It’s time for the All-Star break this week. Back then we all needed our old football game to distract us **exaggerated shoulder shrug** everything moving forward, we were comforted only by the scroll of doom.
For lighter stories, be sure to check out my latest Cards and Sections podcast to get a full overview of the All-Star game festivities and celebrate our one year anniversary, especially if you missed baseball due to rest or other reasons in the previous week.
But given the lack of work since we met here last week, we’ll go through an abbreviated review of the layoff. This is FAAB’s premier weekend run before the trade deadline while the team’s roster remains unchanged, with the added bonus that your home league rivals may be included in the discussion as to which of the three options to use in their 2032 home opener. NCAA Football 25. Be sure to take advantage while you can before we meet over the next few weeks to forecast and explain those deadline jobs.
With that, let’s get to it, Razzball family!
The stats and ownership percentages below were updated as of noon on 7/19.
As always, if you’re looking for advice on specific list choices you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on twitter (X) (@mcouill7) and bluesky (@mcouill7.bsky.social).
They don’t hit
The scope of last week’s column as it all holds up as there have been two days of MLB action since then. Those FAAB numbers are combined with the half of games Colorado has at Coors Field this week, and hopefully snagged a few for the Giants as they face the Rockies seven times in their next 10 games after the break. But here are a few Quick Hits to consider in addition to those players from last week…
Lawrence Butler (OF, OAK, 29% CBS Ownership) – Butler finally capitalized on his disappointing Savant profile in the last game before the break, smashing three homers in Sunday’s game in Philly. With that trio of taters, he raised his season OPS from .622 to .686. At this point, Oakland has every incentive to play the 24-year-old at the top of their roster and let him ride. Butler could be something like Jose Siri with a bit more batting average, hitting 20 homers and stealing each while hitting .230. (3-5% FAAB in Group 12)
Juan Yepez (1B/OF, WSN, 10% CBS Ownership) – Yepez has made 10 consecutive starts since his promotion and is slowly moving up the order – he should be locked into center field now that Washington is trading pieces. around him. Just a solid, no-frills bat that will hit .260-ish with a low 20-homer pace that’s important to rounding out a roster in CI or OF. There’s the added bonus of the Nationals having a hitter-friendly schedule this coming week with three home games against San Diego before Yepez gets a chance at a revenge series in St. Louis. (5% FAAB in Group 15)
Brooks Baldwin (3B/SS, CHW, 3% CBS Ownership) – The White Sox shuffled their roster a bit by demoting Lenyn Sosa, designating Martin Maldonado for assignment, signing Nick Senzel, and promoting Brooks Baldwin . Senzel should quickly take over from Sosa in the hot corner but considering the first #2 single. 209 with a measly 26.6% rating for HardHit in Washington, it appears to be his last stop in Chicago before heading to Japan or an independent team. If you had Sosa, who has been hitting well lately with a .277/.306/.404 slash line in July, in a deep league, I’d take him as he should be back at the post-trade deadline once Chris Getz clears a few players. outside. Although Senzel seems to be the best target in the AL league only, I am more interested in Baldwin. The switch-hitting infielder has flown through the Sox lineup this season, capping his streak with a 179 wRC+ in 35 Triple-A plate appearances with just two to five Ks. The 23-year-old also managed to swipe 25 bags and 13 homers at three minor league levels. If he can handle big league pitching, he can be a valuable power/off speed combo. (1% FAAB in Group 15, 7-9% FAAB in AL-Only)
STARTING BEAMS
10/12 Team additions
Michael Lorenzen (TEX, 50% Ownership of CBS) – Be sure to check back on this site to find out The first two cookie shop tomorrow because as I write this on Friday, the start of the cycle is still fixing the post-ASB. However, right now it looks like Lorenzen is preparing for a nice two-run week with starts against the White Sox and Blue Jays, two of the AL’s worst four teams. Picking up Lorenzen this week could also pay big dividends at the deadline, as he has a one-year contract and could be moved to a winning football team. His 3.52 ERA should quickly slot into the first rotation of any Midfielders in both leagues. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Aaron Civale (MIL, 49% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Mitchell Parker (WSN, 48% Ownership of CBS, 1-3% FAAB), Drew Thorpe (CHW, 47% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jose Soriano (LAA, 42% CBS ownership, 3% FAAB), Andrew Heaney (TEX, 37% CBS Proprietary, 1-3% FAAB), Alec Marsh (KCR, 33% Ownership of CBS, 1% FAAB), David Peterson (NYM, 31% CBS ownership, 1% FAAB), AAlbert Suarez (BAL, 28% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Luis Ortiz (PIT, 24% Ownership of CBS, 3% FAAB), Yariel Rodriguez (TOR, 26% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ryan River (LAD, 21% CBS ownership, 3% FAAB)
15 Team additions
Jake Bloss (HOU, 4% CBS Ownership) – I covered Bloss last week in the League Only section, but this coming week starting in Oakland makes him work in the shallow leagues now. This Astros team looks ready to hold a fire under each uzh with some reinforcements to get to the pitching department with a trade. However, Bloss is ranked as Houston’s #2 prospect entering this season, and should remain in the rotation even if another starter is added. Given that his total arsenal is average while playing a more average Location+, it doesn’t take much fanfare to see him post a 4.00-ish ERA with 8.0 K/9 over the next two and a half months. It’s pretty easy to see a scenario where Bloss hits double-digit Athletics this coming week and his stock goes up, so buy now. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Andre Pallante (STL, 14% CBS ownership, 1% FAAB), Jonathan Cannon (CHW, 14% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Hayden Birdsong (SFG, 12% CBS ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryne Nelson (ARI, 14% CBS ownership, 1% FAAB), Cade Cavalli (WSN, 9% Ownership of CBS, 1% FAAB), Randy Vasquez (SDP, 5% CBS ownership, 1% FAAB)
THE LIBERATORS
10/12 Team additions
I’m Garcia (TOR, 34% CBS Ownership) – Say goodbye to our sweet prince, Jeff Hoffman, as he is no longer worthy of consideration here at last. (On a side note, this space needs a formal graduation ceremony where players are languishing on the waiver wire indefinitely despite production, and then finally jump off my field to the likes of the top 100 pieces. I’m open to creative suggestions from the audience) Anyway, Garcia is expected to come back from his elbow injury and should into the immediate vicinity of Toronto. The veteran reliever was electric in front of his booboo, posting a 2.57 ERA and 11.9 K/9 while going 5-for-6 in save opportunities. Garcia may only work around until the deadline, but he’s your best chance at a cheap save on the roster until then. Also, there are some situations (Royals, Dodgers, Reds, D-backs) where he could be close if he gets dealt, so I’m fine with being a little aggressive to hold Garcia now. (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Hector Neris (CHC, 49% Ownership of CBS, 3% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 32% Ownership of CBS, 1% FAAB), Chad Green (TOR, 25% CBS ownership, 1% FAAB), Jason Adam (TBR, 22% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Hunter Harvey (KCR, 21% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team additions
Ben Joyce (LAA, 12% CBS Ownership) – Joyce’s ownership level is rising rapidly, more than doubling from last week, as legend managers remain focused on Carlos Estevez trade rumors. Estevez seems certain to be dealt at the deadline, paving the way for the fiery Joyce to enter the Closers division of the Relief Club. He’s been able to stabilize his BB rate at 8.8%, and if he can keep it at 10% or less, Joyce could be the difference thanks to his 100-mph fastball that clocks in at 126 Stuff+. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Ryan Walker (SFG, 19% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), JoJo Romero (STL, 16% CBS ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryne Stanek (SEA, 16% Ownership of CBS, 1% FAAB), Luke Weaver (NYY, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jeremiah Estrada (SDP, 15% CBS ownership, 1% FAAB), AJ Puk (MIA, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), John Brebbia (CHW, 4% CBS ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Shelby Miller (DET, 3% CBS Proprietary, 1-3% FAAB), Porter Hodge (CHC, 2% CBS ownership, 1% FAAB), Robert Garcia (WSN, 1% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
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