3 Up

Alexi Casilla
Alexi Casilla has made a huge splash after replacing the injured Adam Everett in the line up. After a 13 game hitting streak and 19 RBI's in just 26 games while hitting out of the two hole, it seems unlikely that Everett and his .189 batting average will be getting his job back regardless off his health. Brendan Harris would also be at risk of demotion before Casilla in my opinion. I was lucky enough to get Casilla in a couple of AL only leagues and a 20 team leagues as simple desperation for a middle infielder due to injuries. He had only played a couple of games and it seemed as good of a gamble as anyone else in the free agent pool. Despite his lack of power, his RBI production, above average speed, and ability to get on base makes him an asset in an roto leagues. .

Charlie Morton
Do you like to gamble? Roll the dice on The Braves AAA Ace Charlie Morton. So far this season Morton is 5-2 with a 2.05 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, batters have only hit for a combined .180 average off him in twelve minor league starts. To top that all off, he has struck out just slightly less than a batter per inning. Morton immediately becomes someone to take a flier on based on his potential and the fact that he pitches for a contender. He consistently pitched an average of about 7 innings per start in the minors, so expect him to be given about the same length leash unless he gets in to trouble. If Morton has a lights out start, you will most likely be too late to add him to your team later as there are a lot of eyes on the young starter right now. Beat them to the punch by adding him as a spot start, and watch the trade offers come pouring in from all the people who procrastinated if he can produce the same quality starts that he has put out in the minors.

Nick Swisher
Finally, Nick Swisher seems to have found his swing. The majority have his owners have grown frustrated and dumped him for whatever hot bat they could find, as his ownership in 10 team leagues plummeted from 100% to 73% with only 33% of teams actually starting him, according to CBS sportsline. In the last week however, it has bounced back to 84%. Swisher has batted .387 in his recent 8 game hitting streak, smashing four homers to boot. Pick him up immediately if he is still available in your league, for those who have patiently been storing him on their bench, it's time to get him active.

3 Down

Aaron Harang
Patience may be a virtue as we've seen with Swisher, but sometimes it's just foolish. Aaron Harang's ownership remains virtually unchanged this season currently hovering around 96% and the majority of his owners are still starting him. You'd think after allowing 57 hits in his last 38 innings pitched over his last seven starts, clearly he is not about to turn his season around, he is actually getting worse with every start. You might think you could take some solice in the fact that he is not walking many batters, but that's only because so many are hitting off him. Harang is killing your fantasy team. You can't tade him at an all time low, so just cut him already. There has to be someone out there who will provide better stats and consistent outings for your team. Armando Galarraga comes to mind immediately and he is owned in less than half of fantasy leagues. Forget about how early you drafted him and cut your losses, if you don't than get used to losses because you won't be winning your fantasy league.

Jose A. Contreras
What happened to Jose Contreras? Oh well, I don't think any of us expected it to last too much longer. Don't give up on him for the season just yet, after all he only botched one start, and did a damn fine job of it at that. Thirteen hits and six runs in six innings, my oh my. It's best to let him sit out against Ted Lilly and the Cubs. I would much rather he prove he can still pitch like a stud on my bench, then prove the old Contreras is back while active in my line up. I think this is just about it for him this season though.

Ivan Rodriguez
Pudge got us all excited after leading the league in homers this spring. Many drafted him as a top 5 catcher again anxiously anticipating the return of one of the best hitting catchers in the MLB since a young Mike Piazza. When those homers actually would have counted for something, he stopped hitting them, and hasn't really been hitting much of anything this season. It was all a tease. Pudge now finds himself in a platoon with Brandon Inge, and no longer worthy of fantasy consideration at all. Go fishing for Chris Snyder or Dioner Navarro if you find yourself with I-Rod as your starting catcher.

Not So Fast

Jason Isringhausen
Have people forgotten that Jason Isringhausen had lost his starting job before he suffered an injury? Why are they picking him up now? A closer with 5 blown saves in 11 opportunities as well an ERA of 8.00 and a WHIP of almost 2.00 doesn't have a place anywhere on my team regardless of how desperate I am for saves. Ryan Franklin isn't going anywhere, he still ain't pretty, but he's getting the job done logging 9 saves in 12 chances thus far in Izzy's absence.

Randy Wolf
How bad are the Padres that Randy Wolf has only been victorious once in his last three starts despite a combined ERA of 1.89 in those three games? Randy "Hungry Like The" Wolf has been way too hot to be ignored and way too cool to be used in a lame Duran Duran allusion. Give Wolf a shot for a spot start or two start pitching week, but understand that he's not really good enough for this streak to continue. His ERA usually hovers around the 4.50 mark or higher and his WHIP around 1.60.

Eddie Bonine
Who is Eddie Bonine? He's not in CBS, Yahoo's, or Rotowire's data base. I searched MLB.com and found only a brief report that The Tigers had called him up to start in the rotation in place of demoted Dontrelle Willis. Well, we knew that much. I google the kids name and found only different variations of the same uniforming reports. Did Jim Layland meet this kid in line at the Supermarket? Are the Tiger's so desperate that they are recruiting fans out of the stands? If Bonine had done anything even remotely acknowledgeable in his baseball career (and I use that term loosely as I have still found no proof that he has actually played the game before), surely I would have found something in my extensive search. This is going to be a tragedy for Tigers fans, and outright hilarity for the rest of us.

Tenacious D-Store's Big Ol' Male Sack

I am in a keeper league. Already out of the running so looking forward to next year. Do I trade Aram, Jay Bruce, Harang, and Shields for Holliday, Kemp, Nathan, and Derek Lowe? - Anonymous

I really don't have enough information on your league, and seeing your full roster also would have been helpful. I'll assume for now that this is a 5x5 roto league. Giving up Jay Bruce in a keeper league would be tough but I like the package that you are receiving. Holliday is an absolute stud and won't waste any time proving it now that he is off the DL, Joe Nathan remains one of the best closing pitchers in the MLB. There is absolutely no risk of him losing his job in the foreseeable future. He has at least another 5 or 6 seasons in him. Matt Kemp isn't quite as promising as Jay Bruce, but still a stud in the making who should develop his power swing soon, and continue to hit around .290. Lowe is clearly just a toss in, but an unnecessary one in my opinion. There are plenty of young up and coming 3rd baseman available (and you may already have one on your team, I don't know) and quality starting pitching is more plentiful than ever. Go get'r done.

I need a catcher to replace V-Mart. I originally picked up Olivo who is currently on the roster. Shoppach has been tearing it up though should I add him instead. Barajas is available but hes splitting time. Coste and Flores are also there. - Joe O.

Who is Barajas splitting time with? He's been playing every day. Zaun is on the DL milking an injury because he would rather be coaching little league than playing baseball. Zaun is just about finished and Barajas is hitting very well. Maybe you are under this assumption, due to a lack of at bats since Zaun's injury. That's because the Jays stink. When you see as many 3 ups 3 downs as the Jays have, it tends to limit your at bats. Barajas is still hitting for a decent clip which is a hard commodity to come by in catchers. Zaun has always been known as a peaceful guy and a mentor to the Jays young players, but lately even he has become frustrated with the Jays poor management. His passion for playing the game appears to be gone. He may split time with Barajas when he is off the DL, but I am confident Barajas will get the majority of at bats from here on out. Zaun's retirement may not wait until the end of the season. This little league coaching gig he has appears to be his new passion. That being said, Shoppach appears to be the better option. You already have V-Mart, and it's safe to assume that Shoppach will start until Victor is ready to go. I'm actually kinda of scratching my head as to why you would skip over the obvious choice for Olivo. Shoppach appears to have more muscle, but Barajas will give you a better BA without much else to go along with it. Chose based on your biggest needs.

Keep the questions and comments coming. You can contact me by e-mail at tenaciousdstore@fantasyplaymakers.com .