[Hache Man]

NL Team-by-Team Notes
Maybe if they exploded coming out of the gate after the break, the Astros could have avoided being sellers at the deadline. However, they were swept by the Cubs at Wrigley, leaving them just two games ahead of the Reds for the worst record in the NL. Astros GM Tim Purpura would be smart to move Jason Jennings, Mark Loretta, Mike Lamb and at least one of his top three relievers this month. Morgan Ensberg remains a candidate to go, but if anyone was willing to give up anything for him, a deal would have gotten done months ago. Brad Ausmus should also be shopped, though as a 10-and-5 player, he can reject a move. I don't think anything will come from the Roy Oswalt speculation. If the Astros could get a package starting with Adam Jones and Jeff Clement from Seattle or Clay Buchholz and Jed Lowrie from Boston, it's something they'd have to consider. However, an Oswalt trade would start a full rebuilding effort and it's hard to see the Astros going there with Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee both on the wrong side of 30.

National League Notes

Arizona - Conor Jackson is doing plenty of sitting against righties lately, as the Diamondbacks are still trying to work Mark Reynolds into the lineup and give Tony Clark one start per week. Jackson is batting .288/.370/.477 since May 15, but a lot of that has come against left-handers. The Diamondbacks need to settle on some sort of a more permanent arrangement, because Chad Tracy, Reynolds and Clark all have OPSs in the neighborhood of 700 since the beginning of June and the job sharing isn't helping anyone settle into a groove. Jackson and Tracy both look like pretty weak options in mixed leagues with things the way they are now. … With Carlos Quentin regaining his stroke in Triple-A, the Diamondbacks have turned to Jeff Salazar as their starting right fielder, bypassing Scott Hairston and the constantly rehabbing Jeff DaVanon. DaVanon's rehab assignment is about to expire, so the team has a decision to make there. A trade involving Hairston would come as little surprise. Salazar isn't likely to last in right, but he would be a fine long-term replacement for DaVanon as a fourth outfielder. In the meantime, he has short-term value in NL-only leagues. Right field could belong to Quentin again by the beginning of August. It doesn't seem like Arizona has ruled out trying Justin Upton, but Upton isn't nearly on the same kind of roll now that he was in April and May. He's probably not going to be a factor this year.

Atlanta - Now that Andruw Jones has put his slump behind him, it's pretty reasonable to expect a .260 average with about 18 homers over the rest of the season. He hasn't cost himself much money as he heads into free agency. Andruw's resurgence is also very good news for Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur owners, as those two will get to hit with more guys on base. … Scott Thorman just isn't getting any better, and the Braves would likely be upgrading if they went to Jarrod Saltalamacchia as their primary first baseman. They're toying around with the idea of bringing in Julio Franco as another option against left-handers. It wouldn't hurt, since he'd likely bump Chris Woodward from the roster. However, what they really need to do is to give Salty a try and then upgrade through a trade if it doesn't work out. … John Smoltz is expected back to start Wednesday against the Reds. He'll probably be able to manage his shoulder for the rest of the season, but if the Braves fall out of contention, it'd be no surprise to see him get shut down early.

Chicago - The Cubs' second base and shortstop situations remain unsettled, but for the moment, it looks like Ryan Theriot is back as one of Lou Piniella's favorites. With Mark DeRosa likely to play second against most right-handers, that puts Theriot at short and leaves Mike Fontenot and Cesar Izturis on the bench. DeRosa can start in right field against lefties, but that hardly helps the left-handed-hitting Fontenot. Izturis will likely see more time versus southpaws. … The center-field situation, on the other hand, has cleared up nicely with Felix Pie back playing regularly in Triple-A. Jacque Jones is starting against righties, which is probably how it should have been all along. Angel Pagan can play over him versus southpaws. If the Cubs become content with Jones, then catching help might be the only big need at the deadline. Ramon Hernandez would make a lot of sense for them. … Ryan Dempster could return from a strained oblique before the end of the week. Maybe he'll make one or two appearances in middle relief initially, but he'll be back in the closer's role soon enough. … Kerry Wood (shoulder) was reportedly throwing 92-93 mph in his first rehab appearance Friday. The Cubs would be crazy to count on him, but perhaps he'll provide the bullpen with a lift over the final two months. He shouldn't be a candidate for saves. … The Cubs hope to have Cliff Floyd (shoulder) back on Monday or Tuesday, making him playable in NL-only leagues this week.

Cincinnati - Reds interim manager Pete Mackanin seems to be pro-Norris Hopper and anti-Edwin Encarnacion, which makes me think GM Wayne Krivsky needs to find a real replacement ASAP. Hopper is batting .270/.324/.333, but that actually overestimates his contribution, considering that he's managed two RBI in 127 at-bats and he's been caught on four of his nine steal attempts. If he remained an option in the infield, maybe he'd be a nice use of a roster spot. The Reds haven't used him anywhere except the outfield, so he's not helping. Also, he's four years older than Encarnacion, the player he started over on both Friday and Saturday. I didn't think there was much chance Encarancion would be traded when he got sent down in May. Now, however, it seems like a real possibility. … The Reds had to know going in that they were going to have trouble handling left-handed pitchers again this season. What they couldn't have counted on was Ryan Freel hitting .133 with one walk and two steals against them in 90 at-bats. He hit .303 with 23 walks and 15 steals in 109 at-bats against them last year. It doesn't seem fair that he gets a free pass when he's been a pretty lousy player for nearly a full year now. He hit just .216 between August and September in 2006. … Bobby Livingston is coming up to get the start Monday against the Braves. The Reds have backed off their guarantee that Homey Bailey will be recalled later in the week after he struggled in his one start for Louisville. It could happen, but it doesn't seem to be a sure thing.

Colorado - One criticism after last month's rankings was Kaz Matsui's relatively low standing at second base. It's true that he's playing like a top-10 second baseman when he's in the lineup, but he's already missed a big chunk of time this year and the Rockies are constantly sitting him against lefties in an effort to keep him healthy. He's worth playing in mixed leagues when the Rockies are at home – he's hitting .348 at Coors Field this year – but he's not an every-week guy. … Brian Fuentes (lat) is likely to come off the DL on Thursday, but Manny Corpas should remain the favorite for saves through the end of the month. Ideally, Fuentes will pitch well enough to win back his job by early August.

Florida - The Marlins don't want to give up, but they're 7 ½ games back of the Mets and seventh in the wild-card standings, making an October vacation likely. The typically underrated Larry Beinfest deserves some blame for not going and getting his team a legitimate center fielder even though it was an obvious need throughout the winter. With the Marlins likely to be sellers, Dontrelle Willis could be the biggest pitching name available at the deadline. His trade value should be down, but with little else out there, odds are the Marlins will still get some very good offers for him. Miguel Cabrera seems nearly certain to stay. Aaron Boone showed enough in a bench role earlier this season that someone might offer a minor prospect for him. Miguel Olivo could be made available if the Cubs come calling. Also, I like the idea of selling high on Kevin Gregg, though it seems doubtful anything will happen there. If that changes, Armando Benitez would take over the closer's role. … Josh Johnson (forearm) could return this weekend against the Reds, but he can't be used in NL-only leagues right away. Rick Vanden Hurk will be called up to start in his place on Tuesday.

Houston - Brad Lidge is back and should resume closing this week. However, he's probably the favorite of the Astros' relievers to be dealt. Dan Wheeler's trade value is completely in the tank because of his 8.55 ERA since the beginning of June. Chad Qualls is drawing considerable interest, but with a 1.66 WHIP and six homers allowed in 35 innings since the beginning of May, he isn't terribly attractive at the moment. Lidge, on the other hand, is back looking nearly unhittable, though only in non-save situations, and he still has the knee issue that isn't going away. He'd make a lot of sense for a team that doesn't need him as a closer, with the Mets and Red Sox a couple of the possibilities. … I don't normally recommend Woody Williams in NL-only leagues, but with road starts against the Nationals and Pirates on the schedule, this is a week to try him.

Los Angeles - This is not Brad Penny's time of year, and now there's an additional concern because he's dealing with a finger blister. Penny had a 2.91 ERA before the break and a 6.25 mark after last season. His career split isn't so extreme, but going into this year, he had made 115 career starts before the break and 80 afterwards. His only 200-inning season was 2001, when he finished at 205. If Penny finishes this year as a legitimate Cy Young candidate, I'd be surprised. … Nomar Garciaparra this season: .270/.315/.327. Wilson Betemit this season: .223/.351/.489. Betemit since the beginning of May: .275/.384/.659 in 91 at-bats. Is this really so difficult? The Dodgers have the NL's best record anyway, but at some point, production is going to have to matter more than name recognition. It's not like Garciaparra is just slumping. He also had a sub-700 OPS in the second half of 2006. … Randy Wolf (shoulder) probably won't return this week as hoped. Brett Tomko might get a second start Friday against the Mets.

Milwaukee - There's good reason for concern regarding Ben Sheets' finger injury. The Brewers still haven't confirmed that he'll undergo an MRI on Monday, but a little piece of mind would be nice even if he is feeling better. A ligament tear would make it tough for him to return at any point during the season. The Brewers are currently hoping he won't require a DL stint, but they'll probably take a cautious approach if he's still feeling it next time he picks up a baseball. … Yovani Gallardo, who would enter the rotation if Sheets needs to miss some time, is a must-own player in mixed leagues. … Rickie Weeks' wrist problems are threatening to turn 2007 into a lost year for the 24-year-old. I don't think the Brewers are helping him at all by batting him eighth and subjecting him to such a large number of breaking balls. However, he would still be struggling hitting second. Until he works his way back up in the lineup, he's a weak play in mixed leagues. … Bill Hall is going to beat the pessimistic timetable for his return from a sprained ankle. Maybe he won't be activated Friday like he's hoping for, but it looks like he'll soon push Tony Gwynn Jr. back to the minors. Gwynn, who was linked to the Rangers' Akinori Otsuka in trade rumors, should be available in talks once again.

New York - Things are looking up for the Mets. The rotation got Oliver Perez back Sunday, and Jorge Sosa (hamstring) is being activated to pitch Monday. Pedro Martinez (shoulder) is still making progress, though his timetable seems to have been pushed back by a week or two. Lastings Milledge has already taken a big step towards fulfilling his promise since taking over as the Mets' left fielder on Thursday. Now if only Paul Lo Duca could ever come up with a big hit again, the team just might have something. … Continued success from Milledge would be about the best thing that could happen for the Mets, short of the 2003 version of Pedro walking through the clubhouse door in mid-August. Shawn Green has collected 13 RBI in 187 at-bats since the beginning of May and is an increasing liability in right field. Milledge should get a chance to start over him when Moises Alou returns from a torn quad. … It's usually a good idea to reserve unexceptional starters when they're initially returning from the DL, especially when they didn't go on rehab assignments, but since Sosa gets to pitch in San Diego and Los Angeles this week, he seems worth gambling on.

Philadelphia - It may not last, but Pat Burrell is forcing the Phillies to play him regularly with a big first half of the month, again making him worth using in mixed leagues. Management probably wouldn't hesitate to trade him if his recent surge is noticed by other teams. However, he has veto power and is likely to be very picky. … The Phillies activated Tom Gordon (shoulder) after Sunday's game and will send Brett Myers (shoulder) on a rehab assignment this week. Gordon will likely be eased back into the closer's role. Depending on how he performs, he'll get a chance to keep the job after Myers returns. The Phillies reiterated for the 100th time last week that Myers won't be returned to the rotation, so in order for him to have fantasy value, he'll need to be put into save situations. I'm skeptical that we'll see him at 100 percent at any point over the rest of the season. … Tuesday's starter is unannounced, with the Phillies deciding between J.D. Durbin and J.A. Happ. It makes sense to give Durbin the nod, as the Dodgers have a clear OPS advantage against lefties (782 to 729). Happ remains the better long-term bet of the two, but neither is much of a fantasy sleeper.

Pittsburgh - Jose Bautista was placed on the disabled list Sunday with a lacerated hand. He isn't expected to miss more than the minimum, but Jose Castillo will be needed to fill in for him for a couple of weeks. The Pirates would surely love to see Castillo get hot and maybe give himself some trade value. A Jack Wilson deal seems unlikely, so Castillo is the infielder most likely to go. … Salomon Torres backed off his trade demand before being activated from the DL on Sunday. The Pirates didn't seem to be taking it very seriously anyway. Torres could be moved this month, but he'd have to regain some value, making a waiver deal in August a better bet. Matt Capps should be Pittsburgh's closer for the rest of the year. … Chris Duffy (ankle) appears unlikely return to the lineup this week.

St. Louis - Now that Albert Pujols has regained his power stroke and seems poised for a monstrous second half, the Cardinals might still have a chance. They'll definitely need a healthy Jim Edmonds (back). It looks like they could get their center fielder back within 7-10 days, but just how close he'll be to 100 percent is anyone's guess. Even if the offense begins to click, the Cardinals will be major long shots, especially following Chris Carpenter's setback. Still, there's been little indication that they'll be sellers at the deadline. My guess is that they'll go get an Odalis Perez or a Steve Trachsel and do their best to stay in the race. … Of the current group of starters, only Adam Wainwright is an option in NL-only leagues. Braden Looper was 6-3 with a 3.10 ERA on May 24. He's now 6-7 with a 4.72 ERA. Maroth has given up 18 runs – 13 earned – in 20 1/3 innings for his new team. Brad Thompson, like Looper, should still be in the bullpen. Kip Wells should be in the PCL. The Cardinals said they're not recalling Anthony Reyes until September, proving that in a battle between a stubborn team and a stubborn player, the player is going to lose every time. One more starter is hardly going to solve the Cardinals' problems. Still, getting Wells out of the mix might result in a couple of more wins over the rest of the season.

San Diego - Surely it's not a good sign that Jake Peavy had to have his first start after the break pushed back because of biceps soreness. However, the Padres have nursed him through minor arm troubles in the past without having to resort to using the DL. It's definitely a situation to watch, but I see no reason to sell right now. … With some concern about Peavy and the innings totals of the rest of the starters, the Padres are likely to bringing in some additional depth later this month or in August. Unfortunately, it looks like Clay Hensley (shoulder) can be written off for the rest of the year. He'll be a sleeper in 2008, but it's just not happening for him now. The Padres do have Shawn Estes working his way back from Tommy John surgery, but he's no better of a fallback than Mike Thompson. It's possible the Padres will bring in someone who would start over Justin Germano, though that's not necessarily going to be the priority. … Brian Giles definitely seems to be heating up the last few days. With the Phillies on the schedule for this week and series at Colorado and Houston the following week, he needs to be picked up in any mixed leagues in which he was dropped.

San Francisco - The Giants already missed out on the best time to trade Matt Morris. They might still be able to dump his contract because of the lack of starting pitching available, but he shouldn't bring much in return. There can't be a contender out there that would actually be eager to have him to start a postseason game. He just doesn't have the stuff to handle top lineups any longer. … The Omar Vizquel-to-Boston talk seems completely fictional. Vizquel should be shopped, but he doesn't want to leave unless he's going to be a regular elsewhere and there just aren't any contenders looking to get better at shortstop. Maybe that will change if an injury strikes. … Fred Lewis and Kevin Frandsen figure to be the big beneficiaries fit he Giants dump veterans. Lewis has some fantasy value anyway while serving as the fourth outfielder. A Randy Winn trade or an injury to Barry Bonds or Dave Roberts would make him a regular. The Giants would also recall Nate Schierholtz in that case and use him as their fourth outfielder.

Washington - The plan is for Alex Escobar (ankle) to get a look as the Nationals' primary left fielder when he comes off the DL, possibly by the end of the week. One of the most injury-prone players of the last 10 years, he could land right back on the DL before the end of the month. However, he will have to be owned in NL-only leagues while he's playing regularly. He hit .356 with four homers in 87 at-bats in between DL stints last year. … Escobar's return will push Ryan Church to center and force Nook Logan and Ryan Langerhans to the bench. Tony Batista could be released to make room on the roster. … If the Nats are willing to put Church in center, then they might as well give Kory Casto an opportunity to play left when Escobar gets hurt again. With a .254/.353/.413 line in Triple-A this year, Casto has been a disappointment. Still, he's 25 and it's time to give him a long look. … Other candidates to come up from Triple-A Columbus include Bernie Castro and Larry Broadway. The speedy Castro would be the best option to play second base if Ronnie Belliard is traded and could be a source of steals in NL-only leagues. Broadway was recently bumped from the Nationals' 40-man roster, but he has gotten better after an awful start in Triple-A. The Nats might as well try him at first base if Dmitri Young is moved.