Jason Kubel (OF/DH-CLE): Kubel was traded to the Indians for a PTBNL and cash considerations. It has been a dreadful season so far for Kubel, who after hitting 30 homers last season with an .833 OPS, has hit only 5 this year with a .612 OPS. All 5 of his homers have come against righties, as did 23 of 30 from last season. He figures to get the bulk of the AB's at DH against righties, and will see plenty of late game action in games he does not start. For those in need of power in deeper mixed leagues at the 5th OF/Utility spot, his upside is worth a few dollars.
Michael Morse (OF/DH-BAL): Morse was traded to Baltimore for Xavier Avery. Fighting once again through an injury-plagued season, Morse has hit 13 homers, but only 2 since May 27th. He's likely to split time at DH with Danny Valencia and could see the occasional start against a lefty in the OF. He has a career .195 ISO, and his power is undeniable, but he has only played more than 102 games once in his entire career. However, if he's healthy, he makes for a sneaky play in weekly/daily leagues when the matchups are there, provided he comes cheaply. He could easily hit 4-6 homers in the season's final month.
Dustin Ackley (OF-SEA): Dustin Ackley continued his impressive resurgence, going 4 for 5 with 4 RBI and 1 run. Coming into last night Ackley had posted a .343/.375/.505 line with 2 homers, 9 doubles, 11 RBI, and 12 runs in 30 second half games. Interestingly he is hitting lefties at a higher clip than righties, so he is in no real danger of slipping into a platoon down the stretch. Ackley, once considered a blue-chip prospect, is only 25. And keep in mind that he only spent a year and a half in the minors before getting the call in 2011. He may not develop more than 10-homer-a-season power, but he still has the potential to be a .300 hitter with gap power. I love the aggressiveness that he is showing. Put him on your radar as a late-round sleeper for 2014.
Ryan Goins (2B-TOR): Goins went 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run, and has now hit in all 7 games since being called up last week. With the trade of Emilio Bonifacio and the season-ending injury to Maicer Izturis, Goins is likely to receive plenty of AB's down the stretch. While he makes for a solid play in AL-only leagues, I don't see him as mixed league material. Coming into the season, he was regarded as only an organizational depth prospect, and at AA this season he didn't do anything to dispel that notion, posting a .679 OPS with a .34 EYE.
Clay Buchholz (SP-BOS): Buchholz (neck) proclaimed himself on track to return to the rotation on September 10th after tossing a successful rehab game at AAA. He allowed 1 earned run on 7 hits and struck out 2 through 3 and 1/3 innings (53 pitches). If all goes well, Buchholz will start on Wednesday at AAA and then re-join the Red Sox rotation on the 10th against the Rays. All indications suggest that his velocity is improving and that he is experiencing no issues when throwing breaking pitches. If he's out there in your league and you have the bench/DL spot, pick him up.
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