The Baseball Chick

With the first half of the 2010 fantasy baseball and major league baseball seasons coming to an end, here are 10 position players to check for on the waiver wire that might be good injury replacements or sleepers that could help your fantasy team make that final push for a win.

Gaby Sanchez – 1b – Marlins – .307 avg, 38 runs, 8 hr, 34 rbi, 3 sb

The Marlins rookie first baseman got off to a bit of a slow start but has really started to show why he was one of the organizations top prospects for the last few years. Available in most mixed fantasy leagues due to a deep first base position, he could be worth a grab if you have a weak corner infield spot or an injured starter.

Tyler Colvin – OF – Cubs – .294 avg, 22 runs, 9 hr, 23 rbi, 1 sb

The Cubs seem to be frustrated with Alfonso Soriano and the main beneficiary of this has been Colvin. Colvin has taken advantage of the extra at-bats with some consistent pop. If you have Soriano and want his platoon-mate or you are in a deep league in need of some homers, give Colvin a shot.

Justin Smoak – 1b – Rangers – .221 avg, 26 runs, 8 hr, 34 rbi, 1 sb

A lot of owners jumped on the Smoak bandwagon when he first got called up and then quickly bailed when he struggled out of the gate. The Smoak Monster wasn’t known as a power hitter in the minors but he can certainly hit for average and put up RBI’s at the major league level. He has really gotten hot lately and has a lot of protection in the Ranger’s offense. I’d grab Gaby Sanchez first, but if he’s not available you could certainly do worse than Smoak.

Pat Burrell – OF – Giants – .244 avg, 16 runs, 6 hr, 23 rbi, 0 sb

Pat Burrell may very well end up being this fantasy baseball season’s most added/dropped player by the time the year is over. Everyone knows what you get with Pat The Bat, power and a slight ding to your team average. Average is just one category, however, and with more playing time coming his way he could be a nice 2-category boost for those owners looking for homers and RBI’s for their late season push.

Brennan Boesch – OF – Tigers – .344 avg, 24 runs, 11 hr, 40 rbi, 3 sb

A virtual unknown heading into the 2010 Major League Baseball season, and even more so going into the 2010 fantasy baseball season, the 6′6″ Boesch has been quietly making a name for himself in Detroit. An injury to Carlos Guillen got him the playing time he needed and he has taken advantage in a big way. He has done so well that Guillen is now playing second base. If you have any hesitation about adding Boesch to your fantasy baseball roster, just look at the numbers, they definitely speak for themselves and have been put up in just 189 at-bats.

Mark Ellis – 2b – A’s – .278 avg, 18 runs, 2 hr, 16 rbi, 2 sb

In my opinion, Ellis has always been underrated as a fantasy contributor. Playing a shallow position, he brings some decent pop (could hit another 10 homers), above average speed (could steal another 10 bases), and consistent hitting (should finish around .280). He won’t score or drive in many runs in the yawn-inspiring A’s lineup, but in deeper leagues and some shallow leagues it would be worth the 30 seconds it takes to compare what Ellis is doing to what your current starter is putting up.

Russell Branyan – 1b – Indians – .261 avg, 24 runs, 10 hr, 24 rbi, 0 sb

If any player is going to challenge Burrell for the “most added/most dropped” title this season, it would be Branyan. No matter what your feelings are about K-rate, there is no questioning this guy’s raw power. With the potential to hit at least another 15-20 homers this season, Branyan is definitely worth a look.

Alcides Escobar – SS – Brewers – .254 avg, 29 runs, 2 hr, 21 rbi, 5 sb

It’s a bit sad to have to mention Escobar in a waiver wire article this late into the season. He was a sleeper pick for a lot of fantasy owner’s at this year’s drafts, but a slow start and a surprising lack of stolen bases have lead a lot of owners to send him back to the lumber yard. He has a couple of stolen bags in the last 10 games and his bat is heating up, so now would be the time to check and see if an impatient owner gave up on this talented rookie.

Melky Cabrera – OF – Braves – .266 avg, 25 runs, 2 hr, 20 rbi, 3 sb

Ok, I have to be honest here, I’m not a Melky fan. A popular late pick this year after he was named the starting center fielder for the Braves, The Melk Man rewarded these savvy owners by starting the season exactly how I thought he would, horribly. Nate McClouth batting .180 turned out to be a better option for the Braves and for fantasy owners. But in the last 20 games Melky is batting .328. It would have to be a deep league or NL-only league to pick him up because he doesn’t really help in any other category, but you can’t ignore a hot bat when you’re trying to make a run at a title.

Conor Jackson – 1b, OF – A’s – .256 avg, 24 runs, 1 hr, 14 rbi, 5 sb

Another sleeper at drafts this year, Co-Jack is another player sent back to the lumber yard after a dismal start to the season. A change of scenery has done him good, however, and he is batting .333 in the 10 games since being traded from the Diamondbacks to the Oakland A’s. Owned in only 3% of yahoo leagues, Jackson is only 2 years removed from a .306/.376/.446 slash line. Any team in need of percentages should give Co-Jack a look and hope he doesn’t come down with a case of Bay Area Fever.

By The Fantasy Dick

The Fantasy Dick has been handpicked by The Baseball Chick to be her resident fantasy baseball expert and to dispense fantasy baseball advice to her readers. Contact The Fantasy Dick via email:  thefantasydick at yahoo.com, with any fantasy baseball questions.

In baseball news, Coco Crisp is back up with the Oakland Athletics after his second stint on the disabled list already this season.  Crisp has missed all but two games this season after beginning the season on the Disabled List with a broken left pinkie finger.  He then returned for a total of one game before being deactivated again with a strained rib cage.

Crisp has been inserted into the starting lineup for Tuesday night’s game, playing center field and batting leadoff.

He will be killing pitching again in about a month, when he begins another rehab assignment in Triple A.

By Dana Bashor

Dana Bashor, from Dana Bashor Baseball Fan, is known by her husband as a “super fan”. Growing up around baseball Dana Bashor’s love for the game continues to grow on a daily basis. Dana Bashor attends as many games throughout the year as she can and she now shares her baseball banter on her website, DanaBashorBaseballFan.com.

Since Mark McGwire is coming back to baseball this year as the new hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, it is clear he wanted to get something of his voluptuous steroid-induced man-tittays.

According to Mr. McGwire’s own admission, he used steroids on and off throughout the 90s, including during his record-breaking home run season.  I haven’t been this shocked since I found out Freddie Mercury was gay.

“It’s time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected. I used steroids during my playing career and I apologize,” McGwire said in a statement released through the Cardinals. “I wish I had never touched steroids. It was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroids era.”

Of course this will be of minor benefit to the St. Louis Cardinals, as McGwire’s continued silence would have made it difficult for him to work productively with Holliday and the other Cardinals hitters without heavy skepticism.

McGwire somewhat defended himself by stating that his usage came with the desire to recover quickly from injuries and not as a means of cheating.  That’s crazy, because I could have sworn he did all those ‘roids because he hated having testicles.  I know I would.

In this past Saturday’s Arlington Heights Daily Herald, Milton Bradley responded to the question regarding whether he enjoyed this season with the Chicago Cubs as follows:

Not really.  It’s just not a positive environment.  I need a stable, healthy, enjoyable environment.  There’s too many people everywhere in your face with a microphone asking the same questions repeatedly.  Everything is just bashing you.  You got out there and you play harder than anybody on the field and never get credit for it.  It’s just negativity.

And you understand why they haven’t won in 100 years here, because it’s negative.  That’s what it is.

Jim Hendry, the Cubs’ GM, responded by suspending Bradley for the remainder of the season.  He also released a statement saying:

Recently it’s become intolerable to hear Milton talk about our great fans the way he has.  We pride ourselves on having the greatest fans in baseball, so at this time we felt it was best for him to go home for the rest of the season.

While my initial reaction is to question Mr. Hendry on his definition of the “best fans in baseball,” I will move beyond that for now.  I guess if a bunch of fat broads with no jobs sitting in the bleachers for weekday afternoon games wearing bikinis is the definition of quality baseball fans, then he has a very valid point.  However, my intention at this point is to honor the irrational rage and arrogant genius that is, Mr. Milton Obelle Bradley, Jr.  Milton Bradley, this is your life!

April 15, 1978:    Milton Obelle Bradley, Jr. is born.  His father, desirous of a “junior,” filled out the birth certificate without his wife’s permission.

May 10, 1985:    Tragedy strikes, when someone unbeknownst to the young Mr. Bradley sneaks into the family home and shits in his cereal.

1986:  Milton Bradley suffers humiliation when his classmates realize he was named after a popular board game pioneer.

1996:    Milton is drafted by the Montreal Expos.

July 19, 2000:   Milton makes his Major League debut of the Montreal Expos.

July 31, 2001:   Milton is traded to the Cleveland Indians for Zach Day.

April 11, 2002:   Right quadricep injury, day-to-day.

May 2, 2002:    Eye Contusion, 15-day DL. (misses 29 games)

August 14, 2002:    Appendicitis, 15-day DL.

April 18, 2003:   Hamstring injury, day-to-day.

April 26, 2003:   Strained right hamstring, 15-day DL.

August 15, 2003:   Back injury, 15-day DL.

August 29, 2003:   Misses 46 games to the end of the regular season (back injury).

April 2004:   Milton is abruptly traded to the Dodgers following an altercation with Indians’ manager Eric Wedge during spring training.

2004 Season:   Milton slams a plastic bottle at the feet of a fan at Dodger Stadium after someone threw it onto the field, which led to a 5 game suspension.  He also earned a 4 game suspension for tossing a bag of balls onto the field after an ejection.

April 30, 2004:   Ankle injury, day-to-day (misses 3 games).

May 31, 2004:   Ankle injury, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

August 12, 2004:   Hamstring, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

2005 Season:   Milton feuds with Jeff Kent, accusing him of being racist.  This seems to be a major catalyst in his trade from the team the following season.

June 3, 2005:   Finger injury, 15-day DL.

July 23, 2005:   Misses 47 games (finger injury).

August 23, 2005:   Knee injury, day-to-day.

August 25, 2005:   Torn left Patella Tendon, 15-day DL.

September 2, 2005:   Transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL (torn left Patella Tendon).

2006 Season:   Milton seemingly takes high doses of tranquilizers, which render him unable to publicly bitch and moan about the sorry, tragic life of a Major League baseball player.

May 7, 2006:   Right knee injury, 15-day DL.

June 6, 2006:   Misses 36 games (right knee injury).

June 20, 2006:   Shoulder injury, 15-day DL.

August 30, 2006:   Ankle injury, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

2007 Season:   Milton carries on public disagreement with A’s GM Billy Beane.  On June 21, 2007, the A’s designate him for assignment.  He is acquired by the Padres 8 days later.  They do not require him to pass a physical examination of any kind for fear he would fail it and go elsewhere.  On September 23, 2007, Milton tore his right ACL while being restrained by Padres manager Bud Black during an argument with umpire Mike Winters.  Bradley was accused of throwing a bat in another umpire’s direction during a previous at-bat.  Winters used profanity towards Milton, Milton moved towards Winters, Milton was held back by Black and then Milton fell to the ground resulting in the injury.  He missed the last week of the season as a result, and the Padres lost their lead in the division and failed to make the playoffs.

April 13, 2007:   Hamstring, day-to-day (misses 6 games).

April 23, 2007:   Hamstring, 15-day DL.

May 17, 2007:   Hamstring, day-to-day (misses 4 games).

May 23, 2007:   Hamstring, 15-day DL.

June 8, 2007:   Calf injury, 15-day DL.

July 1, 2007:   Oblique injury, 15-day DL.

August 4, 2007:   Hamstring, day-to-day (misses 4 games)

September 11, 2007:   Right oblique muscle strain, day-to-day. (misses 12 games)

September 24, 2007:   Torn ACL, sidelined indefinitely.

2008 Season:  Milton makes his first All-Star team as a DH while playing for the Texas Rangers.  However, Bradley attempts to confront a Kansas City Royals’ announcer following a game after he believes negative comments were made about him on the air.  After the Rangers’ manager and GM chase him down and stop him, Bradley returns to the clubhouse in tears.

May 1, 2008:   Hamstring, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

May 13, 2008:   Right shoulder injury, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

May 30, 2008:   Dizziness, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

June 18, 2008:   Quadricep injury, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

June 22, 2008:   Strained left quadriceps, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

July 11, 2008:    Left knee injury, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

July 30, 2008:   Quadricep injury, day-to-day (misses 5 games).

August 5, 2008:   Strained left quadriceps, day-to-day (misses 5 games).

August 16, 2008:   Illness, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

September 6, 2008:   Wrist injury, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

September 16, 2008:   Left wrist injury, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

2009 Season:  Milton signs a 3 year, $30 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.  On April 16th, Milton is suspended for 2 games for making contact with an umpire.  On June 13th, Milton throws a ball caught in left field into the stands with only 2 outs in the inning.  He is also ordered to leave the dugout by Lou Piniella after he throws a tirade following a fly out.  Piniella and Milton continue this argument in the locker room where “words” are exchanged.

April 13, 2009:  Groin injury (misses 2 games).

April 17, 2009:  Groin injury (misses 1 game).

April 23, 2009:  Groin injury (misses 1 game).

April 25, 2009:  Groin injury (misses 2 games).

June 3, 2009:  Calf injury (misses 2 games).

August 14, 2009:  Hip injury (misses 1 game).

September 9, 2009:  Leg injury (misses 1 game).

This leads us to September 20, 2009, and his suspension for the remainder of the year.  No one can ever say that Milton Bradley is inconsistent.  He consistently is moved from team to team, while generally having decent production, an obscene amount of injuries, and a severe behavioral disorder.

The Major League Baseball trade deadline has come and gone and quite a few moves have been made in the last few days that will impact fantasy baseball teams everywhere. I will cover the trades with the greatest fantasy impact, starting with:

• The San Diego Padres traded pitcher Jack Peavy to the Chicago White Sox for lefty starter, Clayton Richard, and 3 other pitching prospects. Jake Peavy is due back sometime in September and could help the White Sox make a playoff push. Clayton Richard becomes an intriguing fantasy starter in NL-only and deeper mixed leagues with this move to the spacious Petco Park.
• The Cleveland Indians traded slugging catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez to the Boston Red Sox for major league ready pitcher Justin Masterson, promising lefty Nick Hagadone, and one other prospect. The move should not impact Martinez’s fantasy value and Masterson could find his way into the Cleveland rotation very soon. Mike Lowell will probably be the biggest loser in this deal as he stands to lose some playing time.
• The Red Sox made another move, sending recently acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche to the Atlanta Braves for first baseman Casey Kotchman. LaRoche’s fantasy value should increase as he will be the Braves’ everyday first baseman. Kotchman’s value will remain largely unchanged, but Boston seems like the winner here as Kotchman is 3 years younger and has slightly better career averages.
• The Cincinatti Reds sent 3 players, including third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, to the Toronto Blue Jays for veteran third baseman Scott Rolen. Encarnacion has the potential to deliver decent offensive numbers, but the Blue Jays will suffer a large drop in defense. If Rolen’s recent power surge is not a fluke, then he will love playing at Great American Ballpark and becomes a must-add in all NL-only leagues.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers picked up lefty reliever George Sherrill from the Baltimore Orioles for prospects. This move greatly improves the Dodgers’ tired bullpen, but greatly reduces any fantasy value Sherrill had as a closer, unless your league counts holds. Early reports are saying that Jim Johnson will get first shot at closing duties in Baltimore, as was predicted by The Baseball Chick a few days ago in the Fantasy Sports Corner.
• The Detroit Tigers traded prospects to the Seattle Mariners for left-handed starter Jarrod Washburn. Washburn may see an increase in his ERA and WHIP since he was aided by a superior Mariners outfield, but he should still be a reliable fantasy starter. The Detroit Tigers now have 3 of the top 7 starting ERAs in baseball in their rotation.
• The Oakland A’s, always active at the trade deadline, dealt second baseman Orlando Cabrera to the Minnesota Twins for a prospect.  Cabrera will immediately bat second and should prove to be a nice upgrade over Nick Punto and Brendan Harriss.  The veteran should get a nice boost in runs scored batting in front of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.
• Surprising buyers at the deadline, with a pair of moves, the San Francisco Giants picked up former batting champ and second baseman Freddy Sanchez from the Pittsburgh Pirates for promising pitching prospect Timothy Alderson.  The Giants also added Ryan Garko, courtesy the Cleveland Indians, to replace struggling first baseman Travis Ishikawa.  Garko should see a little more playing time in San Fran and Ishikawa could lose all of his fantasy value.  Sanchez’s value should remain about the same.
• The Chicago Cubs picked up lefty set-up man John Grabow and starter Tom Gorzelanny from the Pittsburgh Pirates for starting pitcher Kevin Hart and 2 other prospects.  Grabow will help to set-up Kevin Gregg in Chicago, leaving his fantasy value largely unchanged.  It appears Matt Capps will stay the Pirates closer for the remainder of this season.
• Finally, the Florida Marlins picked up first baseman Nick Johnson from the Washington Nationals for a prospect.  Johnson’s value may take a hit in Florida unless they decide to bench Emilio Bonafacio and move Jorge Cantu to third base, opening up regular playing time for Johnson at first.

I couldn’t post this on Friday when the trade actually happened because I was temporarily rendered comatose by the thought of what Matt Holliday can do batting behind Albert Pujols and what Albert Pujols can do batting in front of Matt Holliday.

Whew!  I almost just blacked out again.  It’s shocking and actually a bit nauseating, just like when you find out you’ve been living in the matrix.

Anyways, the A’s acquired third baseman Brett Wallace, righthanded starter Clay Mortensen and outfielder Shane Peterson in the deal for Holliday.  Holliday hit .286 with 11 homers and 54 RBI for Oakland this season.  Interestingly, Holliday had eliminated his high leg kick during off-season training with Mark McGwire; however, he had returned to his old plate technique in his last month with the A’s.  Not surprisingly, it was also his most productive month.