Taking a look around the league, here’s a recap of last night’s action and suggestions for your fantasy baseball team.
Clutch Performers – Freddie Freeman was on display last night against the Rockies, delivering his first multi-homer game of the season and fourth of his career. Who else was on par with Freeman? Let’s check it out:
- Freddie Freeman — 2-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R
- A.J. Burnett — 7 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 9 K, ND
- Mike Trout — 4-for-4, RBI, 3 R
- Dustin Pedroia — 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Jim Henderson — 2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 saves
Surprise, surprise! – A couple of spectacular pitching performances and an old friend delivered a couple of home runs.
- Brandon Cumpton — 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 5 K, W
- Mike Moustakas — 2-for-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
- Roberto Hernandez — 9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, W
Left out in the breeze – With another blown save last night, is Ernesto Frieri is danger of losing his job? He is 0-and-2 with two blown saves and only one save in his last four outings. It might be time to handcuff him if you are counting on Frieri for saves. Who else stunk up the joint? Let’s find out:
- Stephen Strasburg — 7 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, L
- Billy Butler — 0-for-5, 2 K
- Torii Hunter — 0-for-4, 3 K
- Michael Morse — 0-for-4, 3 K
- Kevin Gregg — 1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, K, L, BS
- Steve Cishek — 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, K, L
Trending developments – It’s trade deadline time! Unlike last season where we saw a new Dodgers ownership group make it rain on the trade deadline (sorry Toronto, no one is going to be there to take on all those terrible Miami contracts you traded for), this deadline so far has had only one big name moving to a new team. Let’s break it down and see what is trending:
Jake Peavy is taking his talents to Boston (sorry NL-only players, no bidding war for Peavy) in a three-team deal that sends Jose Iglesias to Detroit and the poo-poo platter of prospects to Chicago. While Peavy owners have to be happy about Peavy going to a team that can score runs and play defense, the bigger story has to be at third base for the Red Sox. Jason A. Churchill, on twitter, suggested it will probably be Will Middlebrooks. But could it be Xander Bogaerts time in Boston? He is worth a speculative pickup to say the least. Here is what Rotoworld.com had to say about the prospects that Chicago got back:
White Sox acquired RHP Francellis Montas, RHP Jeffrey Wendelken and shortstop Cleuluis Rondon from the Red Sox in the three-team Jake Peavy deal. The White Sox didn’t get any of the Red Sox’s farm system gems in the swap; all three guys here are very long-term projects. Montas, 20, was 2-9 with a 5.70 ERA and a 96/32 K/BB ratio in 85 1/3 innings as a starter for low Single-A Greenville. Wendelken, 20, had a 2.77 ERA and a 54/20 K/BB ratio in 65 innings as a reliever in low-A ball. Rondon, 19, was hitting .276/.326/.350 in short-season ball.
On a much smaller trade, the Athletics sent Grant Green to the Angels for Alberto Callaspo. Green will probably spend the rest of his time in triple-A, while any league in which Callaspo is relevant, he is probably already owned.
Prospect Watch – With Peavy gone, will the White Sox call up Andre Rienzo? He is already at 113.0 innings with a 9.9 K/9 and a 3.66 BB/9 but could be a decent pickup in deep leagues if the White Sox do decide to call Rienzo up. If you have never seen Rienzo, check out this clip of a game he pitched earlier in the season.
Head-2-Head– I’m looking for a good streamer start this week and it just has not happened. Nonetheless, I’m taking Corey Kluber against the White Sox today. Even if Kluber is not effective, he has the ability to provide a solid outing for fantasy owners.
Links of the day – Linkin’ ain’t easy but here we go:
- Keep an eye on Dayan Viciedo, Mark Ellis and Jonathan Villar. Find out why here.
- Some prospects that may see the light of day this season due to the trade deadline.
- Prospects in review: the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Trade Strategy: Don’t be afraid to trade your prospects. Very good advice.
- The definitive “temper your expectations” piece on Brandon Beachy.