With the All-Star game in the rearview mirror and the trading deadline coming up in a few weeks, its make or break time for many of the middle of the pack teams. In this week?s edition of the team rankings, we will give our post-all star break order and give fantasy tips on all 30 teams.
1. Detroit Tigers (54-36)
Left-hander Andrew Miller can be had in many leagues and with a 4-3 record and a 3.35 ERA, he is a viable and cheap second half option.
2. Boston Red Sox (55-36)
If you have outfielder J.D. Drew, the best option might be to sell because he is still hitting around .260 and with a big lead, you can bet Boston will rest him at any chance so he is healthy for the playoffs.
3. Los Angeles Angels (55-36)
Second baseman Chone Figgins was injured at the beginning of the year, but he is back strong by hitting over.300 and has 24 steals in 62 games.
4. Cleveland Indians (54-37)
In two July starts, starter C.C Sabathia has given up 21 hits and 13 runs in 11 innings and losing both starts. Maybe his poor conditioning is starting to show.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (52-40)
New first baseman James Loney has been on fire since taking over with 35 hits in 91 at-bats while slugging .593. He is a great bargain for a stretch and playoff run.
6. Seattle Mariners (51-38)
First baseman Richie Sexson is never coming back to his former All-star form. I might be the last one to admit this, but just drop him and find another option if he is still on your team.
7. New York Mets (51-40)
If you play in a NL-only league, practice caution with outfielder Lastings Milledge because this call-up could just be an audition for a possible trade.
8. San Diego Padres (50-40)
Outfielder Milton Bradley is thought to be the power answer in San Diego, but don?t count on him to be a power player on your favorite team.
9. Atlanta Braves (50-42)
Manager Bobby Cox loves playing platoons if he has the chance, so stay away from second base, first base and left field for the rest of the season.
10. Milwaukee Brewers (51-40)
It?s that time of year again. Starter Ben Sheets is hurt and his fantasy owners should start exploring trade opportunities while he is at his highest value.
11. Minnesota Twins (49-43)
Set-up man Pat Neshek is a good add if he is a free agent because he has a 1.63 ERA and is averaging over 10 strikeouts per nine innings.
12. Chicago Cubs (47-43)
Outfielder Alfonso Soriano is having a steady year with 16 home runs and 13 steals, but his low RBI numbers in the lead-off spot are hurting his value compared to other outfielders.
13. Arizona Diamondbacks (49-44)
While young hitters are the rave at draft time, it is time to dump the Arizona young hitters before they go into a summer swoon.
14. New York Yankees (45-44)
He is the quiet superstar of the group, but outfielder Hideki Matsui is starting to swing the bat well, going six for 18 in his last four games.
15. Toronto Blue Jays (45-46)
Outfielder Vernon Wells is struggling at .252 right now, but his track record shows he is still worth the risk for a second half run.
16. Philadelphia Phillies (46-45)
Outfielder Shane Victorino is a great add if available in your league. In 10 July games, he is hitting .372, slugging .651 and has five stolen bases.
17. Colorado Rockies (45-46)
Stay away from the Colorado bullpen. Closer Brian Fuentes is out of the closer role and the entire unit is lacking talent and in major influx.
18. Baltimore Orioles (41-50)
Starter Jeremy Guthrie has been a good find this year with just over a 3.00 ERA and is holding opponents to a .220 average.
19. Florida Marlins (44-48)
Like the rest of the baseball world knows now, shortstop Hanley Ramirez is a stud and should be kept at your roster at all costs. He is almost on par with New York Mets? shortstop Jose Reyes.
20. St. Louis Cardinals (41-47)
Outfielder Chris Duncan is becoming a top power outfielder with 17 home runs and a .555 slugging percentage in 75 games.
21. Oakland Athletics (44-48)
The Athletics are in the process of sorting out their roster for 2008, so try to stray away from Oakland A?s the rest of the season.
22. Pittsburgh Pirates (40-51)
With all the turmoil around this team, outfielder Xavier Nady has turned in a solid year with a .284 average with 14 home runs and 50 RBI.
23. Chicago White Sox (40-50)
The White Sox are keeping AL-only owners up at night with the multitude of trade possibilities with almost everybody on the roster.
24. Texas Rangers (39-52)
Shortstop Michael Young has always been one of the most underrated players in the game. However, his play in 2007 is living down to his national reputation.
25. Kansas City Royals (39-52)
Third baseman Alex Gordan is still struggling in the big leagues, but his consistent at-bats will give a potential owner a viable option at third base come September.
26. Houston Astros (39-53)
Outfielder Hunter Pence is a definite buy as he has shown no signs of slowing off his .330 average.
27. San Francisco Giants (38-51)
Young pitchers do well in the second half and you can expect pitching phenom Tim Linecum to light it up in August and September.
28. Washington Nationals (37-54)
There aren?t many good fantasy prospects on the roster, so steer clear of the Nationals until 2008.
29. Cincinnati Reds (37-55)
The key with this team is youth. Keep an eye and pitcher Homer Bailey and first baseman Joey Votto has pick-ups when they finally reach the big club for good.
30. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (35-56)
Outfielder Delmon Young has the makings of a future star and could see a spike in his numbers come the first of September.
Who is your fantasy sleeper or keeper? Email them to [email protected]






