Welcome to Fantasy Spin Cycle, AthlonSports.com’s new bi-weekly “cheat sheet” covering myriad topics in a quick-hitting style intended to help keep you in the game from the first pitch of the season to the final bubbly shower in October. On Mondays, we’ll review the hot players and the cold, the emergency free agents and timely cuts, and all the latest medical reports. On Fridays, we’ll examine the fantasy impact of the latest MLB transactions, break out some stimulating stats, turn an eye to keeper leagues, offer a few random thoughts and keep a close eye on closers.

July 6, 2009

The Week That Was
The hottest and coldest players of the last seven days:

FIRE
Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs: 4 HRs, 12 RBI
Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers: .440-3-3
Colby Rasmus, OF, Cardinals: .500-3-4
Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals: .429-3-8, 1 SB
Casey McGehee, 3B, Brewers: .370-2-10
Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins: .526-2-9, 1 SB
Juan Pierre, OF, Dodgers: .381, 5 SBs
Martin Prado, 2B, Braves: .577-1-6
Matt Diaz, OF, Braves: .619-1-5, 1 SB
Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins: .480-4-8
Marlon Byrd, OF, Rangers: .450-3-9
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Indians: .409-3-9, 1 SB
Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers: 5 SBs
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox: .375-2-4,  4 SBs
Gordon Beckham, 3B, White Sox: .407-2-7, 1 SB

Dan Haren, SP, Diamondbacks: 2-0, 1.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 15 SOs
Roy Oswalt, SP, Astros: 2-0, 1.06 ERA, 0.47 WHIP, 14 SOs
Ricky Nolasco, SP, Marlins: 2-0, 1.13 ERA, 0.56 WHIP, 20 SOs
Tim Lincecum, SP, Giants: 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.44 WHIP, 17 SOs
Kevin Gregg, CL, Cubs: 1 win, 2 saves 1 base runner in 4 IP
Scott Feldman, SP, Rangers: 2-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Luke Hochevar, SP, Royals: 2-0, 2.77 ERA
Jon Lester, SP, Red Sox: 1-0, 0.66 ERA, 17 SOs in 2 starts
Joakim Soria, CL, Royals: 3 saves, 7 SOs in 3 perfect IP

ICE
Jack Wilson, SS, Pirates: 2-for-23
Kaz Matsui, 2B, Astros: .095-0-1
Alfonso Soriano, OF, Cubs: .100-0-0
Justin Upton, OF, Diamondbacks: .087-0-0
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 2B, Padres: .048-1-1
Orlando Hudson, 2B, Dodgers: 0-for-16
Jason Bay, OF, Red Sox: .080-0-1
Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers: .077-1-1
Victor Martinez, C, Indians: .050-0-0
Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays: .056-0-1
Jose Guillen, OF, Royals: .053-0-1

Brad Thompson, SP, Cardinals: 0-2, 6.55 ERA, 1.73 WHIP
Bronson Arroyo, SP, Reds: 0-2, 8.71 ERA, 2.61 WHIP
Rick Porcello, SP, Tigers: 0-2, 9.72 ERA, 2.40 WHIP
Cliff Lee, SP, Indians: 0-2, 10.00 ERA, 2.67 WHIP
Joe Saunders, SP, Angels: 0-1, 13.00 ERA, 2.33 WHIP in 2 starts
Rich Hill, SP, Orioles: 13.50 ERA, 2.54 WHIP in 2 starts

Double Play
Two players you should claim off your league’s free agent list TODAY:

• Matt Diaz, OF, Braves: The Braves are down to their last shred of patience with Jeff Francoeur, so the far less sexy but far more reliable alternative of Diaz is looking better all the time. A 13-for-21 surge in his last six games has nudged his average to .320 — not unsustainable for him.

• Martin Prado, 2B, Braves: Speaking of Hotlantans, Prado is sweltering. He’s 22 for his last 43, and an injury to Kelly Johnson ensures that Martin’s installation as the second baseman is anywhere from long-term to permanent.

Double Cut
Two players it’s time to cut loose:

• Rajai Davis, OF, Athletics: Davis would seem to be the player to get shuffled aside now that the A’s have traded for Scott Hairston. He’s started only twice in the last 10 days and owns just two extra-base hits since June 10. His glove and stolen base potential are not nearly compensating for his inability to get his bat moving.

• Ryan Madson, RP, Phillies: Brad Lidge is healthy and in his best groove of the season, so Madson’s closing days are over. He picked up three saves in early June but, since the 16th, he has three losses, three blown saves and an 8.64 ERA.

Dept. of Hospital-ity
Updates on the injury status of key players:

Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Cubs (shoulder): One of the major injuries of the fantasy season gets reversed today as Ramirez rejoins the Cubs. CONDITION: Discharged.

Oliver Perez, SP, Mets (knee): He’s going to start on Wednesday and, while his knee might be OK, his arm is still all over the place — nine walks in 9 1/3 Triple-A innings. CONIDTION: Discharged.

Raul Ibanez, OF, Phillies (groin): After playing several rehab games this week, Ibanez has a chance to return. CONDITION: Good.

Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Pirates (back): He won’t be in there today, but probably Tuesday or Wednesday. CONDITION: Good.

Kelly Johnson, 2B, Braves (wrist): This is nothing more than tendinitis, but it requires a period of inactivity to calm down. CONDITION: Serious.

Kyle Lohse, SP, Cardinals (forearm): Now on rehab assignment, Lohse is about a week away. CONDITION: Fair.

Kevin Slowey, SP, Twins (wrist): Something was clearly wrong in his last two stinker starts, so he gets some time off as this is looked into. CONDITION: Serious.

Eric Bedard, SP, Mariners (shoulder): Bedard will be back in action, albeit belatedly, tomorrow against the Orioles. CONDITION: Discharged.

Scott Downs, CL, Blue Jays (toe): He could return to his closer slot sometime this week. CONDITION: Good.

Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers (abdomen): You may not get a full week out of him, but a few days of Hamilton may be better than a week of whomever you replaced him with. CONDITION: Good.

Fernando Martinez, OF, Mets (knee): Martinez is pinch-hittable, but the knee not improving and he intends to see a doctor when the Mets return to New York today. CONDITION: Fair.

Mark DeRosa, UTL, Indians (wrist): Assuming today’s examination shows nothing irksome, DeRosa has a date with the White Sox on Tuesday. CONDITION: Good.

Scott Richmond, SP, Blue Jays (shoulder): The initial prediction is that this will respond to rest and that Richmond will be fine after the All-Star break. CONDITION: Serious.

Cesar Izturis, SS, Orioles (appendectomy): He’s less than a week away. CONDITION: Good.

Chien-Ming Wang, SP, Yankees (shoulder): Wang’s unspectacular but steady progress from his atrocious start has been halted by a strain/bursitis that jeopardizes his July. CONDITION: Serious.

Randy Johnson, SP, Giants (shoulder): Alarmingly, Unit’s velocity dropped nearly 10 mph over the course of yesterday’s start. This is being called a strain, but he’ll undergo an MRI today to confirm it’s nothing more serious. CONDITION: Fair.

John Buck, C, Royals (back): Buck will be activated today, but Miguel Olivo has earned the right to remain No. 1 on the depth chart. CONDITION: Discharged.

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