Possible Pickups
Chris Dickerson, Cincinnati Reds. Dickerson took over left field for the Reds after they traded Adam Dunn to the Diamondbacks, and he has done nothing but produce since he came to the majors. His minor league numbers say he can make an impact. In 2008 through 94 games in AAA, Dickerson was hitting .286 with 11 homers, 53 RBI, and 26 steals. Not bad, huh? He has played 11 games for the Reds and he is hitting .319 with three homers (including the last two games), six RBI, and three steals. He strikes out way too much, but at this point of the season, he might be the best guy available.
Denard Span, Minnesota Twins. He has been playing right field every day for the injured Michael Cuddyer, and lately he has been hitting up a storm. In the last ten games, Span has 15 hits, including one homer and has driven in nine runs. Nothing about his minor league numbers suggest that he will make a huge impact in the major leagues, but he might be someone who you can ride while he is hot.
Ryan Garko, Cleveland Indians. He came into this season with a lot of expectations after he broke out last season and hit 21 homers. Garko had been a pretty colossal disappointment through the first four months of the season, but he has been having a pretty good August. In fact, over the last ten games, Garko has 14 hits, including two homers and 12 RBI. Garko has the talent to be a productive major league hitter, and maybe this recent hot streak will last for the rest of the year. He should be a good guy to add.
Jed Lowrie, Boston Red Sox. Initially called back to the majors after Julio Lugo got injured, but he will remain there even when Lugo is ready to play again. Lowrie has been another great young player brought to the majors by the Sox. In August, Lowrie has raised his average 20 points and driven in 21 runs. He isn't a big homer or steal guy, however, so he will only be able to help you in batting average and RBI.
Frank Francisco, Texas Rangers. Eddie Guardado was just traded today to the Twins for a minor league pitcher I promise you've never heard of. This, once again, opens up the closer's job for the Rangers. C.J. Wilson and Guardado have kept the seat warm, but now according to manager Ron Washington, Frank Francisco, who has no saves this season, will take over the job for Texas. If you need the saves, Francisco is the pickup for you.
Jensen Lewis, Cleveland Indians. Joe Borowski, Masa Kobayashi, Rafael Betancourt, all couldn't get the job done or stay healthy. So far, so good for the new closer in Cleveland, as Lewis has been seven for seven since August 8th, and has only allowed one run and five hits over those games. A far cry from the roller coaster ride that those other guys have provided Indians fans and fantasy players with throughout the season. I wouldn't count on him necessarily having the job in 2009, but for the rest of the season, he looks like a solid closer.
Brett Myers, Philadelphia Phillies. This one might be too late to pick him up, but if not, stop reading and go get him. Myers was fantastic again Monday night. Following up a complete game shutout with nine strikeouts, Myers threw seven more shutout innings and struck out eight. He has basically been unhittable since returning from that short stint in the minors, and if by chance he is still available, make sure he isn't very soon.
Carl Pavano, New York Yankees. Is this guy serious? Pick up Pavano? Well, honestly I wouldn't do it, but at this point of the season, you aren't going to be picking up Cole Hamels. There are a couple of reasons that it MIGHT be a good idea. First, he did look pretty good in his first start. Pavano gave up three runs over five innings and struck out five. That isn't dominant, but you would take that with a win. Second, Pavano is on about 396 days rest. He hasn't pitched in so long he should have plenty of fresh innings in that arm. Third, despite their struggles, the Yankees have a pretty good offense and SHOULD give him some good run support. Finally, this is the last year in the worst contract in history, and if Pavano plans on stealing more money from another team next season, he better show something in these last few starts if he wants another contract. Howver, working against him, Phil Hughes is due back soon, and one would think he would take the rotation spot from Pavano.
For more great articles like this visit www.fightingchancefantasy.com. Email me anytime for advice or questions at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com
Denard Span, Minnesota Twins. He has been playing right field every day for the injured Michael Cuddyer, and lately he has been hitting up a storm. In the last ten games, Span has 15 hits, including one homer and has driven in nine runs. Nothing about his minor league numbers suggest that he will make a huge impact in the major leagues, but he might be someone who you can ride while he is hot.
Ryan Garko, Cleveland Indians. He came into this season with a lot of expectations after he broke out last season and hit 21 homers. Garko had been a pretty colossal disappointment through the first four months of the season, but he has been having a pretty good August. In fact, over the last ten games, Garko has 14 hits, including two homers and 12 RBI. Garko has the talent to be a productive major league hitter, and maybe this recent hot streak will last for the rest of the year. He should be a good guy to add.
Jed Lowrie, Boston Red Sox. Initially called back to the majors after Julio Lugo got injured, but he will remain there even when Lugo is ready to play again. Lowrie has been another great young player brought to the majors by the Sox. In August, Lowrie has raised his average 20 points and driven in 21 runs. He isn't a big homer or steal guy, however, so he will only be able to help you in batting average and RBI.
Frank Francisco, Texas Rangers. Eddie Guardado was just traded today to the Twins for a minor league pitcher I promise you've never heard of. This, once again, opens up the closer's job for the Rangers. C.J. Wilson and Guardado have kept the seat warm, but now according to manager Ron Washington, Frank Francisco, who has no saves this season, will take over the job for Texas. If you need the saves, Francisco is the pickup for you.
Jensen Lewis, Cleveland Indians. Joe Borowski, Masa Kobayashi, Rafael Betancourt, all couldn't get the job done or stay healthy. So far, so good for the new closer in Cleveland, as Lewis has been seven for seven since August 8th, and has only allowed one run and five hits over those games. A far cry from the roller coaster ride that those other guys have provided Indians fans and fantasy players with throughout the season. I wouldn't count on him necessarily having the job in 2009, but for the rest of the season, he looks like a solid closer.
Brett Myers, Philadelphia Phillies. This one might be too late to pick him up, but if not, stop reading and go get him. Myers was fantastic again Monday night. Following up a complete game shutout with nine strikeouts, Myers threw seven more shutout innings and struck out eight. He has basically been unhittable since returning from that short stint in the minors, and if by chance he is still available, make sure he isn't very soon.
Carl Pavano, New York Yankees. Is this guy serious? Pick up Pavano? Well, honestly I wouldn't do it, but at this point of the season, you aren't going to be picking up Cole Hamels. There are a couple of reasons that it MIGHT be a good idea. First, he did look pretty good in his first start. Pavano gave up three runs over five innings and struck out five. That isn't dominant, but you would take that with a win. Second, Pavano is on about 396 days rest. He hasn't pitched in so long he should have plenty of fresh innings in that arm. Third, despite their struggles, the Yankees have a pretty good offense and SHOULD give him some good run support. Finally, this is the last year in the worst contract in history, and if Pavano plans on stealing more money from another team next season, he better show something in these last few starts if he wants another contract. Howver, working against him, Phil Hughes is due back soon, and one would think he would take the rotation spot from Pavano.
For more great articles like this visit www.fightingchancefantasy.com. Email me anytime for advice or questions at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com
