KEY

Acquire - Add player (in most circumstances)
Watch - Track player; consider adding if trend continues
Pass - Do not add player (in most circumstances)

Second Basemen

Jeff Baker, Colorado

Those who were quick to write off Baker's strong June as a fluke need to re-evaluate the situation, as Baker is absolutely scorching the ball. The 27-year-old has taken over second base duties from infielder Clint Barmes and is hitting a combined .343 in June and July. He has been even hotter of late, going 18-for-37 with three home runs, seven RBI and 14 runs scored during his last nine contests. With Colorado's offense finally firing on all cylinders, Baker is worth adding in all formats.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Third Basemen

Andy Marte, Cleveland

With the Tribe dealing third baseman Casey Blake to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Marte is expected to take over as the team's everyday third sacker. Once considered the top prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization, Marte has demonstrated plus power in the minors by hitting 20 or more home runs three times in the last six seasons. Marte has flashed decent power during previous major league stints, but his .199 career average suggests he could be a drain on your club's overall average. Acquire Marte exclusively in AL-only formats.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
AL-only: Acquire

Omar Infante, Atlanta

Third baseman Chipper Jones (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday, July 28, after suffering a strained left hamstring late last week. Jones' loss may be Infante's gain, as the veteran infielder has gone 5-for-15 with a home run and four RBI during the three games Jones has missed. Given the uncertainty surrounding Jones' return date, Infante should be a nice short-term addition in NL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire

Shortstops

Jerry Hairston, Jr., Cincinnati

The team is hopeful they will be getting Hairston (hamstring) back from a hamstring injury shortly. The journeyman is set to join Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, July 29, and could rejoin the club for their weekend set with the Nationals beginning Friday, August 1. Hairston is enjoying his finest major league season, and with infielder Jeff Keppinger (.179 in July) struggling at the dish, Hairston would seem to be a solid bet to see regular playing time upon his return. He's worth picking up in deeper mixed setups.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Outfielders

Steve Pearce, Pittsburgh

With outfielder Xavier Nady (Yankees) now out of the picture, the Pirates have summoned Pearce from Triple-A Indianapolis. Considered to be among the team's top prospects, Pearce posted a .258-11-54 line with the Indians and should split time with outfielder Jason Michaels. Of course, if outfielder Jason Bay were to follow Nady out of town, that could open up a full-time spot for Pearce. Either way, Pearce has enough potential to be a solid speculative addition in NL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire

Scott Podsednik, Colorado

Podsednik has been caught up in Colorado's offensive resurgence, going 10-for-18 (.556) with five doubles, six runs scored and a pair of steals since the All-Star break. Center fielder Willy Taveras (quadriceps) is unable to play every day, and outfielder Ryan Spilborghs (oblique) is on the disabled list. Podsednik is likely nothing more than a short-term option in deeper NL-only formats, but his hot streak is worth a plug and play.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire

Designated Hitters

Billy Butler, Kansas City

One of fantasy baseball's top sleepers entering 2008, Butler displayed virtually no power early in the season before being demoted in late May. Since the All-Star break, however, it has been a different story. Butler is batting .314 and has cracked four home runs with 14 RBI in just 35 second-half at-bats. He's absolutely worth adding now in deeper mixed formats, and he should be monitored in shallower versions.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire

Starting Pitchers

Randy Johnson, Arizona

Just when it looked like the 44-year-old southpaw was washed up following a six-game losing skid, Johnson has turned things around with a four-game winning streak. During that four-game span, Johnson has posted a 1.71 ERA and 0.80 WHIP and fanned 19 batters. It's worth noting that he has dominated a couple of weaker offenses during this run, but he did two-hit the powerful Cubs over seven scoreless frames Monday, July 21. He's once again a must-own in deeper leagues and could be picked up while he's hot in shallow formats.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Zach Miner, Detroit

After doing a solid job out of the bullpen for much of 2008, Miner has been even better in his two starts. The righty has allowed just two runs (both coming on solo homers) in 12 innings in posting back-to-back wins. He performed adequately as a starter for much of 2006 (7-4, 4.15 ERA in his first 14 starts) before getting ripped in his last two starts of that year. He's worth adding in AL-only leagues but is nothing more than a watch list candidate in deep mixed varieties.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Acquire

Micah Owings, Arizona

Owings is set to return to the rotation Monday, July 28, after spending much of July in the bullpen. Owings started strong (4-0, 3.48 ERA in April) but has been awful since late May, losing six straight decisions. He has posted solid strikeout numbers, but that isn't enough to warrant adding him in mixed leagues. However, he's worth keeping an eye on based on his strong work in the second half of last season.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Acquire

Mike Hampton, Atlanta

Hampton made his oft-delayed 2008 debut Saturday, July 26, allowing six runs on eight hits in four innings of work. Considering this was Hampton's first major league start since 2005, the Braves are probably happy he made it through the outing without his arm falling off. He's a non-factor in mixed leagues but could be worth a flier in NL-only versions.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire

Jeffrey Karstens, Pittsburgh

Acquired from the Yankees in the recent trade, Karstens is set to join the Pittsburgh rotation immediately. He was 6-4 with a 3.80 ERA with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and should provide an immediate upgrade over pitcher John Van Benschoten (1-3, 10.48 ERA). Karstens pitched fairly well for the Yankees in 2006, but was hit hard last season in limited work. He is no more than a flier in NL-only formats at this time.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Watch

Clayton Richard, Chicago White Sox

With pitcher Jose Contreras (elbow) on the shelf, Richard is expected to make at least a couple more starts for the ChiSox. The 24-year-old lefty allowed five runs (four earned) in four innings during his major league debut, but he walked just one and fanned seven. Consider adding Richard in deeper AL-only setups as a short-term option.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
AL-only: Watch

Relief Pitchers

Fernando Rodney, Detroit

Manager Jim Leyland has apparently seen enough of reliever Todd Jones' high-wire act, and he has installed Rodney as his closer. The hard-throwing righty has 21 career saves, so closing games isn't completely foreign to him. He has struggled with his control this season (10 walks in 15 2/3 innings), and his hold on the role should be considered anything but airtight. However, you can't leave a current closer on waivers. Add him in all formats.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire

John Grabow, Pittsburgh

With closer Matt Capps (shoulder) still out and reliever Damaso Marte (New York Yankees) traded, there is now an opening in the ninth inning for the Pirates. Although relievers Denny Bautista and Tyler Yates could both figure in the mix, Grabow seems to be the most likely option. The lefty could still be traded himself before the Thursday, July 31, deadline, but he is still worth scooping up in case he emerges as their closer. Just be ready to cut bait if Grabow is dealt.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Rafael Perez, Cleveland

Perez recorded his first save of the season Friday, July 25, closing out the Twins after reliever Masahide Kobayashi failed to record an out against the three batters he faced. Unfortunately, Perez followed that up by allowing two runs on three hits in picking up the loss Sunday, July 27. It's unclear where manager Eric Wedge will turn for saves at this point, but desperate owners can consider taking a flier on Perez.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire