Finally, three days’ rest from checking the waiver wires and poring over box scores. With the fantasy baseball season a little more than half over, let us tell you who to pick up, dump now or dump in the coming months.
Randy Johnson, SP, Arizona
The big news is that Johnson finally admitted he would allow a trade to a contender “if a trade would benefit the Diamondbacks.”
Adding fantasy baseball’s second-best pitcher to a big-hitting team like the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees or Anaheim Angels–all of whom are said to be interested–could pay huge dividends.
Ken Griffey Jr., OF, Cincinnati
Trade him or keep him? Your heart says “keep” (20 HR, 60 RBIs) but your head says “trade” (his hamstring injury could linger).
It’s a tough call, as Griffey could end up a top 10 outfielder if healthy.
Greg Maddux, SP, Cubs
He went 5-1 in September of 2002 and 3-1 in September of 2003.
The point? Maddux tends to get better as the season wears on.
Ugueth Urbina, RP, Detroit/Jose Mesa, RP, Pittsburgh
Both closers have been brought up as potential trade bait. Not good. Both would likely be moved to setup roles if traded, thereby losing almost all of their fantasy value.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, Texas
Smart owners stashed away the young Rangers slugger while he struggled through a frustrating first two months. After a good June and a torrid July, he’s looking like the 35-homer fantasy stud we were expecting all along.
Jose Reyes, 2B, New York Mets
The speedy middle infielder (remember: he’s got shortstop eligibility too) is finally healthy, though he hasn’t quite found his swing. Will manager Art Howe let him steal bases? If so, he’s worth looking into, especially at the top of an improved Mets batting order.
J.D. Drew, OF, Atlanta
Drew has made good on the promise he showed in Spring Training, having belted 21 home runs so far. But given his history of injuries, can he hold up over an entire season?
Kris Benson, SP, Pittsburgh
He’ll almost certainly be traded to a better team and could be worth the gamble if you need wins. He’s not a strikeout guy, so hope that his new address is pitcher-friendly.
Paul Lo Duca, C, Los Angeles
Historically, he’s a terrible second-half player. Expect that .313 average to come down to earth.
B.J. Upton, SS, Tampa Bay
Arguably baseball’s top prospect, young Upton is a shortstop that hits for power. He made the jump from Double-A to Triple-A this year without losing a beat, and it may not be long before the Devil Rays come calling. You’d be wise to snatch Upton off waivers if it happens, especially in keeper leagues.
Kevin Millwood, SP, Philadelphia/Roy Halladay, SP, Toronto
Two words: They stink. Trade them immediately while pitching-starved owners in your league still think these “aces” can turn it around.
![Volunteers who have been providing care packages and assisting migrants off of buses and onto trains at Wilmette’s Metra Station urged the Wilmette Village Board to not follow neighboring communities by adopting a busing ordinance during Wednesday night’s meeting. Despite concerns, trustees voted unanimously to limit unscheduled bus drop-offs to weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Village Manager Michael Braiman, who told Pioneer Press in early January the village had no plans to move forward with busing ordinances, said increased late-night drop-offs have begun to cause concern. According to the village, 68 buses with approximately 2,700 people have arrived […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PPN-L-WLM-busingordinance-050224-01.jpg?w=467 "Volunteers who have been providing care packages and assisting migrants off of buses and onto trains at Wilmette’s Metra Station urged the Wilmette Village Board to not follow neighboring communities by adopting a busing ordinance during Wednesday night’s meeting. Despite concerns, trustees voted unanimously to limit unscheduled bus drop-offs to weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Village Manager Michael Braiman, who told Pioneer Press in early January the village had no plans to move forward with busing ordinances, said increased late-night drop-offs have begun to cause concern. According to the village, 68 buses with approximately 2,700 people have arrived […]")
