Last week I had posted the desire to have a few additional writers join the Fantasy Gameday team.  After a huge response, today I have the privilege to introduce Randall Dean aka “The Main Person”.  That’s right… the same one from the CBS Fantasy message boards, and now he brings his knowledge here to Fantasy Gameday.  Randall has been playing AL Only leagues for several years, and he is here to take you around the entire American League.  Without further delay, here is TMP…

From the nooks of the East to the crannies of the West, we will explore all the warm goodness of the American League fantasy baseball muffin. We will start off in the East…

• Of course we will start with the Yankees. Their hot off the wire acquisition of Erik Hinkse gives them some solid depth and utility. He is a sleeper option for some power in that ballpark, and with an old and streaking OF, may see solid AB’s from here on out.  Robinson Cano was awful on Sunday, and if he goes on another tear anytime soon, I would sell high, if you haven’t already beaten me to the punch.
• In Boston everyone is playing the waiting game for Penny to be dealt, or an injury to the staff, so that Clay Bucholtz can show what he can do on the next level. Both he and his fantasy owners are growing tired of this situation. Forget about Dice-K, and be glad that Papi is showing that the old man still has power, slowing the trade talks for a bat.
• Tampa Bay needs a closer; Howell has been filling in admirably, but cannot be counted on down the stretch. Too bad the Rockies have made a surge, since Huston Street could have been a solid addition for the Rays and your AL team.
• Toronto stays afloat even with the myriad of injuries to their pitching staff. Halladay could not have come back at a better time with the recent awful outings of Brad Mills and Brett Cecil. If they could add an arm, they could give the powers of this division a run for their uber money.
• Baltimore has a lot of potential, fantasy wise. The call ups of Nolan Reimhold and David Hernandez, could let them unleash other prospects such as a Chris Tillman in the near future. Chris Ray is back in the bigs, but not an option to close unless some team bites on the over rated Sherrill who should have been moved already.

Now we hit the Central of the breakfast buffet

• Detroit is the surprise of this group, and it’s their pitching, not their bats, that are keeping them going. Justin Verlander is proving that last year was a fluke, and Fernando Rodney has been solid at the back end of the bullpen. Cabrera is quietly putting together a great year, and is my choice for AL second half stud.
• Minnesota’s hopes are clinging to their young arms, who logged a lot of innings last season. Don’t look now, but Liriano is coming back and could put up back to back big second halves. Mauer has cooled a bit, and I would sell him faster than a lemon in a used car lot, he’s one test drive away from an injury.
• Chicago is my sentimental pick, Ozzie just warms my heart. Captain Obvious stopped by and stated that Poreda should take Richards spot in the rotation very soon. Poreda is a big boy with high heat that can pay some huge dividends for a savvy owner willing to take a chance. If you need a buy low bat, think Thome, sure he is position limited, but he is as steady as it comes, with 30 homers in 10 out of the past 11 years.
• Cleveland, the mistake by the lake as its known to its detractors, don’t make the mistake of buying anyone not named Lee or Martinez from this bunch. Grady is a huge injury risk, and your just asking for a loss starting any of the 4 other starters in this rotation.
• Kansas City. Greinke. That’s the only name of any relevance. Dead arm Meche? No thanks. Quad-A Hochevar? Already dealt with the negative points party that he threw for me twice in one week. Any hitter in their whole organization? Hmm… I’ll pass.

We have made it all the way to the wild wild West, so add some hot sauce and chili to start your day.

• Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas, that includes their hitters and the ERA. If you haven’t sold high on Kevin Millwood just yet, stop reading this now, I can serve you no good. What are you going to get when Hammerin’ Hamilton comes back? Not much in my book and if there is an owner that is still running the highlights of his home run derby in his mental theater, sell over the rights. Prospect alert: Justin Smoak. Chris Davis strikes out every other at bat, and that is no joke. He literally does. Oh, and he bats right around the Mendoza line. Why is he in the bigs? No clue. Because he hits homers? So does Smoak, and he bombed 2 in his first Double-A game after being sidelined shortly from a minor injury. Look like a genius and grab him now. You can send me a thank you card later after your league title game.
• Sweetness in Seattle. Amazingly, there are a few fantasy gems in this perennial gloomy rainy landscape. Ichiro… for some reason this guy doesn’t get much respect, but when his average hovers around the .380 mark, someone has to take notice. Snatch him from a power hungry owner who doesn’t like pure consistency. King Felix is a stud, and finally he is reaching his potential. From pauper, to prince, and finally to King, sometimes he gets lost in the shuffle of big time AL pitchers, and that’s yours to take advantage of. Heard of Russel the muscle? You know, the guy who only hits homers, can’t hit lefties, can’t get regular playing time, one trick pony? How does a .300 average and 41 home run season sound? No, I’m not talking about Miguel Cabrera, but rather Russel Branyan. Meanwhile Morrow is trying to make a dent in the rotation.  Yes… the same one he tried to start the season with. Then he complained about wanting to be in the bullpen, and not having the arm strength to pitch due to his new-found diabetes. Needless to say I will never own this guy, especially since I dealt Edwin Jackson for him to start the year.
• LAA. Paging Brandon Wood… Brandon, where are you? That’s right, you are in Triple-A. Why would the Angels need power when they have such amazing power threats as a 46 year old Guererro and Maicer Izturis. Don’t wait for Wood at this point as the skipper doesn’t seem to like the bumbling youngsters. Lackey is a nice buy low.  He is in a contract year and his arm would have to fall off for him to miss any more extended time, unlike Santana whose arm may have actually gone missing a few weeks back.
• Oakland. Matt Holiday will be gone soon enough, so that takes care of their lineup. No reliable starter, Mazarro has been solid, but 0 run support doesn’t add up to many wins. Bailey has been a pleasant surprise, and Ziegler poses no threat whatsoever to take his job. You may be a glutton for punishment if you employ any Oakland product, but its fantasy baseball, have fun!

Did I miss anybody?  If I did, throw your thoughts down in the comments section.