Waiver review: Ride out Iannetta's streak
We'll hopefully see a resolution of this issue in the near future as the Packers get to work. I'm tentatively scheduled to visit the Packers on my training camp tour for 2008, but more on that later.
Let's return to the task at hand and offer some assistance to fantasy owners seeking to make a charge in the standings during the final two months of the season. I'll start with a few options at catcher, where owners are evaluating alternatives to replace Jorge Posada, who may be lost for the year.
Kansas City backstop John Buck has hit safely in six of his past eight games, batting .321 (9-for-28) with two home runs and five RBI. He ranks 14th among all catchers with 31 RBI and trails veteran fantasy hero Ivan Rodriguez of the Tigers by a single RBI. Buck is available in 95 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Chris Iannetta of the Rockies possesses a modest four-game hitting streak and has hit safely in eight of his past nine games. He also has hit three home runs with 11 RBI during this period. He's generated 25 extra-base hits in 184 at-bats (one per 7.36 at-bats). Iannetta is a strong pickup for owners seeking a production boost from the catcher slot, available in 81 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Ramon Hernandez currently ranks sixth among catchers with 41 RBI. He's homered in back-to-back games with five RBI. Hernandez is batting a respectable .277 since June 1. He remains available in 62 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
I engaged in a healthy debate regarding Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina ahead of the year, as St. Louis fans tried to argue for a boost in his overall rank. Of course, those arguments were made by pointing out his defensive prowess. Molina's making a case for himself with a strong .305 average. He also ranks 12th among catchers with 33 RBI despite his low power production (four home runs). Molina is worth a look-see in the 61.2 percent of FOXSports.com leagues in which he's available.
Mike Jacobs of the Marlins has been in a long home run drought at the plate, but he's starting to become a more accomplished hitter. Jacobs has homered only once in 53 July plate appearances after hitting 18 home runs through June. However, he's batting .277 in July with five RBI. The power stroke will return soon enough. Jacobs is available in 45.7 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
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| For whatever reason, Jorge Cantu found his hitting streak in Cincinnati and is still somehow available in a high number of leagues. (Jeff Gross / Getty Images) |
Jacobs' teammate Jorge Cantu seemingly forgot how to hit in 2007, as he failed to find a spot in either Tampa or Cincinnati. Cantu has been a phenomenal run producer for the Marlins this season, having already produced 41 extra-base hits with 58 RBI. He's hit safely in seven of his past nine games, batting .378 (14-for-37) with two home runs and seven RBI during this stretch. Cantu remains available in 47.8 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado started the season slowly, but he's been unbelievable during the Mets' climb to the top of the NL East. Delgado is batting .419 in July (26-for-62) with four home runs, 12 RBI and 15 runs scored. He possesses a ridiculous .500 on-base percentage this month! Delgado is available in 31.9 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Turning the calendar to July helped jumpstart the bat of Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier. Ethier leads the Dodgers with 11 home runs, four of which were hit in May. He's also driven in 13 runs this month while batting .319 (23-for-72). Ethier struggled to an abysmal .195 in June, which forced owners to seek alternatives in their respective outfield slots. He's still available in 84.5 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues despite his current hot streak.
Troy Percival of the Rays returned from the disabled list over the weekend. Those who missed out on the Rays closers in his absence didn't get hurt too badly considering the team's recent struggles. Percival certainly represents an injury risk for the second half, but the closer role is his so long as he's healthy. He's available in 39 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
San Diego starter Chris Young is on the comeback trail. Young has been on the disabled list since being struck with a line drive on May 21. He took a turn for my beloved Lake Elsinore Storm (although they did cut me on the same day they signed me) in Single-A ball and threw 43 of 59 pitches for strikes. He'll likely make one or two more starts in the minor leagues before rejoining the Padres. Young is available in 30 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Kyle Lohse found new life in a Cardinals uniform, having produced 12 victories in 21 starts this season. Lohse averages only 4.48 strikeouts per nine innings, but he's made the big pitch when it counted. He's effectively limited his walks (31 in 126 1/3 innings) while allowing one hit per inning. Lohse hasn't lost since May 8, a streak of 13 starts. Lohse takes the hill Tuesday night against the Brewers. He's available in 53 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Randy Johnson won his third straight start with seven shutout innings against the Cubs on Monday night. Johnson allowed two hits in the victory. Johnson has pitched to a 2.33 ERA with 17 strikeouts and only two walks during his current winning streak. He's worth claiming in all leagues with San Francisco next on the slate this weekend. The Big Unit is available in 50.2 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Ricky Nolasco of the Marlins has been one of the best-kept secrets of the game this year. The 10-game winner has pitched exceptionally this year, averaging three strikeouts per walk while posting a strong 3.78 ERA. Nolasco has won five of his past eight starts, pitching to a 2.34 ERA during this stretch while averaging 8.27 strikeouts per nine innings. He's available in 55 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
An injury to Takashi Saito elevated Jonathan Broxton to the closer role, and he's made good on the promotion by converting two straight save opportunities. The hard-throwing, 24-year-old hurler has averaged three strikeouts per walk and will work from this role for the foreseeable future. The Dodgers are making a charge to capture the NL West and Broxton will be one of the keys to their success. He remains available in 73.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Mike Pelfrey was battered around a bit during his last start against the Reds to end his six-game winning streak. Since June 1, Pelfrey has pitched to a record of 6-0 in nine starts with a strong 2.71 ERA. He's available in 79.2 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
Milwaukee pitcher Many Parra has been a key component of the rotation, having won seven of his past 10 starts. In fact, Parra could have easily picked up wins in two of his three remaining starts during this period. He's pitched to tremendous 2.47 ERA during this period. Occasionally, Parra's control has been spotty, but he's been much more effective of late. He's available to be claimed in 71 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.
I'll be back later this week to proffer additional waiver wire suggestions to help you steal a point or two in each of your league's scoring categories. In the interim, check out the pages of FOXSports.com for news, tips and advice from Roger Rotter, John Juhasz, Gerrit Ritt and our partners.
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