Should we just recommend all Royals this week to match the All-Star balloting? Even Jeremy Guthrie?
Here's this season's 11th edition of Free Agent Frenzy. Please note that, as in past seasons, no player will be mentioned in this space more than once in a four-week span, because we don't want to beat you over the head all year long about the same players. Also, we'll limit our discussions to players owned in fewer than 50 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. Let's get going!
(Note: All stats are through Wednesday.)
Catcher: Miguel Montero, Cubs (owned in 29.6 percent of FOXSports.com leagues)
Montero is no superstar, but he's been fairly consistent this season, he's batting .246 (not .210 like a lot of free-agent backstops), and is on pace for 20 home runs.
Digging deeper: Kevin Plawecki will get plenty of the playing time in place of the (again) injured Travis d'Arnaud in Queens, but Johnny Monell (0.0 percent owned) should see at bats as well. The 29-year-old Monell has pop in his lefthanded bat (20 HR at Triple A in 2013), and can fill in for your NL-only squad if Plawecki is already gone.
First base: Joe Mauer, Twins (owned in 28.7 percent of FOXSports.com leagues)
Mauer isn't the guy who batted .365 with 28 home runs in 2009, and as a first baseman, his power is pretty bad. However, if you need a replacement for Freddie Freeman and don't want to wreck your BA, he's not terrible. Mauer's BA figures to improve, and he ranks 13th at his position with 37 RBI.
Digging deeper: Ryan Rua (0.2 percent owned) might see fewer at bats when Josh Hamilton and Delino DeShields come off the DL next week, Until then, Rua and his modest power bat can probably help your AL-only team.
Second base: Luis Valbuena, Astros (owned in 27.3 percent of FOXSports.com leagues)
NINETEEN HOME RUNS! Don't even look at the other numbers, since there will be too much risk of overthinking.
Digging deeper: Derek Dietrich (0.4 percent owned) has been getting most of Martin Prado's at bats, and he's already slugged three home runs in 12 games. Dietrich always had decent pop for a middle infielder in the minors, and will gain 3B eligibility soon if he hasn't already in your league.
Third base: Maikel Franco, Phillies (owned in 43 percent of FOXSports.com leagues)
Franco has 10 home runs in his first 38 games, and should keep slugging (though maybe not quite at his current pace). The rookie had 16 home runs at Triple A last season, but swatted 31 in the minors in 2013. Franco swings at everything, so he'll have some struggles. But if you need free hot corner power, he'll do.
Digging deeper: Remember when this guy was supposed to be Derek Jeter's successor? Eduardo Nunez (0.5 percent owned) has been getting more playing time since Danny Santana was sent to the minors, Until the Twins remember what a bad fielder Nunez is, he could hit and run enough to help your AL-only squad, and he might still be available.
Shortstop: Jung-Ho Kang, Pirates (owned in 10.9 percent of FOXSports.com leagues)
Kang has slumped this month, but he's playing third base on most days, and probably has enough power to hit 15-20 home runs in a full season. For a shortstop, that's pretty good. DFS note: He's CRUSHING lefties (.400 wOBA).
Digging deeper: Andrew Romine (0.4 percent owned) has been bouncing around the diamond for the Tigers, and since he's hitting they'll keep plugging him in there. Romine's main fantasy skill is speed, along with 3B/SS eligibility. Not great, but OK if you're searching for AL-only help.
Outfield: Brock Holt, Red Sox (owned in 25.9 percent of FOXSports.com leagues)
With Dustin Pedroia on the DL, Holt is going to get lots of time at second base in Boston. We've all been waiting since early last season for Holt to stop hitting, but he just won't. His 2B/3B/OF eligibility doesn't hurt, either.
Also, for you Arrested Development fans, this player's continued relevance gives us more opportunities to raise our fists and yell: BROCK HOLT!
Digging deeper: Efren Navarro (0.1 percent owned) has posted some great Triple-A batting averages, but since they were in the Pacific Coast League, we need to be skeptical, right? Still, Navarro is playing just about every day for the Angels, and even led off a couple of times last week. You might still be able to get him, AL-only owners.
Starting pitcher: Steven Matz, Mets (owned in 4.6 percent of FOXSports.com leagues)
The Mets called up the 24-year-old lefty to start Sunday. Matz had a 2.19 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings at Triple A, and that's no small feat for a guy pitching home games in Las Vegas. I usually caution about expecting too much from young pitchers, and will do the same here. But, Matz looks like he could be solid right away. If your mixed-league staff is struggling, he's worth a waiver priority or some FAAB money, even if he might start out as part of a six-man rotation.
Many scouts see Matz as a mid-rotation starter, but check out this interesting 2014 article from Just a Bit Outside on how the southpaw has been underestimated on his way to the big leagues.
Digging deeper: Did you know that Jeremy Hellickson (1.7 percent owned) has 26 strikeouts against seven walks in 27 2/3 innings over his last five starts? Small sample, sure, but maybe worth a shot in deeper mixed leagues.
Relief pitcher: Roberto Osuna, Blue Jays (owned in 3.1 percent of FOXSports.com leagues)
After Brett Cecil imploded last week, Jays manager John Gibbons suggested that he'd use a closer committee. There have also been rumors of a trade. However, if you're going to pick one guy to close from Toronto's current cast of characters, it's the 20-year-old Osuna, who has been lights out all season.
Digging deeper: Am I recommending Chaz Roe (0.2 percent owned) to AL-only owners in homage to Chazz Reinhold from Wedding Crashers? Perhaps, but the Orioles' Chaz has whiffed 21 batters in 19 1/3 innings and is inducing lots of ground balls. He won't close, but he'll help you. MA, THE MEATLOAF!
