Demotion: To reduce to a lower grade or rank; to relegate to a less important position.
Probably one of the most feared words to a major leaguer. Just the slightest notion of the word gets the hairs on the back of their neck tingling. No one wants to make that long walk to the manager's office just to hear they are headed back to the minors, moving down in the lineup or heading to the bullpen. However, occasionally bad news can turn into good news.
A demotion can sometimes serve as a wake-up call. While initially the news might be upsetting, the long-term rewards can be beneficial. And who is there to clean up? That's right, your everyday run-of-the-mill Fantasy owner. Listed below are some players who have overcome demotions this season to become Fantasy productive.
Bobby Abreu : I mentioned last week that I was proud of the Fantasy owners who aggressively pursued the Yankees slugger on the trade market. Continue to pat yourself on the back. Abreu was demoted -- albeit just for a day -- from the No. 3 spot to the No. 7 spot in the lineup on June 1 against the Red Sox. After having to fill in as a leadoff hitter for a day, Abreu returned to the three-hole on June 3. Since the move down the lineup, Abreu has been unstoppable at the dish. He is hitting .403 with two homers, 12 RBI, six doubles and two triples in June through Tuesday. He also has walked 16 times this month and swiped four stolen bases.
Jonny Gomes : The Devil Rays outfielder barely survived the last round of cuts at the end of spring training and started the season as nothing more than a reserve bat. Last season he served as an everyday player. Gomes barely saw any starts through the first two months of the season and was finally demoted to the minors in late May. He was recalled a few weeks later when the team had to place B.J. Upton on the disabled list. Good luck trying to demote him when Upton is ready to come off the DL. Gomes hit .500 with four homers and nine RBI in his first six games since returning to the lineup on June 14.
Edwin Encarnacion : The Reds thought they found a long-term solution at third base after Encarnacion slugged 15 homers and knocked in 72 runs last season. The Reds said goodbye to Encarnacion on May 11 -- opting him to Triple-A Louisville after a horrid start to the season. A roster spot opened May 22 when Josh Hamilton had to go on the DL, so the Reds brought back the third baseman. He hit .413 with three homers, seven RBI and 12 runs in 11 games down in the minors. He hasn't stopped hitting ever since. He has hit three homers, knocked in 15 runs and has raised his average from .218 to .275.
Juan Pierre : The Dodgers thought they would have the best 1-2 punch atop the lineup in the majors when they brought Pierre in during the offseason to hit behind Rafael Furcal. Pierre barely posted an above .300 on-base percentage through the first two months and struggled to start June. The Dodgers figured they would try and jumpstart his bat by demoting him to the eight-spot in the lineup June 9. He spent two games there and was back in the two-hole June 11 against the Mets. Since then, he has put together a seven-game hitting streak through Tuesday. He is hitting .370 (10-for-27) with one RBI, four walks and four stolen bases during that stretch.
Hunter Pence and Ryan Braun : Both rookies tore up spring training at the plate and looked like they were major-league ready, but the Astros' and Brewers' brass, respectively, opted for more seasoning in the minors. Both players opened the season in Triple-A. Pence returned to the majors April 28 and Braun followed May 25. Both players have been nearly unstoppable at the plate and the N.L. Rookie of the Year race is likely going to be a close vote.
Lastly, keep an eye on Chad Billingsley. He might soon join the list. After being demoted to the bullpen in spring training, Billingsley makes his first start of the season Thursday. He made 16 starts last season on his way to a 7-4 record and 3.80 ERA. He certainly has what it takes to pitch in the majors and might stick in the rotation for good this time around.
Travis Hafner has hurt my teams for the past two years in the championship round. This year I have him again and he is still giving me headaches. Should I bench him until he comes around or should I try to see what I can get in a trade? -- Mike Scruggs, Meridian, Miss.
MH: First off, last year is not fair to Hafner. He had to miss the last month because of a hand injury. Nothing he could do about it. And then in 2005, he slugged 11 homers in September. I don't see how he might have hurt your Fantasy team down the stretch in 2005. Obviously this season his .257 average is nothing to smile about, but he still has 10 homers and 46 RBI. Hafner is a very strong second half player. When pitcher's arms start to wear down, he starts to heat up. I wouldn't bench or trade Hafner unless someone offered me Prince Fielder, Albert Pujols, Justin Morneau or a player of that caliber.
I drafted Jeremy Hermida in my keeper league because I needed a player to help me in the stolen base category. I realize Hermida has had injury issues, but what is the deal? This kid swiped 20-plus in the minors, but has done nothing in the majors. Barry Bonds has more stolen bases (his four to Hermida's one). Is Florida just being cautious or is he no longer a stolen base threat? -- Susie Gilbert, USA
MH: I think you are right about the Marlins being cautious. Hermida sat out the early part of this season with a leg injury and there is no point in pushing him to the point where he has to go back on the DL. Right now, the most important aspect is keeping his bat in the lineup. The steals might eventually come, but it is not a reason why Hermida sticks in your Fantasy lineup. He is there for the power and run production.
I am in an AL-only keeper league. I picked up Ryan Shealy last year when he came over from the NL and thought he was a decent keeper for this year. Should I stick with him despite his slow start or drop him to go after Josh Fields from the White Sox for a utility spot? -- Brian Boyce, Omaha, Neb.
MH: I am going to have to go against my fellow Florida Gator and say go with Fields. You were right to hold onto Shealy. He had great power numbers in college; great power numbers in the minors; and showed great power in limited time last season with the Royals. However, Fields can do it all. He can hit for power, average and even steal a decent amount of bases. He is the future at third for the White Sox and the reason why the team is going to give Joe Crede his walking papers. Shealy still could develop into a consistent power threat, but you have to like Fields' upside a little more.
What should I do with Matt Cain? He pitches well, but the Giants can't seem to give him any run support. Should I try to trade him for someone that can get some wins or hang on to him for the decent ERA and WHIP? -- Devon Taylor, Camden, N.J.
MH: Cain is 2-7 this season with a 3.15 ERA, and the Giants have scored zero runs in each of his last two starts and two runs or fewer in nine of his 14 outings. A few runs here and there, you are looking at a pitcher that is 7-2. My advice, if you are in a league where wins are highly valued, then trading Cain might be an option. But if you are in a Rotisserie league, then keeping Cain for his ERA and WHIP is without a doubt the right way to go. I still would probably keep Cain, regardless, because good pitching is hard to find.
Is Aaron Hill for real? And you would take him over a guy like Ian Kinsler? -- Rob Lindner, South Huntington, N.Y.
MH: Hill is "for real" to a degree. He is a guy that is likely going to struggle to hit for 20 homers; his average is likely going to be under .300; and he probably won't ever be a RBI champ. With that said, I would say that he is still a capable top 10 Fantasy option at second base. His biggest obstacle is consistency. I personally like Kinsler's upside a little more. Both guys play in favorable hitter's parks, but Kinsler's power potential wins out for me.
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