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Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - Rising

August 28, 2009 @ 13:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Tim Heaney

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - Falling

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)

First basemen

Take a hack at Jacobs for your team

Mike Jacobs, Kansas City Royals

The left-handed hitter has been facing southpaws occasionally. Manager Trey Hillman is singing Jacobs' praises for his improved approach, which has resulted in his use of the entire field. He's still not quite playing every day, but the power he provides is more than useful. From Aug. 2 through Aug. 25 Jacobs was 18-for-47 with two homers and 14 RBIs. He has been known to go out with a bang in recent seasons.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Outfielders

Jose Guillen, Kansas City Royals

The temperamental Guillen (knee) was nagged by injuries throughout the first half before he tore the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee. He believes his health has improved drastically in the past couple of weeks. Guillen hopes to be ready to play when rosters expand Sept. 1. It has been a disappointing 2009 for him (.245-9-40 in 278 at-bats), but one thing is certain: He has plenty of pride. Guillen doesn't like to be viewed as a non-contributor. He averaged 21.5 homers and 98 RBIs in 2007 and 2008.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Acquire

AL-only: Acquire

Ryan Sweeney, Oakland Athletics

The young man who does nothing extremely well but many things well enough is quietly producing adequate fifth-outfielder numbers. In his past 18 games, Sweeney is 22-for-67 (.328) with three homers, eight RBIs and a steal. At a time when many clubs begin resting players or giving opportunities to others, Sweeney's name should be on the lineup almost every day.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

AL-only: Acquire

Willie Harris, Washington Nationals

Nyjer Morgan (hand) will miss the rest of this season; Harris, not shockingly, is expected to replace him with regularity. The 31-year-old vet (.230-5-21 with nine steals in 226 at-bats) provides moderate speed, which can come in handy at this crucial juncture of the fantasy journey. The Nats will recall Justin Maxwell when rosters expand, too, though. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see the club to take a long look at their speedy post-hype prospect (Maxwell is 25) before they head into 2010.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

NL-only: Acquire

Starting pitchers

Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves

The Hudson will flow again in 2009

The Braves will active Hudson in time to start against the Florida Marlins Monday. He had originally been scheduled for one more rehab assignment Friday, but the Braves moved things up a bit after they watched Kenshin Kawakami, whom they'll give some rest, struggle again in his latest start. Hudson is anxious to return to a big league mound. In a total of six minor league outings (23 1/3 innings) Hudson yielded 10 earned runs (3.86 ERA), 29 hits and four walks, with 14 strikeouts. Don't expect greatness, but Hudson is no slouch.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Acquire

NL-only: Acquire

Vicente Padilla, Los Angeles Dodgers

Most fantasy owners know that a move from the AL to the Senior Circuit more often than not has a positive effect on a pitcher's fortunes. It helps even more to escape The Ballpark in Arlington, the joint the Texas Rangers call home. Padilla made his Blue debut yesterday; he pitched five innings; gave up six hits, two earned runs and one walk; and struck out four. Hollywood's bats have cooled in recent times, but should they awaken, the Flotilla could be in line for more wins like the one he posted yesterday.

Shallow mixed: Watch

Deep mixed: Watch

NL-only: Acquire

Dave Bush, Milwaukee Brewers

He's back, say his 4 2/3 innings and five earned runs allowed against the Cincinnati Reds yesterday. Milwaukee and the small, sick band of fantasy owners who laud Bush's merits annually have been waiting for this moment for about two months. Bush (triceps) constitutes a serious upgrade in the rotation for the Brew Crew only. However, there's no denying this: He can be very good at home and is thus an excellent candidate for spot starts down the stretch.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Watch

NL-only: Acquire

Edgar G. Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics

The A's are going to a six-man rotation for the season's final month so they can preserve their young arms. Gonzalez is the lamb here, not one of the arms care much about. The 26-year-old has a 5.86 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 101 lifetime games (37 starts). As a starter, his ERA is better; it's 5.81.

Shallow mixed: Pass

Deep mixed: Pass

AL-only: Pass

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market - Falling