Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

• Atomic Roadrunners acquires Lastings Milledge ($9/1 year)

• Cover Zero acquires Steve Pearce ($1/1 year)

The Sports Xchange notes, Pirates RF Steve Pearce has been a disappointment since being called up on July 26 when Xavier Nady was sent to the New York Yankees as part of a six-player trade, hitting .208 with five RBI in 15 games. Most disappointing is that Pearce has yet to hit a home run in 116 major-league at bats over the past two seasons after going deep 34 times in the minor leagues in 2007. Pirates’ manager John Russell said he first wants Pearce to get untracked at the plate before worrying about hitting for power. Hitting for power? Pearce should try hitting period. Still, he’s starting every day for the struggling Pirates. Consider him a sleeper in deeper formats, especially NL-only and long-term keeper leagues. (CBS Sports)

OF Lastings Milledge continues to perform well for the Nationals even when his team is struggling. Milledge has hit safely in 16 of his past 18 games, going 26-for-71 (.366) with five homers, 11 RBI and nine extra-base hits. His season average is up to .261. Milledge is having a nice second half, finally proving to be the elite talent he is. Consider him someone to trust in all deeper leagues now, especially Rotisserie formats. (CBS Sports)

Analysis: With the trading deadline just hours away, the Atomic Roadrunners accepted the trade offer from Cover Zero. There is no question that Milledge is hitting better than Pearce right now, and it’s probable that Milledge will shine for the rest of the season (even though he’s a National). The deal came down to years. Milledge is a free agent in the WBRL after this season, and Pearce is protectable for two more years at $1. However, Pearce may not be in the rebuilding Pirate’s plans. Next season will likely feature Nate McLouth, Brandon Moss, and possibly rookie Andrew McCutcheon. And with Adam LaRoche back, Pearce may only be a 4th OF/backup 1B, which may not be worth protecting, even for $1.

In essence, Pearce’s disappointment this season, plus the nagging notion of a “wasted” $1 bid on an active spot, wants me to be rid of him. Plus, with X-Men’s acquisition of Alfonso Soriano (also from Cover Zero), the Atomic Roadrunners need all the help they can get. So welcome, Lastings, may you make us proud in these final days before free agency! And as Chris Keck reminded me in August of 2000, “Flags fly forever.”

Update (8/22): Pirates optioned outfielder Steven Pearce to Triple-A Indianapolis. Pearce had gone 12-for-55 with seven RBI and no homers since getting called up in the end of July. He’ll be back in September. (Rotoworld)

Trade:

• Trade OF Steve Pearce ($1, 3 years) to Cover Zero.
• Acquire Nationals’ OF Lastings Milledge ($9, 1 year), added to actives

FAAB Acquisitions:

• OF Chris Dickerson, Reds [$0 bid, add to actives]
• P Noah Lowry, Giants [$0 bid]

Down:

• OF Shane Victorino

Cut:

• P Jason Bergmann
• OF John Bowker

Pirates RF Steve Pearce has been a disappointment since being called up on July 26 when Xavier Nady was sent to the New York Yankees as part of a six-player trade, hitting .208 with five RBI in 15 games. Most disappointing is that Pearce has yet to hit a home run in 116 major-league at bats over the past two seasons after going deep 34 times in the minor leagues in 2007. Pirates’ manager John Russell said he first wants Pearce to get untracked at the plate before worrying about hitting for power. Hitting for power? Pearce should try hitting period. Still, he’s starting every day for the struggling Pirates. Consider him a sleeper in deeper formats, especially NL-only and long-term keeper leagues. (CBS Sports)

Up:

• P John Maine
• P Joe Blanton
• 3B Chipper Jones
• OF Chase Headley

Down:

• OF Gregor Blanco
• OF Steve Pearce
• P Matt Lindstrom
• P Carlos Villanueva

Move:

• 3B Casey Blake to Utility
• U Jody Gerut to OF

After coming up empty with the bases loaded in the fourth inning Monday, Steve Pearce’s two-run single in the ninth inning capped the Pirates’ comeback in a 7-5 win over the Mets. Down 5-1 after six innings, the Pirates fought back against the Mets’ highly flammable bullpen. Ryan Doumit tied the game in the ninth inning with an RBI single and Pearce plated two runs with a sharp single to left-center field before John Grabow closed out the victory with a scoreless frame that included Mets skipper Jerry Manuel getting tossed. Pearce hasn’t been doing much at the plate until very recently, but he is an everyday starting outfielder for the Pirates at this point. Consider him a sleeper in deeper formats, especially NL-only and long-term keeper leagues. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Steve Pearce drove in the go-ahead run with a double in the 12th inning to defeat the Phillies on Friday. Ryan Doumit kicked off the top of the 12th inning with a double to deep left center. Brandon Moss then moved Doumit over to third when he grounded out to second, and Steven Pearce delivered the big hit. Freddy Sanchez then drove in Pearce to add an insurance run. Pearce is just 7-for-33 (.212) since being called up on July 26, but he should keep getting work in the outfield. (Rotoworld)

Pirates OF/1B Steve Pearce, who was recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis last weekend, will become the everyday right fielder, according to manager John Russell. Pearce had been splitting time with OF Jason Michaels in right since OF Xavier Nady was traded to the New York Yankees last weekend. Obviously we’re going to need to see the results before we rush out and put Pearce in our starting lineup, but this definitely raises his Fantasy value because we know he’ll at least be playing night in and night out. He has serious sleeper potential in the second half, but remains a low-end Fantasy option at this time. Michaels is now 100 percent just a backup for the Bucs and should only be used in NL-only leagues. (CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisition:

• 3B Casey Blake, Dodgers [$35 bid, add to actives]

Up:

• P Josh Johnson
• OF Steve Pearce

Down:

• 3B Chipper Jones
• P Joe Blanton
• OF John Bowker

Cut:

• OF Andruw Jones

Notes:

• This is the first week this season that the Atomic Roadrunners infield has been disrupted, here in Week 18. The core of Prince Fielder, Mark Teixeira, Chipper Jones, Jose Reyes, Brandon Phillips, and Ryan Theriot had not been interrupted this season. The catching situation has been remarkably stable as well, as Chris Iannetta replaced Javier Valentin in Week 4, and Chris Coste replaced Carlos Ruiz in Week 8.
• Former 2008 Roadrunner Matt Herges was released by Stanimals when he picked up John Grabow.
• I also bid $3 on Joel Hanrahan, who had been on my scout team since the pre-season, due to his scoreless innings streak in Spring Training. X-Men acquired him for $41 FAAB, as he is now the presumptive closer for the Nationals with the trade of Jon Rauch.

Pirates OF Steve Pearce was hitless in two at-bats Monday against the Rockies, but did have his first two sac flies of the season. He also walked once. Pearce is 1-for-6 (.167) in two games since his recall from Triple-A. The Pirates recalled Pearce after trading Xavier Nady to the Yankees and it appears as though the 25-year-old will see a majority of starts in right field for Pittsburgh. He has serious sleeper potential in the second half, but remains a low-end Fantasy option at this time. (CBS Sports)

Pirates recalled outfielder Steve Pearce from Triple-A Indianapolis. Pearce started in right field, and later moved to left on a double-switch. Pearce was 1-for-4 with a walk, and batted sixth in the order. No word yet on how the Pirates are filling the other roster spot opened up by Saturday’s trade. That could be an indication that one of the pitchers they acquired will be brought right to the majors. Pearce will be the primary replacement for Xavier Nady in the outfield, and he’s well worth using in NL-only leagues. (Rotoworld)

Steve Pearce is being recalled from Triple-A to replace Xavier Nady in Pittsburgh’s outfielder. He’ll likely get an extended look as the regular right fielder. Pearce has had a disappointing year in Triple-A and he is 25 years old, so he can’t afford to blow the chance he’s about to get. If he doesn’t produce in August, the Pirates might give Andrew McCutchen the job in center in September and move Nate McLouth to right. (Rotoworld)

Steve Pearce, who is playing first base in Triple-A, hit his 26th double Monday night. Minor league doubles become big league homers: It is a axiom you should subscribe to. Pearce looks like he could force Adam LaRoche to the trade market before next spring, but he could also be a corner outfield replacement if the Pirates decide to get rid of Jason Bay and/or Xavier Nady. Adam McCutchen will be one of the Pirates’ outfielders alongside 2008 breakthrough player Nate McLouth. (CBS Sports)

After Monday’s game against the Astros, the Pirates announced that OF Steve Pearce will be optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for SP Ian Snell, who will be activated from the disabled list to start Tuesday’s game against the Astros. Pearce did not make a start since being recalled July 2 and was 1-for-3 with the Pirates. Pearce is a strong long-term prospect, but remains just a NL-only and keeper Fantasy flier at this juncture. (CBS Sports)

Pirates recalled outfielder Steve Pearce from Triple-A Indianapolis. To do what? The Pirates aren’t going to sit Adam LaRoche or either corner outfielder, so unless a trade comes, Pearce won’t do much more than pinch-hit, and as mediocre as he’s been this year, it’s doubtful he’d be of any use while getting a handful of at-bats per week. He was hitting .259/.311/.445 in Triple-A. Pearce entered the game in the top of the ninth as a pinch-hitter for John Grabow, and struck out swinging against Bill Bray. (Rotoworld)

Steve Pearce went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo homers Wednesday for Triple-A Indianapolis. Pearce is at .296/.344/.605 this month, though his OPS for the year is still under 800. At least the improved showing will put him back in line for an opportunity in the event of a Xavier Nady or Jason Bay trade. (Rotoworld)