With the trade deadline looming, everybody is trying to speculate which teams are going to buy and which are going to sell as well as what players they wish to part with and so on and so forth. I see fantasy owners guessing already on which players may or may not be traded by making waiver claims or trading for such players. Instead of worrying about which players are going to go from bad teams to good teams, how about focusing on the players who will be taking over on the bad teams? After all, these guys are the ones that are going to see more playing time the rest of the way. Unless you are Matt Holliday or Roy Halladay, chances are the players moving on to the contending teams will have a lesser role than they did before. This makes them less valuable fantasy wise. So don't get caught up in the hype. Keep your eyes on the prize and make moves for the players that will help you close out this championship season and not the ones who are in the headlines this week.

DON'T FIGHT THE POWER

1) Garrett Jones (Outfield) -- Pirates -- This is Jones second week in a row in The Hot 8 and I assure you if he is still available in your league he won't be for long. Jones has 10 HR's in his first 80 AB's this year and is hitting at a nice little clip of .350/.402/.825. He is a big powerful kid who is playing with purpose in what might have been his last ever attempt at a major league career. If you read this blog every week then you are familiar with the Garrett Jones story and if not go back and read about the decision that may have changed his life. Power like this does not grow on trees and I don't know of any fantasy team that has too much power.

ABSOLUTE MUSTS

2) Joel Pineiro (RHP - Starter) -- Cardinals -- Pineiro is a ground ball machine. Dave Duncan has him pitching to his strengths and not trying to be something he is not and this approach is working wonders for the thirty year old right hander. I feel that Pineiro is a must have fantasy starter at this point. If your team is thin in the pitching department especially with starters or if you have been going the ole' pitch and ditch route it is time for you to stick with Pineiro now. This is the kind of guy that can lead you to the championship this year believe me. He is owned in less than half of leagues right now so leave this screen right now and make the move for Pineiro. Just please come right back...

3) Seth Smith (Outfield) -- Rockies -- I have been touting Rockies outfielders all season long with my favorite being Dexter Fowler. But Smith was on my preseason watch list and I personally drafted him in both of my fantasy leagues this year. He had not been getting the playing time I thought he would have received earlier in the season but he now appears to be the Rockies everyday left fielder. It is no coincidence that Colorado is now atop the wild card standings in the National League and poised to make a strong playoff push. Smith's numbers are fantastic this year especially for a platoon player who often would be used for one at-bat a game. He has power, gets on base, hits for a solid average, drives in runs and can even steal a few bases. This is a great opportunity for your fantasy team to pickup a player that is sure to start for you down the stretch this season.

IMPACT ROOKIES

4) Michael Saunders (Outfield) -- Mariners -- Saunders is a dynamic player who should have been called up long ago in my humble opinion. He is a big kid who has nice drive with his legs and loft in his swing. This suggests that he will be a legitimate power hitter at the big league level. But that is not the limit to Saunders game, not by a long shot. He has a great understanding of the strike zone and is a disciplined hitter. He uses all fields and shows power even when hitting to left field. Better yet, he is a good athlete who has above average speed and hustles every time out of the box. He is even a good drag bunter and will use it whenever he needs to just to get on base or move a runner over. The Mariners are going to love this kid and he will be their everyday left fielder for the rest of this year. I think he can be a difference maker in fantasy leagues the rest of the way. If you have the space I suggest picking him up if for no other reason than to keep him out of your competitions hands.

5) Chris Tillman (RHP - Starter) -- Orioles -- Tillman's time has finally come. He will be called up to start for the Orioles on Wednesday, making his major league debut opposite Zach Grienke and the Kansas City Royals. While I am not sold on Tillman's ability to dominate in the big leagues the way he has in the minors, he could be a useful piece in your fantasy leagues. The problem I have with Tillman is that I don't see an obvious out-pitch and he doesn't quite have the command of all his pitches the way Vin Mazzaro or Matt Maloney does. The Orioles are building themselves a very good ballclub for the future here and Tillman is definitely a part of that puzzle. If you are in a keeper league he is a must right away. Otherwise, he can be useful as a spot starter now and then when you are lacking or in two start weeks.

6) Matt Latos (RHP - Starter) -- Padres -- Unlike Chris Tillman, Latos has plenty of out-pitches and wow factors. His fastball is ridiculously good with sharp movement and 96 MPH speed coming on a downward plane from his 6'5" frame. His slider features fierce two way movement that can make even the best of hitters look silly. As big as Latos is, his ego and attitude may be even bigger. He is not a hard worker and has rubbed teammates the wrong way with his "better than the room" carelessness. He has already shown he can get major league hitters out after starting out the season in the A Midwest League. He may throw a no-hitter in his career if he doesn't burn out quickly.

ME AND JULIO, DOWN BY THE BALL-FIELD

7) Julio Lugo (Shortstop) -- Cardinals -- In all the hype surrounding the Cardinals acquisition of Matt Holliday, the minor deal they made with the Red Sox for Julio Lugo has kind of got lost in the shuffle. All Lugo has done since coming to St. Louis is go 6-10 with 2 3B, 1 2B and 1 HR. He also stole a base in his first game with the red birds, something he is sure to do more of while playing for Tony LaRussa. I love this pickup by the Cardinals. Lugo was just what they needed in the middle of their infield and while he doesn't possess the defense, he will be great for fantasy owners. Anybody who claims there are no middle infielders out there in free agency, Lugo is only owned in 2% of Yahoo leagues right now!

BACK FROM OBLIVION

8) Sergio Mitre (RHP - Starter) -- Yankees -- Mitre has long been abandoned by both major league general managers and fantasy league players. But now here he is resurrecting his career with the charging New York Yankees and making his way back onto our fantasy radar. Mitre was dominating in AAA this year and seems to have matured quite a bit since his days in Chicago and Florida. The Yankees will give Mitre a chance to win every time out and if he can just do a formidable job, he will turn out to be this years version of Aaron Small.


That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at jeff@fantasybaseballsearch.com

Time is running out to make the necessary moves your team needs to make the playoffs or sustain come playoff time. The next few weeks are the best time to select a key free agent who can make a great impact on your team. Players will be traded to new teams, prospects will be called upon and certain players will finally be given a shot to see what they can do. There will be a lot of fluctuation in the next few weeks and this is your chance to capitalize.


SECOND HALF SOX

1) Jed Lowrie (3B/SS) -- Red Sox -- Lowrie was activated from the 60 day disabled list on Saturday and proceeded to jack a HR in his third at bat. The Red Sox designated Julio Lugo for assignment clearing the way for a Lowrie/Nick Green platoon situation at SS for now. Lowrie is the more talented hitter and after he is eased back into things it is my belief he will get the majority of playing time over the popular Green.

2) Clay Bucholz (RHP - Starter) -- Red Sox -- To make room for Lowrie the Red Sox sent back down Bucholz who had just won his first major league game in nearly a year by holding the Blue Jays to 1 run in 5.2 innings. Bucholz is caught up in a numbers game in Boston this year as they have just accumulated too many starting pitchers. I think it is a tragedy holding this kid back any longer because every inning he pitches in AAA is probably one less than he will in his major league career and that is a shame. There is a possibility that the Red Sox could deal for Roy Halladay before the deadline and if so I guarantee that Bucholz will be a part of that deal. One way or another, Bucholz will pitch in the majors again this season and when he does he has already proven that he has the ability to dominate.

OUTFIELDERS, OUTFIELDERS EVERYWHERE

3) Garrett Jones (Outfield) -- Pirates -- This is a great story and one which I have told a couple of times on Fantasy Baseball Tonight. Jones was on his way to visit his ailing Father in an Illinois hospital when the Pirates dealt Eric Hinske to the Yankees in return for some low minor leaguers. Jones himself has been a career minor leaguer scratching away for nearly a decade in the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins organizations before catching on with Pittsburgh earlier this year. With an open roster spot the Pirates gave a call to AAA Indianapolis to promote Jones only to find out he had just taken a leave of absence to be with his Father. The folks in Indianapolis called Jones on his cell phone and gave him the news and a decision had to be made. Go to Pittsburgh and realize a dream long overdue or go to Illinois and be with his severely ill Father? Jones called his family to which his Dad got on the line and told him he wouldn't speak to him if he didn't get his butt to Pittsburgh immediately. He did exactly that and has been raking ever since. Jones has 7 HR in his first 57 AB's already and is playing with the fire and passion of a guy who's dream has just come true.

4) Carlos Gomez (Outfield) -- Twins -- I loved Gomez coming into the season but he fell flat for most of the first half. Fantasy owners everywhere have given up on him this season but he has been coming on since the beginning of July. Gomez has some power to go with his good speed and when he is right he can be a very good fantasy performer. The Twins have recognized that Gomez is on a hot streak and are playing him everyday now until he cools off which may not be for quite awhile. This is a great pickup right now if you can still get him.

5) Franklin Gutierrez (Outfield) -- Mariners -- Gutierrez is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game. His range factor is through the roof and he's got a very strong arm to boot. The problem offensively with Gutierrez is that while he destroys left handed pitching he is below average across the board against righties. This year he's improved his strategy against RHP and instead of trying to drive the ball as he does against LHP, he's now just trying to make simple contact and go up the middle and to right field most times. This has been paying off in recent weeks as Gutierrez has raised his average to .294 overall and already has 12 HR, 44 runs and 41 RBI. He is an everyday player and is starting to come on strong offensively.

6) Chris Dickerson (Outfield) -- Reds -- With Jay Bruce out for 6-8 weeks with a broken wrist, Dickerson is the one who will get first crack at Bruce's spot in the everyday lineup. Though Dickerson has missed a few games recently with back spasms, it doesn't appear that it will be anything that will keep him out of the lineup long term. Dickerson has a nice blend of power and speed and is especially useful in OBP leagues because while he doesn't usually hit for a high average, he is an on-base machine. If Dickerson were to go down, Drew Stubbs would be next in line to get a shot and that would also be a very good roster addition too. For now though give Dickerson a shot. The upside could be very good if he can just stay on field.

ANGEL IN THE INFIELD

7) Erick Aybar (Shortstop) -- Angels -- I am so frustrated with the way the Angels have been handling their prized middle infield prospects lately. They seems to never want to give them a long term tryout and rather drag them in and out of the lineup on a day in and day out basis. Finally, Aybar has appeared to scratch his way into a full time role and is doing an exceptional job of late. He's hitting .304/.342/.413 on the season and has 3 HR's and 7 SB too. Aybar is fast and has the ability to steal 30+ bases in a full season. As long as he's getting on base and in the lineup most days, he will steal bases and score runs at a real good pace. With just about every fantasy owner crying over the lack of middle infield help, Aybar is owned in just 5% of leagues right now. So stop you're sobbing and help yourself already!

A VOTE FOR PEDRO

8) Pedro Martinez (RHP - Starter) -- Phillies -- He didn't get the $5 million he had wanted at the beginning of the season, but Martinez is back in the big leagues and with a contender once again. He doesn't have the velocity the he once did but his ball still moves with the crisp bite that it always has and that is troublesome for hitters. I am one of the few guys who believes Martinez warrants some fantasy consideration now. He won't post an ERA in the 2's or strikeout a hitter an inning anymore but the guy knows how to pitch and right now that is all Philadelphia really needs. Martinez will be able to last long enough in games for the Phillies offense to score the runs necessary to get him wins. Don't expect anything close to the Cy Young form, but he'll give the Phillies and your fantasy team a nice little lift right when you need it the most.


That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at jeff@fantasybaseballsearch.com

It's hard to believe that we've reached the midway point of the season already isn't it? I really appreciate those of you who come here and check out my little free agent list every week. I hope you've been as rewarded with great pickups as I have been with all your comments and emails. At this time I'd like to announce my own All-Star team. I've gone through all of my Hot 8 selections from every week and selected only the best of the best. As you can see, you could have built an entire fantasy team only by reading The Hot 8 every week and you'd be in good shape as we hit the second half of the season. Best of all is that I recommended all of these players well before they broke out and are the strong fantasy players they are today. Here are the 2009 Hot 8 All-Stars complete with the week they were featured and their first half stats:


FIRST BASE

Kendry Morales -- Angels -- Week 1 -- .286/.338/.531, 15 HR's, 48 RBI, 38 Runs. Started out a bit slow but has come on strong to close out the first half at a very good pace. Morales wasn't even drafted in nearly half of all leagues much to my amazement at the time of putting him in the Hot 8.

SECOND BASE

Ben Zobrist -- Rays -- Week 9 -- .290/.412/.601 17 HR's, 51 RBI, 48 Runs, 11 SB. Where would your fantasy team be without Ben Zobrist? The same place it probably is if you are not reading The Hot 8! Zobrist is probably the most valuable free agent find that there will be this season. The fact that he is eligible at 2B/SS/OF puts Zobrist in the stratosphere in terms of fantasy value. Your welcome!

SHORTSTOP

Elvin Andrus -- Rangers -- Preseason Picks -- .259/.316/.358, 3 HR's. 15 RBI, 34 Runs, 16 Stolen Bases. Doesn't have quite the average or OBP I was expecting but the stolen bases are there and he is just starting to hit his stride as a major leaguer.

THIRDBASE

Mark Teahen -- Royals -- Week 3 -- .295/.352/.452, 9 HR's, 29 RBI, 41 Runs, 5 SB. Teahen is often overlooked but is a very useful fantasy player. He is playing just about every position on the diamond and hits in the middle of the Kansas City order. This is a fantastic pickup if you made it back in week 3. But Teahen is exactly the kind guy you can make a minor deal for and have him push your contending team over the edge.

CATCHER

John Baker -- Marlins -- Week 1 -- .262/.336/.427, 7 HR's, 26 RBI, 38 Runs. I am giving the nod to Baker over Matt Wieters mostly because of how underrated Baker is as a fantasy catcher. He provides pop, RBI and runs scored without hurting you in batting average or OBP.

OUTFIELD

"The" Justin Upton -- Diamondbacks -- Week 4 -- .292/.368/.536, 16 HR's, 50 RBI, 53 Runs, 12 SB. I had Upton on The Hot 8 in week 4, but anyone who was listening to me as far back as February knows that I was higher on him than anybody on the planet. I had to fight off expert after expert including my own brethren here at Fantasy Baseball Search while defending Upton in the early stages of this season. Redemption came to me in May when the great ESPN baseball writer Keith Law messaged me on my facebook giving me props and vowing to from then on refer to him as "The Justin Upton". On an episode of the old Fantasy Baseball Scouting Report airing on March 24th, I was willing to wager my career on Justin Upton this year. As Elton John once sang, "I'm still standing..."

Nelson Cruz -- Rangers -- Week 3 -- .266/.331/.540, 21 HR's, 52 RBI, 48 Runs, 13 SB. Cruz has been a great find for fantasy owners this year. His batting average has gone down over the past month or so but he is still producing great power and generating plenty of runs with some speed.

Juan Rivera -- Angels -- Week 12 -- .312/.351/.527, 16 HR's, 52 RBI, 38 Runs. Rivera has finally lived up to the potential that so many of us thought would come around 2005 or so. He got a break this year by getting steady playing time filling in for an injured Vlad Guerrero and hasn't looked back since. I must admit that I was skeptical at first of his first hot streak and deliberately kept him off The Hot 8 until a couple of weeks later. Rivera has gone on to prove all the doubters wrong and is one of the top fantasy outfielders right now.

Colby Rasmus -- Cardinals -- Week 2 -- .281/.326/.488, 11 HR's, 34 RBI, 43 Runs. I have had Rasmus in The Hot 8 three times so far this year and it continues to amaze me that he's owned in just 20% of all fantasy legues even now. This guy is hitting in front of Albert Pujols people! The only downside to Rasmus is that he has enough speed to steal 20 bases but won't be given the steal sign much when Albie is at the dish.

STARTING PITCHER

Tommy Hanson -- Braves -- Week 3 -- 4-0, 2.85 ERA, 25 K's, 1.29 WHIP. Hanson has been every bit as good as advertised since being called up in June. He is young, fresh and will keep getting better with each and every start.

Rick Porcello -- Tigers -- Week 1 -- 8-6, 4.14 ERA, 47 K's, 1.46 WHIP. Porcello has cooled off lately but was on fire for much of the first half. His performance is one of the major reasons why the Tigers are pacing the AL Central this season.

Ricky Romero -- Blue Jays -- Week 13 -- 7-3, 2.96 ERA, 66 K's, 1.26 WHIP. Romero has been so good this year outside of a short stint on the DL. It is astonishing that he is still available in nearly 50% of fantasy leagues right now. If you're holding onto declining veterans like James Shields or Rich Harden, it is time to cut bait and grab Romero and save your season.

RELIEF PITCHER

Huston Street -- Rockies -- Week 5 -- 2-1, 2.82 ERA, 22 Saves, 42 K's, 1.01 WHIP. I hate to say I told ya so., but... When Street got off to a bad start and Manny Corpas was inserted into the closer role for the Rockies, I was screaming from the rooftops that Street was a notorious slow starter and that his stuff was still as crisp as ever. Nevertheless, many fantasy players dumped him and went out to grab Corpas, Troy Percival, Joel Hanrahan or some other hot name at that time. As we know now, Street got the job back and has gone on to be one of the top closers in baseball ever since.


That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at jeff@fantasybaseballsearch.com

Just a few short weeks ago it seemed like there were no impact middle infielders to be had in fantasy leagues. This week there are five who candidates to make The Hot 8. I've settled on three who I feel are must owns in the majority of fantasy leagues despite each being owned in less than 10% of fantasy leagues so far. Here is the final Hot 8 of the first half of the 2009 season:

2 PLAYERS + 2 STARTS APIECE = FANTASY GOLD
1) Jason Hammel (RHP - Starter) -- Rockies -- Hammel is making the most his move to the National League this year by posting a 5-4 record with a 3.90 ERA so far. He's been even better since becoming a member of the Rockies starting rotation. In his last 6 starts Hammel is 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA with 20 K's and just 1 HR given up. This week he gets the Nationals and the Braves, two real good opportunities for continued success.

2) Kevin Correia (RHP - Starter) -- Padres -- Second week in a row for Correia on The Hot 8 both in the #2 slot for the week as well. Don't let one bad start deter you from grabbing Correia, especially when looking at the week ahead. Since he started relying on his curveball more, his K/9 ratio has skyrocketed as has his BB/9 has gone down. Correia will be on the road this week for both of his starts but throwing against the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants should be a chance any fantasy player is willing to take. He'll win at least one of these games and provide plenty of K's too while not hurting you at all in ERA and WHIP.

MIDDLE INFIELD HELP IS HERE!!
3) Gordon Beckham (SS/3B) -- Whitesox -- Beckham in entrenched as Chicago's starting 3B and will be for the rest of this season. He has gotten hot as of late bashing 3 HR's in his last 7 games. Through his first 100 major league plate appearances Beckham is hitting .275/.347/.429 with those 3 HR's to go with 14 runs scored and 16 RBI. He is playing his home games in a very hitter friendly park and is sandwiched within a high scoring offense making him that much more attractive for fantasy ballers. In addition to the power and run scoring potential, Beckham has the ability to steal some bases this season too. He is owned in just 16% of Yahoo leagues right now which is a downright shame. Anybody looking for help in the middle or corner infield positions would be wise to go out and grab Beckham before somebody else does. This kid can play.

4) Martin Prado (1B, 2B, 3B) -- Braves -- Manager Bobby Cox named Prado his new starting 2B just before Kelly Johnson was placed on the 15 day DL. It seems Johnson's struggles have become Prado's gain as the utility player has seized the opportunity and given the Braves a much needed spark at the top of their order. Prado is a fine hitter and a quick glance through his major and minor league history shows not a single instance in which he hitter under .281. He is also very good at working counts and taking walks which gets him on base for the Braves big run producers in Chipper Jones and Brian McCann. Being eligible at 1B, 2B & 3B makes Prado all that more lucrative for the fantasy owner wise enough to pick him up soon before the band wagon jumpers find out.

5) Everth Cabrera (Shortstop) -- Padres -- The final of my trio of middle infielders this week is Everth Cabrera who is coming back from a nasty wrist injury suffered in April. Cabrera was a rule V pick this offseason being selected third overall by the Padres out of the Colorado Rockies organization. The most intriguing thing about Cabrera is his speed. He stole 73 bases last year playing in single A Asheville while a member of the Rockies organization. Because he is a rule V pick, he must remain on the Padres roster all season long or be returned to the Rockies without compensation. Thus, he is getting regular playing time right now and performing quite well. He is a natural second baseman and may wind up there at some point this season. Cabrera is patient at the plate and will take a walk which greatly helps him make use of his speed. He has zero power and strikes out quite a bit too. He has gotten off to quite a hot start though and could be a big help to fantasy teams looking for some stolen bases and runs scored in the next few weeks.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
6) Colby Rasmus (Outfield) -- Cardinals -- I nearly fell out of my chair this week while pouring through the available players in Yahoo, CBS and ESPN fantasy leagues. When I came across the name Colby Rasmus, I expected to see between 33-50% ownership at this point in the season. Instead I see 8%, 10%, 8% respectively for the fine young Cardinals outfielder. I guess not even his recent hot streak could sway the unbelievable stubbornness of fantasy owners. Rasmus is a guy who will get more playing time in the second half than he did in the first and will find himself hitting in front of the great Albert Pujols quite a bit. Rasmus has power, speed and the ability to carry a fantasy teams for weeks at a time when he is going right. You'll hear much more about Rasmus in my Hot 8 of the second half next week but with a guy this talented time is of the essence.

YES, ANOTHER GIANTS STARTING PITCHER
7) Ryan Sadowski (RHP - Starter) -- Giants -- There might not have been a less likely person to make this list at the start of the season than Ryan Sadowski. He got the call to San Francisco after the Giants decided to send struggling LHP Jonathen Sanchez to the bullpen last week. Sadowski was called up despite his mediocre numbers at AAA Fresno this season and has been nothing short of spectacular. Sadowski is a fastball/slider/changeup type pitcher who makes the most of his location and changing speeds. In 13.0 IP so far this season he is yet to yield a run and has allowed just 7 hits and 4 walks while striking out 6 and winning his first two starts. I do not expect this trend to continue, but I feel that Sadowski can be a steady force at the back end of the Giants rotation for at least the next few weeks. Perfect for a pitch and ditch type situation.

ON HIS WAY BACK
8) Alex Gordon (Third Base) -- Royals -- I want to make sure we are all clear about why I am including Gordon in this weeks Hot 8. This is basically to make everyone aware that he is currently on a rehab trip that will take him to AA Northwest Arkansas next week and hopefully back to Kansas City after the All-Star break. Gordon seems fully recovered from hip surgery in April as I've heard that he's been rehabbing like a madman prior to getting back on the field. With limited options at 3B in the free agent market, fantasy owners should watch Gordon closely for the next week or two before giving him a shot later this month.

That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at jeff@fantasybaseballsearch.com