Fan News

Here's a quick look at last week's Fantasy Baseball top performing, least owned players on the waiver wire.

Jim Thome hit four homers. Clint Barmes' hit streak continues. Max Scherzer dominates yet again. Dexter Fowler is back and on a mission. Can they really keep it up for another week?

Check out who's a Must or a Bust.

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Alexei Ramirez launched a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning against the Angels' Scott Kazmir, letting the Angels know that the 11-run shutout game against the Royals the night before was over.  A phenomenal warning track diving catch by White Sox right fielder Carlos Quentin moments earlier brought a standing ovation to Chicago that would pull the White Sox for the early portion of Monday evening's game.

The selection of mediocre ninth-inning reliever Matt Capps to the All-Star Game neatly sums up all the major reasons I get annoyed with the whole thing.

First, I really try not to care that much. After all, it's such an obviously flawed process that it seems kinda pointless to fret over each individual misjudgment. Besides, it's just an exhibition. Oh, wait, it's not just an exhibition anymore, is it? Since the All-Star Game determines home field in the World Series, now I'm compelled to care.

Hitter of the Week :

As we reach the midpoint of the season, the Florida Marlins have put themselves in an awkward position.

They are currently 38-43, fourth in the NL East division, and 9.5 games out of first place.

The record they have leaves them in a selling position, or does it?

Before we declare the Marlins sellers at this point in the season, we must ask ourselves these two questions:

Is the offense producing?

Yes.

Are the starting pitchers going deep into games?

Yes.

When Ryan Braun was named an outfield starter for the National League in the 2010 Summer Classic yesterday—his third straight such honor—the 26-year-old entered uncharted territory for the Milwaukee Brewers.

By getting a third nod (a third consecutive one at that) Braun surpassed the two faces permanently etched on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore: Robin Yount and Paul Molitor, both of whom earned two All-Star Game starts.

Every year, fans and writers bellyache over the MLB All-Star Game rosters. They complain that the teams are made up of fan favorites rather than rosters full of deserving league leaders. 

I am here to say, stop it!

Not only is this an issue each and every year, but it doesn't matter. The All-Star game serves the purpose of entertaining the fans. Period.

Will they ever get it right?

Since the All-Star game counts for home-field advantage of the World Series they should try to get it right.

Right off the bat, why is there need for a replacement DH? So we have to find the second-best DH instead of making that spot for someone more deserving?

Cue David Ortiz:

.259 BA, .364 OBP, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 43 R

Snub Paul Konerko and Kevin Youkilis:

Konerko - .296 BA, .384 OBP, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 46 R

The 2010 MLB trading deadline draws near and the temperature on the hot stove is being turned up as we head into the all-star break. Teams are lining up who they will pursue and the price tag any acquisition will come with.

Heavy focus has been centered around Seattle Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee but there are many, many options out there teams could go after instead of Lee or others. Nevertheless, many notable players figure to change uniforms over the next three weeks.

In my “10 things we learned about baseball in June” post, I referred to June as the “Month of the Injury.” In June we saw star players such as Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, Chase Utley, and Jason Heyward, amongst others, hit the disabled list.

Now it looks like July is picking up right where June left off. Though the first four days we have seen a lot of quality players hit the DL. Let’s take a look.