KEY

Acquire - Add player (in most circumstances)
Watch - Track player; consider adding if trend continues
Pass - Do not add player (in most circumstances)

Catchers

John Baker, Florida

With catchers Matt Treanor (hip) and Mike Rabelo (wrist) sidelined due to injuries, Baker has done much of the team's catching the past couple of weeks. After struggling initially, the rookie has hit safely in his last seven starts, going 9-for-24 (.375) with two home runs and seven RBI during those games. His outlook for the remainder of 2008 is a bit cloudy with Treanor nearing a return and Florida looking for a veteran presence behind the plate. However, he'd make a nice short-term NL-only addition.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire

First Basemen

Billy Butler, Kansas City

The 22-year-old continues to stroke the ball, collecting 15 hits in his last 37 at-bats (.405) while recording three home runs, 10 RBI and nine runs scored in his past 10 games. He has notched a .356-5-19 line since the All-Star break, already matching his RBI output and surpassing his home run totals from the first half in 174 fewer at-bats. Add him now in all leagues.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire

Second Basemen

Esteban German, Kansas City

An injury to and DL stint for second baseman Mark Grudzielanek (ankle) opens the door to more playing time for German. The infielder is batting .244 on the season but is a career .280 hitter. He has decent speed (six steals in 2008) and could contribute some runs atop the Kansas City lineup. Add him in AL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
AL-only: Acquire

Tadahito Iguchi, San Diego

Iguchi (shoulder) made his first start in nearly two months Saturday, August 2, going 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. It's not surprising to see Iguchi struggle given his lengthy layoff and a rehab assignment that was cut short when shortstop Khalil Greene (hand) injured himself. It remains to be seen how much playing time Iguchi gets down the stretch, but second baseman Edgar Gonzalez seems to be creating an opening for Iguchi by managing just two hits over his last 34 at-bats. Still, the Padres may be unwilling to bench Gonzalez for a player on a one-year deal. Therefore, Iguchi is worthy of consideration exclusively in NL-only formats.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Watch

Starting Pitchers

Dave Bush, Milwaukee

Manager Ned Yost quickly called a halt to his pitching platoon experiment, announcing Bush will remain in the rotation while pitcher Seth McClung - who had been starting road games in that spot - will work out of the bullpen. Hopefully the move will get Bush back on track; after allowing just seven runs in his five previous starts (36 innings), Bush has surrendered 10 runs in the two outings (12 1/3 innings) since the platoon was implemented. His low win total makes him a non-factor in shallow mixed formats for now, but his 1.16 WHIP (sixth in the NL) and decent K's make a viable option in deep versions. He could be in a position to win more often with a secure spot, too.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Dan Meyer, Oakland

After getting ripped for nine runs in two-plus innings, pitcher Dana Eveland was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento. To take Eveland's spot in the rotation, the club recalled Meyer, who was 10-5 with a 4.48 ERA on the season for the River Cats. Once considered the centerpiece of the deal that sent starter Tim Hudson (elbow) to the Braves, Meyer has pitched just 17 1/3 innings at the major league level since being acquired prior to the 2005 season. He's worth watching in AL-only leagues (perhaps a flier in deep ones) but nothing more.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
AL-only: Watch

Relief Pitchers

Chad Gaudin, Chicago Cubs

The other player acquired in the deal for starting pitcher Rich Harden, Gaudin has quietly racked up three wins and 15 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings since joining the Cubs bullpen. While the wins can't be counted on, his quality ratios (2.13 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) and strong K's make him an option in deep mixed leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Duaner Sanchez, New York Mets

With closer Billy Wagner (forearm) set to undergo an MRI on his strained left forearm Tuesday, August 5, the club could temporarily turn their ninth-inning duties over to Sanchez. The 28-year-old has pitched well in 2008 and notched eight saves with the Dodgers back in '05. Given the uncertainty surrounding Wagner, Sanchez is worth watching in all formats and is a speculative stash option in deep mixed.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Eddie Kunz, New York Mets

The closer for Double-A Binghamton, Kunz collected 27 saves and struck out 45 in 48 1/3 innings in the minors. With Wagner potentially sidelined, there could be a void at the back end of New York's bullpen. It's difficult to imagine they'd thrust a 22-year-old rookie into that role in the midst of a pennant race, but anything is possible. For now, Kunz is a flier option in NL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Acquire

Brad Ziegler, Oakland

Despite not allowing a run in 32 innings of work this year, Ziegler's fantasy value has been modest because he has just one win and 15 strikeouts and has yet to vulture a save. The last item on that list may be about to change with manager Bob Geren indicating Ziegler could see some closing opportunities at the expense of closer Huston Street. Add Ziegler in deep mixed leagues and consider him in shallow versions if you're in desperate need of saves.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire

Jerry Blevins, Oakland

Blevins has done a nice job since being recalled in early July, allowing just one run on seven hits in 13 2/3 innings while striking out 15. Like Ziegler, Blevins has been mentioned as possibly seeing some save chances. He is more of a strikeout artist than Ziegler and could be better suited for that role. However, he too is no more than deep-mixed worthy at this time.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire