of late. Emilio Pagan is still closing for Tampa Bay. Taylor Rogers does the same for the Twins.
Drop 'em: Move on from Greg Holland, Sergio Romo, Luke Jackson and Jose Leclerc. Try to wait a bit for Nathan Eovaldi, as the Red Sox did not add another closer. I would not bother with what remains on the Tigers, Marlins or Mariners but my inclination is Joe Jimenez, Jarlin Garcia and Anthony Bass will earn some saves while destroying your ERA and WHIP. Avoid.
Don't drop 'em: Best I can tell the Oakland right-hander to roster remains Liam Hendriks and not Blake Treinen.
Wednesday takeaways
• Some minor leaguers you might not have been thinking about will debut soon. The Brewers announced outfielder Trent Grisham is starting Thursday in Oakland. Grisham is a five-category talent with plate discipline, and if you think playing time might be an issue, think again. Ryan Braun does not play every day. First base remains somewhat open. If Grisham hits, he stays.
• The Dodgers are promoting right-hander Dustin May to start Friday against the Padres, and again, if he performs well, playing time takes care of itself. May proved himself with the happy fun baseballs in Triple-A. Rookie hurlers are never a sure thing, but looks like a keeper and a reason why the Dodgers were so quiet in trades this week.
• The Rangers are parting ways with infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, a versatile sort who always seemed to hit enough -- until this year. He should not be out of work for long, and a return to relevance is possible. Santana can play third base and word is catcher-eligible Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has not hit enough to matter in the majors or minors, gets a chance, too.
• On the field, Detroit Tigers rookie catcher Jake Rogers hit his first home run, but he is more of a defense-first backstop and it seems unlikely any Tigers hitter is worth rostering in shallow formats.
• New Mariners outfielder Keon Broxton always had power and speed but man, it is like rostering a bad closer with a 6.00 ERA. Broxton stole a base Tuesday and homered Wednesday but is hitting .214 on the season. Get used to it.
• Washington's Juan Soto, who homered Wednesday for the 20th time, might be the next Ken Griffey Jr. I am serious. Soto is 20. There is a potential 40-homer season and a batting title in his future. He belongs in any top-10 for dynasty purposes.
• I would not drop Texas lefty Mike Minor, but none of his five July outings was a quality start, and he permitted eight home runs and saw his ERA rise from 2.40 to 3.21. I do think I would rather go with Lance Lynn, though. By the way, the top pitchers this season using bWAR: Minor (yep, still first), Max Scherzer, Lynn, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Justin Verlander, Jon Gray (shocker!), Stephen Strasburg. Two Rangers!
Health report
• Chicago White Sox infielder Yoan Moncada, still hitting .301 into August, will not alter that mark the next 10 days. He is on the injured list with a hamstring strain. Moncada is fortunate to be hitting .301, as a .382 BABIP has really helped. Give him credit for cutting into his K rate, but he is walking less, too. It is a breakout season, but I am not confident he builds on it. He might miss a few weeks and remains worthy of keeping rostered.
• Colorado Rockies right-hander German Marquez left his outing prematurely after warming up before the seventh inning Wednesday and was helped off the field. It looked bad, but then we were told it was merely cramps. Perhaps he makes his next start. Rely on Marquez for road games only, despite his awesome outing against the Dodgers.
Closing time
• Wade Davis still has not blown a save in six weeks, but c'mon, look at these numbers. What are you doing, Rockies? Davis has a 6.82 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, and in home games it is 11.29 and 2.07! You cannot leave him active! Scott Oberg has to get save chances soon or the Rockies simply are not paying attention -- which, I might add, is eminently possible.
W2W4
• Thursday features the return of Cleveland's Salazar and Tampa Bay two-way rookie Brendan McKay. Neither is a sure bet in fantasy. Salazar last pitched in the majors in 2017 and he will be on a pitch count. McKay is at Boston (and on ESPN+). For a Thursday streamer go with Chase Anderson instead.
• Friday starts another Red Sox-Yankees series, and the past few have been filled with a million runs scored and awful pitching. Eduardo Rodriguez versus James Paxton should be OK, but I worry. Sunday Night is David Price and J.A. Happ. Neither has thrived of late.
• Also this weekend, the Giants head to Coors Field. Remember what Brandon Crawford did during his last trip there! Rockies right-hander Jon Gray just stymied the big-shot Dodgers in a home outing, tricking all of us to trust him this weekend. You know it is a trap! Anyway, enjoy your weekend!
Most recent KaraBlogs
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Monday, July 29: Weekend wrap: Bauer, Bichette, Duvall
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