Steve Pearce - This is a total flyer, especially since Brad Mills has already said that he doesn't envision Pearce as an everyday player right now, but a RH hitter with power heading to the land of the Crawford boxes gets me a little excited. I could easily envision a scenario in which Pearce and Wallace man the corners against LHP and Pearce gets a bit of playing time in the OF against RHP, giving him ample opportunity to prove to the Astros that he can hit at this level. He's never had much of a chance, and with a minor league line of 294/370/523 without the same contact issues that many of his peers have, he remains a bit of an enigma at this level. He is a deep sleeper to be sure, but in leagues that would be interested in such a player I would certainly take a shot on him right now.
Tommy Hanson - Hanson managed to pick up his 12th win of the season despite failing to pitch six innings for the 4th straight outing, as the 25 year old again scattered nine baserunners over five innings, allowing just one run to the Marlins in the 8-2 victory. Hanson has declined in most meaningful statistical categories this year, so don't be swayed by the win total: there is something wrong here. Both his BB rate and FB rate have skyrocketed recently, and the velocity loss hasn't turned itself around at all. He's managing to win games and still strike out people out at a reasonable rate, but nothing here looks good. I expect some regression the rest of the way, and would definitely be looking around for a buyer today if possible.
Travis Snider - Travis Snider is heading to Pittsburgh for set-up man Brad Lincoln, and Snider figures to fit right into the starting lineup in RF for the Pirates today, pushing Alex Presley back to the 4th OF role where he belongs (and perhaps permanently blocking Jose Tabata). Snider is a terrific prospect that has struggled mightily at the big league level the past few years, but anytime you can acquire a 24 year old OF with a career minor league line of 308/383/528 for a solid middle reliever, you have to do it. Snider is an immediate must-have in NL-only leagues, although his standard league value remains about the same. His talent and current playing time status warrant at least a reserve slot in just about all formats.
Steve Clevenger - With Geo Soto reportedly heading to the Rangers today, Steve Clevenger will likely battle Wellington Castillo for the catcher ABs in Chicago the rest of the way. Clevenger is a 26 year old that has a career minor league line of 309/370/424, showing doubles power and solid plate discipline that would likely afford him solid #2 catcher status with ample playing time. He has been the backup for much of the season and replaced Soto in the sixth yesterday, so I'd have to think he has the inside track. He merits a pickup in deep leagues and NL-only leagues now, and might warrant a move in standard-sized leagues in the near future as well.
Scott Moore - Moore homered again yesterday, giving him 5 in 89 ABs with Houston as his playing time has appeared to solidify (at 3B now) after the trades of Carlos Lee and Chris Johnson. For those who think that Moore will be a total AVG sink, I'm not so sure....he's hit .297 in the minors since 2010 over 833 ABs. The contact issues are significant enough that I doubt AVG will be a strength for him, but he might be able to manage .250-.260 with decent pop, which for a 3B makes him an option in deeper and NL-only leagues right now.
