Jose Veras - Jose Veras' value takes a big hit today with his trade to Detroit for 19 year old A-ball OF Danry Vasquez. Veras will provide another set-up man for closer Joaquin Benoit in Detroit, and thus will lose just about all of his value in traditional 4X4 and 5X5 leagues. He will still offer K's for leagues that can use middle relievers, but his value has gone from reasonably substantial to negligible with this deal.
Xander Bogaerts - With Jose Iglesias finally slumping and looking a bit more like the infield reserve that I expect him to be, the Red Sox have shifted top prospect Xander Bogaerts over to 3B in anticipation of a possible late-season call-up to man the hot corner in Boston. Bogaerts is one of the best hitting prospects in the minors, capable of hitting for average and power with solid strike zone control and average speed. If Will Middlebrooks were tearing it up at AAA I'd say that he had a better chance of coming up for the stretch run, but the Sox have definitely soured on the older player there, so Bogaerts is very likely to get the call sometime in the next month barring other unforeseen developments. Bogaerts would be a must-add in all formats upon his arrival in Boston, and really should be owned in many formats that have reasonably sized reserve rosters already. He is a clear potential All-Star as soon as 2014.
Kole Calhoun - With Albert Pujols on the shelf and Peter Bourjos still out for a week or two at least, Kole Calhoun has been called up and will likely play quite a bit of the time in the OF for Los Angeles. Calhoun has gotten little press as a prospect, but the 25 year old has hit and hit well at every single stop of his professional career, compiling a 317/402/541 line over the past three-plus years with 55 homers and 45 steals. With 12 homers and 10 steals in 59 games at AAA this year (to go along with a .354 AVG), Calhoun clearly has some significant potential despite the lack of plaudits for his prior performances. I would definitely roster Calhoun in deeper leagues immediately, and I'd give him strong consideration in all other formats despite his lack of press.
Danny Duffy - Duffy could be getting closer to a return to KC after another solid outing Sunday, and with some potential trade rumors starting surrounding Ervin Santana (along with the continued struggles of Luis Mendoza and Wade Davis), that call could be coming very soon. Duffy's last five starts have resulted in 27 IP, 20 H, 5 R, 8 BB, and 24 K AT AAA Omaha, and as always the major issue with Duffy is his control. He's a high risk guy to be sure, but as a reserve choice in deeper leagues he's certainly a guy that I'd want hanging around.
Leonys Martin - Martin has been moved from the bottom of the order to the top as of Monday, as the Rangers reshuffle things to drop Nelson Cruz down to the #6 spot in the order. Martin was already acting as a "2nd leadoff hitter", but the extra plate appearance a game could prove to be a major benefit in the counting categories for Martin. Martin singled and scored in four trips Monday in his first game atop the order.
