Sean Rodriguez $16. Other bids: $12, $11, $10, $4.
After slugging 21 HR in 205 AB at AAA Salt Lake, Rodriguez has garnered a great deal of attention, and these bids should come as no surprise. However, Salt Lake is considered a bandbox, Rodriguez is considered a utility IF at best by many scouts (though the scouts are admittedly turned off by Rodriguez's stocky frame), and Mike Scioscia started Macier Izturis over Rodriguez in both games since Rodriguez's call-up. The upside here is if Rodriguez finds a way to break into the line-up and can hit 10-12 HR the rest of the way at MI. But there are a lot of obstacles in the way that will probably prevent that from happening. If you're bidding this much, keep in mind that you're swinging for the fences but are probably going to whiff like most hitters do when they try to hit the big ding-dong.
Aaron Poreda $11. Other bids $4, $2.
The best arm in the White Sox system, Poreda put up some incredibly strong numbers at AA Birmingham in 10 starts prior to his call-up. The only flaw in the numbers was a walk rate that increased from last year. Poreda works in the 91-94 MPH with decent sink on the heater and a strong slider. Many think that Poreda's long-term future might be in the bullpen and, indeed, right now Poreda's working out of the pen. He might only be up for the short-term, but will probably be the first name called the next time the Sox have an injury or need a spot starter. This bid is too high, though, unless you're playing for next year (as the top two bidders were).
Jamie Burke $3.
Burke was called up by the Mariners to replace Rob Johnson behind the dish while Johnson's on bereavement leave. Burke's been getting the lion's share of the playing time, but doesn't offer much in the way of power and even in deep leagues is probably a stretch as a #2 catcher.
Daric Barton $3.
A former top prospect, Barton was hitting an incredibly lukewarm .250 at AAA Sacramento with virtually no power prior to his call-up to the majors. With the A's in N.L. parks this week, it's likely that Jason Giambi keeps getting all the starts at 1B, leaving Barton on the bench to pinch-hit. Barton's only 23, but he's starting to look like a bust as a prospect and won't even help you in the short-term during interleague play; even Bobby Crosby is ahead of Barton at 1B on the depth chart right now.
Mark Lowe $3.
Matthew Pouliot at Rotoworld speculates that Lowe could close for the Mariners at some point later this year, which is what I suppose led to this bid. It's possible, but as long as the gas David Aardsma is throwing isn't on the fire, it's probably going to be a moot point. Lowe has very good stuff but - like Aardsma - also suffers from consistency issues. Lowe could close at some point, but I don't think it's a sure thing by any means.
Brandon Boggs $1.
When the Rangers called Boggs up a couple of weeks ago, I assumed that he'd spell David Murphy against tougher lefties - particularly with Josh Hamilton on the DL - but Boggs is buried on the bench, with only two starts since his call-up on June 2 and his last start coming on June 9. I suppose Boggs could see the odd start here and there, but with limited power, he's only worthwhile if he's starting almost every day.
Kyle Farnsworth $1.
After a putrid start to the season, Farnsworth has quietly put together an excellent run. He didn't allow an earned run in May, and more importantly has only allowed 10 baserunners in his last 14 2/3 IP while whiffing 15. The stat that jumps out at me is that Farnsworth has only given up two dingers all year after allowing 15 last year in a mere 60 1/3 IP. Farnsworth has an erratic history, but is definitely worth starting while he's hot.
Mitch Maier. Claimed by 11th place team.
Maier's put up some OK minor league numbers, but the 27-year-old OF isn't a prospect and his future is probably as a 4th or 5th OF. With Coco Crisp going on the DL yesterday, though, Maier should get a decent number of AB this week in centerfield. He's more of a move-the-chains kind of hitter than someone who will be all that dynamic, but with a little pop and a little speed could be a slightly pleasant surprise in the short-term.
Randy Choate. Claimed by 3rd and 8th place* teams.
Lance Cormier. Claimed by 8th place team.
*waived by 8th place team previous week.
Choate now has three saves, so Joe Madden hasn't been afraid to use him to close out games, but with J.P. Howell's save today it's starting to look like Choate is going to go back to situational relief (he pitched in the 7th today). Cormier is even less likely to pick up any stray saves, and his low K/IP rate suggests that while he's pitched well a course correction could be in order. Both relievers are fine for deep 4x4 formats, but I wouldn't go trolling for saves with either one of these guys.
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