Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Diamond Market: Diamond Market - Rising

August 25, 2008 @ 03:41:55

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green

Fantasy baseball waivers and the acquisition of fantasy baseball free agents can make or break a season. You may have adjusted your fantasy baseball cheat sheets over and over during spring training. If your team remains the same after opening day, though, you will probably have trouble competing in your rotisserie baseball league. Do you need to add players to replace your fantasy baseball busts? Which players can you ignore? KFFL.com's Diamond Market series gives you the fantasy baseball tips and advice you need to sort through the masses quickly.

Key

Acquire - Add player (in most circumstances)

Watch - Track player; consider adding if trend continues

Pass - Do not add player (in most circumstances)

Catchers

Brian Schneider, New York Mets

After three straight months with an average of .250 or worse, Schneider is hitting at a .308 clip in August. He has also tripled his home runs (from two to six) this month and is a viable candidate for those in two-catcher formats.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

First Basemen

None

Second Basemen

None

Third Basemen

Geoff Blum, Houston Astros

With outfielder Carlos Lee (finger) on the shelf, Blum is on pace to reach a season high in monthly at-bats. He has also responded to the increased playing time. He hit just .207 combined in June and July, but he has upped his season average to .237 with a .286-3-13 line in August.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Pass

NL-only: Acquire

Shortstops

None

Outfielders

Mike Cameron, Milwaukee Brewers

Cameron continued his sizzling August with a five-hit, two-RBI effort Sunday, Aug. 24. The Brewers center fielder is contributing in every category with a .360 average, eight homers, 16 RBIs, 15 runs and six stolen bases this month. Grab him while he's hot.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Omar Infante, Atlanta Braves

Infante has surpassed his previous monthly high with 79 at-bats in August, and he is doing it all over the field. His .319 average and 19 runs since the All-Star break are enticing, but what will make him more valuable to deep mixed leaguers is the versatility he provides. He should be eligible at shortstop, second base, third base and outfield in many leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

NL-only: Acquire

Denard Span, Minnesota Twins

The former first-round pick has shone brightly since receiving regular playing time in July. Span has posted a .322-3-24 line with 35 runs in 47 games the last two months. He also brings some speed to the equation with six stolen bases this month.

Shallow mixed: Acquire

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Designated Hitters

None

Starting Pitchers

Anthony Reyes, Cleveland Indians

It looks like a change of scenery was all Reyes needed to turn things around. In four starts since being acquired by the Indians, Reyes has gone 2-1 with a 2.22 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. His last start was especially impressive as he held the Texas Rangers' high-powered offense to just one run over seven innings Thursday, Aug. 24, at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Yusmeiro Petit, Arizona Diamondbacks

Petit has been nearly unhittable since the All-Star break, holding batters to a .175 average. With just six walks in that time, he sports a miniscule 0.79 WHIP. He has given up five home runs during that stretch, so his ERA is 2.73, which is still impressive. With 27 strikeouts in 33 innings as well, it's safe to say Petit can help fantasy owners in many facets.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Brandon McCarthy, Texas Rangers

McCarthy (forearm) returned to the majors for the first time this year Saturday, Aug. 23. The California native managed to stay out of trouble, giving up just one run in four innings. That start follows 13 straight shutout innings McCarthy threw in the minors since working out with pitching legend Nolan Ryan Aug. 7. His solid career minor league numbers (3.36 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) and former top-prospect status suggest he can make an impact in the majors.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

AL-only: Acquire

Chris Lambert, Detroit Tigers

The Tigers plan to recall Lambert Tuesday, Aug. 26, from Triple-A Toledo to fill starter Nate Robertson's rotation spot. A 2004 first-round pick, Lambert has racked up a 12-8 record with a 3.50 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 149 1/3 innings this year. Keep an eye on Lambert to see how he performs in his debut before choosing to act, but those in AL-only leagues should probably give him a whirl.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Pass

AL-only: Acquire

Relief Pitchers

Luis Ayala, New York Mets

Ayala earned a save Friday, Aug. 22, and has allowed just one hit in four innings since joining the Mets Aug. 17. After picking up the save Friday, manager Jerry Manuel said he would not hesitate using Ayala in closing situations. With the Mets bullpen in a state of flux, the veteran has a decent chance to notch a few more saves this season.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Watch

NL-only: Acquire

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.