Unreads for 7/28

Xavier Nady clears waivers Tuesday evening just after 10 pm PST in my AL-only league and I have a #1 waiver priority burning a hole in my pocket.  Should I bite on the X-Man or hold out for something better coming across from the NL this season?

Scotty Mac                 
Seattle, WA

Hey Scotty Mac,

I’d hold off on using the top waiver priority on Nady.  There’s no doubt his fantasy value increases by moving to the Bronx and playing pretty much every day for the Yankees, but I do think he’s playing a little over his head right now.  Last year, Nady enjoyed similar success in the first half of the season (.291 AVG  14 HR  50 RBI) before dropping off after the All-Star break (.255 AVG  6 HR  22 RBI).  More importantly, with the July 31st trade deadline looming, I don’t view Nady as enough of a difference maker to risk losing out on guys like Mark Teixeira (Angels, Rays?), Jason Bay (Rays?) or Adam Dunn.  If you had the third or even second waiver priority I might think differently, but in a non-mixed league the #1 priority is just too valuable at this time of the season.

I’m in a 12-team, mixed, 5×5, H2H league.  It’s a non-keeper with 25-man rosters.  11 hitters, 9 pitchers and 5 bench spots.
 
For 3B, who’s the better option for the rest of the season?

Josh

Hey Josh,

I’ll say Mora with Headley a close second.  After hitting a miserable .190 in June, Mora’s raised his season batting average 20 points by hitting at a .325 clip in July to go along with five homers and 24 RBI.  Despite their poor record, the Orioles aren’t a bad offensive team, ranking 12th in the majors in runs scored and 9th in home runs, so Mora should provide decent fantasy value hitting in the middle of that lineup.  I also like Headley, who clearly has a higher upside than Mora.  But the Padres’ top prospect has been very inconsistent since getting called up in mid-June.  Headley’s in the midst of a 6 for 34 slump during which he has no homers and just one RBI.  Growing pains should be expected!  Both third basemen are by no means ideal options, but for the remainder of 2008 I have more confidence in Mora serving as an adequate contributor.

Zach Steinhorn 

Hey guys, I’m in a 12 team points league weekly roster locks. I just accepted a trade where I gave up James Shields and got James Loney. I currently have Votto, who is doing nothing for me as of late so I made a move for a bat with some pop in it. I’m using Baker from Colorado off the W.W. to fill in while the trade is pending. My other pitchers are Big Erv, Kazmir, Hudson, Saunders, Buchholz and K-Rod. In the missing SP spot, I think I’ll POD the best 2-start pitchers in the coming weeks. What do you guys think? I’m in second pushing for the lead.

Ed in Chicago

Hey Ed,

I like the move to snap up Loney. His September last season, when he hit .382 with nine homers and 32 RBIs, should be on the minds of fantasy owners looking for a power upgrade at first. You have a good first three starters with Erv, Kazmir and Saunders, but keep your eye on Hudson. He left his July 23 start with right elbow tightness, so he could be a major injury concern the rest of the way. Pitching and ditching is a fine attempt as pitching rotations on many non-playoff contending teams can constantly alter. You should have plenty of options.

I’m in the 2008 MLB Open. I won my division and I’m excited, but I do not want to make an early exit like my home boys the Angels usually do. So my question is who should I start for the week.  My choices are Jorge Cantu or Ryan Zimmerman at 3rd. Thanks again, take care, and love the show.

Adrian in Anaheim   

Yo Adrian,

Well, Zimmerman is 7-for-23 (.304) since returning from the DL on July 22, but he faces a Phillies team which he struggled against earlier this season (.143 AVG, .133 OBP) and last season (.222 AVG, 1 HR). Cantu has hit even better lately, batting .364 with a .940 OPS in his last five games. Better yet, all seven of Cantu’s games this week are at home, where he’s batting .313 with a .892 OPS on the season. All signs point to Cantu.

Kyle Stack