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Saturday, July 29, 2006
Weekly Fantasy Touts: July 31 - August 5
By Michael Salfino AMERICAN LEAGUE Put 'em in
Mark Teahen, 3B, Royals: Very quietly has become one of the best slugging third baseman in the majors since his recall in June. He's should be started now in all formats.
Alexis Rios, OF, Blue Jays: Finally back from his staph infection. Put him in immediately and hope he didn't lose his mojo, as he was a top 20 fantasy player before getting sidelined.
Bench 'em
Scott Kazmir, P, Devil Rays: The D-Rays say they're going to trot him out there on Tuesday in Detroit despite the tender shoulder. But they might come to their senses and play it safe.
Torii Hunter, OF, Twins: This would be a miracle recovery from a stress fracture if he were to be activated when eligible on Monday. See if he can play for a week before taking a leap of faith.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
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Francisco Cordero, P, Brewers: He's been lights-out since April and should immediately settle in as Brewers closer in the weaker-hitting NL.
Josh Barfield, 2B, Padres: The Padres have to move him up in the lineup, as he's hit well over .400 in July with power and speed.
Bench 'em
David Eckstein, SS, Cardinals: He's always looked like the bat boy. Now, he hits like one. Entering the weekend, one RBI in July. Yes, he's still batting .300, but well under .250 this month.
Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies: Finally banged out a couple of hits on Thursday. But he's been a black hole at first base for weeks. Mixed-leaguers can't afford to keep him active while he stumbles to find his lost stroke.
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Friday, July 21, 2006
Weekly Fantasy Touts: July 24 - 30
By Michael Salfino AMERICAN LEAGUE Put 'em in
Fausto Carmona, P, Indians: The new closer in Cleveland, replacing the traded Bob Wickman (Atlanta). Carmona has top-shelf stuff and the Indians are a good team despite the record.
Javier Vazquez, P, White Sox: Rumored to be on the block for some relief help. He's been very unlucky on balls in play. Has three times as many Ks as BBs and gets two starts (Twins, Orioles).
Bench 'em
Alex Rios, OF, Blue Jays: His staff infection has proved a much greater setback than originally believed. He will not travel with the team on Monday, even though he's begun taking batting practice.
Jaret Wright, P, Yankees: He's been decent lately even though he can't get past about 90 pitches. But mixed-leaguers cannot risk a lone start this week in Texas, where the Rangers have always pounded Wright.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put 'em in
Barry Bonds, OF, Giants: The rumored perjury indictment went bust for the government, which threatened to keep pressing the case with a new grand jury. Bonds responded with a long fly ball and homer right after word of the reprieve.
Ben Sheets, P, Brewers: Finally returns to the rotation, barring a last-minute setback (always a risk with Sheets). Set for two starts (Pirates, Reds). Forget the bad '06 ERA and focus on that 28/1 K/BB ratio.
Bench 'em
Luis Gonzales, OF, Diamondbacks: Mouthed off after getting benched against lefties. Hasn't done much this year against righties either and offers owners no speed and little power (seven homers).
Aaron Cook, P, Rockies: He's been very serviceable this year due to pinpoint control. But fortune is likely to turn this week in his one start, at Coors, vs. St. Louis (7.41 career ERA against).
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Sunday, July 16, 2006
Weekly Fantasy Touts: July 17-23
By Michael Salfino AMERICAN LEAGUE Put 'em in
Kevin Mench, OF, Rangers: Nice buy-low candidate, as he'll get regular at-bats due to some All-Star break roster shuffling by Texas.
Milton Bradley, OF, A's: If you're unfortunate enough to own Bradley, you must activate him now because it's not likely going to be long before the next strain or sprain.
Bench 'em
Eric Chavez, 3B, A's: Tendinitis in both forearms does not bode well for a second-half breakout. Chavez says he's focused on the last two months of the season, which rules out the rest of July.
Ambiorix Burgos, P, Royals: Mike MacDougal returns to the closing role. This is good news for Burgos owners, who will no longer be tempted to tolerate all those bad innings by the prospect of a few saves.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put 'em in
Mike Cameron, OF, Padres: San Diego players are lobbying for Cameron to be moved into the three-hole (nine homers and 18 RBI since June 1).
Dontrelle Willis, P, Marlins: Five straight quality starts and 10 in his last 11. More important are the 31 Ks in the last 38 innings (10 walks).
Bench 'em
Pedro Martinez, P, Mets: Now, it's a stomach virus that's causing him to miss his Tuesday start. The Mets are going to treat the rest of the regular season as extended spring training for Pedro, who they want to preserve for October.
Royce Clayton, SS, Reds: The only park that would improve Clayton's power (no homers) is in Williamsport, PA, home of the Little League World Series.
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Sunday, July 09, 2006
Weekly Fantasy Touts: July 10-16
By Michael Salfino AMERICAN LEAGUE Put 'em in
Mike Napoli, C, Angels: Who could have seen this coming? Napoli (11 bombs in his first 131 Angel ABs) flashed good power in AA last year, but he was old for the league and K'ed 140 times.
Randy Johnson, P, Yankees: The glass is half empty for disappointed Johnson owners. But lower your expectations and you'll see he still projects as a solid, mixed-league starter the second half.
Bench 'em
Mike Sweeney, 1B, Royals: He's allegedly beginning a rehab assignment soon. First, he gets an epidural. That's fine if you're birthing twins, but not if you plan on swinging a bat in anger a few hundred times this summer.
Javy Lopez, C, Orioles: Will lose his DH spot once Jay Gibbons comes off the DL. Nick Markakis is punch and judy, but is now entrenched as an OF because he's hot and has youth on his side.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put 'em in
Jeff Weaver, P, Cardinals: Yes, I touted him a couple of weeks ago when he was designated for assignment. But he had a 22:2 K/BB ratio in his AL finishing kick. He'll help you now that he's in the NL. Honest.
Eddie Guardardo, P, Reds: He's just about finished and has a torn labrum, but he's closing. Wait for him to reel off a couple of saves and then trade him.
Bench 'em
Morgan Ensberg, 3B, Astros: Just five ribbies the last month. I like him long-term, but he's been moved down in the lineup and should be reserved in mixed leagues.
Paul Lo Duca, C, Mets: The worst all-star this side of Mark Redman. He's now 34 and has always regressed in the second half. Lo Duca no power and offers little defensive value, so his playing time should diminish.
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Sunday, July 02, 2006
Mike Tackles Mainstream Sports Media in New Blog
Weekly Fantasy Touts: July 3-9
By Michael Salfino AMERICAN LEAGUE Put 'em in
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners: The Seattle third sacker has hit well over .300 with decent power since being moved up to the No. 2 spot in the batting order. On pace for 20-plus steals, Beltre can be safely started in all formats.
Ervin Santana, P, Angels: The subject of trade rumors with the Angles itching to roster phenom Jared Weaver, Santana has been very effective of late and gets two starts this week.
Bench 'em
Jon Lester, P, Red Sox: Gets just one start and is really putting up high pitch counts because of shaky control (six walks per nine innings). Like most rookie starters, Lester's been babied and suddenly find himself on pace for 200 frames.
Jamie Moyer, P, Mariners: He's a useful pitcher to roster even in mixed leagues. But this week, Moyer gets one start against a Angels team that will start five veterans with .300-plus averages versus him.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put 'em in
Mike Cameron, OF, Padres: Flashing the power and speed that his owners were anticipating on draft day. The batting average will continue to be a problem, but he's hot now.
Jake Peavy, P, Padres: He's piling up the strikeouts and has a clean bill of health. A breakout is coming and he gets two starts this week.
Bench 'em
Chuck James, P, Braves: Rookies like James should be active in mixed formats only when they get two starts or one really favorable one. This week, James' one start is against the Cardinals, which doesn't qualify.
Mike Gonzalez, P, Pirates: Had no saves for over two weeks thanks to the Pirates losing streak. He still walks too many (over five passes per nine innings) to add value when not closing.
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