New Houston Astros right-hander Aaron Sanchez was arguably the worst starting pitcher in baseball this season -- and then he gets to a new team, fires six hitless, scoreless innings, and he is the second-most-added starter in ESPN standard leagues. What happens if his second outing goes poorly? Well,
With that, here we go with another Thursday blog entry focusing on the free-agent hitters and pitchers one writer thinks deserve more attention, and others who, well, do not. Good luck on your drops, too. There are no right or wrong answers, except for the fact that if you do not add Toronto Blue Jays rookie Bo Bichette and keep Milwaukee Brewers rookie Keston Hiura (why are you cutting him?), you are clearly wrong.
Corner infield
Below 50% must add: The New York Mets seem to lose sight of who is on their own team at times. They certainly never expected Jeff McNeil to become a star. Then there is J.D. Davis. He hit .328 in June as a semi-regular. Then he hit .373 in July. He is finally playing regularly, and he is still hitting. Go get him while he thrives. Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel Sano remains far too available, especially in points leagues, where the walks do wonders, and one can do worse than Baltimore Orioles slugger Renato Nunez as he soars toward 35 homers.
Worth adding: As for the other New York team, the Yankees know what Gio Urshela is doing, and he belongs on more rosters, too. He is not simply hitting against Baltimore. Tampa Bay Rays acquisition Jesus Aguilar has clear power and a new chance to prove it. C.J. Cron investors do not like him hitting ninth on occasion, but that probably will not be a regular thing.
Mixed-league stash: Detroit Tigers first baseman Brandon Dixon, Los Angeles Angels third baseman Matt Thaiss and Pittsburgh Pirates corner infielder Jose Osuna all look as if they can hit enough to tantalize us in deeper formats, but let's see if they get the chance. I would add each, as well as Oakland Athletics starter Mark Canha over Seattle Mariners disappointment Kyle Seager.
Drop 'em: I hate to say it, but Yankees Edwin Encarnacion and Luke Voit are not playing again this month, or until mid-September. It is a long time to wait. The Braves stopped playing rookie Austin Riley, and now he is injured. Matt Carpenter is probably not all the way healthy, and definitely not all the way hitting. Stop rostering by reputation.
Don't drop 'em: I do not know when we will see Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada and Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo again, and if it is in another month, then sure, move on. Today, I do not drop them.
Middle infield
Below 50% must add: Well, the streaking Bichette reminds me of Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner. He might cross 50% rostered any minute, but for now, go get him quickly. His rookie teammate Cavan Biggio is looking like a 20-homer, 20-steal option but sans batting average. I would not use the word "must" to describe his addition, but he is close. I think new Miami Marlins rookie Isan Diaz could be in this spot soon, so if you want to preemptively add him, go for it. Big power there.
Worth adding: Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis has shown increased power the past few weeks, and the new, deeper lineup certainly helps. White Sox leadoff hitter Leury Garcia is better than most realize, notably in scoring runs. Tampa Bay's Willy Adames is young enough to emerge as a nice power threat.
Mixed-league stash: I still think Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Gavin Lux debuts soon at second base, and he should hit. Twins infielder Luis Arraez keeps hitting and keeps playing.
Drop 'em: Royals speedster Adalberto Mondesi does not look likely to play for at least another month, and it is not like the team is contending. He might be done for 2019. Robinson Cano is. Move on.
Don't drop 'em: Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson could return this week. Keep Lourdes Gurriel Jr. too. He has struggled lately, but he was hurt. He is capable of big numbers.
Outfield
Below 50% must add: Outfield is deep, so it's tough to call too many of the options on the most-added list a "must" add. I do think Atlanta's Adam Duvall can keep hitting for power. I do think the Yankees' Mike Tauchman is legit as well. It also depends on need and league format. The Oscar Mercado stolen bases mean less in points formats, though I would still take him over Duvall and Tauchman. Can you call Pirates surprise Bryan Reynolds a must add? He might win the batting title!
Worth adding: Atlanta's Ender Inciarte still belongs here, and Orioles surprise Anthony Santander is hitting of late, so take the plunge. Do not avoid Brewers rookie Trent Grisham because of playing-time concerns. He can really hit, and they can really play him. Philadelphia acquisition Corey Dickerson could lead off against right-handed pitching, and that is nice. Cincinnati Reds rookie Aristides Aquino has flashed big power all season, and he is getting to play regularly.
Mixed-league stash: I rarely stash outfielders unless I think they can be special. Houston's Kyle Tucker can be special. Look what Yordan Alvarez has done. Superstar!
Drop 'em: Feel free to move on from the myriad injured folks (Ramon Laureano, Byron Buxton, Alex Verdugo, David Dahl, Aaron Hicks, Mitch Haniger, Giancarlo Stanton), and Justin Upton just hits like he is hurt. Rangers All-Star Hunter Pence is not doing what he did a few months ago. Great story, though.
Don't drop 'em: Nothing egregious stands out on the most-dropped list.
Catcher
Worth adding: Tampa's Travis d'Arnaud and Dodgers rookie Will Smith are the obvious choices here, and as long as the former keeps hitting like this, he goes first. Cleveland's Roberto Perez keeps enjoying the happy fun baseballs this season.
Mixed-league stash: Detroit rookie Jake Rogers is off to a good start at the plate and should play. It is tough for rookie catchers. Ask Danny Jansen and Francisco Mejia.
Drop 'em: Things have changed for Boston's Christian Vazquez and Minnesota's Mitch Garver. Hardly shocking. What do you think the Cardinals' Yadier Molina will do when he returns? Odd that he remains so popular.
Don't drop 'em: Chicago Cubs starter Willson Contreras is back on the shelf, but he is one of the few who has made a difference at this position all season.
Starting pitcher
Below 50% worth adding: I do think Dodgers rookie Dustin May can be special, and I am willing to invest if the team keeps slotting him in to start. Houston's Aaron Sanchez has tangibly changed something, and we should always pay attention to that. As for everyone else, they are matchup dependent, and I always check the pitching forecaster for all the matchups and go from there.
Mixed-league stash: Cleveland youngsters Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale deserve our attention more than Philly lefties Drew Smyly and Jason Vargas. Cincinnati lefty Alex Wood has certainly proven himself in the past. Nothing wrong with Brewers right-hander Chase Anderson. If you want minor leaguers, I guess it is Oakland's Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk, but the bullpen could be their initial destination.
Drop 'em: Injured arms not returning this month can be dropped, painful as it might be. I would not argue if you move on from the Rays' Blake Snell and Brewers' Brandon Woodruff, though I do think Snell could return later this month. What are you still doing with Kevin Gausman, by the way? Haven't you seen enough? The Braves have.
Don't drop 'em: Just wait a bit longer on Indians Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, but not Danny Salazar. Cannot believe so many fell so hard for that one!
Relief pitcher
Below 50% must add: So many available closers! In order, and readily available, let us say it is Twins lefty Taylor Rogers, then Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks right-hander Archie Bradley, Rockies right-hander Scott Oberg and Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez. The following pitchers do not deserve the "must" tag, but if you need saves, Rays right-hander Emilio Pagan, Tigers right-hander Joe Jimenez and perhaps Mets right-hander Seth Lugo will provide some.
Drop 'em: Wade Davis and Greg Holland go first. Holland is already gone in real life, soon to find work in some needy bullpen like Philly. Nathan Eovaldi might still save games, but it is not looking good.
Don't drop 'em: Atlanta's Luke Jackson might return to closing soon because Shane Greene is a mess. The Cubs' Craig Kimbrel will return soon. I am not a fan of his value, but still I do not move on. I would keep the Jays' Ken Giles for longer as well. Wednesday was not a pristine outing, but he is a closer.
Wednesday takeaways
• Remember when Astros infielder Yuli Gurriel could not deliver enough power to satiate our needs? He hit 31 home runs combined his first two big league seasons, and through the first two months this season, he hit four home runs with 20 RBIs. That was it! Gurriel knocked in eight runs on Wednesday. He has 16 homers and 51 RBIs just since the start of July! That is ridiculous! Roster him everywhere.
• Dodgers rookie right-hander Dustin May fanned seven and needed one more out for a quality start. I thought he looked like a big league pitcher. The Dodgers might yank him from the rotation at any time for Ross Stripling or someone else, and perhaps May is not a part of the staff in October, but I like his future.
• Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper and Twins third baseman Miguel Sano became the 64th and 65th players to reach 20 home runs. That is a lot! Sano missed time on the injured list, and with these happy fun baseballs and 500 PA, I think he could challenge for 50 blasts. So much power. With Harper, who recently adjusted his batting stance, it is not a bad season. We warned you that he might not steal many bases, and he has not, but I am legitimately surprised he might fall short of 30 home runs, since he has been healthy.
• I talked to Mets star Jeff McNeil at the All-Star break, and when I asked him about his power potential, he said he could hit 25 home runs if he wanted to. Other reporters scoffed. I always thought Ichiro could hit 25 homers if he wanted. McNeil has 15 homers now, eight since the break. Yeah, he can do it. This could be a top-50 player in 2020 drafts for the batting average, more-than-modest power and myriad runs scored.
• The fact that White Sox right-hander Ivan Nova tossed eight scoreless innings against the lowly Tigers -- with only one strikeout! -- tells you more about the lowly Tigers. Do not add Nova and his 4.80 ERA. Royals starters could be nice bargains against Detroit this weekend.
• The Yankees claim infielder Gleyber Torres, who needed a hospital visit on Sunday for a core injury, could play this weekend. It could have been so much worse. Do not feel bad if you benched him this week. It seemed the obvious move. Plus, the Yankees do not play the Orioles again until next week, so you have time to get Torres active for that.
Health report
• Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain did not start Wednesday, thanks to a minor knee injury, though he drove in a pair of runs on a gift opposite field single. It all counts! Cain boasts his worst OPS since 2013, and I doubt he steals many bases the rest of the way. He is an example of a player you might have chosen in Round 5 whom you can now replace.
Closing time
• As a Carlos Martinez investor, I was only slightly bothered by the blown save. I was more concerned that he did not start the ninth inning, though it was the right move with Andrew Miller facing a lefty, whom he did not retire. The game-winning hit by Russell Martin was a measly bouncing ball up the middle, and the lead was only one run. Ken Giles allowed a two-run homer, but with a three-run lead. It is all about context. I think Martinez remains the closer, but with an ERA higher than we would like.
• Your new Mariners closer is Anthony Bass! How great for him! Avoid him anyway. Treat him like Detroit's Joe Jimenez. They are closers, but their teams rarely win, and the run prevention should be an issue. They are not Ian Kennedy, and yes, it shocks me to recommend him. Situations to watch this weekend include the Braves, Red Sox (always) and Mets. The NL East clubs could bypass their closers for better pitchers. Add Seth Lugo just in case.
W2W4
• Thursday's schedule features Colorado enigma Jon Gray at San Diego against Eric Lauer. Who has the better WHIP? It is not Gray! Look, Gray has more whiffs than innings, so that is why so many fantasy managers love him, like we used to in a Jeff Samardzija type of way, but he is dangerous, even in games away from Coors Field. In fact, Gray has a better ERA and WHIP in home games, just like 2018 and just like 2017! We call this a trend. In Gray's most recent road tilt, in Washington, he walked five and lasted four innings. Be careful! Trap game! Fernando Tatis Jr. is going deep!
• For Friday, there are several pitchers worth watching. Trevor Bauer was terrible in his Reds debut, but there seems little reason for concern. He gets Yu Darvish and the Cubs. Kolby Allard, just acquired by Texas, debuts for them at Milwaukee. Drew Smyly versus Tyler Beede is a matchup of important pitchers in NL-only formats, for sure. Beede has pitched better at home. Can either of these offenses do any damage?
• Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN features five innings of Philadelphia's Jake Arrieta -- bone spur in the elbow -- at the Giants. Neither team is playing well, but in the watered-down NL wild-card race, they are contenders. Let us also see how Jon Lester and Jose Berrios bounce back from nightmare outings earlier this week, and whether Mike Minor and Mike Foltynewicz can keep up their success. Have an awesome weekend!
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