Stock Watch: 6 players trending up, down in fantasy
We'll identify three players each week whose fantasy stocks are rising, and three others whose stocks are falling.
Trending Up
Jonathan Papelbon: The disgruntled Philadelphia Phillies closer expressed his frustration with the club's front office over the All-Star break, and will surely be on the move prior to the July 31 deadline. Fantasy owners should anticipate the move now, and attempt to acquire the veteran before his value spikes after a deal to a contender. Papelbon is the owner of a sparkling 1.60 ERA, and has amassed 35 strikeouts over 33 2/3 innings, but has only 14 saves due to a lack of opportunities in Philadelphia.
Jim Johnson: Fantasy owners can also turn to Atlanta for instant saves. Johnson is now back in a ninth-inning role after Jason Grilli's devastating season-ending Achilles injury. The lanky righty, who was once considered one of the elite closers in the game back in 2012 and 2013 with the Baltimore Orioles, has a chance to restore his reputation with the Braves. He may even be available on the waiver wire in some leagues.
Ryan Howard: The Phillies have seemingly been trying to trade Howard forever, but his recent play just might help the front office unload his massive contract to a contender. The 35-year-old's power numbers are impressive to this point (15 homers, 45 RBIs), and he could have a serious impact if inserted into the middle of a lineup with plenty of protection. The slugger went 5-for-11 with a homer and four RBIs in his final three games before the break.
Trending Down
Yasiel Puig: The charismatic Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder may be one of the most entertaining players on the field, but he's not making life easy for his fantasy owners. Puig missed most of the first half with a hamstring injury, but came out firing in June with a .303/.384/.474 slash line. His numbers took a nosedive in July heading into the All-Star break, however. The Cuban is hitting .167 this month with a homer and four RBIs in 42 at-bats. Hopefully, the break will re-energize Puig for the second half and get him back on track.
Clay Buchholz: The Boston Red Sox ace was just rounding into form before hitting the disabled list with an elbow injury. There's no timetable for his return, and it's tough to say if Buchholz can rebound from the injury. The 30-year-old went 4-0 with a 2.21 ERA in June and tossed a complete-game gem in his first July start against the Houston Astros.
Matt Moore: Taking a gamble on a recovering Tommy John patient is always high risk, and the Tampa Bay Rays lefty hasn't yielded early returns for fantasy owners that stashed him away on the disabled list. Moore, a former 17-game winner, is 1-0 with a lofty 7.07 ERA and 1.93 WHIP in his first three outings, and hasn't thrown into the sixth inning in any of those contests. Don't push the panic button yet, however, and give Moore a chance to round back into form in the second half.