Overbay Traded to Toronto!
Hitters That Could Get Hot
Underperforming now, but could help you win
Dennis Jenders
I find myself in sole possession of first place in my league, yet I still feel my team needs some tweaking. I think my pitching is about as good as it will be for the year with Pedro Martinez and Mark Buehrle really anchoring my staff. I picked up Barry Zito when a frustrated owner dropped him (thanks he has been on fire every since) and Mark Mulder and Jason Schmidt could have a big second half. I don't have any closers, I waited a bit too long in the draft and had the ability to pick better players than a mediocre closer.
So I am left wondering what to do with my OF and U positions. Carlos Beltran was my first round pick. He has been very inconsistent and has not been running at all. Everyday I see him getting a hit or less. Once in awhile he throws in a HR. Pat "the Bat" Burrell has saved my season a bit. I picked him up in the very late rounds along with Carlos Guillen and he has proven to be a great hitter again this year.
I can never sit Beltran, and Burrell is a lock each week. That leaves me with 3 more spots to fill. Vernon Wells has finally been hitting and has found himself in my lineup consistently and Brad Wilkerson, Aubrey Huff, Pedro Feliz, and Rickie Weeks have been rotated through the other 2 spots after Wells.
Who can I pickup to provide some pop? These players could turn things around and might be worthy to be on your team.
Craig Biggio. He seems to be a bit streaky providing quite a bit of power one weeks only to be average the following. But if he is available he can play 2B and OF and be a useful 3rd or 4th OF.
Austin Kearns. He was sent back to the minors to work on his swing and focus and only hit .342 with 7 homers and 21 RBIs in 28 games. Not too bad. The Reds have recalled him in hopes of trading him, Dunn, or Griffey before the deadline. If Kearns has indeed cleared his head and can produce he could give you 10 homers or more and maybe 35-40 RBIs and a change of scene might do wonders for him.
Eric Byrnes. Could Coors Field help him? I think so. With some nice ability Byrnes could see his power numbers go up. A nice 3rd OF.
Frank Thomas. Have you picked him up? Have you noticed he has hit 12 homers in less than 100 at bats? He hit 10 in his 100th at bat in his AL MVP season in 1994. With the White Sox firing on all cylinders Thomas could continue to have RBI opportunities. A nice utility player at this point, and maybe more if his legs hold up.
David DeJesus is doing better than Beltran is for me. He took over for him in KC after his departure and has started to heat up in July. The Royals don't provide a lot of opportunity for RBIs but he might fit in somewhere.
Justin Morneau. Ugh this kid is killing owners. But if you scoop him up and he does get hot at some point he might be the best waiver wire pick of the year. Take a chance and hope he comes around before August.