OAKLAND ATHLETICS

There are reports that Bobby Crosby, who hasn’t played since July 30th, could be headed to the DL with back problems.  Crosby has battled a variety of injuries this year and his power and batting average have shown it.  The speculation of the DL trip confirms that the back is not going to get better anytime this season.  It is best to avoid him in all fantasy formats until 2007.

Marco Scuturo has been playing shortstop in Crosby’s place.  As a fantasy player, Scuturo brings nothing to the table.  He has no power or speed and is batting .228.

Dan Johnson is absolutely destroying Triple-A pitching with a .421 avg., 6 HR and 27 RBI in just 76 AB.  It should not be long before he is back with the big team.

A couple of weeks ago Nick Swisher said that he might have mono.  Based on his continuing struggles there may be something to that.  He has just one extra-base hit in his last 52 AB and his batting average is down to .247.  Mixed-leaguers should reserve him until he shows some signs that his strength is back.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Bartolo Colon went back on the DL with tendonitis in his right biceps.  This is his second trip to the DL this year and with a 5.11 ERA it will hard to trust him even if he comes back.

Joe Saunders was recalled to take Colon’s spot in the rotation.  Saunders has pitched well in his two starts, winning both games, while allowing just 3 ER in 14 innings.  But consider the low K/9 of 5.1 and high BB/9 of 3.9 and trouble could be lurking right around the corner.

Mike Napoli had a horrible month of July, finishing up with a .169 average. That lowered his season average from .310 to .247.  With a very low contact rate of 67%, this is the area where his average should be.  The power skills look legitimate and with Jose Molina as his competition, he should get plenty of playing time. 

SEATTLE MARINERS

20 year old, Adam Jones has had problems adjusting to major-league pitching.  In 49 AB, he is hitting .224 with just 2 extra-base hits, both doubles.  The 14 strikeouts with just two walks show that he is overmatched.  Although he remains a good prospect, he cannot be used in any fantasy format in 2006.

With Jones struggling, Willie Bloomquist should pick up some more AB.  Bloomquist has one skill and that is speed.  The 9 steals in 12 attempts makes him a cheap source for steals in AL-only league.  He doesn’t make enough contact, 85%, for his speed to positively affect his batting average of .248. 

TEXAS RANGERS

The Rangers picked up Kip Wells from Pittsburgh at the trading deadline and inserted him into their starting rotation.  In the National League, Wells was not pitching well, with a 6.69 ERA, 3.96 K/9 and BB/9 of 4.6.  Moving to the American League and Ameriquest Field will certainly not help.  Don’t be fooled by his Ranger debut of 1 ER in 5 innings in Minnesota.  Avoid him in all formats. 

In his second start of the season, Adam Eaton pitched six scoreless innings.  However there are some worrisome signs in his performance.  He walked four and had an equal number of outs between groundballs and flyballs.  To have success pitching in Texas, he will have to cut down on the walks and induce more groundball outs.  Two trends that he was showing in the first-half of last season, before injuries reduced his effectiveness.  Mixed-leaguers should keep him reserved, especially at home, until he shows those improvements.

John Koronka remains in the rotation, though he should not be in yours.  His low K/9 of 4.3, low G/F ratio of 1.14 and pitching in Texas make him a ticking time bomb.