YankeesGround.com | New York Yankees News, yankees Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div><h3>KEY</h3></div><p></p><b>Discard</b> - Drop player (in most circumstances)<br><b>Stash</b> - Hold player if roster space is available; consider dropping if trend continues<br><b>Hold</b> - Do not drop player (in most circumstances)<p><h3>First Basemen</h3><p><h4>Ryan Garko, Cleveland</h4><p>After looking like he was putting things together earlier this month, Garko has done next to nothing since the middle of June. He has managed just six hits in his last 44 at-bats, scoring twice and driving in three runs without an extra-base hit during that time. His average is back down to .242, and he is no longer worth a roster spot in mixed leagues.<p><i>Shallow mixed</i>: Discard<br><i>Deep mixed</i>: Discard<br><i>AL-only</i>: Hold<p><h3>Shortstops</h3><p><h4>Alberto Callaspo, Kansas City</h4><p>Just one day after being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, Callaspo (undisclosed) was placed on the DL by the Royals. The light-hitting infielder was batting a respectable .290 on the year but was not making a contribution anywhere else. Cut him loose in all leagues except deep AL-only formats.<p><i>Shallow mixed</i>: Discard<br><i>Deep mixed</i>: Discard<br><i>AL-only</i>: Stash<p><h3>Outfielders</h3><p><h4>Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta</h4><p>Following back-to-back seasons of 100-plus RBI, Francoeur has unquestionably been a disappointment to fantasy owners in 2008. The 24-year-old outfielder has seen his average decline from .277 in April all the way down to .206 in June. His power numbers - 48 homers in the last two seasons - have flatlined and his strikeouts are back up (23 in June) after fanning just seven times in 101 April at-bats. The temptation may be there to release him and look for outfield help elsewhere, but don't consider it at this stage of the season.<p><i>Shallow mixed</i>: Hold<br><i>Deep mixed</i>: Hold<br><i>NL-only</i>: Hold<p><h4>David Murphy, Texas</h4><p>One of the league's pleasant surprises this year, Murphy has struggled at the plate since hitting two home runs and driving in five June 11. Since that game, Murphy is 8-for-50 (.160) with six RBI and four runs scored. He's also without a home run in those 15 games. Murphy's 52 RBI and solid totals in other categories ensure he shouldn't be dropped in deeper mixed leagues, though those in shallow versions can look for other alternatives if they don't feel they can wait out his slump.<p><i>Shallow mixed</i>: Stash<br><i>Deep mixed</i>: Hold<br><i>AL-only</i>: Hold<p><h3>Starting Pitchers</h3><p><h4>Pedro Martinez, New York Mets</h4><p>After a largely encouraging performance when he returned from the DL June 3, Martinez has been hit hard in three of his four subsequent starts. During his last two outings, Martinez has yielded 12 runs on 15 hits and six walks over just 10 innings of work. With a 7.12 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP this season, Martinez is only worth holding in mixed leagues if you have the room on your bench to wait out his slump. However, if you need immediate help, don't hesitate to send him packing.<p><i>Shallow mixed</i>: Stash<br><i>Deep mixed</i>: Stash<br><i>NL-only</i>: Hold<p><h4>Oliver Perez, New York Mets</h4><p>Despite his strong work against the Yankees on Sunday, June 29, Perez is expected to pitch out of the bullpen this week. However, the move is considered temporary at this point and is being made primarily to allow pitcher<b> John Maine</b> to slide in between Perez and <b>Johan Santana</b> in the rotation, which would give the Mets a left-right-left configuration. A tweak in Perez's delivery that preceded his domination of the Yankees gives further hope for a rebound from the talented southpaw. That being said, Perez is on shaky ground and could find a more permanent residence in the bullpen if he authors a couple more poor starts. Stash him in all formats if you can to see whether his delivery change pays long-term dividends.<p><i>Shallow mixed</i>: Stash<br><i>Deep mixed</i>: Stash<br><i>NL-only</i>: Hold<p><h4>Brett Myers, Philadelphia</h4><p>Myers' re-entry into the rotation has been a miserable one in 2008, and he is now facing the prospect of having his next start skipped after allowing five runs in two-plus innings Friday, June 27. A more permanent demotion to the bullpen is also a possibility. Whatever the outcome, Myers' 5.84 ERA and 1.56 WHIP should no longer appear on mixed league rosters.<p><i>Shallow mixed</i>: Discard<br><i>Deep mixed</i>: Discard<br><i>NL-only</i>: Hold<p><h3>Relief Pitchers</h3><p><h4>Dan Giese, New York Yankees</h4><p>After being roughed up in his last start, Giese is being sent to the bullpen to make room for recently signed pitcher<b> Sidney Ponson</b> (Rangers). If the journeyman pitcher isn't starting, he no longer has any value - even in AL-only leagues.<p><i>Shallow mixed</i>: Discard<br><i>Deep mixed</i>: Discard<br><i>AL-only</i>: Discard<p></p>

KEY

Discard - Drop player (in most circumstances)
Stash - Hold player if roster space is available; consider dropping if trend continues
Hold - Do not drop player (in most circumstances)

First Basemen

Ryan Garko, Cleveland

After looking like he was putting things together earlier this month, Garko has done next to nothing since the middle of June. He has managed just six hits in his last 44 at-bats, scoring twice and driving in three runs without an extra-base hit during that time. His average is back down to .242, and he is no longer worth a roster spot in mixed leagues.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
AL-only: Hold

Shortstops

Alberto Callaspo, Kansas City

Just one day after being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, Callaspo (undisclosed) was placed on the DL by the Royals. The light-hitting infielder was batting a respectable .290 on the year but was not making a contribution anywhere else. Cut him loose in all leagues except deep AL-only formats.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
AL-only: Stash

Outfielders

Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta

Following back-to-back seasons of 100-plus RBI, Francoeur has unquestionably been a disappointment to fantasy owners in 2008. The 24-year-old outfielder has seen his average decline from .277 in April all the way down to .206 in June. His power numbers - 48 homers in the last two seasons - have flatlined and his strikeouts are back up (23 in June) after fanning just seven times in 101 April at-bats. The temptation may be there to release him and look for outfield help elsewhere, but don't consider it at this stage of the season.

Shallow mixed: Hold
Deep mixed: Hold
NL-only: Hold

David Murphy, Texas

One of the league's pleasant surprises this year, Murphy has struggled at the plate since hitting two home runs and driving in five June 11. Since that game, Murphy is 8-for-50 (.160) with six RBI and four runs scored. He's also without a home run in those 15 games. Murphy's 52 RBI and solid totals in other categories ensure he shouldn't be dropped in deeper mixed leagues, though those in shallow versions can look for other alternatives if they don't feel they can wait out his slump.

Shallow mixed: Stash
Deep mixed: Hold
AL-only: Hold

Starting Pitchers

Pedro Martinez, New York Mets

After a largely encouraging performance when he returned from the DL June 3, Martinez has been hit hard in three of his four subsequent starts. During his last two outings, Martinez has yielded 12 runs on 15 hits and six walks over just 10 innings of work. With a 7.12 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP this season, Martinez is only worth holding in mixed leagues if you have the room on your bench to wait out his slump. However, if you need immediate help, don't hesitate to send him packing.

Shallow mixed: Stash
Deep mixed: Stash
NL-only: Hold

Oliver Perez, New York Mets

Despite his strong work against the Yankees on Sunday, June 29, Perez is expected to pitch out of the bullpen this week. However, the move is considered temporary at this point and is being made primarily to allow pitcher John Maine to slide in between Perez and Johan Santana in the rotation, which would give the Mets a left-right-left configuration. A tweak in Perez's delivery that preceded his domination of the Yankees gives further hope for a rebound from the talented southpaw. That being said, Perez is on shaky ground and could find a more permanent residence in the bullpen if he authors a couple more poor starts. Stash him in all formats if you can to see whether his delivery change pays long-term dividends.

Shallow mixed: Stash
Deep mixed: Stash
NL-only: Hold

Brett Myers, Philadelphia

Myers' re-entry into the rotation has been a miserable one in 2008, and he is now facing the prospect of having his next start skipped after allowing five runs in two-plus innings Friday, June 27. A more permanent demotion to the bullpen is also a possibility. Whatever the outcome, Myers' 5.84 ERA and 1.56 WHIP should no longer appear on mixed league rosters.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
NL-only: Hold

Relief Pitchers

Dan Giese, New York Yankees

After being roughed up in his last start, Giese is being sent to the bullpen to make room for recently signed pitcher Sidney Ponson (Rangers). If the journeyman pitcher isn't starting, he no longer has any value - even in AL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
AL-only: Discard