Potential Fantasy Pickups

Nyjer Morgan, WAS: Ever since he has been traded to the Nats, he has been given a green light. He's currently looking not only like a savior, but Rickey Henderson-esque. Rickey was always fun to watch because every time he reached first base, you assumed he would get to 3rd.

Morgan is obviously not an unknown to fantasy players, but keep in mind: Nyjer has attempted 17 steals in 24 games since joining the Natty's. 

Thoughts: Pick him up, especially in roto leagues where he can provide a huge punch and lift in the SB category.

Josh Willingham, WAS: Really??? I'm putting two Nationals as players to pick up for the upcoming week?

Well, it's not that Willingham was an unknown. He's been one of those high potential players for a few years now; since his time as a Marlin. But Josh got my attention after his two grand slam game. It's not that he was bad before, though.

Now, he's hitting .300 with 16 hr's in 230 ABs. Not too shabby for someone you can potentially find on all shallow and normal sized mixed leagues...

In the words of Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber, "PICK 'EM UP!"

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Fantasy

WOW! Mark Buehrle

I know that I'm supposed to talk about Fantasy, and I will assess that later in this article. 

I know that Mark Buehrle has always been a very solid pitcher for the White Sox throughout his career. But these last two games have been a little more than outstanding. 

Not only did he have a perfect game (!) in his previous start, but today he threw 5 2/3 of perfect ball also. If you want to do the math, that's 44 straight batters Mr. Buehrle shut down (Take into account that the game before his perfecto, he got his last out of the game (Nick Markakis) to fly out). 45 STRAIGHT!

Well, I'm impressed.

Fantasy implications: Pick him up (duh). If you own him and you don't believe in him, it is a great time to trade him. If you do believe in him, I'd probably stick with him. I wish I had more to say, but I'm at a loss for words...

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Fantasy

Ryan Garko's Fantasy Implications

Late last night, Ryan Garko was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Single A pitcher Scott Barnes. 

What does this mean for Fantasy owners: Garko will be inserted into the lineup against lefties. He is a career .318 hitter against southpaws. He can hit for a solid .280 average, and provide some needed pop to the Giants lineup. What will he offer owners, though? Probably 6-8 HRs with around a .280 average. 

In "real life," as my associate and fellow baseball coach Dusty Landwehr said: "The Cardinals trade for Mark DeRosa and Matt Holliday, and [we] the Giants trade for Ryan Garko." 

Yes, he is not a big name, but he does give the Giants a little more flexibility. However, if this is the "big trade" that they had in mind, start looking elsewhere.

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Fantasy