Jon Williams reviews which players in the NL you should watch heading into the second half. The period between the All-Star break and the trade deadline is the most important part of the season for fantasy baseball teams in contention. This is when most leagues are the busiest with trades and FAAB bids, with fantasy GMs hoping to secure those missing links that are often the difference between winning and losing. Below are the players who you want to acquire by any means necessary (Moving Up) and the players to avoid, dump, or trade as soon as possible (Moving Down). MOVING UP Jorge Cantu, 3B, Florida Marlins
It is no secret that Jorge Cantu has had a huge comeback season thus far. Cantu is performing like a player who wants to prove he is worthy of a big contract. In July, he has a stat line of .393/.424/.661 and may just lead the improbable Marlins into the playoffs. Let him lead your fantasy team as well. MOVING UP Chad Tracy, 3B/1B, Arizona Diamondbacks
Chad Tracy has been very good since his midseason return from microfracture surgery on his right knee. However, the question on the minds of fantasy owners is undoubtedly, “How will the addition of first baseman Tony Clark impact Tracy?” Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin claims he will start Clark in day games on back-to-backs of night games. Melvin has also stated that he would like to get Clark as many ABs and chances to field as possible. I think you could also expect him to start against the tough lefties. Tracy is not particularly bad against lefties, and Clark has not been very good, but it is an excuse for Melvin to get Clark more AB. Tracy was not getting many AB against lefties anyway (.278/.278/.500 in 18 AB), and the occasional day off should not dramatically affect Tracy’s fantasy production. MOVING UP Edgar Gonzalez, 2B, San Diego Padres
Tadahito Iguchi may come off the disabled list soon, but he is probably out of a starting job. Gonzalez is a true sleeper; he is available in the vast majority of leagues and should not be. Since coming up to the bigs, Gonzalez has batted .321/.367/.462 in 184 AB. Are you telling me you could not use that kind of production at second base? MOVING UP Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies
Troy Tulowitzki was overrated coming into the season. Based on his amazing rookie season, Tulo was drafted very early in fantasy drafts and cost far too many auction dollars. Now, he has been activated from the disabled list (again), and he returns with as much confidence as ever. He is a solid player to acquire for the stretch run, as long as you do not expect him to be Hanley Ramirez. MOVING UP Austin Kearns, OF, Washington Nationals
He had a very bad start to the season and then went on the disabled list for most of May and June. However, Austin Kearns is back and is quickly making up for lost time. July has seen the Nationals right fielder bat .327/.414/.531. Steal him from an owner still looking at his overall numbers. Fantasy sports are just like Janet Jackson –what have you done for me lately? MOVING UP Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
For some insane reason, the Dodgers previously refused to acknowledge just how good of an outfielder Matt Kemp can be. Thankfully, they seem to be past that now (the Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones injuries helped). Kemp is going to be a first round pick next season (top ten actually), and the next two months will cinch it for every fantasy leaguer on the planet. He has come into the second half hot (.292/.354/.500 with 3 HR and 6 SB in July) and won't be coming out of the regular lineup for a long time. When the season ends, remember that I told you so. MOVING UP  | | Ride the red hot Kyle Lohse as long as you can. Photo Credit: shgmom56 |
Kyle Lohse, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
With players like Kyle Lohse, you just need to accept that, when it comes to re-constructing failed prospects, there is no one better than Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan. It does not make much sense – Lohse's strikeout rate is not good, and he is not an extreme groundball pitcher, but he gets those outs. Busch Stadium helps by limiting homeruns, and the Cardinals have had some great defensive performances this season. My gut (and remember it is a considerable one) says that he will keep doing it. MOVING UP Anibal Sanchez, SP, Florida Marlins
After spending most of the 2007 and 2008 seasons rehabbing a shoulder injury, Anibal Sanchez is finally ready to return to the Marlins rotation. If we can judge by his minor league numbers, then he is more than ready. In 21 minor league IP, Sanchez has 18 strikeouts and just 6 walks. He should be very easy to acquire, and he might just rock for your fantasy team down the stretch. MOVING UP Jonathan Broxton, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Takashi Saito has an elbow injury that will probably keep him out for the rest of the season. Saito will also be a free agent at the end of the season; he will not be back. Jonathan Broxton is the closer for the present and the future. Assuming that Broxton does not choke, he should be one of the better closers in baseball down the stretch. As a set-up reliever, he has pitched 41.2 innings with 49 strikeouts and 16 walks this season. MOVING UP MOVING DOWN Aaron Harang, SP, Cincinnati Reds
Aaron Harang is on the disabled list with a forearm strain (code for elbow injury). According to Dusty Baker, Harang won't be back anytime soon. Perhaps you are thinking that he’ll return to this out-of-contention team in a few weeks and suddenly pitch much better than the .286 BAA, 4.76 ERA, and 1.40 WHIP he shared with you so far this season. It is not going to happen. You do not need to wait. Cut him, trade him, or do whatever you have to do to clear this roster spot for a more effective player. MOVING DOWN
Pedro Martinez, SP, New York Mets
It feels like blasphemy to endorse Kyle Lohse and then bag on the great Pedro Martinez, but that is exactly what I must do. In more than one league, I acquired Pedro while he was on the disabled list (buy low), so I am as disappointed as anyone who loves Pedro. But Pedro is toast. He has nothing left for us. MOVING DOWN Dan Uggla, 2B, Florida Marlins
The power is not a surprise if you took the time to examine Uggla’s career. What was not expected is the decent batting average. It is not going to last out the season. I have read some predictions that Uggla will not hit well in the second half because of his All-Star game blunders. I don't buy it for a second. Uggla proved his mental strength in fighting his way into the majors, when far too many thought he could not. The power will be there for you, the average is going away. MOVING DOWN
Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds
There are probably some fantasy owners out there who are disappointed with Votto’s production this season, but they should not be. Votto was great in April (.308/.341/.538) and again in May (.281/.385/.528), but June and July have been rather weak in comparison. In keeper leagues, have no fear. Votto will definitely make the necessary adjustments However, you may want to move Votto in re-draft leagues, while his overall numbers still look good. I do believe that he will make the adjustment and have a very nice career, but don't let him drag down your 2008 team while he does it. MOVING DOWN Rickie Weeks, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers
Motivation is a wonderful thing. Weeks has been largely disappointing as a fantasy player. He will give you the occasional homer and steal a base or two, but he just cannot hit for a batting average that makes him worth owning. Weeks has about a week to get it going before the Brewers install the newly acquired Ray Durham (I almost wrote Shawn Dunston) as the starting second baseman. Then, Weeks will begin his career as a much-desired utility infielder. MOVING DOWN Have a problem with my predictions? Tell me about it...I dare you.
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