The end is nigh! Prepare for the end! Repent for your sins!
Okay, so I sound more apocalyptical than I really need to be. I just mean the end of the fantasy season is coming; a time to cut hurt or struggling vets in order to make up for your draft day sins.
I know you were hoping upon hope that Billy Butler was going to come around or Shelby Miller was going to suddenly be unbroken. If you are in a re-draft league no one will judge you next year if you dropped Brian McCann this week … if you win.
I’m not here to talk about who you should drop. You know the guy on your team that gives you an ulcer. I’m here to talk about who you can turn to when you are ready to try fresh blood.
Here are some guys you should take a long look at and see if they can improve your team.
Brian Reddoch is a CraveOnline reporter and rabid fan of all teams Seattle. You can follow him on Twitter @ReddReddoch or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
Fantasy Baseball 5 Pickups Down Stretch
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Jimmy Nelson SP - Milwaukee
Sure, there was worry that his 9.24 K/9 in the minors wouldn’t translate. BUT, in three games this year in the Bigs, Nelson has a 9.0 K/9 rate. If Nelson can keep his walk rate south of 3.00 then he has a chance to help your team more than providing a boost to your team’s strikeouts. His lack of prospect status has helped him stay under the radar but it won’t last.
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James Jones OF - Seattle
The Mariners are flying under fantasy radars and flying around the Mariners’ outfield is Jones. Since his call-up he has racked up 20 stolen bases in just 290 at-bats. His average will not help… nor a lack of RBIs... However, he is primed to provide double digits steals the rest of the season.
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Oswaldo Arica OF - Minnesota
When I started to write this article, I included Arcia despite the paltry five homers so far. In the past week, he blasted two more. He’s projected to have a .181 ISO that is closer to his career average. If he sniffs that, he’ll add seven or eight more home runs before October calls.
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Steve Pearce 1B - Baltimore
Tucked in between the boring James Loney and the perennial disappointment Eric Hosmer stands Pearce, who is 21st on ESPN’s player rater at 1B. However, he’s done it with half the at bats as those waiver fodder. In the past month, he’s been 12th overall. With ticking injury time-bomb Albert Pujols and trade-bait Chris Carter above him, I’ll take Pearce the rest of the way. He used to be a former top prospect and could be proving to be a late bloomer.
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Xander Bogaerts SS/3B - Boston
“Trust the projects. Trust the scouts.” This has been my mantra the past couple of months as Bogey has hocked a loogey on my season. Still, the league adjusted to him more than he adjusted back. Plus there is something about him not hitting while playing the hot corner; Fangraphs has him pegged for a .324 OBP and .257 avg. the rest of the season. He can be a great backup to Tulo or Hanley owners.
