Blue Monday: Ryan Braun suspended for the season; who’s next?
Sleep with one eye open, fantasy gamers. This Biogenesis thing is no joke.
The final cleat dropped for Ryan Braun on Monday - he's been suspended for the remainder of the season, without pay, for violating the league's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The 65-game penalty came from a plea bargain between Braun and the league. Given where the Brewers sit in the standings (and Braun's injured thumb), it makes sense to get the suspension out of the way now - if you accept the suspension was inevitable to begin with.
[Related: Ten of Ryan Braun's most damning ‘I am innocent’ quotes]
Now fantasy owners have to play a guessing game with the other players linked to the Biogenesis clinic. Alex Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz, Bartolo Colon, Jhonny Peralta, Everth Cabrera and Melky Cabrera are some of the bigger names. It seems likely more earth-moving suspensions are on the way.
It's the perfect time for your fantasy pitcher to take dead aim at the Milwaukee lineup (Tyler Chatwood on Friday, anyone?). Braun's done for the year, Corey Hart never made it to post, Aramis Ramirez is on the DL and Carlos Gomez is dinged up. Maybe Ralph Malph and Potsie Webber will get a cup of lukewarm Arnold's coffee in September.
Brewers outfielder Logan Schafer could be worth a fantasy grab in deeper pools. He's been handy in July (.296/.345/.537, two homers, two steals) and he seems like the third-best outfielder currently on the active roster, after Gomez and Norichika Aoki. Schafer is ready to go in 99 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
[Fantasy Baseball 2013: There's still time to join a league today!]
For those in shallow and medium-depth leagues, here are some outfielders to consider for possible pickups:
-- Michael Brantley (43 percent), starting to add category juice to his game.
-- Colby Rasmus (34 percent), a tasty .858 OPS against righties.
-- Marlon Byrd (34 percent), having the power year of his life.
-- Chris Carter (26 percent), lots of pop but will crush your average.
-- Carlos Quentin (23 percent), a good player until the next injury.
-- Logan Morrison (14 percent), two positions of eligibility and timely tweets.
-- Nate Schierholtz (14 percent), unsung hero of the Cubs.
-- Denard Span (11 percent), no power but otherwise useful.
-- Michael Saunders (8 percent), back on the beam after an extended slump.
-- Chris Denorfia (4 percent), crushes lefties if you can work the platoon.
-- Christian Yelich (3 percent), just about ready for his close-up.
The floor belongs to you now, gamers. Share your pick-up ideas for the outfield, and your Biogenesis spin, in the comments.
Related coverage on Yahoo! Sports:
• Jeff Passan: Ryan Braun doped, lied and cared only for himself
• Watch: Alex Rodriguez 'in same sort of situation' as Ryan Braun
• Slideshow: How to cheat in baseball
• MLB Full Count: Watch live look-ins and highlights for free all season long
