With Sunday’s trade deadline approaching, make sure to follow round-the-clock coverage from Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi in FOXSports.com’s baseball section. Last I checked, Carlos Beltran had a 99.9999999999999999 percent chance of being traded by the Mets. And now, without further ado, below are 10 free agents owned in less than 75 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, starting with the first player below the threshold. Please note that no players will be repeated within any four-week period.
Torii Hunter, OF, Angels (74.8 percent owned) The 36-year-old Hunter hasn’t been his usual self this season, but he should still be owned in all formats. Hunter’s power has picked up lately, as he has five homers with a .492 slugging percentage in July. If you can get him, he’s probably better that at least one of your current outfielders.
Brett Cecil, SP, Blue Jays (33.7 percent owned) Cecil has been inconsistent since coming back from his Triple-A banishment, but after seeing him shut out the Rangers on Sunday night, I think it’s time to buy. Cecil has 27 strikeouts against 11 walks in 36 1/3 innings over his last five starts. That’s not great, but it’s encouraging for a guy who got shellacked in April. Depending on the depth of your league, Cecil could be worth more than just an occasional streaming option.
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B/3B, Blue Jays (13 percent owned) E5 has gotten regular playing time lately, and while that could be threatened when prospect Brett Lawrie is ready, he provides decent power for a fantasy third baseman. Encarnacion isn’t exactly a safe play – he’s more of a guy who could hit 10 homers in August and September, or get designated for assignment. Who’s up for a little game of Canadian fantasy roulette?
Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays (8.2 percent owned) Woo-hoo! After spending a few months dominating the International League, Jennings was finally called up over the weekend. The rookie is likely up for good, and his chances for everyday duty should be cemented if B.J. Upton gets traded sometime this week. Jennings has some power, along with lots and lots of speed. Get him while you still can, because he’s about to become very popular.
Ryan Doumit, C, Pirates (6 percent owned) Doumit is due to come off the DL in the next couple of weeks, making this a good time to remember that he hit 38 homers from 2008-10. Doumit has good pop for a backstop, and his batting average isn’t as bad as some of his fantasy catching counterparts. Grab him if you need a No. 2 in a mixed league.
Mike Adams, RP, Padres (6 percent owned) The Padres apparently want a bigger return in a trade for Adams than they do for closer Heath Bell, and that’s mainly because Adams won’t be a free agent at the end of the season. Bell is likely to be traded, and if that happens, Adams should become the team’s closer. Since the beginning of 2008, Adams has posted a 1.67 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP with 239 strikeouts in 215 innings. He’s one of baseball’s most dominant relievers, and figures to be a very reliable closer once the job is his.
Brandon Belt, 1B/OF, Giants (2.3 percent owned) Call this one a hunch. Belt doesn’t have an everyday job at the moment, as he’s sharing time at first base with Aubrey Huff while making occasional starts in the outfield. It’s hard for me to believe that the Giants will keep a bat with this much potential on the bench too often, because their offense can use the help. Belt has plenty of upside for those in deep mixed leagues; he’s probably already owned in most NL-only leagues.
Kyle Blanks, OF, Padres (0.5 percent owned) Prospect Anthony Rizzo has been sent to the minors for more seasoning (whatever that means), so Blanks should get the lion’s share of the starts at first base for awhile. Blanks usually get described with words like “hulking,” since he’s 6’6” and 270 pounds. He had 15 homers in 79 minor-league games before his promotion, and even though he struggled in his 2010 chance with the Pads, he hit 10 homers in 54 games with them in 2009. If you need some power in a deep mixed or NL-only league, Blanks can help. He’ll qualify at two positions in the near future, which never hurts.
Nolan Reimold, OF, Orioles (0.2 percent owned) With Luke Scott done for the season due to a shoulder injury, Reimold will get more playing time. He won’t get all of it, as Felix Pie is in the mix as well, but the more he hits, the more he’ll play. You may remember Reimold as a popular 2010 fantasy sleeper after he hit 15 homers in 2009. He’s fallen below the radar for most people, but he still has some pop, and has been hitting well since his May promotion. Reimold is AL-only worthy, but could play his way into the mixed-league mix soon.
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (0.0 percent owned) This guy is either 5’5” or 5’7” depending on who you ask, and part of the reason he’s here is that I need to support fellow short guys. Altuve had 10 homers and 24 stolen bases in the minors (A ball and Double A) before his promotion, and since the Astros are so horrendous, he’ll get the chance to sink or swim. He might flop, but his speed upside is worth a flier if you need steals.
