How to Replace Rickie Weeks

7/29 UPDATE -

Weeks suffered torn ligaments in his left ankle in what was termed a severe sprain, and head trainer Roger Caplinger said Weeks would be lost for two to six weeks.

Another day and another top player is joining the 15-Day DL club.  Last night, Rickie Weeks injured his ankle while attempting to leg out an infield single.  So for the next two weeks(and possibly the rest of the season), you will need to replace him in your lineup, and you have some good options.

Carlos Gonzalez Watch - Inflammed Ligaments - 15 Day DL

Carlos Gonzalez has joined the 15-Day DL club
What it means to the Rockies, according to Purple Row
STORY


UPDATE - @ajcbraves#Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez has inflamed ligaments in his right wrist, which seems about the best possible news the Rockies could have gotten


CarGo took an early shower today and will undergo an MRI on his right wrist.  Keep it here for the latest and greatest updates!

Stephen Drew Out for Season - Fractured Ankle

VIDEO

Last night, Arizona Diamondbacks SS, Stephen Drew, fractured his ankle on a play at the plate and is done for the season.  Drew was tagging up from third on a sliding catch made by Ryan Braun.  Braun hit the relay man who gunned down Drew at the plate, which was perfectly blocked by Jonathan Lucroy.

This is very similar to the situation early in the year when Buster Posey was steam rolled by Scott Cousins.  If Cousins slides, maybe Posey is still playing today.  But if Stephen Drew runs through Lucroy, maybe he scores and fantasy owners aren't forced to find replacements for top players at weak positions.

I still believe that the runner should always try to crush the catcher, as that is the only way you will ever be safe.  I mean safe to score a run, not safe from injury.  This is proof that sliding DOES NOT prevent injuries.

Anyways, the important thing here is that SS is such a weak position that Yunel Escobar(74%) is the best available that is under 75% owned.  If you have deep pitching, don't be afraid to trade for someone you like better the these limited options.  There is better quality FA pitching than hitting at ANY position.

Others available:

Player	% Owned
Emilio Bonifacio	52%
Alexi Casilla	16%
Erick Aybar	68%
Alcides Escobar	28%
Marco Scutaro	11%
J.J. Hardy	64%

AL East Preview - Mid Summer Classic Update

*Predictions are from Opening Day

2010	W	L	2011 Predictions	W	L
x-Tampa Bay	96	66	x-Boston	97	65
y-New York	95	67	y-New York	91	71
Boston	89	73	Tampa Bay	85	77
Toronto	85	77	Toronto	78	84
Baltimore	66	96	Baltimore	69	93

Opening Day Questions
Can the Red Sox win 100 games?

• All Star Break - Absolutely

Can the Yankees back end of the rotation keep up with the Red Sox?

• All Star Break - They have done their job so far; Yankees sit just 1 game back of the Red Sox

How much will Tampa Bay miss Crawford/Pena/Garza?

• All Star Break - The Rays are 8 games over .500, all 3 players are having a bad year, so NO.

Was Jose Bautista for real last year?

• All Star Break - Apparently yes, first player with 30 HRs before All Star Break since ARod in 2007.  I am still confused by this massive turnaround.

Are the Orioles going to prove they are ready to compete?

• All Star Break - 18 games out of first and 16 games under .500, no where near ready to compete.

Second Half Questions

Will the Red Sox starters all be healthy at the same time?

When does ARod return?

Can the Rays offense step up and take the Wild Card?

How many home runs does Jose Bautista finish with?

Who is available in Baltimore?

NL East Preview - Mid Summer Classic Update

*Predictions are from Opening Day

2010	W	L	2011 Predictions	W	L
x-Philadelphia	97	65	x-Philadelphia	101	61
y-Atlanta	91	71	Atlanta	87	75
Florida	80	82	Florida	80	82
New York	79	83	New York	78	84
Washington	69	93	Washington	65	97

Opening Day Questions
When will Chase Utley return to the Phillies lineup?

• All Star Break - Returned May 23, and has played in 41 games.  He is hitting .280 and has 4 HRs, 18 RBI and 22 runs scored.

Does Freddi Gonzalez fit in Bobby Cox shoes?

• All Star Break - It seems as though he fits perfectly into Bobby's shoes.  The Braves are 3.5 games behind the Phillies and lead the wild card.  He has utilized his young bullpen beautifully and has created one of the leagues most feared 8-9 combos in Venters and Kimbrel.

Will the Marlins young studs withstand a full season?

• All Star Break - Logan Morrison, Chris Coghlan, Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson have all spent time on the DL.

How many games will Carlos Beltran play this year?

• All Star Break - He actually leads the team in games played with 89 

Is 2012 the year of Strasburg/Harper?

• All Star Break - It does not look like the Nats will let Harper play in the bigs this season, and Strasburg MIGHT play in September, but I think that would be a big mistake.

Second Half Questions

Does Philly make another surprise acquisition?

Where is Dan Uggla?

Does Josh Johnson return to Cy Young status in 2011?

Will Wright, Santana, and Davis return before the Mets clear house?

Do the Nats have the ROY(Espinosa) and CPOY(Morse)?

AL West Preview - Mid Summer Classic Update

*Predictions are from Opening Day

2010	W	L	2011 Predictions	W	L
x-Texas	90	72	x-Los Angeles	89	73
Oakland	81	81	Texas	85	77
Los Angeles	80	82	Oakland	81	81
Seattle	61	101	Seattle	65	97

Opening Day Questions
Are the Angels ready to return to the best in the West?

• All Star Break - Even without Kendrys Morales, the Angels are just 1 game behind the Rangers.

How much will Texas miss Lee/Guerrero?

• All Star Break - The offense has not skipped a beat  as Adrian Beltre has done more than fill Guerrero's shoes, while the Pitching staff has not been great, but the Starters have been getting the job done, its the bullpen that needs some help.

Did Oakland pick up enough offense to compete?

• All Star Break - No, 12 games out at the All Star Break is evidence enough.  The pitching has been great as usual, but they can not hit.

Will Seattle trade Ichiro or worse King Felix?  Why not both?

• All Star Break - Ichiro has the highest average on the team proving he can still play, but there have been little to no rumors about the aging outfielder.  King Felix and Prince Pineda seem to be an inseparable pair, but the rumors will be flying soon about Hernandez.

Second Half Questions

Can the Angels have Co Cy Young award winners?

Who will step up and become the Ace of the staff?

How many prospects will the A's collect at the deadline?

Can Seattle acquire some bats to compete for the AL West title?

NL West Preview - Mid Summer Classic Update

*Predictions are from Opening Day

2010	W	L	2011 Predictions	W	L
x-San Francisco	92	70	x-Colorado	91	71
San Diego	90	72	Los Angeles	85	77
Colorado	83	79	San Francisco	83	79
Los Angeles	80	82	Arizona	74	88
Arizona	65	97	San Diego	73	89

Opening Day Questions
Is CarGo the best outfielder in all of baseball?

• All Star Break - Not this year, Matt Kemp is.  Carlos is batting .350 over his last 30 games though, so he still could be the best by the end of the season.

Can Kershaw win the Cy Young?

• All Star Break - Absolutely, as long as Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay aren't pitching for the Phillies

Was last year a fluke in the Bay Area?

• All Star Break - They currently have a 3 game lead in the West and are doing things EXACTLY like last year.  All pitching, zero hitting.

Can the Diamonbacks young staff keep the team competitive?

• All Star Break - Arizona is actually 6 games OVER .500, thanks to Ian Kennedy, Dan Hudson Joe Saunders, and Josh Collmenter.

Who will drive in the runs for the Padres?

• All Star Break - Ryan Ludwick has done a great job so far, but unfortunately he is the only one.

Second Half Questions

Are the Rockies ready for another late post season push?

Can Matt Kemp win the Triple Crown?

Who can beat the Giants bullpen?

Where will the Bullpen help come from?

Where will Heath Bell land?

AL Central Preview - Mid Summer Classic Update

*Predictions are from Opening Day

2010	W	L	2011 Predictions	W	L
x-Minnesota	94	68	x-Minnesota	95	67
Chicago	88	74	Detroit	86	76
Detroit	81	81	Chicago	83	79
Cleveland	69	93	Cleveland	66	96
Kansas City	67	95	Kansas City	61	101

Opening Day Questions
Will Morneau be Morneau?

• All Star Break - Yup, and back on the DL he goes!

What impact does Victor Martinez have on Miguel Cabrera?

• All Star Break - Apparently Cabrera has a bigger impact on Martinez.  Have you seen these guys run walk out ground balls?!

Can Adam Dunn lift the Sox to the top of the division?

• All Star Break - Let Adam Dunn to get a hit first

When will Grady Sizemore be traded?

• All Star Break - Multiple trips to the DL this season already plus the emergance of Michael Brantley, I think once Shin-Soo Choo returns, Sizemore will be on the block.

Which prospect will live up to their potential?

• All Star Break - Alex Gordon, Aaron Crow, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas

Second Half Questions

Did the Twins wait to long to turn their season around?

Outside of Verlander, do the Tigers have enough pitching?

Will Ozzie Guillen last the rest of the season?

Can the Tribes pitching keep them in the hunt?

Will the Royals youth spark a playoff run?

NL Central Preview - Mid Summer Classic Update

2010	W	L	2011 Predictions	W	L
x-Cincinnati	91	71	x-Cincinnati	93	69
St. Louis	86	76	y-Milwaukee	88	74
Milwaukee	77	85	St. Louis	83	79
Houston	76	86	Chicago	81	81
Chicago	75	87	Houston	76	86
Pittsburgh	57	105	Pittsburgh	60	102

Opening Day Questions
Is Cincinnati ready to repeat?

• All Star Break - Just 4 games out at the moment, they have the talent to win it

How many games will Grienke/Gallardo/Marcum combine to win?

• All Star Break - 24, so far so good

Is St. Louis going to trade Pujols?

• All Star Break - Def not since they are the division leader

Will Matt Garza dominate the weak NL Central?

• All Star Break - No, 2-3 with a 5.28 ERA in 7 starts; just 39.2 innings

Can you name the Astros starting rotation?

• All Star Break - Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris, JA Happ, Brett Myers.........

Plenty of talent on offense, but where is the pitching in Pittsburgh?

• All Star Break - Yeah, completely flipped the script on us

Second Half Questions

Can Dontrelle Willis be a factor in leading the Reds to the Playoffs?

Can Fielder and Braun keep up their MVP seasons?

Will Pujols, Holliday and Berkman stay healthy?

Will the Cubs have a fire sale?

Will this be the worst season in the Astros franchise history?

Can the Pirates prove the first half was legit?

Washington Nationals- Fantasy Fillers

I am not talking about the Good Ol' Days of Vladimir Guerrero, Jose Vidro, Orlando Cabrera, Rondell White, and Pedro Martinez.  Even without Strasburg, the Nationals have kept themselves relevant with outstanding play from mostly undrafted players.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Fantasy Fillers

I am not talking about the Good Ol' Days of Barry Bonds, Andy Van Slyke, Jeff King, and Doug Drabek.  These Pirates are stealing wins left and right, and are ready to win the NL Central.

San Diego Padres - Fantasy Fillers

I am not talking about the Good Ol' Days of Tony Gwynn, Derek Bell, Andy Benes and Andy Ashby . This new look Padres team is filled with potential, and plenty of pitching.

New York Yankees - Fantasy Fillers

I am not talking about the Good Ol' Days of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Whitey Ford. The power house Yankees have plenty of unowned options to help you win your league.

Pablo Sandoval might be sitting there on Waivers, waiting for you!

Update(7/5): Since Pablo has returned, he has only ONCE gone hitless in a game, and has 5 multi hit games.  He is currently only 87% owned in Yahoo leagues, so there is a good chance he is still available in your league.  Only Adrian Beltre, Daniel Murphy, Danny Valencia, Mark Reynolds, Jose Bautista and Aramis Ramirez have been better over the past 14 days, and Sandoval is a safer bet than half of those guys.  Let us know who you would have to drop in order to pick up Pablo and we will let you know if its a smart move.


Stats(6/20-7/4)

Player	% Owned	H/AB*	R	1B	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	Fan Pts
Aramis Ramírez - ChC - 3B	93%	19/52	14	8	4	0	7	12	0	1	83
José Bautista - Tor - 3B,OF	98%	15/47	12	5	4	0	6	10	0	8	77
Mark Reynolds - Bal - 3B	83%	14580	9	4	1	0	7	12	1	9	72
Danny Valencia - Min - 3B	10%	17/53	9	9	4	1	3	13	0	0	70
Daniel Murphy - NYM - 1B,2B,3B,OF	40%	20/53	8	14	5	0	1	13	0	1	69
Adrián Béltre - Tex - 3B	98%	16/52	10	8	4	0	4	11	0	2	68
Pablo Sandoval - SF - 1B,3B	87%	20/61	8	9	8	0	3	9	1	2	68

Cleveland Indians - Fantasy Fillers

I am not talking about the Good Ol' Days of Manny Ramirez, Omar Vizquel, Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle, Charles Nagy and Orel Hershiser. The new look Indians were built by trading their top players and starting from scratch.