Follow us on Twitter: @BloombergSports @RobShawSports @MicheleSteele

Daniel Murphy, Utility, Mets

I am not sure what the Mets will do once Ike Davis returns to the lineup be it this year or next.  Daniel Murphy is simply a hired bat who can offer some serious offense.  The problem is on the defensive side, as Murphy is at his best at third base, which happens to be the home for Mr. David Wright. 

 

Murphy has his average up to .315 this season, with line drive power: 6 HR, 21 doubles and 2 triples.  Murphy has hit .385 this month after hitting .330 in June. 

 

Murphy is just 26 years old and bats left-handed, so this is a nice problem to have for the Mets.

 

Alex Gordon, OF, Royals

The second overall pick of the 2005 draft, Gordon has long been considered a bust due to the slow start to his career, but this season he has finally met expectations. 

 

The 27-year old boasts 11 home runs with 24 doubles and 8 swipes.  His average is up to .296 after batting just .215 last season.  His plate discipline has been so impressive that the team opted to have him leadoff before pushing him down in the order to take advantage of his power. 

 

Gordon is now considered a potential trade target for teams in need of offense.

 

Jeff Francoeur, OF, Royals

You would think Jeff Francoeur is 40 years old since he’s played for three teams over the last year.  Though he has not been able to sustain the hot start to the season (after batting .316 in April, Francoeur hit just .233 and .235 the next two months), he has found a way to contribute to a fantasy roster.  He’s doing this on the basepaths, as he has already swiped 15 bases, nearly double his previous high. 

 

The .266 average still leaves something to be desired, but his 13 home runs and 58 RBI may be enough to force yet another trade.

 

Michael Morse, OF, Nationals

At 29 years old, Morse is a late bloomer, but he is also one of the better hitters in baseball right now with an even .300 average and 15 home runs.  Morse has already matched his previous career-high in home runs, set last season.  His OBP is a healthy .348 and while walks are hard to come by, Morse makes up for it with a .523 slugging percentage. 

 

Jon Jay, OF, Cardinals

This 26-year old left-handed hitter was drafted in the second round of the 2006 draft out of Miami.  However, Jay never quite earned top prospect status, and this year he has surprised people as a solid platoon option. 

 

Jay is hurt by a lack of patience at the plate and limited power, but you can’t argue with the .310 average, which comes a season after hitting .300.  In total, Jay boasts a .304 career average with 11 home runs in 516 at bats. 

 

Jay has made a case to get regular at bats, considering he hits both lefties and righties for at least a .300 average throughout his career.  However, with Lance Berkman leading the league in homers, Jay’s playing time will continue to be limited for the remainder of the season.