San Diego's Sleeper Correia
Kevin Correia has been a quietly effective member of the Padres' rotation recently, posting a 3.08 ERA in June despite a bad outing at the beginning of the month, with a WHIP less than one and 34 strikeouts in 38 innings. He's also thrown five straight quality starts to drop his season numbers to a solid 4.23 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.
Last season, Correia was plagued by a lingering oblique injury that affected him for most the year and prevented him from getting the most out of his delivery, but his velocity has returned this year now that he's healthy. The 28-year-old right-hander has transitioned from less of a drop-and-drive pitcher to more of an upright one, with a smoother, more controlled delivery. He throws across his body, which doesn't always allow him to have good command of his fastball, but what it does do is give him a plus slider, which is improved this year and is the key pitch that has led to his recent success. He still has to watch his tendency to overthrow, but his recent hot run may be somewhat sustainable, especially given the favorable conditions of his home park, and the fact that while his peripheral numbers indicate he's had a little bit of luck, it's not extraordinary. In fact, you can make the case that he's been slightly better than his ERA indicates.
He should continue to be a solid play in NL-only leagues, but has now made himself at least a consideration in deep mixed-league play, as well.
Potential Pickups
Here's a look at some of the new additions to the player pool this week.
American League
Chris Perez, RP, Indians: After the Mark DeRosa trade sent Perez to the American League, the hard-throwing righty should immediately step into the primary set-up role for a struggling Kerry Wood. The side effects of this deal are that Luis Valbuena will continue to get a look at second base, with Asdrubal Cabrera returning to play shortstop, and there will be less of a logjam for the Indians to give Matt LaPorta another look in left field sooner rather than later.
Bruce Chen, SP, Royals: The 32-year-old journeyman had decent numbers at Triple-A, with a 3.40 ERA and 0.98 WHIP and should be up for at least a couple of starts. He has good control, but his lack of an out pitch means we likely can't count on him for sustained success in a big league rotation.
Willie Eyre, RP, Rangers: Eyre can be a solid long reliever in the back of the Texas bullpen if he can stay healthy, but players rarely have fantasy value in that role.
Gio Gonzalez, SP, Athletics: Gonzalez will get a somewhat extended look in the A's rotation with Josh Outman on the shelf, and struck out six in 3 2/3 innings in his first start. Unfortunately, that was the only good thing he did. He can indeed rack up the strikeouts regardless of role, but his control and command are still shaky, and the rest of his numbers are likely to negate any positive value his whiffs may provide.
Freddy Dolsi, RP, Tigers: Dolsi will fill a middle-inning role with Detroit, and though the right-hander throws hard, he's not always sure where the ball is going, and that inconsistency should keep him off fantasy rosters.
Bob Keppel, RP, Twins: A former starter in the minors, Keppel was converted to a relief role at Triple-A this season, and will fill a long-relief role for the Twins. He pitched four shutout innings in his first relief appearance, but that's likely going to prove to be the exception rather than the norm.
National League
Mark DeRosa, 3B, Cardinals: The Cardinals' revolving door at third base is likely coming to an end as DeRosa will see the majority of the time at the hot corner. He may not wind up being the biggest name coming over to the NL before the trade deadline, but he's on pace for a career-high in homers, is eligible at three positions and is worth a very healthy FAAB bid. If you're in a leading FAAB position on your league, I'm ready to spend it here, especially because you get a month's more worth of production from DeRosa than you will from someone who comes over at the deadline.
Homer Bailey, SP, Reds: For all the chat room buzz this week about Bailey's success at Triple-A since adding a splitter to his repertoire on June 2, it still comes down to commanding your pitches and throwing strikes at the big league level, which is what I told all the chatters. Bailey demonstrated in his first start back that both of those things are still elusive, as he walked seven and delivered two wild pitches. So far, it's the same story with Bailey that we've seen before, new pitch or not.
Felipe Paulino, SP, Astros: If I'm taking a chance on a starter this week, Paulino, and not Bailey, is the one I want. The 25-year-old struck out nine in seven innings in his latest start, and though there's some inconsistency as his command can wander, he can be lights out when he's on and is one to tuck away. Brandon Backe is gone, but Mike Hampton returns to the Astros' rotation soon, which means Paulino may be waiting for an opening again. If he gets extended time in the rotation, he can take the ball and run with it.
Tim Wood, RP, Marlins: A 26-year-old relief prospect that you haven't heard much about in the past due to injuries, Wood dials it up to 95 with a hard slider, and could be a deep sleeper for saves in the Marlins 'pen.
Virgil Vasquez, SP, Pirates: Vasquez had a brief cup of coffee with the Tigers in '07 and a good '09 debut for the Pirates in the first of what should be at least a few turns in their rotation, striking out seven in six innings. However, his raw stuff indicates that it may go downhill from there, as he may just be too hittable.
Alex Romero, OF, D-backs: Romero was recalled when Eric Byrnes went on the DL, but shouldn't see much time when Chris Young is back to full speed from a groin injury, which will likely be next week. Romero's lack of power and speed don't make him very desirable to fantasy owners regardless.
Luke Carlin, C, D-backs: Carlin is a defense-first catcher who will back up Miguel Montero while Chris Snyder is out. No value.
Mike Burns, SP, Brewers: Burns should get a few starts while Dave Bush is out, but had trouble missing bats even at Triple-A, which means there's not much to get excited about.
Chris LeRoux, RP, Marlins: He's just another lefty arm for the Marlins 'pen as they try to piece things together. He doesn't have much potential.
Argenis Reyes, IF, Mets: Reyes is a good fielder that makes contact and has a little speed, but his role will be as a utility infielder so he still might not have much value in NL-only leagues. There's some small upside here if he does get a few more at-bats than expected.
Tyler Clippard, RP, Nationals: The 24-year-old was converted to the bullpen this season and put up big numbers at Triple-A, striking out 42 in 39 innings with a 0.92 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, even though he gets by more on deception than power stuff. We'll have to see how that plays at the big league level and I don't see him as much of a saves sleeper at the moment, even in that Washington 'pen.
Kevin Hart, P, Cubs: Hart is a versatile swingman with strikeout ability and occasional problems finding the strike zone. There's not much value here at the moment given his projected role.
Sean Rodriguez has a lot of hype as he is back with the Angels. To see if Jason Grey thinks he can live up to it, join ESPN Insider. 
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