Andres Torres (OF-SF) – Torres provided all the punch for the Giants in Sunday’s loss to the Dodgers, hitting a pair of solo home runs off Randy Wolf in going 2-for-4. Torres, 31, is batting .257/.339/.522 in 113 at-bats for the Giants, including five homers and five stolen bases. Torres had a .534 OPS in 257 major league at-bats prior to this season, so his recent efforts are nothing to get worked up over. He did steal 29 bases while posting a .391 OBP in Triple-A last season, but it’s doubtful even the Giants would give regular at-bats to a 31 year-old journeyman. Grab him in deeper leagues if you’re desperate, but don’t pin your hopes on his performing well from here on out.
Angel Pagan (OF-NYM) – Pagan continued his impressive play, going 3-for-5 with a double on Sunday against the Nationals. He’s now batting .304/.343/.488 in 293 at-bats this season, including six homers, 10 triples, and 13 stolen bases. The Mets are going to enter next year with the LF job up for grabs alongside Carlos Beltran and most likely Jeff Francoeur, though the organization still seems certain to pursue a free agent outfielder, perhaps even a guy like Matt Holliday. Still, it seems likely Omar Minaya (if he’s still the GM after this disaster) would instead focus on a starting pitcher, first baseman, and the bullpen, so perhaps the Mets let Pagan and Fernando Martinez fight it out for LF at-bats. A 6.1% BB% and 0.40 EYE aren’t ideal numbers for a leadoff man, so I’d still look for the Mets to consider him a 4th outfielder long term.
Freddy Sanchez (2B-SF) – Sanchez has been an utter disaster for the Giants since the controversial trade that sent top prospect Tim Alderson to Pittsburgh. He’s hitting .277 as a Giant, which is fine, but .277/.288/.317 in 101 at-bats is just horrific. Those at-bats include just two extra-base hits (2B, HR), seven RBI, and a 16:2 K:BB. Edgar Renteria has been equally as awful, opening up at-bats for the surprising Juan Uribe (.823 OPS). Considering the lack of quality bats around Sanchez (only .340+ OBP guy in Sunday’s lineup was Pablo Sandoval – Dodgers had seven by contrast), it’s hard to foresee any sort of turnaround this year, and as for next year, would the Giants really even consider exercising his $8 million option just to try and justify a trade that was widely and rightfully ridiculed at the time? Sadly for Giants fans, I wouldn’t put it past Brian Sabean, assuming he’s still the GM come November.
Adam Wainwright (SP-STL) – Wainwright was denied win #19 on Sunday despite allowing just two earned runs in seven innings against the Cubs. He struck out 10, and with Tim Lincecum struggling Sunday, Wainwright may have taken a step forward in the NL Cy Young race. At 18-8 with a 2.59 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 219 innings, he’s had a spectacular year and has made the Braves look foolish for trading one season of J.D. Drew for 6+ of Wainwright. Wainwright leads the NL in innings, ranks fifth in ERA, first in wins, and second in ERA. Will Lincecum finish strong and win his second straight trophy? Will Wainwright split the vote with teammate Chris Carpenter? This is going to be an intriguing vote.
Brad Hawpe (OF-COL) – It’s thought to be a nice problem to have, but with the Rockies having “too many” outfielders, it’s been Hawpe that’s been taking the hit to his at-bats. Hawpe sat out again on Sunday, and despite a solid .286/.384/.504 batting line, Hawpe has received just 39 at-bats in the Rockies’ 19 games this month. During September, he’s batting just .154/.400/.204 with no homers or RBI, and in fact, Hawpe has just two XBHs (doubles) in all of September. Manager Jim Tracy right now is favoring an outfield of Seth Smith, Dexter Fowler/Ryan Spilborghs and Carlos Gonzalez, and with all performing fairly well (Fowler’s September isn’t great, but he does have a .370 OBP and is an excellent CF), Hawpe could continue losing at-bats the rest of the way. Still, I wouldn’t totally write Hawpe off from having value in deeper leagues. Hawpe’s .889 OPS ranks third on the team, and all of the OFs previously mentioned are young and inexperienced. Tracy has tended to favor his veterans in the past, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him playing 4-5 times a week the rest of the way. Considering Hawpe is due $7.5 million next year, look for the club to move him this winter.
There are over 100 player news blurbs posted in the member area each morning. Members can read the rest of today's player news by clicking here. Not a member? Join today.
