Chris Denorfia - The demotion of Will Venable is a big plus for the 30 year old Denorfia, who is expected to play most of the time and bat leadoff for the time being. Denorfia has indeed played six of the past seven days, batting 8-23 with a pair of doubles in a triple over that span. Denorfia has just enough power and speed to be interesting, although he's more of a 15-15 guy at best than a real five-tool guy. It's amazing that he's able to post the ISO's that he has the past few seasons, as Denorfia's GB% is one of the highest in the game. A BABIP that is about 35 points to the good has also been in his favor thus far, but a much improved contact rate offers some hope that a bunch of that AVG will stick going forward. Last year's half-season line is probably a reasonable starting point for expectations right now, which makes him a clear NL-only option, and possibly a deeper mixed league 5th OF as well.
Jon Jay - The Cards are finding a way to get the red-hot Jay into the lineup every day, and Jay has paid them back by putting up five multi-hit games in the past week. He's also picked up three steals in the process, meaning that in the early stretch of this season Jay is walking more, running more, and showing more power than last year. At age 26 a power spike wouldn't be all that surprising, although Jay is still hitting the majority of baseballs on the ground. Once Matt Holliday is fully healthy Jay will likely be back to playing 50-75% of the time, but at least for the next few days he's a worthwhile start. After that, it'll depend on what sort of ideas Tony LaRussa has for playing time, but I'd bet that Jay will return to being an NL-only option until the next opportunity arises.
Fred Lewis - Lewis has started five of the last six games for the Reds, and with Jonny Gomes falling out of Baker's good graces for about the 12th time it looks like Lewis and Heisey (or even Lewis and Frazier) are going to benefit, and Lewis is on the good side. Even at his best, Fred Lewis is a 5-10 HR and 15-20 SB guy with a middling average, but with steals sometimes tough to come by in 5X5 leagues he merits a look with a greater amount of playing time on the way. Lewis doesn't come highly recommended, but he could be modestly productive in the right situation.
Edinson Volquez - Volquez was indeed sent down to AAA, as David alluded to yesterday, on the strength (weakness?) of 6.7 BB/9 and a 6.35 ERA. His FIP ERA, normalized for HR/FB, is only 4.16 right now, he's got both the highest GB% and the highest HR/FB rate of his career at the same time, and his velocity is fully intact. I would still take this opportunity to try and get him cheaply....huge K rates like this, especially when accompanied by 55% GB rates, don't come around very often. I expect him back within a handful of starts, ready to contribute.
Jerry Sands - Sands walked three times yesterday in his 4th start in the Dodgers' last five games, and he's now reached base in the last 6 games that he's received a plate appearance. The Dodgers don't have any viable options other than to play Sands every day, and Sands' track record shows no sign that he will fail to hit if give the opportunity. I would still be very optimistic here, and if the "call-up shine" has worn off of Sands by all means try and grab him a bit cheaply.
