Fantasy Baseball Show: First Half Awards and Second Half Predictions
Published: Jul 21, 2024
Before we move onto the second half of the MLB season, let's take a look back at the first half and all the fantasy goodness – or bad – it provided us. Colby Conway and James Grande are handing out Fantasy Baseball awards for the first half, including MVP, sleepers, busts, biggest surprises, and more! Also, what do the guys think about the All-Star week festivities and a prediction for what the Los Angeles Dodgers will do at the trade deadline. All that and more on the Thursday, July 18th, edition of Fantasy Alarm's Caught Stealing, a Fantasy Baseball Podcast!
And don't forget, as an All-Pro subscriber, you'll unlock exclusive access to Fantasy Alarm's Discord channel, where you can interact directly with our experts and receive personalized guidance. Seize this amazing opportunity!
Player News
Dodgers optioned RHP Matt Sauer to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Sauer is off the roster to make room for Tony Gonsolin for his season debut against the Marlins. Sauer will likely be back at some point this spring as a multi-inning option.
Dodgers activated RHP Tony Gonsolin off the 15-day injured list.
Gonsolin is off the injured list and will make his first start since 2023 after recovering from Tommy John surgery and also a back injury he dealt with this spring. The 30-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance in his short career, and the Miami lineup isn’t exactly loaded with stars. He’s certainly worth adding to a roster for Wednesday’s game and beyond.
Mariners designated RHP Sauryn Lao for assignment.
Lao made one appearance for the Mariners last week before being demoted, and now they need 40-man roster room for Rhylan Thomas. Lao will hit the waiver wire, and if he goes unclaimed the 25-year-old will repot back to Tacoma for organizational depth.
Mariners selected the contract of OF Rhylan Thomas from Triple-A Tacoma.
Thomas, 25, was acquired by the Mariners from the Mets in the Rhyne Stanek trade back in July of 2024. The 25-year-old outfielder is not considered a top prospect, but he could get a chance to play against left-handed pitching with Luke Raley on the injured list with an oblique strain. That doesn’t make him relevant in fantasy leagues, of course.
Mariners placed OF Luke Raley on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain.
Raley will be out of commission for at least a week-plus after hurting his oblique in batting practice prior to Tuesday’s contest. This was originally reported as a back injury, but things like this change all the time. With Raley out, the Mariners selected the contract of Rhylan Thomas from Triple-A Tacoma for outfield depth.
Jorge Polanco is not in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Angels.
Polanco still can’t swing the bat from the right side because of his side injury, so he’ll get a break after his two-homer contest Tuesday. The 31-year-old will sit with Mitch Garver behind the plate and Cal Raleigh as the designated hitter.