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The Red Sox traded outfielder Josh Reddick in the offseason for Andrew Bailey to replace free agent Jonathan Papelbon as the team's closer. Bailey has just one save, as he has been injured for most of the year, while Reddick has had a breakout season in Oakland. Seeing now what the Red Sox have done with their team, Reddick would be one of the players to help rebuild the team. But, their offseason plans were quite different than their plans on August 31st. Just goes to show how quick a team can be broken up when they don't meet expectations.
Reddick went 3-5 with a double, HR and 3 RBI, and is now hitting .260-.326-.500 with 27 HRs, 70 runs, 69 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He's added 25 doubles and 5 triples while playing in one of the worst hitters parks in baseball. Surprisingly, he has hit 15 of his 27 HRs at home, so his power is real. Reddick's stock has increased this season and he will be entering his age 26 season in 2013, where he can build on his power breakout.
Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis got off to a very hot start to the 2012 season, but has struggled since June 30th. Here are his monthly slash line, HRs, RBI and stolen bases this season:
April: .256-.330-.436, 3 HRs, 12 RBI, 4 SBs
May: .295-.351-.459, 5 HRs, 18 RBI, 7 SBs
June: .267-.322-.381, 3 HRs, 16 RBI, 8 SBs
July: .250-.373-.321, 0 HRs, 9 RBI, 2 SBs
August: .171-.231-.232, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 5 SBs
His hot start came as a surprise this season, as at one point, he was on pace for a 30 HR-30 SB season, but like all young hitters in their first full season in the majors, he has had his struggles at the plate. What fantasy owners need to see now is whether he can make the adjustments necessary to get back the hitter we saw in the first half. We will learn more in September.
More Roto Roundup after the jump:
There was a wild game at Wrigley Field last night, as the Cubs came from behind to beat the Brewers 12-11. The Brewers lost, but it was not the fault of catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Lucroy had a huge day at the plate, going 3-5 with a HR and 7 RBI. Lucroy missed some time this season due to injury, but is still having his best season as s big leaguer, as he is triple slashing .332-.384-.555 with 9 HRs, 30 runs and 49 RBI, all in just 220 at bats. I wouldn't prorate these stats over a full season, as I don't this Lucroy will ever drive in 140 runs, but I can see him hitting 15-20 HRs and driving in 75-80 in a full season of at bats. He will move up my catcher rankings heading into 2013 drafts.
Lucroy's teammate Rickie Weeks was once one of the top fantasy second baseman, but that all changed due to injuries. Weeks had a big day at the plate as well, going 5-5 with 4 runs scored, but even a 5-5 day cannot help Week's slash line at this point. This season, Weeks is hitting .222-.330-.376 with 13 HRs, 63 runs, 45 RBI and 8 stolen bases. Weeks was once a threat to go 20-20 in his career, but that is no longer the case, as he isn't running as much as he did a few seasons ago. He is 2 years removed from a 29 HR season, and I could see him getting to 20 HRs at some point, assuming he can stay healthy, but that may be asking a lot.
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen is out indefinitely due to cardiac arrhythmia, a condition that affect the heart. There is no timetable for his return, but in the meantime, Ronald Bellisario and Brandon League will take turns closing for the slumping Dodgers.
Rays starter Matt Moore has pitched much better over the last few months, and I think we see a breakout season from him in 2013. Moore gave up just 2 runs on 6 hits, 3 walks and 7 strikeouts in 6 innings, but it was not enough, as he was out-dueled by Blue Jays starter Carlos Villanueva. Moore is now 10-8 with a 3.58 ERA, 3.84 FIP, 4.31 xFIP, 1.33 WHIP and a 152-69 strikeout to walk ratio in 156 innings pitched. Moore struggled with his control early in his minor league career, and it is rearing its head again in his first full season in the big leagues.