Fantasy Baseball Three Hot, Three Not From Sept. 7 (Cabrera, Zobrist and More)

Let’s take a look at three players who would be considered hot, as well as three who had their values take a hit:

Three Hot:

1. Vernon Wells - Toronto Blue Jays
   He went 3-3 with 2 HR, 2 RBI and 2 R, giving him four home runs over his last three games.  Over that span, he’s gone an impressive 6-11 with 4 HR, 8 RBI and 5 R.  He got off to a great start, but had just 4 HR and 22 RBI between July and August.  At this point, it looks like he has rediscovered the swing that helped him to 19 HR over the season’s first three months.
2. Ben Zobrist - Tampa Bay Rays
   The power had completely disappeared this season, but after going 2-3 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 2 R, he’s now homered in two of his last three games.  Is it enough to ease our concerns or make up for a season’s worth of frustration?  Most likely not, but it certainly is better late then never.  His HR/FB entering yesterday had been 6.0%, after posting marks of 17.4% and 17.5% the prior two years.  It’s not hard to imagine a power surge down the stretch and into the playoffs, helping to rebuild his perceived value moving forward.  He certainly has the potential to have a big last few weeks, so just continue to run him out there.  Luckily, his 23 SB has helped to make him viable without the power.
3. Jim Thome - Minnesota Twins
   He certainly is making the most of his everyday AB, isn’t he?  He went 1-1 with 1 HR, 1 RBI and 3 R, homering for the third straight day.  In fact, in his last three games he has 4 HR, 7 RBI and 8 R.  That’s a heck of a three game stretch and if you are in need of power, he’s worth using while he’s scorching hot.  I wouldn’t get overly attached, however.

Three Not:

1. Mike Napoli - Los Angeles Angels
   Mike Scioscia already tries to find a reason to leave Napoli on the bench, now comes news that the Angels have recalled Hank Conger (catcher) and Mark Trumbo (first base).  Of course, those are the two positions that Napoli plays, giving Scioscia two more excuses sit Napoli down more often than not.  The problem for fantasy owners is that Napoli provides significant power from a catcher, with 22 HR in just 387 AB, so you have little option but to leave him in your lineup (especially in two catcher formats).  Just be prepared to be frustrated when he finds himself on the bench.
2. Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers
   After missing time late last week with tendinitis in his biceps, Cabrera was again forced out of the Tigers lineup with the problem according to mlb.com (click here for the article).  While he is currently listed at day-to-day, you have to think that the Tigers will err on the side of caution with their franchise player.  At 13 games behind the Twins, there really is no reason for them not to.  Fantasy owners are going to have to check the lineup, but I would anticipate being without him for a few days.
3. Yunesky Maya - Washington Nationals
   After signing a four-year, $8 million contract out of Cuba and winning the equivalent of the Cy Young Award in the Cuban National Series last season, there were grand expectations.  However, his Major League debut was an inauspicious one, giving up a three-run home run to Ike Davis in the first inning.  He finished with a line of four earned runs on five hits and two walks, striking out three, over five innings.  He was severely out-pitched by fellow rookie Dillon Gee (7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K, W) of the Mets.  It is just one start, however, so don’t push the panic button quite yet.

What are your thoughts from yesterday?

Make sure to check out our extremely early 2011 rankings:

• Catchers
• First Basemen
• Second Basemen
• Third Basemen
• Shortstops
• Outfielders
• Closers

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