Did you know there are less than 10 games left in the regular season? Anyone answering "No" is obviously wallowing in defeat and awaiting the elimination-bracket, probably because guys like Kevin Brown, Nick Johnson and Jose "Herpes" Lima are holding starting spots on their rosters – all despite the constant TA warning. If you belong to that crowd, then this article won't be of much use to you. So go rent Little Nicky, pick up some Popeye's Chicken, and see if you can count the total number of references to "the official chicken of the Washington Redskins." Hint: there are a ton!
OK, now that we've cleared out the riff-raff, it's time to get down to business. As is predictable, the transaction wire has been very quiet as of late, since teams are either giving up (á la Baltimore) or content to gamble on the squads they've ridden thus far. Fantasy owners, however, are less constrained by player ego and loyalty, so any info could bring home the championship. Consider:
The Athletics signed pitcher Danny Haren to a four-year contract on Monday, but the fantasy value of this is probably minimal. On the one hand, players tend to see a drop in their production after signing a big contract, and the A's have managed to disappear after their red-hot summer, so its hard to imagine a situation where this news can generate a positive fantasy impact. On the other hand, Billy Beane is known for being tight, so if he's willing to bet on Haren, he must really see something. For the year, Haren is 13-12 with 157 Ks and a very respectable 3.81 ERA. He's lost his last two starts despite giving up only three runs in each contest, so he looks to be as consistent a SP as there is for the final stretch.
Meanwhile, teammate Rich Harden just might see one final start this season. Following what appeared to be a season-ending injury, it is possible some owners dumped Harden to clear up roster space. If you've got some room, it would be wise to snatch him and watch for a possible return on Sunday.
John Smoltz has been dealing with shoulder issues, and with the 14th pennant a lock, it's likely he won't be seeing the mound again until the playoffs. Find an alternative if you can.
Roger Clemens will be swapping starts with Andy Pettitte so he can get another day's rest, and given his recent starts this is good news. Roger the Cyborg was a machine all season, but has struggled some as of late, as he continues to play through injuries. He's 1-2 in his last three starts with 10 earned runs and 22 hits in just over 14 IP. Despite this, he remains stubborn and fully intends to put in one more start whether Houston clinches a playoff spot or not. He's still worth a start.
With the Yankees surging past the Sox for first place in the AL East, the Red Sox are working to solidify their pitching. On Thursday they acquired Mike Stanton from the Washington Nationals, bringing the two-time Yankee to Boston for his second trip there. His fantasy value could be bolstered by the news that Keith Foulke has been shut down for the season. Stanton had 27 saves for the Braves back in '93, and he could see some save situations – particularly when a lefty is desirable. This season he's had some trouble, but his 4.75 ERA is not overly huge, and he does have nearly 30 Ks in 40 IP. He might be worth a look if you're in a pinch.
It has been a few weeks since we've spent some quality time highlighting the eccentricies of the Majors, but recent events have brought such silence to a close. The Marlins have informed A.J. Burnett that he's the Charlie Murphy of the family, and his talents aren't wanted. Consequently, owners will have to win without the young fish. In his spot, the Marlins will be starting Josh Johnson. Johnson has only seen seven innings this season, so he's not a wise gamble, especially since he'll be facing the ever-ready Braves.
Willie Randolph has stated that Mike Piazza intends to play the rest of the season in spite of his ailing wrist (insert clever 'girly wrist' insult here), which should be good news for anyone desperate for a catcher. For those scoring at home, Mike's poor play this season has not let up in recent weeks. There are better options out there. Like anyone named Molina.
And finally, Barry Bonds eats babies. At least that's what Rafael Palmiero told me...Good luck everyone.