Will Middlebrooks - Middlebrooks stayed hot yesterday, going 2-4 with his 6th homer in the 6-4 victory over Detroit. The 23 year old has forced Boston to keep him up in the majors even after the return of Kevin Youkilis, hitting 316/343/579 through his first 99 PA's. There are definite signs for concern, however, as major batting average regression should be expected between his issues with contact and a very favorable BABIP. He's clearly growing into his power, but even that is likely a bit overstated to this point with a 24% HR/FB rate. In time he may become a 30/10 threat that can hit close to .300, but for now I'm a bit skeptical that he can maintain this level of performance. In single-season leagues I would be a cautious seller, although in dynasty leagues I would likely hold. He remains a worthwhile start in all but the most shallow of leagues despite the expected regression.
Rafael Soriano - Soriano is the closer on one of the better teams in the league and is 6 for 6 in save chances, allowing only one run in the process, so why the caution sign? I'm relatively concerned about Soriano because of the velocity drop (lowest of his career), drop in swinging strike% (lowest of his career save his partial year as a starter in 2002), control deterioration (worst of his career in the 15+ IP category), and extreme slider usage (over 40% thus far in 2012). I cannot envision him remaining healthy and effective, so although I wouldn't be surprised if he maintains the closer's role even after Robertson returns in 2-3 weeks, I expect Robertson to return to the job at some point this year. Soriano's short-term value is high, but if you can get someone to pay for it I'd take the plunge.
Daniel Worth - Danny Worth is an intriguing add right now in deeper formats, as Jim Leyland has decided to give him a bit of a shot (read: a bit better than a 50/50 split at 2B with Ramon Santiago) with the demotion of Ryan Raburn. Worth is a 26 year old that showed very little other than the ability to play all of the infield position up until last season, in which he managed 31 XBH (including 8 HR) and 13 SB in a bit over a half-season at AAA. He expanded on that a bit thus far this year with 11 XBH and 4 SB in just 18 games back in Toledo, leading me to believe there might be a bit of skill growth in here at the expected ages of 25 and 26. Worth has definite contact issues, leading me to believe that AVG is not going to be a strength, but a bit of power and speed from an unexpected reserve 2B suddenly getting more PT is a perfect guy to take a chance on in deep leagues if you find yourself with a hole due to injury/demotion/etc.
Johnny Giavotella - It's looking like Giavotella might find himself as the KC starting 2B even after Betancourt returns from the DL, as he is no longer platooning with Irving Falu after starting against RHP the last two days, and there have been rumblings that Betancourt is likely to assume utility duties upon his return to KC. Giavotella is a 24 year old line drive machine that possesses a minor league AVG of .307 and enough power and speed to be considered something more than a slap hitter. He's had awful luck on balls in play at the big league level thus far, as a 34% LD rate hasn't even yielded a BABIP of .300 for him, so there's a bunch of upward movement in AVG likely. I think he could be a bit under the radar at 2B, as he is likely to be valuable enough for a starting slot in all AL-only leagues and many mixed leagues.
Roy Oswalt - Oswalt signed a one-year deal with the Rangers earlier this week, but I'm not so sure people should run right out and grab him. Oswalt still has excellent control, but his stuff has deteriorated a bit the past few years....particularly last year when he lost over 1 mph on his fastball. Moving to Arlington in the summer, when the ball tends to fly out of the park at an alarming rate, might see Oswalt post just the 2nd ERA over 4.00 in his career. He was very fortunate last year with his HR/FB rate, a trend I wouldn't expect to continue in Texas. He is expected to make at least 4 rehab starts in the minors, meaning that an appearance slightly before the All-Star break is likely. He is obviously worth a gamble in deeper formats, but in leagues of standard size I would likely let someone else take the risk unless your rotation is in desperate need of any sort of help.
