I’m back in my first week of school, AKA easy yet soul sucking meetings and sitting around. One thing that I do appreciate, we get permission to use bathroom breaks at any time. And yes, the bathroom breaks are very long and don’t always involve using the bathroom.
With rules and school returning, we have new bathroom procedures for students, recess rules, class dismissal times, and all kinds of things that require permission.
I am going to bestow upon you a permission here. It’s time to move on or pick up players aggressively. It’s okay.
I give you permission.
I know you all love continued reading about Nick Kurtz, Freddie Freeman, and people like that. This is not going to be one of those articles. The goal here is to give you some juicy nuggets of hot hitters and cool slumpers in the hopes you find some actionable items. Or, at least, have you check your league waiver wire to see if they’re available.
Colt Keith: In the past seven days, Keith has hit .346 with 2 HR and 6 RBI, 7 runs, and a stolen base. That’s a really good week! He’s been sneaky solid this season, though. He’s the kind of guy that you’re not excited to have, but when he’s a later pick (like my first place TGFBI team has!) you can zoom out and appreciate the steadiness. Season long, he won’t kill your average (.268), and in the first place, Tigers, he will probably end up with around 80 R and RBI. If he’s kicking around, he’s eligible at first or third base. Worth a chance, and the past week should be an impetus to grab the guy. Not literally, that would get you removed from the stadium. Do it online…….wait……just follow procedures for the app, right?
Lenyn Sosa: First time he’s been mentioned in this space, but a five HR week will get you highlighted. Sosa is also corner eligible at both spots, and is a good pickup if you’re needing a CI spot filled. He’s a fun profile; lots of hard contact (90th percentile sweet spot percentage) and no walks (3.4% walk rate). His batting average is quite helpful at .274, and the metrics support it with a .286 XBA. He’s a helpful piece, and there’s no reason to expect a slowdown. Get him. I give you permission.
Luis Arraez: Feel free to drop Arraez if you’re in need of stats elsewhere. Batting average is fairly locked in at this point for your teams. You may need to increase your competitive stolen base category, HR, runs, or RBI. That is not Arraez’s game. Even in the past 30 days with a batting average of .319, the runs and ribbies prorate to around 60 on the season. I would drop him for any of the guys mentioned here, especially the next one.
Jake Burger: I have nothing to say that he’s going to break out except that he’s done it the past two seasons, and we haven’t hit a hot streak yet. Home runs is the game here. I give you permission to cook a Burger and take a flyer on the power. Wait, what? He’s hit .500 in the past week? Does that mean he is seeing it well, and the power’s coming? Gotta try it, folks.
Michael Busch: You have my permission to seek greener pastures. Busch is in an extended slump (.163 AVG and 31% K rate) and sits consistently against lefties. The Cubs lineup likewise is in a protracted dry spell, so goodbye counting stats! Craig Counsell, certified baseball genius, has moved Busch to leadoff. Since then, he’s hit .182 with a .637 OPS, although his stats leading off the game are good (.381/.435/.398 as the first batter of the game). Not sure he’s a leadoff guy, there, Craig. Feel free to prune the Busch from your roster in search of better stuff.
Ke’Bryan Hayes: He is now toiling for the Reds and for the first time in his career, in a somewhat competitive situation. The past seven days, he’s hit .333 with a 1.067 OPS. That’ll do, even with just one HR. He’s one season removed from a .271, 15 HR, 10 SB season. He’s also had month long hot stretches.
April 2024, pre injury plagued season: .274/.355/.358, 13 R, 10 RBI
June 2023: .337, 3 HR, 13 RBI
August 2023: .320 with 6 HR
See what I mean? He’s healthy and in his best situation. If you’re in need, I give you permission to dream on Hayes.
Mark Vientos: He’s benched. Cut him, there’s no real hope for this season. Maybe a dynasty buy low, but I give you permission to give up on him.
So there’s some actual actions you can take.
NURSE’S OFFICE
Oh dear. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a hamstring issue. He’s undergoing an MRI today. We can only hope for good news. Maybe proactively pick up an above guy in case of IL. It was described as tightness, but it’s a hamstring. That’s like describing my nose as “sorta big” or my gut as “kinda unhealthy.” We shall see.
Grab either Keith or Burleson as a superior H2H option for Busch?