Fantasy Spin Cycle

FANTASY SPIN CYCLE

By Bruce Herman

Welcome to Fantasy Spin Cycle, AthlonSports.com’s 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.

September 20, 2010

Leaders and Losers

Double Play

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

·Brent Morel, 3B, White Sox: After Saturday’s game, Ozzie Guillen told reporters that this rookie reminded him of Robin Ventura and Joe Crede. So Morel, whom I like better than the more touted Dayan Viciedo, should be in the lineup most every day the last two weeks. He hit .326 in Double-A and .320 in Triple-A with moderate power, but four of his five hits in Chicago have been for extra bases. I’d peg his upside between Ventura and Crede — somewhere in Scott Brosius/Edgardo Alfonzo territory.

·Phil Coke, RP, Tigers: With Jose Valverde’s elbow and ERA hurting of late, Coke has been announced as Detroit’s closer. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Ryan Perry thrown in there, either.

Double Cut

Two players it’s time to cut loose or deal:

·Fernando Rodney, RP, Angels: His status is Anaheim is deteriorating by the day and Jordan Walden got the most recent save opportunity. Is there a saves-shy contender in your keeper league who would be willing to take a chance on Rodney for a prospect.

·Joel Hanrahan, RP, Pirates: Another guy you might want to peddle to a contender. John Russell seems to be leaning toward Evan Meek as his closer of late, and Hanrahan’s tally now reads only five saves against four blows.

Trauma Center

Updates on the injury status of key players.  A condition of Fair or better implies a roughly 50-50 chance of the player returning to action sometime this week.

CONDITION: CRITICAL

Jake Arrieta, SP, Orioles (elbow)

Tyler Colvin, OF, Cubs (chest)

Geovany Soto, C, Cubs (shoulder)

Lastings Milledge, OF, Pirates (oblique)

CONDITION: SERIOUS

Erick Aybar, SS, Angels (hernia)

Justin Upton, OF, Diamondbacks (shoulder)

CONDITION: FAIR

Jason Donald, 2B, Indians (finger)

Freddy Garcia, SP, White Sox (back)

Ian Stewart, 3B, Rockies (oblique)

Jose Valverde, CL, Tigers (elbow)

Andres Torres, OF, Giants (abdomen)

Chris Getz, 2B, Royals (concussion)

Gordon Beckham, 2B, White Sox (hand)

Coco Crisp, OF, Royals (finger)

Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, A’s (back)

Chris Iannetta, C, Rockies (calf)

Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies (hamstring)

CONDITION: GOOD

Scott Baker, SP, Twins (elbow)

Denard Span, OF, Twins (shoulder)

Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins (elbow)

Adrian Beltre, 3B, Red Sox (wrist)

Aaron Hill, 2B, Blue Jays (wrist)

Jason Kubel, OF, Twins (wrist)

Joe Mauer, C, Twins (knee)

Mike Napoli, C, Angels (forearm)

Mitch Talbot, SP, Indians (shoulder)

DISCHARGED

Laynce Nix, OF, Reds (ankle)

Chris Young, SP, Padres (shoulder)

Andy Pettitte, SP, Yankees (groin)