Ian Kennedy - Kennedy's time in the big leagues was, once again, short-lived as he was sent back down to the minor leagues on Sunday after another disappointing outing on Friday night. His stuff just hasn't been able to translate to success at the big league level yet. In the minors in 2008, Kennedy has hurled 54 1/3 innings and has posted a 1.99 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a K/9 of 8.1 with a 3.5 K/BB. Put him in the pinstripes at the big league level and his stuff simply isn't good enough, he loses concentration, or is intimated. In 39 2/3 IP, he has a 8.17 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, and a 6.1 K.9 with a 1.0 K/BB. It doesn't help his case with Yankee management that he has spouted his mouth-off to the media multiple times and basically seems apathetic to his lackluster performance. NY might not be a good fit for him and I'd be curious to see if he can make it work for a different franchise. I wouldn't be shocked to see him pacakged in a trade during the off-season.
David Price - He's just one step away from the big leagues now. Price was promoted from Double-A Montgomery to Triple-A Durham on Saturday night. To make him potentially eligibile for the post-season (can you believe we're talking about October baseball with the Rays?) he will have to be called-up to the big league level before the end of August. Looking at the calendar and the upcoming week being Fantasy Week 20, that would only give him two more weeks in #21 and #22. I would be shocked if the Rays didn't give themselves the option for his eligibility in October. He'll get a few starts in Triple-A over the next 10 days and then we'll have a better idea of his call-up schedule. If you don't want to take a chance on timing his activation, claim him now.
Brad Ziegler - Manager Bob Geren didn't tip-his-hand on the direction the A's would go for the 9th inning closer role, but it certainly looks like Ziegler is the easy front-runner to get most of the opportunities. In 37.0 IP, Ziegler has still not given up a run, has 17 K's and 11 BB, and has a WHIP of 0.86. Take a flier on him now - he's still owned in about 20% of CBS Sports leagues and I think he'll get the majority of the looks in save situations. If it turns to committee, his value will diminish slightly but his scoreless inning streak should make him the easy favorite for Geren to call on him late in the game.
Mike Lowell - Lowell's 3-run HR might help him break out of a slump, but otherwise he's been really cold. It was his first HR since July 4th (against the Yanks) and were his only RBI of the month of August. He hit just .215 in July and is hitting .200 in August. So, Since July 1st, Lowell is hitting .211 with a .268 OBP, .573 OPS, and FPI of 0.31. Simply attrocious, especially out of a deep fantasy position like 3B. He's historically been a mediocre 2nd-half performer, but this is a 45-day slump that has been really ugly. Its tough to let go of a marquee name like Lowell, especially given his career year was just a year ago. But the facts remain he's REALLY cold right now and you should go with a different option for at least the next couple of weeks. I would be surprised if Lowell turns it around to the extent that makes him a must-start in mixed leagues.
Melvin Mora - His ownership % has climbed just over 50% and it should go higher as Mora continues to rake for the Orioles. He has a 9-game hitting streak during which he's hitting .306 with a 1.137 OPS, 5 HR, 9 RBI, and 28 total bases. That's good for a 0.94 FPI. Its tough to argue with how great Mora is hitting right now and he's a solid option as your third baseman for at least Fantasy Week 20. If nothing else, he's a good pick-up for a fill-in on Monday and Thursday with the Orioles playing a full 7-game schedule this week.
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