SEATTLE MARINERS

There is a chance that Jeremy Reed will be able to return from his broken right thumb in early September.  With Adam Jones and Willie Bloomquist currently playing in centerfield, he should have no problem resuming his starting role when he returns.

With a .327 batting average and 34 steals, Ichiro Suzuki is in the upper echelon of fantasy performers.  He combines a high contact rate of 90% with a high G/F ratio of 2.04 to put the ball in play often and fully take advantage of his speed.  A solid batting eye of .79 also gets him on base for SB opportunities.  As long as the speed is there, he will hold a high fantasy value.

24 year-old, Yuniesky Betancourt is having a fine sophomore season.  Although he has some work to do, he is positioning himself to be a very productive fantasy middle infielder in upcoming years.  His 2005 G/F ratio of .76 led to a lot of fly ball outs.  In 2006, he has changed his approach, raising his G/F ratio to 1.37 to better take advantage of his speed.  The results are his average is .295 this year, compared to .256 last year.  His strong contact rate of 91% also takes advantage of his speed.  With 7 caught steals in 17 attempts, he needs to work on his technique and improved plate patience would help him become a consistent .300+ hitter.  Despite that, the seeds are there for a solid future fantasy performer. 

Jose Lopez’s 7 triples prove that there is speed in his legs.  The 3 steals in 5 attempts shows that he has some work to do on his technique.  Don’t expect it to happen this year, but down the road, he has a chance to be a middle infielder with a power/speed package.

J.J. Putz’s strong K/9 of 11.8 has now held up for almost 2/3’s of a season.  Sustaining it over that long of a time frame means it could legitimately represent a skill growth.  A K/9 that high, combined with a low BB/9 of 1.5 and solid G/F ratio of 1.55 is the stuff of an elite closer.  That is exactly what he has been this year with 25 saves in 29 opportunities, while sporting a stingy 2.13 ERA

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

According to the Los Angeles Times, it looks like Casey Kotchman’s season is over.  He has been on the DL since May 9th with mononucleosis.  It is safe to drop him in all formats.

Bartolo Colon is done for the season because of a tear in his rotator cuff.  Joe Saunders takes his spot in the rotation.

Jose Molina has been seeing increased playing time behind the plate due to Mike Napoli’s slump.  Molina has shown decent power skills over the last two seasons.  But poor contact and batting eye skills will bring a low batting average along with the little pop.

Ervin Santana was forced to leave Thursday’s games in the first inning after getting hit in the left knee with a line drive.  X-rays were negative and he should be good to go for his next scheduled start.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

With 2 home runs in his last four games, it looks like Nick Swisher’s strength is back.  Swisher has only 14 doubles and 2 triples to go with his 24 home runs.  Expect more doubles and less home runs the rest of the way.  A low contact rate of 73% also limits batting average upside from his current .241 mark.

Shane Komine is out of the starting rotation and back in Triple-A.  Kirk Saarloos should take his spot.

Esteban Loaiza has not been good this season, putting up a 6.41 ERA.  His bullpen has not helped him out.  But with a low K/9 of 5.0 and a high BB/9 of 3.3, he is not exactly helping himself either.  In past seasons, Loaiza has had success when his K/9 is above 7.0. On the flip side, he falters when his K/9 is in the 2006 area.  Stay away from him.

TEXAS RANGERS

Edison Volquez is now in the starting rotation.  In his first start against Oakland, he allowed 4 ER in 5 innings.  His high Triple-A BB/9 of 5.37 should only get worse against more discerning major league hitters.  Stay away from him

Already in a platoon situation, lefty swinging Brad Wilkerson has sat 5 times against right-handed pitching since Matt Stairs joined the team.  With a .222 batting average and just 6 extra-base hits in his last 92 AB, Wilkerson should call it a season and get the surgery that he needs on his shoulder.

Matt Stairs is in the perfect situation.  At 38 years of age, power is the only above average skill he has retained.  Moving to major leagues friendliest park for left-handed batting power makes him worth using in AL-only leagues.