Today's Fantasy Rx

Note: Whenever I list three averages for hitters in a row, the order is as follows: BA/OBP/SLG.

Arizona: Chad Moeller, C
25/97 for .258/.363/.371 with 0 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 0/1 SB%, and 16:23 BB:K.

Arizona DFA'd him in April before repurchasing his contract right after the All-Star break, and he's now usurped Rod Barajas as the primary back-up even as seemingly each Snakes' starter uses a different personal catcher. You likely haven't been hurt by potentially running Moeller the last few months, although he also hasn't helped much. While prospects like Brad Cresse will soon push Damian Miller for playing time, the 27-year-old Moeller compiled an impressive skills' set this year, including a .70 BB:K, .16 walk rate, and 1.36 G-F, a substantial improvement from his pre-2002 2.24 average G-F. A .76 contact rate keeps his BA down, but you likely can wait since he offers some upside if Miller goes down for an extended period at any point.

August Overachiever: Erubiel Durazo, 1B
Old stats: 44/158 for .278/.408/.627 with 15 HR, 44 RBI, 37 R, 0/1 SB%, and 35:42 BB:K.
Recommendation: acquire.
Stats since recommendation: 12/56 for .214 with 1 HR, 4 RBI, 9 R, 0/0 SB%, and 12:18 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Junior Spivey, 2B; May: Damian Miller, C; June: Quinton McCracken, OF; July: Steve Finley, OF.

Atlanta: Darren Bragg, OF
51/197 for .259/.335/.381 with 2 HR, 13 RBI, 30 R, 4/6 SB%, and 21:50 BB:K.

Bragg emerged as the Braves' lone backup outfielder following Surhoff's season-ending injury and the trade of George Lombard. He hasn't displayed much of his previously excellent plate discipline, although Bragg's at least holding a .11 walk rate. A career-best 1.20 G-F indicates some power potential, but we can't expect a drastic improvement from a 33-year-old reserve who's never even managed an .800 OPS in a full season. Deal or cut him in favor of someone with a better chance at expanding his role.

August Overachiever: Wes Helms, 1B/UT
Old stats: 49/197 for .249/.290/.416 with 6 HR, 22 RBI, 20 R, 1/2 SB%, and 11:52 BB:K.
Recommendation: deal or cut.
Stats since recommendation: 0/1 for .000 with 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 0/0 SB%, and 0:1 BB:K since returning from a month-long DL trip due to a sprained right thumb.

Previous Overachievers: April: Andruw Jones, OF; May: Mark DeRosa, Smited Usurping IF; June: Matt Franco, UT; July: Julio Franco, ageless 1B.

Chicago Cubs: Angel Echevarria, 1B/OF
27/89 for .303/.353/.472 with 3 HR, 17 RBI, 13 R, 0/0 SB%, and 8:15 BB:K.

He somehow earned a promotion to Wrigley this summer because he wandered onto Bruce Kimm's good side, so Echevarria joined Chicago as the right-handed pinch-hitter while the significantly superior Julio Zuleta stayed at AAA. Ideally both hitters deserve regular roles as Echevarria is a capable pinch-hitter but Zuleta would be a solid part of a 1B or DH platoon for anyone that needed someone to crush left-handed pitching. We can expect Echevarria to approach an .800 OPS in most years, but his current 1.64 G-F doesn't indicate much power potential, and none of his other skills particularly impress me. You can safely deal or cut him in favor of one of the younger cornermen available in most leagues.

August Overachiever: Alex Gonzalez, SS
Old stats: 99/402 for .246/.311/.425 with 13 HR, 47 RBI, 46 R, 4/7 SB%, and 36:103 BB:K.
Recommendation: deal.
Stats since recommendation: 24/92 for .261 with 4 HR, 11 RBI, 11 R, 1/1 SB%, and 7:29 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Corey Patterson, OF; May: Sammy Sosa, OF; June: Mark Bellhorn, IF; July: Fred McGriff, 1B.

Cincinnati: Reggie Taylor, OF
69/267 for .258/.297/.438 with 9 HR, 38 RBI, 39 R, 11/19 SB%, and 14:74 BB:K.

Philadelphia grew a great replacement for Doug Glanville's .237/.281/.328 before dealing Taylor to Cincy for Hector Mercado; Ed Wade basically paid an extra $3.8M just to keep someone who went to UPenn. Taylor instead emerged as one of the more surprising backups this year, as we didn't expect him to find nearly this much playing time in perhaps the most crowded outfield in the NL. Unfortunately nearly all his skills appear quite weak, and he didn't even achieve a respectable stolen base success rate. Only his 1.10 G-F indicates he can maintain this level, as I didn't believe Taylor would approach double-digits in both homers and steals. He also will barely hold his fourth outfield role considering they need to keep Wily Mo Pena on the roster next year, so while you can wait if this level of production helps, don't expect an increase in either playing time or performance.

August Overachiever: Barry Larkin, SS
Old stats: 98/414 for .237/.298/.362 with 7 HR, 41 RBI, 62 R, 11/14 SB%, and 37:51 BB:K.
Recommendation: deal.
Stats since recommendation: 23/89 for .258 with 0 HR, 6 RBI, 10 R, 2/3 SB%, and 7:6 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Juan Encarnacion, OF; May: Corky Miller, C; June: Austin Kearns, OF; July: Aaron Boone, 3B.

Colorado: Gary Bennett, C
72/280 for .257/.307/.343 with 4 HR, 25 RBI, 23 R, 1/4 SB%, and 14:45 BB:K.

There's no logical reason for him to remain starting considering he makes former starter Kirt Manwaring look like a serious offensive threat. A slight increase in contact rate, from .82 in 2001 to .84 this season, is the only skill improvement he managed this year. Despite his potential continued presence in Colorado, the 30-year-old Bennett is not someone you should keep rostered, so you should deal or cut him in favor of almost any decent available backup.

August Overachiever: Brent Butler, IF
Old stats: 76/279 for .272/.302/.441 with 7 HR, 32 RBI, 48 R, 2/8 SB%, and 9:29 BB:K.
Recommendation: deal.
Stats since recommendation: 11/54 for .204 with 1 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 0/0 SB%, and 1:7 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Juan Uribe, SS; May: Bobby Estalella, C; June: Todd Hollandsworth, OF; July: Larry Walker, OF.

Florida: Tim Raines, Future Hall of Fame OF
8/94 for .185/.358/.259 with 1 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R, 0/0 SB%, and 22:18 BB:K.

Raines may not steal a base this year for the first time in his 24-year Major League career. No one else would have remained on a roster all year with a sub-.200 BA and sub-.625 OPS, but he's at least stayed marginally valuable with a respectable on-base. Most of his skills remain excellent, including his 1.22 BB:K, .27 walk rate, and 3.92 #P/PA, but a .78 contact rate is much lower than his .89 career norm, largely explaining the BA drop. He likely deserves to enter the Hall of Fame on the first ballot considering his dominance throughout the '80s, as well as his solid performance for the last dozen years, however he's no longer a roto asset. You need to deal or cut him at your first opportunity since he'll likely retire after this season.

August Overachiever: Mike Redmond, C
Old stats: 69/213 for .314/.394/.408 with 1 HR, 23 RBI, 13 R, 0/2 SB%, and 19:24 BB:K.
Recommendation: deal.
Stats since recommendation: 8/46 for .174 with 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, 0/0 SB%, and 2:8 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Mike Lowell, 3B; May: Eric Owens, OF; June: Luis Castillo, 2B; July: Andy Fox, SS.

Houston: Mark Loretta, IF
84/280 for .300/.378/.396 with 3 HR, 26 RBI, 32 R, 1/1 SB%, and 32:37 BB:K.

He posted decent numbers with Milwaukee, but since joining the Astros he's holding a .997 OPS and displaying better all-around skills than in any other year of his career. He's always demonstrated the capacity to be a regular, likely at shortstop, and he could emerge as a free agent steal if he can maintain an OBP around his current number. A .86 BB:K, .11 walk rate, and .87 contact rate indicate good command of the strike zone, and a 1.07 G-F in his second-best career G-F rate, suggesting the 31-year-old is still developing power. While I don't know where he'll play next year, he's someone you could definitely acquire if you want an inexpensively productive middle infielder.

August Overachiever: Orlando Merced, UT
Old stats: 59/197 for .299/.361/.462 with 6 HR, 25 RBI, 33 R, 3/3 SB%, and 20:38 BB:K.
Recommendation: deal.
Stats since recommendation: 12/44 for .273 with 0 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R, 1/1 SB%, and 5:8 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Daryle Ward, OF; May: Lance Berkman, OF; June: Jose Vizcaino, IF; July: Geoff Blum, 3B.

Los Angeles: Mike Kinkade, 1B/OF
18/47 for .383/.473/.617 with 2 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, 1/1 SB%, and 3:10 BB:K.

We always suspected he could produce in the majors in a regular role but an OPS approaching 1.100 seems over his head. He's shown little plate discipline since his promotion, and while a 3.83 #P/PA and 1.15 G-F suggest he'll remain a respectable power threat, his BA, and therefore both his OBP and SLG, appears ready to drop about a hundred points if the season continued. Hopefully the Dodgers will keep him on the roster as their 25th man next season considering his great versatility, but unless he manages to quickly qualify at catcher, he won't add much to roto teams. You can safely deal or cut him, especially if you can pick up prospects like his Los Angeles teammates Luke Allen and Chin-Feng Chen.

August Overachiever: Mark Grudzielanek, 2B
Old stats: 118/427 for .276/.309/.379 with 8 HR, 44 RBI, 47 R, 1/2 SB%, and 18:68 BB:K.
Recommendation: deal or cut.
Stats since recommendation: 24/88 for .273 with 1 HR, 5 RBI, 9 R, 2/2 SB%, and 2:20 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Eric Karros, 1B; May: Dave Roberts, OF; June: Alex Cora, IF; July: Marquis Grissom, OF.

Milwaukee: Lenny Harris, PH/OF/CR
60/187 for .321/.365/.433 with 3 HR, 15 RBI, 23 R, 4/5 SB%, and 11:17 BB:K.

While he already owns the career-record for most pinch-hits, Harris remains a capable reserve and dependable late-inning asset. He's never walked much but also maintains a good contact rate, and a 3.66 #P/PA indicates he's even developing more patience in the later stages of his career. However since Harris turns 38 in October, he likely won't ever reach more than 200 at-bats again, so unless you need a UT with a solid BA, you can safely deal or cut him.

August Overachiever: Richie Sexson, 1B
Old stats: 128/455 for .281/.363/.516 with 26 HR, 85 RBI, 72 R, 0/0 SB%, and 53:107 BB:K.
Recommendation: wait.
Stats since recommendation: 28/103 for .272 with 2 HR, 15 RBI, 10 R, 0/0 SB%, and 15:25 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Jose Hernandez, SS; May: Alex Sanchez, OF; June: Tyler Houston, 3B; July: Robert Machado, C.

Montreal: Wil Cordero, 1B/OF
42/159 for .264/.335/.434 with 6 HR, 29 RBI, 21 R, 1/1 SB%, and 17:28 BB:K.

Providing he doesn't slump this week, 2002 will be the first season of Cordero's 11-year career that he managed a 10% walk rate or better; he's near 11% at the moment. He's also only exceeded his .61 BB:K in one other year, and both his 3.90 #P/PA and .94 G-F are the second best marks of his career in each of those statistics. Cordero also only turns 31 in October, so he might still produce for another few seasons. While I'm uncomfortable rostering him given his inconsistent playing time, you can comfortably wait considering his suddenly increasing short-term upside.

August Overachiever: Vladimir Guerrero, OF
Old stats: 165/492 for .335/.413/.614 with 35 HR, 91 RBI, 84 R, 28/41 SB%, and 63:56 BB:K.
Recommendation: acquire.
Stats since recommendation: 34/100 for .340 with 3 HR, 18 RBI, 17 R, 12/18 SB%, and 17:10 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Michael Barrett, C; May: Jose Vidro, 2B; June: Troy O'Leary, OF; July: Andres Galarraga, 1B.

New York Mets: Joe McEwing, OF/1B/SS
39/189 for .206/.250/.307 with 3 HR, 26 RBI, 22 R, 4/8 SB%, and 9:48 BB:K.

Few players deserve to remain in the majors with an OPS only slightly above .550, and I'm fairly certain they're all rostered as pitchers. His walk rate has fallen to .05 since a .08 in his 1999 rookie season while his contact rate is down to .75 from a .84 three years ago. Fortunately his 4.11 #P/PA at least allows his teammates to see most of a pitcher's repertoire and a career-best .90 G-F suggests some power potential. However he's just not producing right now, forcing roto owners to deal or cut him immediately.

August Overachiever: Tony Tarasco, OF
Old stats: 23/95 for .250/.307/.500 with 6 HR, 15 RBI, 15 R, 2/3 SB%, and 8:12 BB:K.
Recommendation: wait.
Stats since recommendation: 1/1 for 1.000 with 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 0/0 SB%, and 0:1 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Edgardo Alfonzo, 3B; May: Timo Perez, OF; June: Vance Wilson, C; July: Jay Payton, OF.

Philadelphia: Tomas Perez, IF
51/201 for .254/.324/.403 with 5 HR, 19 RBI, 21 R, 0/0 SB%, and 20:38 BB:K.

He's reaching a .10 walk rate for the first time in his career and a .53 BB:K indicates his best plate discipline since 1996 with Toronto. Now he's even holding a career-best 3.92 #P/PA and 1.05 G-F, suggesting the 28-year-old might remain a productive back-up for several more years. If you need to add a decent $1 middle infielder, Perez should be on your list of targets to acquire.

August Overachiever: Ricky Ledee, OF
Old stats: 40/172 for .233/.345/.430 with 7 HR, 21 RBI, 27 R, 0/2 SB%, and 30:38 BB:K.
Recommendation: acquire.
Stats since recommendation: 2/22 for .091 with 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 R, 1/1 SB%, and 4:7 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Jason Michaels, OF; May: Pat Burrell, OF; June: Todd Pratt, C; July: Marlon Anderson, 2B.

Pittsburgh: Mike Benjamin, 3B
17/117 for .145/.198/.179 with 0 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 0/4 SB%, and 7:29 BB:K.

Only Benjamin's $925K keeps him in the majors as the 36-year-old has lost the last remnants of his marginal hitting talent after missing all of last year due to reconstructive elbow surgery. He simply doesn't belong on any big league team until he shows he can hold at least the .600 OPS that normally defines the lowest rung of reserve infielders and backup backstops. Deal or cut Benjamin as he might be the most useless roto position player in 2002.

August Overachiever: Craig Wilson, UT
Old stats: 79/291 for .271/.359/.450 with 13 HR, 49 RBI, 43 R, 2/4 SB%, and 26:92 BB:K.
Recommendation: acquire.
Stats since recommendation: 16/66 for .242 with 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 0/1 SB%, and 6:19 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Jack Wilson, SS; May: Rob Mackowiak, UT; June: Brian Giles, OF; July: Adam Hyzdu, OF.

San Diego: Tom Lampkin, C
58/272 for .213/.308/.364 with 10 HR, 37 RBI, 30 R, 4/6 SB%, and 37:56 BB:K.

After posting between five and nine homers in each of the last six years, Lampkin finally broke the double-digit barrier for the first time in his career at age 38. Despite his relatively poor OPS, none of his skills strike me as particularly weak, including a .79 contact rate and 3.68 #P/PA, and a .66 BB:K, .14 walk rate, and 1.09 G-F are numbers I'd welcome from most catchers. He only hit one of his five road homers in Coors, so the improved hitters' parks don't explain the power surge, and I'm also not sure why his qualitative stats are poor. All his skills depict a solid backup catcher who can add a little cheap power to your team, and I see no reason not to wait on him if you're a Lampkin fan; he could easily repeat this stat line next year if given the opportunity.

August Overachiever: Mark Kotsay, OF
Old stats: 139/467 for .298/.362/.454 with 13 HR, 53 RBI, 65 R, 9/17 SB%, and 47:69 BB:K.
Recommendation: wait.
Stats since recommendation: 28/94 for .298 with 3 HR, 7 RBI, 15 R, 2/2 SB%, and 7:14 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Sean Burroughs, 3B; May: Ryan Klesko, 1B/OF; June: Deivi Cruz, IF; July: Ron Gant, OF.

San Francisco: Ramon E. Martinez, 2B/SS
47/176 for .267/.333/.409 with 4 HR, 23 RBI, 25 R, 2/2 SB%, and 14:26 BB:K.

Both his playing time and skills declined as David Bell and Damon Minor emerged as integral parts of the Baker rotation, relegating Martinez to the role he'd previously held in 1999 and 2000. However his career-best .74 G-F supports his mild power development, so while I don't expect the almost 30-year-old to ever receive a an extended shot at starting, he's a reliable performer off the bench. Considering his position flexibility, you can comfortably wait if he's an inexpensive solution to MIF.

August Overachiever: Reggie Sanders, OF
Old stats: 100/406 for .246/.320/.438 with 17 HR, 72 RBI, 58 R, 17/23 SB%, and 37:90 BB:K.
Recommendation: acquire.
Stats since recommendation: 22/86 for .256 with 3 HR, 8 RBI, 13 R, 1/1 SB%, and 8:28 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: David Bell, 3B; May: Benito Santiago, C; June: Marvin Benard, OF; July: Damon Minor, IF.

St. Louis: Eduardo Perez, OF
31/149 for .208/.298/.470 with 10 HR, 26 RBI, 22 R, 0/0 SB%, and 17:35 BB:K.

Aside from his pedigree and history with the Cardinals, St. Louis had no reason to keep him rostered all year while the significantly superior Ivan Cruz mashed AAA pitching. However he at least posted the second-best power numbers of his career, and if he could ever increase his .77 contact rate, he might gain some roto value. Unfortunately I just don't see him improving either his skills or values, leaving him as someone you should likely deal or cut unless desperate for homers.

August Overachiever: Jim Edmonds, OF
Old stats: 118/382 for .309/.414/.576 with 24 HR, 69 RBI, 74 R, 3/4 SB%, and 65:105 BB:K.
Recommendation: deal.
Stats since recommendation: 28/84 for .333 with 4 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R, 1/3 SB%, and 19:28 BB:K.

Previous Overachievers: April: Eli Marrero, C/OF; May: Fernando Vina, 2B; June: Albert Pujols, 3B/OF; July: Mike DiFelice, C.

Today's Fantasy Rx: The following National League position players could make a significant roto contribution in 2003, likely at least doubling their 2002 values:

Catchers: Corky Miller, Ramon Castro, Gregg Zaun, Dave Ross, Jason Phillips, Johnny Estrada, and Wiki Gonzalez.

Infielders: Erubiel Durazo, Lyle Overbay, Alex Cintron, Marcus Giles, Bill Mueller, Bobby Hill, Hee Seop Choi, Brandon Larson, Gookie Dawkins, Jose Ortiz, Juan Uribe, Pablo Ozuna, Morgan Ensberg, Joe Thurston, Chin-Feng Chen, Keith Ginter, Ron Belliard, Ty Wigginston, Marco Scutaro, Sean Burroughs, and Ramon Vazquez.

Outfielders: Chad Hermansen, Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena, Gabe Kapler, Jack Cust, Ben Petrick, Abraham Nunez, Daryle Ward, Jason Lane, Richard Hidalgo, Luke Allen, Jim Rushford, Endy Chavez, Esix Snead, Marlon Byrd, Jeremy Giambi, Adrian Brown, Gene Kingsale, Tony Torcato, and J.D. Drew.