After living in California as long as I have and surviving some increasingly hot summers, I still haven't gotten one of those stand-alone air conditioning units.  I mean, July is always the month where the weather steps forward to tell you, "If you thought things were hot in your non-air conditioned apartment the last month, you ain't seen nothing yet, pal."  Then there's August, which we can't even really put into words.  You're just too busy existing in your sweatbox, literally swimming through the thick, hot air just to get to the refrigerator and your Brita.

This edition of Small Market Mania will cover the surprises for each team and what I would do going forward.  This is about fantasy GM-ing, right?  So let's play, what would Jon do to improve his beloved Small Market franchises going forward, particularly the ones that are now officially out of baseball's second half race.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Week: 3-4          L10: 4-6         Overall: 47-41, 2nd AL West

SURPRISES:  It is no doubt that Oakland has been amazing with their pitching.  The staff now sits in second place overall, bolstered by the arrival of Greg Smith and Dana Eveland to stabilize the rotation.  Smith recently added a shutout to his list of rookie accomplishments, and it was against the defending divisional champ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

GOING FORWARD: All year long, Bob Geren has tried to find a stable leadoff hitter. For the A's to compete with their longtime nemesis in Anaheim, Oakland will have to find a way to generate runs.  When Kurt Suzuki leads your team BA category with a .267, you know you have some issues.  Even though Ryan Sweeney has heated up as of late, and Oakland is eyeing Willy Taveras, this team could do even better with the likes of a veteran presence such as Scott Podsednik, who is wasting away in Colorado.  Rumored to be in the makings of a deal with Florida, Pods would give the A's another much needed left-handed bat, base-running prowess, and a much better OBP.  And even Pods can stay healthy for half a season, right?  

UPCOMING SERIES: SEA (7/7-7/10), LAA (7/11-7/13)

Maybe Micah should spend more time working on his pitching mechanics rather then his hitting stroke. Photo Credit: UnderTheRadar29

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Week: 3-4          L10: 4-6          Overall: 44-45, 1st NL West

SURPRISES: Oh, you mean besides a 15-30 run after a 28-15 start?  Hmm....there are probably too many surprises for Bob Melvin to deal with.  Randy Johnson struck out 10 batters on Sunday, but he generally hasn't looked like his old self, being hit with disturbing regularity.  While he's not walking folks, his 105 hits in nearly 92.1 IP tells you that either his velocity is off or that Randy really does believe strikeouts are boring and fascist.  Besides the loss of nearly the whole season for Eric Byrnes, I don't think anyone saw Micah Owings imploding in the month of June.  Granted, he's nursing an injury, but after providing the 'two' in the Webb-Owings one-two punch for two months, Owings is the owner of an 8.22 ERA for June and recently saw duty out of the bullpen.  Counter-balancing that has been the amazing play of Doug Davis, who is recovering from cancer and is having a comeback player of the year type performance thus far.

GOING FORWARD:  The Diamondbacks as a team need an offensive spark.  They've called up Emilio Bonifacio, which could spell some AAA time for Justin Upton or could suggest an upcoming trade involving Orlando Hudson.  While Hudson is a defensive stud, one could argue that he's having a career year and will not sign with Arizona when his contract is up at the end of the year.  He'll turn 31 in December, and he just doesn't have the pop of a #3 hitter for this team.  Besides Bonifacio, the Sidewinders minor league system features prospect Jamie D'Antona, who has slugged 13 home runs in 82 games.  The Diamondbacks are 43-45 and barely clinging to their division lead.  While a big shake-up isn't what you might recommend for a contending team, the D-Backs won't be contenders for much longer if they can't straighten out their run production, so it is a good idea to trade Hudson while he can be "sold high."  They also need to recall Max Scherzer as a candidate for closer if Brandon Lyon continues to falter.

UPCOMING SERIES: @WSH (7/8-7/10), @PHI (7/11-7/13)

FLORIDA MARLINS
Week: 3-4          L10: 5-5           Overall: 45-43, 2nd NL East

SURPRISES: It's all in one name: Ricky Nolasco.  Nobody saw Ricky Nolasco firing on the kind of cylinders that he has been using lately.  Though Mark Hendrickson started out hot, and Scott Olsen has done a very adequate job, Nolasco seems to get better and better as the year goes on.  Nolasco has won seven of his last nine starts, and during that span his BB/9 (Control ratio) has been 1.91, while his K/9 has gone up to 7.37.  Nolasco's numbers may not stay in this range, but with the sixth-rated Marlins offense bolstering him, he's looking at a possible 17-win season.

GOING FORWARD: How bad could a team like Florida use a guy like C. C. Sabathia?  However, more likely would be a strong middle reliever like Ron Mahay, who has been stellar his last few outings for the Royals.  With middle relievers Matt Lindstrom, Justin Miller, and Logan Kensing all sporting ERAs around 4.00, Mahay's 2.03 ERA and 1.21 WHIP must look like heavenly.  His BABIP this year is .260, which is a tad low, though over his career it's hovered at .276, so perhaps he's just a bit stronger this year. While there's talk of this team bolstering its injury-prone outfield with Scott Podsednik, the Marlins must first solve their pitching woes to hang around in the east.

UPCOMING SERIES: @SDG (7/7-7/9), @LAD (7/10-7/13)

WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Week: 1-6        L10: 3-7          Overall: 34-56, 5th NL East

SURPRISES:  This year's Nationals team expected better than this.  Key injuries have taken their toll to no end, and they just keep on coming. No doubt, Tim Redding has put together an exceptional first half, considering he fell apart in 2005 and was in the minors for all of 2006.  Redding is the only starter with a winning record, and while he hasn't been dominant, he's consistently given the Nationals a chance to win.  He's someone who could end up on the trading block now that the season is lost.  The other positive on this team was the emergence of Elijah Dukes, who was scorching hot over the last month, until he tore his meniscus in Saturday's game.  He's out now for 4-6 weeks.  Wily Mo Pena will most likely attempt to fill that void.

GOING FORWARD: I don't see the Nationals making a lot of deals around the deadline.  Perhaps their best trade bait, intended closer Chad Cordero, is out for the year and has barely suited up.  They could deal Redding, since he is not likely to be a part of their future.  However, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Nationals sit tight and audition plenty of prospects from their farm system, even calling up guys from as low as Class-AA, while they attempt to get healthy.

UPCOMING SERIES: ARI (7/8-7/10), HOU (7/11-7/13)

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Week: 3-3           L10: 4-6          Overall: 44-43, 4th AL East
 
SURPRISES: Though they're ten games out, the Orioles are two games over .500, making Dave Trembley's first half as a full-time manager a success.  Brian Roberts had a stellar first half, batting close to .300, hitting seven home runs, and stealing 24 bases.  Problems still pervade for the pitching staff, where Adam Loewen has been injured and, when active, disappointing.  Most surprisingly has been a starting rotation that's put together a record of 26-24 with a 4.11 ERA.  However, this staff has been inconsistent, and the Orioles have had trouble getting quality starts out of any of them.  Luke Scott has continued his solid play and will finish the first half with 14-plus homeruns.  He clubbed all of 18 last year. 

GOING FORWARD:  If the Orioles can stay over or around .500, Dave Trembley will be considered a candidate for manager of the year.  Considering that the 2007 Orioles finished the season 24 games under the even mark, the Orioles are no doubt improved.  They may find bullpen help in Norfolk's Jim Miller, who has struck out 45 in just 42 IP, while commanding a 2.79 ERA.  There's still a chance that Roberts could be dealt, but with the dearth of infielders on this team and in AAA, I'd expect that speculation to decline until after the season.

UPCOMING SERIES: @TOR (7/8-7/10), @BOS (7/11-7/13)


PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Week: 2-4          L10: 3-7         Overall: 40-47, 6th NL Central

SURPRISES:  One has to wonder if the waters of the Allegheny and Monongahela have been poisoned with some sort of anti-control juice.  The talk of the Pirates was that they would have a solid crop of young arms that were now ready to take their place among the major's best.  What has happened is nearly a complete collapse of the starting rotation.  Ian Snell, once deemed the 'ace' of the staff, has a control ratio of 5.14, versus a career mark 3.77.  Tom Gorzelanny has been demoted to minors, and once-emerging Phil Dumatrait has joined Snell on the DL.  Counter that with an offense which is ninth in run production, and John Russell must feel like he's standing on his head, because his organization seems upside down.

GOING FORWARD: The Pirates are now officially out of the race, but the key for the Pittsburgh faithful is a .500 season.  Rumors have swirled that Xavier Nady and Jason Bay are possible trade pieces, and I'd expect one of them to be dealt to make room for prospect Andrew McCutcheon.  Steven Pearce has already been recalled.  Let's hope he makes enough of an impression for the Pirates to free up the $5 million which Adam LaRoche is absorbing in salary.

UPCOMING SERIES: HOU (7/7-7/9), NYY (7/10), STL (7/11- 7/13)

TEXAS RANGERS
Week: 2-4          L10: 6-4          Overall: 46-43, 3rd AL West

SURPRISES: How the heck did the Rangers turn this team into an offensive juggernaut?  Certain pieces were in place with names like Michael Young and Ian Kinsler in the lineup, but the emergence of Josh Hamilton and, even more importantly, Milton Bradley has solidified the middle of this lineup and made it just scary. Hamilton's comeback season, highlighted by his 16 homeruns and a .301 average, is actually trailing Bradley's .321 average and 17 homeruns. 

GOING FORWARD: This top-rated offense must make a move to acquire an arm that might rescue their 29th ranked pitching staff.  The argument here again is whether anyone can honestly say that Milton Bradley isn't a perfect sell candidate right now.  This is his peak year, one which will require a contract re-negotiation in the offseason.  It also might make sense for them to consider making a deal for someone like Tim Redding of the Nationals.  Redding is affordable and is someone the Nationals could part with.

UPCOMING SERIES: LAA (7/7-7/10), CHW (7/11-7/13)

TAMPA BAY RAYS
Week: 6-0          L10: 9-1           Overall: 55-32, 1st AL East

SURPRISES:  I think it's fair to say that few saw the Rays as this strong of a contender.  We all expected to see Evan Longoria at some point this season.  I don't think anyone expected that Longoria would hit 16 homeruns with 52 RBI in just 77 games -- less than half a season.  Sixty feet and six inches away, Andy Sonnanstine leads the team in wins.  On a staff that boasts Scott Kazmir (injury concern aside) and James Shields, Sonnanstine is the talk of the rotation after a first half 10-3 record and 1.35 WHIP (his control rate is a stunning 1.66).  However, he's not striking out a lot of guys and has relinquished 127 hits in those 108.2 IP.  Imagine what his WHIP would look like if he could develop a strikeout pitch.

GOING FORWARD:  With Troy Percival's rubbery hamstrings, it's expected that the Rays will go after Brian Fuentes to strengthen their bullpen.  Though Grant Balfour has been lights out, striking out five in his last 3 innings, garnering a hold, and tallying two saves, expect the Rays to find another possible closing candidate.  You can't have enough bullpen help when you're going for the pennant.

UPCOMING SERIES: KC (7/7), @NYY (7/8-7/9), @CLE (7/10-7/13)

COLORADO ROCKIES
Week: 5-2               L10: 5-5          Overall: 37-52, 4th NL West

SURPRISES: Can anyone believe that, as bad as the Rockies have been (and they've been bad), they reeled off five victories in six games, putting them only seven games off the pace in the NL West at 37-52.  The biggest surprise has been the disappointing season of Troy Tulowitzki.  Last year, he was runner up for the ROTY.  This year, he's struggled through a .166, three homerun, 16 RBI season.  This past weekend, he shattered a maple bat in anger, lacerating his hand.  Have a good time on the DL Troy.

GOING FORWARD: With Tulowitzki and Todd Helton hurt and Jeff Francis also heading to the DL, rumor has circulated that the Rockies are about to give up on the season.  At the same time, this recent winning streak may add pause for the Rockies management, which by June was ready to part with now scorching Matt Holliday.  At present, Brian Fuentes and Willy Taveras are expected to be the top trade prospects.

UPCOMING SERIES: @MIL (7/7-7/10), @NYM (7/11-7/13)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Week: 2-5         L10: 3-7         Overall: 39-50, 4th AL Central

SURPRISES: How about David DeJesus shocking .341 average in June to go along with his .889 OPS? Well maybe not a shocker, as DeJesus was a top prospect at one time who has seemingly underperformed.  DeJesus came into the season ranked by ESPN as the 63rd overall outfielder.  No one expected he would return from the DL healthy enough to be ranked ninth in the AL in batting average and 16th in OBP.  This, after missing a good part of April and May with various injuries.  Though Mark Grudzielanek has played in only 68 games, he too has had a career first half in terms of BA.  At 38, he's fighting back issues, so don't expect that to continue as the year goes on.  Though they had an effective June, injuries and the fact that DeJesus and Grudz are pacing this team explains why their season is lost. 

Remember that Jose Guillen train you boarded?  Well the bumpy part of the track just unveiled itself.  Guillen got into it with pitching coach Bob McClure this past weekend.  Unfortunately for fantasy owners, you have to monitor Guillen's head like you would a knee injury.  When it swells, put it on the bench for a while for some rest.

GOING FORWARD: It's possible the Royals could deal 37-year-old Ron Mahay or Grudz.  Grudz's movement would also allow Mike Aviles to move to his natural position at 2B.  With the loss of Joey Gathright to injury, the depth problems in the outfield might lead to the recall of Shane Costa from Omaha, where he's batting over .300 with 10 home runs in 282 AB.  He has also swiped ten bases. 

UPCOMING SERIES: @TAM (7/7), CHW (7/8-7/10), SEA (7/11-7/13)


MINNESOTA TWINS
Week: 5-1         L10: 8-2          Overall: 50-38, 2nd AL Central

SURPRISES: The red hot Twins find themselves in the thick of the AL Central race.  In dealing ace Johan Santana, the Twins got back a reliable enough leadoff hitter in Carlos Gomez, but the real support has come from 'Twin' call-ups (pun intended) Alexei Casilla and Brian Buscher.  With injuries to Adam Everett, Matt Tolbert, and Nick Punto, plus the disappointing all around hitting of Mike Lamb, Casilla and Buscher have found themselves called into action and have done more than just fill in.  Casilla is hitting .320 with four homers and 35 RBI, while Buscher has a .333 average with one long ball and 17 RBI in 19 games. Livan Hernandez's 9-5 record has been an unexpected present for Ron Gardenhire, but expectations for Livan have to be lowered as the season goes on.  In just over 116 IP, Hernandez has a BAA of .336 and has already given up 162 hits.

GOING FORWARD: The Twins have very little power in the lineup, tied for dead last in long-balls, even though the offense is fifth best in run production.  Pitching-wise, the Twins are smack dab in the middle at 15th.  A lot of that falls on Livan Hernandez, who is an inning eater with a lot of decisions, but one who needs run support to survive.  There's a valid argument here that the Twins are not likely to keep Hernandez past this year, and although he's a veteran presence, just how far will a guy giving up 12 H/9 take you?  Of course, the counter-argument is whether anyone will take him off their hands with terrible numbers like those.

UPCOMING SERIES: @BOS (7/7-7/9), @DET (7/10-7/13)

When not playing fantasy baseball or football, Jonathan Phillips is playing fantasy softball, fantasy pin the tail on the donkey, fantasy crazy eights, fantasy chef, fantasy architect, and, best of all, fantasy poker.  Push him all-in at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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