Welcome to our exclusive weekly player hot and cold feature. I recommend you use this like I do to identify players who might be worth picking up this week, as well as ones to consider benching or moving, perhaps.
I will be calling out names that may have eluded your notice that either could still be available on your waiver wire in a mixed league or perhaps stashed on someone’s bench in an AL or NL-only league. I will pick anyone who is on ice, as that information can help guide your line-up selection choices.
Fire
Catcher
Yorvit Torrealba, Col
.421 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 6 R
For Torrealba, it is all about staying healthy. It seems like every time he wrests the starting job away, an injury ensues and he starts all over again. Here and now, Yorvit has started five of Colorado’s seven July games and has eight hits in his last three games.
First Base
Brad Wilkerson, Tex
.308 BA, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 0 SB, 6 R
Teixeira who? Wilkerson posted a three-home run day on Tuesday, rewarding those who kept the faith in him. While his .232 season average is ugly, 14 home runs and 42 RBIs in just 177 at-bats is a pretty sweet return.
Second Base
Jeff Cirillo, Min
.333 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 4 R
Eligibility at both corner positions as well as second base is a nice bonus when picking up the versatile but fragile Twin. In an AL league, take a look, but don’t expect long stretches of regular playing time. Something bad will likely happen instead.
Shortstop
Jason Bartlett, Min
.250 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2 SB, 10 R
OK, so the .250 average for the week isn’t noteworthy. But, look at these counting stats: eight stolen bases and 18 runs scored in just the last two weeks. That, my friends, qualifies as a hot streak.
Third Base
Wes Helms, Phi
.692 BA, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
While we’re not talking about an All-Star here, Helms’ bat isn’t the problem. It was his defense that contributed to his considerable bench time earlier this season. On the other hand, all he has to do is beat out Abraham Nunez and Greg Dobbs. So far, so good.
Outfield
Marcus Thames, Det
.333 BA, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1 SB, 3 R
While Sean Casey has shown enough life recently to hold onto the first base job with the Tigers, left fielder Craig Monroe may have pennies over his eyelids. Thames has been on fire, with five home runs and 12 RBIs in his last 11 games, taking maximum advantage of his starting audition.
Ryan Doumit, Pit
.375 BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 5 R
Doumit continues to make his case for more playing time. As it is, he seems to have become the Pirates' Craig Wilson replacement, qualifying in many fantasy leagues at catcher, first base and the outfield. Decent production and multi-positional eligibility is a nice combo.
Jason Kubel, Min
.350 BA, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R
I don’t care how many false alarms we’ve had with Kubel in the past. Ten runs batted in during one week is worth a shout out. Despite a disappointing first half, Kubel could be worth a flyer as a potential second-half surger.
Starters
Kyle Lohse, Cin
2 W, 16 IP, 1.12 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 12 K
I have finally broken the code with the wildly inconsistent Lohse, though it is a bit odd. At his home park, the launching pad also known as Great American Ballpark, he has a stellar 2.67 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. On the road, 6.28 and 1.53. Or, you could pass altogether.
Wandy Rodriguez, Hou
2 W, 16 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 12 K
Especially considering how his Houston club and he personally have struggled this season, the lefty’s 16 shutout innings last week were most impressive. Seven innings against Colorado was nice, but the complete game victory against the Mets was a real eye-opener. Of course, in NL Tout Wars, I had him benched. Like Lohse, I now see the formula is simple. Play Wandy at home in the Juice Box (1.81/0.92) and not on the road (6.60/1.53). Just do it.
Chad Gaudin, Oak
2 W, 14.2 IP, 1.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 7 K
Perhaps overshadowed by the superb season put together by teammate Dan Haren, Oakland’s number three starter has quietly assembled a fantastic eight-win, 2.88 ERA first half. Gaudin is only averaging six innings per start, so is being used carefully by manager Bob Geren.
Reliever
Randy Messenger, SF
1 SV, 0 BS, 0-0 W-L, 2.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 1 K
OK, so it was only one save, and it was registered against the lowly Cardinals. Yet, Brad Hennessey had to be pulled in the ninth and remember the hopes for Messenger when he was traded to San Francisco. Even if he never gets another save, his 1.59 ERA and 1.18 WHIP as a Giant wouldn’t hurt your team at all.
Ice
Catcher
Kenji Johjima, Sea
.190 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
Even before his recent hand injury, which kept him out of one game this past week, Johjima had been struggling (two extra-base hits in the last two weeks). On the other hand, had he not already had a plate in this hand, the injury could have been season-ending.
First Base
Adrian Gonzalez, SD
.087 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
In case you’re counting, that is four hits in two weeks for the Padres’ first baseman and two consecutive icings here. No home runs since June 17 and one RBI since June 20 signal a massive slump. Still, if you like his 14 home run, 52 RBI first-half, now is the time to try to trade for him.
Second Base
Rickie Weeks, Mil
.048 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB, 1 R
Uh-oh. Two weeks in a row here for the Brewers’ talented second-sacker, also. Weeks’ average has dipped to .223, down 30 points in just two weeks. He hasn’t had an extra base hit since June 23, an RBI since June 26 and a run scored this month. He’s had one stolen base since May 26. Bench time.
Shortstop
Michael Young, Tex
.241 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
Young’s last round-tripper was on May 6, but you didn’t draft him for long balls. Since June 26, the good news is that Young has hits in eight of the nine games, but on the other hand, all nine hits during that time are singles. He has also scored zero runs during that stretch. It too shall pass.
Third Base
Mark Teahen, KC
.227 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
Already qualifying at third base, his primary position last season and outfield, his 2007 home, Teahen now has made an appearance at first base, too. He’s put together a decent .285, 43 RBI-season so far, but lacks the power (five home runs) or speed (eight steals) that would set him apart from other outfielders.
Outfield
Jason Bay, Pit
.053 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 1 R
Two weeks in a row here means Bay is not in a good state. Somehow, he managed two RBIs plus a steal and a run scored despite collecting just one hit last week. In the last two weeks, Bay has just one extra-base hit, a double, and lost 20 points off his average. Better to bench him for awhile.
Jermaine Dye, CWS
.045 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
Dye even did more with his sole hit last week than did Bay. Unlike Bay, however, Dye has been awful pretty much all season long (.214 average), making his recent sore quad and bout with the flu meaningless.
Raul Ibanez, Sea
.200 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
I could surmise Ibanez is feeling pain for his departed former manager Mike Hargrove, but the reality is that he is trying to play through hamstring problems. Even being in the designated hitter role isn’t helping matters. Wait to play him until he is well.
Starters
Justin Germano, SD
0 W, 10.2 IP, 10.13 ERA, 2.16 WHIP, 5 K
It looks like the time has struck midnight on Germano’s Cinderella season. After being waived by the Phillies before the season, Germano won five of his first seven starts. Since then, however, he has three losses and a no-decision as his ERA has risen from 2.36 to 3.90. Your “sell high” opportunity may have already passed.
Micah Owings, Ari
0 W, 8.2 IP, 13.50 ERA, 2.31 WHIP, 6 K
The law of averages is a killer sometimes. After not losing a game for over two months, Owings has three losses in his last three starts, serving up 17 runs in the process. Divest immediately in mixed leagues and bury on the bench in NL leagues.
Jon Garland, CWS
1 W, 10.1 IP, 9.58 ERA, 2.13 WHIP, 4 K
We all know Ozzie Guillen’s bullpen is bad, really bad. But, does that excuse leaving Garland, who obviously had nothing better than batting practice stuff, in the game in Friday’s doubleheader game one long enough to be charged with 12 runs in just 3 1/3 innings? Maybe his owners should activate FireOzzieGuillen.com.
Reliever
Bob Wickman, Atl
2 SV, 1 BS, 0-0, 3.1 IP, 10.80 ERA, 2.10 WHIP, 2 K
Am I the only one who wonders if Wickman and Todd Jones are the same person? Has anyone ever seen them together? It is a darned good thing for their job security that the two are veterans on good clubs. These are expensive saves for your ERA and WHIP, however.
Note: With the shortened All-Star week just ahead, “Fire ‘n Ice” will take a one-week break, back on Sunday, July 22. See you then!
Brian Walton’s work can also be found daily at stlcardinals.scout.com.