Watch the Radar

Here are a few guys you need to keep an eye out and make sure they don't leave your radar.

Andruw Jones of the Braves. He is expected to return after the All-Star break if all goes well. Currently, he is in the minors for a rehab stint. Most owners cut him loose and he should be sitting on the FA list. If you have a spot on your bench or a DL spot go out and grab him and stash him away. If he can live up to his old power and the $18million contract, he could be a steal for the second half.

Chris Carpenter of the Cardinals is recovering from right elbow surgery and should have returned by the All-Star break but has recently hit a snag in his recovery. It seem like the Cardinals are going to take things extremely slow and hope he can come back for the stretch run. If the Cardinals are in a play-off race you will Carpenter back but if they are completely out Carpenter will be a sleeper for the 2009 fantasy season.

Fuentes and Street of the Rockies and A's respectively are both rumoured to be on the trading block. This is terrible news for owners because if they are traded they will most likely turn into set-up men and would destroy all fantasy value. If you have either player I would try to and see if anyone wants to take their services off your hands. Try to sell these guys to another team that is on the bottom of the saves category, don't sell to the competition. Make sure to keep an eye out on this situation.

Moises Alou of the Mets is suppose to return to the lineup in the next week or two but the Mets are going to take extreme caution with this player...he is old and brittle. If you have room on your team try and pick him up because when he is not injured he produces for fantasy owners. He is available in almost all leagues. Take a quick peak on the FA list and see if he is there, if so, take a chance on him.

Richie Sexson of the Mariners is not finding it pleasant due to the fact that rumours are swirling that he is going to be out very soon. So far this season he hasn't produced and many owners have cut ties with him a long time ago. If you look at his stats he is a .284 hitter after the All-Star break and .244 before so if you have a spot on your bench maybe this is the time to grab him and stash him there and see if he gets hot. If he can go on one of his tears he can easily hit 15-20HR's in the second half and still give you the decent AVG (.284) as well. If you are in desperate need of power this guy might be your solution.

Kenny Lofton is still sitting on the side and waiting for a contract to be handed to him. This guy, even at the ripe age of 41, still has something in him to help fantasy owners. Last season, at 40 years of age, he produced 23SB's and hit .296 in 490AB's. Looking at those numbers, I am curious on the reason why he hasn't been dealt a contract. As a veteran he can still produce on the field and hopefully could still help the younger guys out. I have that he is demanding too much money and when his price goes down teams will be there with the paper and pen. Owners, make sure to keep an eye out for Lofton because he can easily put up 10-15SB's in the second of the season while hitting .275.

Barry Bonds is sitting, just like Lofton, without a contract this season. After finishing his legal issues for this year (he has court dates set for 2009) Bonds is waiting for a club to offer him a contract. The problem is no one is willing to go out and sign this homerun king (I use the term loosely) because of what their fans might do. Honestly, I think it is a mistake in not signing him. Bonds is still able to produce as a DH (2007: .276, 28HRs, 66RBIs, 132BBs, 5SBs, and only 54Ks in 340AB's) and would bring a team a left handed bat. If he is signed, ALL fantasy owners should pick him up ASAP.

Rocco Baldelli of the Rays is still trying to make his way back to the Majors after being sidelined with a mitocondrial disorder that cause fatigue in his legs. This guy, if healthy, has the potential to produce 20HRs and 20SB's but the problem is inability to stay healthy. Just keep him in the back of your mind just in case he finds a way to get healthy and stay healthy.

Fantasy Notes

Brad Hawpe of the Rockies was activated from the DL and will resume his daily duties immediately. After a slow start to the season (.231, 3HR's, and 17RBI's) Hawpe is looking to bounce back after a breakout 2007 season where he hit .291, 29HR's, and 116RBI's. After a slow start in 2007 he continually picked it up as the summer heat set in. Owners, I recommend holding Hawpe on the bench for a few games until he finds his stroke. With Holliday coming back form injury and Atkins in the lineup Hawpe should hopefully find his groove.

Sidney Ponson of the Rangers was optioned to AAA after "disrespecting players and player personnel" in the locker room. This is kind of disappointing because of his number so far. They haven't been jaw dropping but they have added value to fantasy teams. I guess it is time to completely drop him off your rosters. If you want to be over cautious, you should wait it out to see if someone wants to pick him off waivers, which I highly doubt. It will take another 2 or so weeks for this to all settle out.

Michael Young of the Rangers missed a game due to a bruised ring finger. Currently, Young is on a 21 game hitting streak and is a great SS in all fantasy leagues. This finger issue was reported as not being too serious so owners shouldn't worry just yet.

Barry Bonds is going to trial and the media frenzy will begin on March 2, 2009 and does not have to appear in court until February of 2009. So, fantasy owners, if you have a spot on your roster you might want to grab Bonds just in case he does find a new home on a baseball team since his legal issues have completely cleared up. Looking at Bonds' stats, you can see he won't be hitting you 70HR's a year but he still adds value to any lineup. With his ability to bat with a high average because of his high walk rate, owners should keep their eye open with developments within the Bonds' camp. If he can get 250-300AB's he can realistically produce 15-20HR's, 60-70RBI's, with a .275-.285AVG. Not too shabby.

The Big Hurt

The Toronto Blue Jays and Frank Thomas have officially departed ways after the Jays demoted Thomas to the bench after struggling to start the year. I see Thomas being signed by another team in the AL and to be more specific, I see the Tampa Bay Rays picking him up as a DH. Remember all those rumours about Barry Bonds landing in Tampa, well...now the Rays can add a veteran player into their clubhouse while avoiding the legal baggage Bonds would bring. Thomas would make a decent fit in the Rays lineup and with his proven work ethic he'll be a welcome addition to help the young and upcoming Rays.

For fantasy owners this doesn't make a large impact unless you are in an AL-only league. The person who gains the most from this departure is Matt Stairs. He will start seeing more plate appearance as the DH.