Fantasy Baseball: August 2008 Archives

For as much attention as Chase Utley and Dan Uggla get in the National League, Ian Kinsler has been just as impressive in the AL, setting the table for the Rangers' high powered offense all season. Few middle infielders can match his blend of power (.892 OPS) and speed (26 steals in 28 chances), and he's been one of fantasy baseball's biggest surprises in 2008.

But just as fantasy leagues head down to the wire, Kinsler faces an uncertain future. Yesterday, Kinsler was placed on the 15-day DL with a hernia he suffered a day earlier. Rotoworld speculated that Kinsler could have season ending surgery, with the Rangers out of contention in the AL West.

For fantasy teams relying on Kinsler to bring home a title, it's a crushing blow. No second baseman on the waiver wire will be able to match his production.

Well, not yet, but soon he will be. Wainwright,the Cards best starter, has been sidelined since since the beginning of June with a finger injury. He'll make his first rehab start in AA Saturday, and should be recalled soon after.

If healthy, Wainwright can be a solid addition to any fantasy team down the stretch. He was excellent before the injury, posting a WHIP of 1.09, a 6-3 record, and an ERA under 3.2.

Since the trade deadline has passed in most leagues, the only way you'll be able to add a player to your team is via the waiver wire. Since Wainwright's been out so long, that's where he probably is in most leagues, depending on how many DL spots your league allows. Before the injury, he was in the midst of putting together his second solid year in a row. He's worth monitoring from here on out.

Trailing Tampa Bay by 5.5 games in the AL East, the Yankees have their work cut out for them if they're going to close Yankee Stadium with a playoff birth. Things got a lot harder earlier this week when starter Joba Chamberlain hit the DL with rotator cuff tendinitis. The Yanks are going to have a tough time surviving the injury, but they have some nice options that your fantasy team should consider.