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
Yadier Molina, StL
.333 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, 5 R
What is the world coming to? First, Dioner Navarro last week and now the youngest Molina. While Yadi may be the best defensive catcher in the game today, he is a below-average hitter and a slow runner. However, Tony La Russa’s return to the pitcher hitting eighth meant Molina moved up one spot to seventh. He seems to like it so far.
First Base
Josh Phelps, Pit
.455 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R
While the well-traveled Phelps is not a candidate for starters’ time at first base with Adam LaRoche around, keep an eye on the catching situation in the Steel City. Phelps already has one game there and could see more depending on how long Ryan Doumit is out.
Second Base
Marco Scutaro, Oak
.263 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R
With the injury to Bobby Crosby, there has been playing time for the former Met Scutaro. With fantasy eligibility in many leagues at second base, third base, shortstop and the outfield, Scutaro could be a decent backup.
Shortstop
David Eckstein, StL
.435 BA, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 2 SB, 4 R
Since suffering a concussion last season, the 2006 World Series MVP didn’t fully bounce back as quickly as expected. With free-agency around the corner, the former Angels player and his two rings may be poised for a strong finish. He is hitting .304 on the month and .301 on the season.
Third Base
Jeff Keppinger, Cin
.391 BA, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 1 SB, 6 R
With shortstop eligibility, too, Keppinger is obviously more valuable at that position. Since returning in early July, Keppinger has padded his lofty .357 average on the season.
Outfield
Nate McLouth, Pit
.333 BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 SB, 7 R
Just remember that McLouth rhymes with “mouth”. With Chris Duffy on the disabled list again, McLouth has all but taken his job away – at least for now. Watch the progress of Duffy’s minor league rehab starting next week.
Jose Bautista, Pit
.310 BA, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 8 R
With eligibility at third base, too, Bautista has some value as a reserve at least. Yet, if he has too many weeks like this one, it could be argued he really deserves starters playing time. Yet, Bautista has just ten home runs, a lack of power for a corner man.
Rajai Davis, SF
.310 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 SB, 4 R
A second consective week here for Davis, which combined with Matt Morris’ lousy start in Pittsburgh makes the deadline trade even more of a head-scratcher now than it was at the time. If you picked up Davis, you are to be commended (and should be enjoying a .373, eight stolen base month so far).
Starters
Edwin Jackson, TB
1 W, 15 IP, 1.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 12 K
It seems like ages ago that Jackson was a top Dodgers’ prospect. A 1-9 first half record with a 7.29 ERA meant that even the most optimistic owner gave up on him. After the break? How about a 2.98 ERA, including 1.71 in three August starts. Still, with the Rays, wins are hard to come by and his WHIP remains too high, so act cautiously.
Woody Williams, Hou
1 W, 14 IP, 1.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 6 K
How about this one from the greatest hits collection? The Woodman is no longer showing his advanced age, having posted a respectable sub-4.00 ERA since the break. He won’t fan a lot of hitters, but is steadier than many at this point.
Carlos Silva, Min
0 W, 14 IP, 0.64 ERA, 0.57 WHIP, 8 K
Silva has gone at least seven innings in each of his last four starts, allowing a total of five runs. Yet he has just one win to show for it. Historically, he has been a much stronger second-half pitcher, so why not consider him?
Reliever
Jeremy Accardo, Tor
3 SV, 0 BS, 0-0 W-L, 3.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 2 K
Accardo has been deadly effective since taking over the closer’s job, but even better since the break with 13 saves and an ERA of 1.13 and a WHIP of 1.00. Very nice, indeed.
Ice
Catcher
Kenji Johjima, Sea
.143 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
It has been a tough second half for the Mariners’ backstop in his sophomore season playing in the USA. Johjima has just a .229 average and 13 RBIs since the All-Star Game, but prior to this week, had picked up his game in early August.
First Base
Kevin Youkilis, Bos
.130 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
The man who batted a Ted Williams-like .402 in April has been struggling mightily in the second half, with a surprising .216 average. Also uncharacteristic is his 32 strikeouts compared to 21 walks. Only in the rare league that counts on-base percentage would Youk be playable right now.
Second Base
Dan Uggla, Fla
.150 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
The power numbers (23 home runs and 69 RBI) have been great for a middle infielder. However, here in August, Uggla has been downright ugly, with two home runs, three RBI and a .175 batting average.
Shortstop
Stephen Drew, Ari
.200 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
Uh-oh. Two weeks in a row here means a terrible August for Drew, who had set high expectations with many after his solid 2006 MLB entry. Instead, he is hitting just .230 on the season, .196 in the second half and .163 this month.
Third Base
Troy Glaus, Tor
.389 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 4 R
Two weeks in a row here for Glaus, too. Last week, he added a sore ankle to his plantar faascitis (heel spurs). On the month, Glaus is hitting like a shortstop, with just one extra base hit on the way to a .171 August to date.
Outfield
Gary Sheffield, Det
.111 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 4 R
Who cares if his name is in the papers again for saying stupid things and reaffirming them, as long as he is hitting? Oops, Sheff is hitting just .214 with three home runs in the second half and .163 this month.
Jermaine Dye, CWS
.238 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
Not that long ago, Dye was rumored to be on the trading block, ostensibly due to a combination of poor play and perhaps concern over his impending contract status. Instead, Dye agreed to terms on a big extension with the Sox for either two or three years. Color him happy. Now, will his results improve?
Scott Podsednik, CWS
.200 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 SB, 2 R
While Jerry Owens continues to both hit and steal bases, the Sox’ former primary base burglar extraordinaire has played very, well, ordinary. Pods’ proposed trade with the Cubs is off, so he had better step up his game in place. A .250 second-half average with five stolen bases and eight runs scored has to be considered a disappointment.
Starters
Jeff Suppan, Mil
0 W, 11.1 IP, 5.56 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, 11 K
Like his Brewers club, Jeff is in the Soup. The former Cardinals starter hasn’t won a game since June. Yet, some of you are continuing to run him out there. Why?
Tim Lincecum, SF
1 W, 11 IP, 7.35 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 12 K
While the Giants’ talented rookie is off on bereavement leave, so are his owners after Lincecum allowed nine runs in 11 innings last week. Could it be fatigue? Between the majors and minors, the 23-year-old has thrown almost 150 innings, a career high, after just 31 last year.
Nate Robertson, Det
1 W, 11.2 IP, 6.94 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, 13 K
In the second half, Robertson’s ERA has risen over a half run and while his WHIP has been consistent, a consistent 1.59 WHIP is not a good thing at all. Look elsewhere.
Reliever
Al Reyes, TB
1 SV, 1 BS, 0-1, 1.2 IP, 16.20 ERA, 3.60 WHIP, 5 K
The first-half surprise hadn’t been given a save opportunity since late June. He did miss a couple of weeks due to injury, but the real reason is that his team is not so good. Still, Reyes’ ERA in July was 10.80 and is 7.71 here in August. Those are some expensive saves you’ve got there.
Brian Walton’s work can also be found daily at stlcardinals.scout.com.