Hard to believe that September is right around the corner. Seems like yesterday we were panicking about a potential short season. As we look ahead, it’s important to play your leagues out, as managers could have already turned their attention to football. Even if you’re low on budget, it’s important to always bid on players. Especially in shallow leagues where needs vary greatly. You could just end up with a cheap difference maker.
Speculative Adds: Corbin Carroll and Gunnar Henderson are heavily rumored to be getting a call-up before the end of the season. I would pick them up for cheap where ever possible.
Key IL activations: Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton, Trevor Story (this weekend?) Clay Holmes
Notable Schedules:
Seven games: Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Dodgers, Brewers
Five games: Astros, Rays
10/12 Team Adds
Brandon Hughes (CHC/RP) – Hughes has recorded the last three saves for the Cubs. Hughes has a very nice 32.6% K-rate and a manageable 7.9% walk rate. (1-3% FAAB)
Evan Longoria (SFG/3B) – Longoria has hit 12-41 (.292) with 3 homers since coming off the IL. He’s also been in the lineup almost every day now that JD Davis has cooled off. (1-2% FAAB)
Bryson Stott (PHI/SS) – Since August 8th, Stott has slashed .345/.397/.517 (.914 OPS). He’s also chipped in 8 homers and 8 steals so far this season in 345 PAs. (1-2% FAAB)
Lars Nootbaar (STL/OF) – Lars has hit 7-23(.304) with a home run already this week. He continues to lead off against RHP. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have had the offense since August 1st (149 wRC+). He doesn’t have much home run power, but he’s sitting .315/.445/.576 since July 25th. (2-3%)
Seth Brown (OAK/1B,OF) – A good streaming option as Oakland faces six mediocre righties this week. Brown’s 15.2%-barrel rate since August 1st is good enough for 10th best in MLB as well. He’s an average risk but will chip in some steals too. (1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Drew Smyly (CHC/SP) – Smyly has been better in the 2nd half of the season. He holds a 2.38 ERA and a 23.5% K-rate across 34 innings. However, we largely know what Smyly is at this point of his career, and the Cubs don’t give that many chances for wins. (1% FAAB)
Matt Manning (DET/SP) – Manning has had good results and his k-rate is up as well. Nothing really pops off the page in terms of metrics though. it’s hard to tell if these are genuine improvements or just a string of good results. He does get a two-start week though, home against Seattle and on the road vs KC. (1-2% FAAB)
Christian Arroyo (BOS/2B,SS,OF) – Arroyo is hitting .367 in the 2nd half of the year. Between his versatility and Boston’s overall lack of offense, he should still find himself in the lineup when Trevor Story returns. (1-2% FAAB)
