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Roto Roundup: Ryan Braun, Matt Garza, Christian Yelich and Others

Ray Guilfoyle highlights some of the top fantasy performers from Monday night's action, including news on injuries to Miguel Cabrera and Jason Grilli.

By Ray Guilfoyle
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Midseason Fantasy Position Rankings

In case you missed our Midseason Fantasy Position Rankings, here are links to each of our rankings published thus far. Our Consensus Third base rankings published earlier this morning, and we follow that with our shortstop rankings on Tuesday, our outfielder rankings on Thursday and our starting pitcher rankings on Friday.

Matt Garza traded to Texas

Monday was a day full of baseball news. First, we got the news that Matt Garza was finally traded to the Rangers, in a trade that makes sense for both teams. In return for Garza, the Rangers gave up a bit more than they expected, but they desperately needed a #2/3 starter to slot behind Yu Darvish.

Brian Creagh does a great job breaking down the fantasy impact of the Garza deal here. He provides a breakdown of each of the prospects involved in the deal along with some VERY interesting stats regarding Garza moving to Texas.

For more on the Garza deal, check out Bleed Cubbie Blue and Lone Star Ball, SB Nation's Cubs and Rangers fan sites.

Ryan Braun suspended for the rest of the season

You can read my take on this here, but I counter that take by saying that I traded for Braun in an NL only keeper league last night. Here are the details of the trade:

I give: $36 Aaron Hill and $10 Jeremy Hefner

I get: $49 Ryan Braun and $1 Chris Capuano

I was offered Braun before the suspension, but declined, because I thought he would serve his suspension next season. Well, that all changed yesterday with news of his suspension for the rest of the season. This does not affect his value in keeper leagues, as he will head into 2014 fantasy drafts with the suspension behind him, and a chip on his shoulder. As a baseball fan, Braun is a freakin liar and I am pissed that he lied to everyone on a national stage. But, as a fantasy owner, I have to overlook that and see that he is still one of the best hitters in the game.

For more fan reaction to the Braun suspension, check out Brew Crew Ball, SB Nation's Brewers fan site.

Big injuries: Miguel Cabrera and Jason Grilli

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera left his game in the fifth inning last night with a sore hip flexor, but the injury does not appear serious and he is day to day. He may miss a few games, but the injury does not affect his fantasy value.

That does not hold true for Pirates closer Jason Grilli though. Grilli left a save opportunity with a sore right forearm last night, after giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk, including a home run to Jayson Werth. We should learn more about the injury later today, but it doesn't look good as of this writing. Mark Melancon is the guy to grab if you are in need of saves. He is a solid choice for saves in Grilli's absence.

Marlins to call up Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick today

In a day full of huge baseball and fantasy news, the Marlines announced they would call up outfield prospects Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick prior to Tuesday's game. I imagine both will play everyday with Yelich playing left field and Marisnick in center field. In corresponding moves, the Marlins sent both Marcell Ozuna and Derek Dietrich to AA Jacksonville.

This moves surprises me, but nothing the Marlins organization should surprise anyone anymore. I don't think either Yelich or Marisnick are ready, but they will get much better teachers/coaches at the big league level than they currently have in AA. Then again, who thought Jose Fernandez was ready?

For more fan reaction to the Yelich and Marisnick promotions, check out Fish Stripes, SB Nation's Marlins fan site.

Round'em Up

Rays starter Matt Moore is placing his name firmly into the American League Cy Young award talk after his dominating performance last night vs the Red Sox. Moore limited the Red Sox on two hits, one walk and four strikeouts in a complete game shutout. He moved his record to 14-3 with a 3.17 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 116-57 strikeout to walk rate. He will enter the ace tier once he can start limiting the walks.

Well, a few extra days rest after his 148 pitch no hitter did not help Tim Lincecum, as he was shelled last night, giving up 8 runs on 9 hits, including 3 home runs, a walk and two strikeouts in 3.2 innings in a loss to the Reds. He is now 5-9 with a 4.73 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Is he droppable at this point? I know he just threw a no hitter, but still. He is helping you in just one category-strikeouts, but hurting you in ERA and WHIP, and when that happens he won't win too many games.

We are in the middle of our outfielder rankings and I am sure Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen will be near the top 5-6 fantasy outfielders for the rest of the season. Last night, McCutchen went 2-5 with 2 HRs, 2 runs and 4 RBI, raising his triple slash line to .307-.379-.504 with 14 HRs, 27 doubles, 60 runs, 55 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 26 attempts. He is on pace for a 23 HR, 35 stolen base season, which should cement him as a late first/early second round pick in 2014 fantasy drafts.

Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis had the game of his life in Toronto last night, going 4-6 with a HR, 3 runs and 5 RBI. Ellis is now hitting .267-.348-.394 with 5 HRs, 26 runs and 32 RBI on the season. He isn't a top 10 catcher, but you can do worse at the catcher position.

The Nationals are struggling to score runs this season, so they fired their hitting coach yesterday. One hitter on the team that doesn't need a change is outfielder Jayson Werth. Werth hit two home runs for the second straight game last night, going 2-4 with 2 runs and 4 RBI. He is now hitting .300-.366-.506 with 14 HRs, 42 runs, 39 RBI and 3 stolen bases in 247 at bats this season.

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