To me, the most exciting event of the entire Olympics will air on American television tonight: Chinese dudes blowing off thousands and thousands of fireworks at the opening ceremony. After that, you'll find me watching women's beach volleyball, syncronized swimming, and checking out some lesbian handball players. A quick preview for you:
In conclusion, I basically embody the Olympic spirit. Here are this week's waiver adds:
American League1. Gil Meche - SP - KC - I would respect this guy so much more if he just went by his given name of Gilbert. But nooooo. Mr. Cool had to go and shorten it to "Gil." Gilbert got off to a very bad start this season, but since May he's gone 9-5 with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Supposedly he's changed his approach when throwing inside on hitters, and is doing it more successfully than at any point in his career (he says). That'd be nice and swell, but his next three starts are against Minnesota, who's hammered him this year, the Yankees and the Tigers. That takes off some of the mixed-league luster.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues.
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2. Ian Kennedy - SP - NYY - Kennedy was pretty brutal in his first eight starts with the Yankees this season, and a lot of that can be traced back to a brutal 26/25 K/BB ratio. He was placed on the disabled list with bursitis in his shoulder and a strained lat, both of which could have been affecting his performance. In nine games (eight starts) at Triple-A, he's 4-2 with a 2.14 ERA and a 38/13 K/BB ratio in 46 1/3 innings. He shouldn't be activated immediately, but there's a solid chance Kennedy could prove effective down the stretch.
Recommendation: Should be owned in AL-only leagues, watched in mixed leagues
3. Phil Hughes - SP - NYY - Phil Hughes is currently rehabbing a stress fracture in his rib cage, but his minor league work has gone very well: he's allowed just one run in his first 11 1/3 innings of work. He'll probably find his way back into New York's rotation by the end of the month, and teams in very competitive leagues should consider stashing him now.
Recommendation: Should be owned in AL-only leagues, watched in mixed leagues
4. Anthony Reyes - SP - CLE - After being acquired from the Cardinals prior to the trade deadline, Anthony Reyes will be called up to take Matt Ginter's spot in the Cleveland rotation on Friday. Reyes and Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan never saw eye-to-eye about his pitching style, and their bickering may have prevented Reyes from ever really establishing himself in St. Louis. He has posted a 2.99 ERA over his last three years in Triple-A,so it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him finish strong.
Recommendation: Should be grabbed in AL-only leagues.
5. Brad Ziegler - RP - OAK - Ziegler has already established himself as a fan favorite in Oakland, thanks largely to the fact that he hasn't allowed a run in his first 35 innings of major league ball. The A's say they're sticking with Huston Street in the closer role, but Ziegler and Alan Embree could both wind up get save chances in Oakland. In the meantime, Ziegler should continue to tally holds, and post a solid ERA despite the fact that he'll eventually be scored upon.
Recommendation: Monitor in mixed leagues
6. Jeff Clement - C/DH - SEA - Big things have been expected of Jeff Clement all season, but it's taken until August for him to finally start to show some of his promise. He's hitting .350 this month, although it's come without a single extra-base hit. Clement, though, is more of a power hitter, so the dingers should come. If he can start hitting for power and can keep his average from the brutal sub-.200 level it has been at for much of the season, he should have nice AL-only value as a catcher from here on out.
Recommendation: Should be owned in AL-only leagues.
7. Esteban German - 2B - KC - Mark Grudzielanek's season might be over after colliding with Ross Gload in right field last weekend, and German has started every game since the injury. He's hitting just .229 this season, but that number should rise with regular playing time. He's not going to hit many homers, but he has stolen 17 bases in 479 at-bats over the last two seasons, so AL-only leaguers looking for moderate speed at second should consider him.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in AL-only leagues
1. Rickie Weeks - 2B - MIL - Since the Brewers acquired Ray Durham two weeks ago, Rickie Weeks has responded by hitting .327 with eight runs scored, six RBI and three stolen bases. Weeks has been scoring runs all season, but the batting average is finally starting to look respectable. The easiest explanation would be motivation, but if you can plug Weeks in when he's playing, he certainly is worth owning in mixed leagues. [special note: please spare me the emails about how
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues.
2. Brad Penny - SP - LAD - Brad Penny will return to the Dodgers' rotation on Friday after missing almost two months with tendonitis in his shoulder. He had a 5.88 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP when he went on the disabled list, but he had been complaining of shoulder discomfort for most of May and June, which is when the damage was done. That what was supposed to be a two week absence turned into a two month absence indicates the team misjudged the severity of the injury. If he's healthy upon returning, Penny could could provide a nice boost in mixed leagues.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues
3. Lastings Milledge - OF - WAS - Milledge missed a month with a strained groin, and after needing a week to get up to speed, he's hit .407 in August with a 1.410 OPS and four home runs. Owners shouldn't expect this much success from Lastings, but he's tallied 11 home runs and 14 stolen bases in just 352 at-bats this season. He's only 23-years-old, and seems poised to finish his first full major league season strong.
Recommendation: Should be grabbed in mixed leagues
4. Clayton Kershaw - SP - LAD - Kershaw has made four starts since being brought back to the big leagues last month. He was roughed up in his first outing, but he's allowed just one run in 19 innings since then, and has struck out 15 batters in 19 innings. Unfortunately for Clayton, his next three starts include two against the Phillies and one against the Mets. If he survives that, though, he's scheduled to face San Diego three times over the last eight weeks of the season, and also Washington, San Francisco, and Colorado. He's worth grabbing now and hoping that he looks strong enough to enjoy the cake schedule down the stretch.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leaguers.
5. Chris Perez - RP - STL - With the closer situation in St. Louis in flux, Chris Perez converted a save opportunity on Wednesday night. Manager Tony LaRussa said after the game that he wasn't ready to name Perez the closer, but it appears he's certainly in contention. His role could expand if the Cardinals fall out of the race this season (big series with the Cubs this weekend), and the team wants to see what it has in the 23-year-old. He's averaging a strikeout an inning anyway, and has a 3.91 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP, so he won't kill you in any category. [Adam Wainwright is the favorite to eventually see save opportunities, but he's owned in most leagues]
Recommendation: Worth speculative grab in NL-only leagues.
6. Eddie Kunz - RP - NYM - With Billy Wagner being placed on the disabled list, Aaron Heilman appears to be the favorite to get the first crack at closing. Heilman was lights out in June, but that's the only month this season in which his ERA has been under 4.00. He's given up eight runs in his last 2/3 inning. Eddie Kunz, who was promoted from Double-A this week, had a 2.79 ERA and 27 saves in the minor leagues. He pitched a scoreless seventh inning in his first major league appearance, and could be looked to in save situations if Heilman struggles and Wagner's arm continues to bother him.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in NL-only leagues.
7. Daniel Murphy - OF - NYM - The Mets don't seem to be counting on Ryan Church returning this season, so Dan Murphy figures to see plenty of time in New York's outfield against right-handed pitchers. In his first five games, he's gone 7-for-15 with three runs and three RBI. Murphy tore up Double-A this season, but there's still reason to doubt he'll ever become a major league regular. Still, NL-only leaguers might as well take a flier.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in NL-only leagues
