HG
– We are past
the All-Star game with the trade deadline less than two weeks out. As
with any season there are players who put together a year that when
the view their career after being retired look at that one year when
everything was right and think what if? For 2017, Marwin Gonzalez has
been lights out in Houston, while Trevor Cahill and Mike Clevinger
can seem to do little wrong in 2017. Then there are the vets who
through injuries, slow starts or even suspensions begin to find a
rhythm as some point with Maikel Franco, Gerardo Parra, Sterling
Marte and Gregory Polanco playing better now than at any point this
year. As always rookies continue to shine or will soon as Yoan
Moncada gets his first real chance in the show while Tony Pham
continues to turn heads.

Waiver Claims

Marwin
Gonzalez 1B/SS/3B/OF Astros –
Gonzalez inherits the starting job at
short with Carlos Correa out 6 to 8 weeks and his production to date
screams that he should be picked up. The versatile Astro is having a
career year hitting 309 with 17 long balls, 55 RBI, 44 runs scored
and 4 stolen bases making Marwin well worth owing.

Yoan
Moncada 3B White Sox –
The top prospect in baseball has finally
been called up by the White Sox. The former Cuban star is worth an
add in deep leagues and in all dynasty groups going forward.

Maikel
Franco 3B Phillies – Franco is
beginning to show signs at the dish after an inconsistent first half.
He is on a run of 16 hits in 52 at bats that has pushed his average
to 235 and his 4 homers and 11 RBI over his last 13 games has Franco
sitting at 14 homers and 52 runs driven in for the season.

Gerardo
Parra OF Rockies – Parra
is smoking hot after returning from the DL with 8 multi-hit games and
20 hits in 36 at bats for the Rockies. The former Brewer has also
added 12 scored runs, 12 runs knocked in and has his average up to
364 making him a good addition now.

Tony
Pham OF Cardinals – Pham has opened
eyes in St. Louis and around baseball as the rookie is batting 311
and is 9 for 19 since break. The young righty has also tallied 12
long balls, two since All-Star game, along with 38 runs sent home, 13
stolen bases, and 46 runs scored making Pham a five-category
contributor that warrants higher ownership.

Sterling
Marte OF Pirates – Marte
is back after his 80-game suspension for the Buccos and should help
Pittsburgh and your fantasy team as he stole a career best 47 bags
last season while batting 311 with an on base of 362 with 46 runs
driven in.

Gregory
Polanco OF Pirates – Polanco has
picked up his game with a 438 batting average in July and hits in all
but three game this month. The young lefty is now up to 271 with 8
homers, 8 stolen bases and 33 runs scored and any player batting
north of 430 over 54 plate appearances can be used with confidence.

Trevor
Cahill RP/SP Padres – Cahill
has returned from the DL with his third start the best as he went 6.2
innings allowing just one earned run. The veteran has been a pleasant
surprise this season sporting an ERA of 3.18, WHIP of 1.24 and 71 Ks
in 57.1 frames making Cahill worth starting, especially with reliever
eligibility.

Michael
Wacha RP/SP Cardinals – Wacha
was good early, then was hit hard for several starts but lately he is
looking as sharp as he was down in Florida this Spring. This was
punctuated with his first career shutout with just 3 hits allowed
along with 9 strikeouts in his last performance. Wacha has now hurled
three quality starts over his last four and should be owned for the
rest of the season.

Mike
Clevinger RP/SP Indians – Clevinger
has been shot in the arm for an otherwise bumbling Indians’ team as
the journeyman has tossed four quality outings in a row with just two
runs surrendered over 24 frames. The veteran has an ERA of 2.73, WHIP
of 1.12 and 71 Ks in 66 innings making him an ideal addition to your
rotation.