SB NATION

Tyler Colvin hit his 10th home run on Sunday in just 135 at-bats. Colvin had 3 hits and 4 RBI and helped the Cubs salvage one game against the White Sox. This was a pleasant surprise because Colvin has struggled against left-handers this season batting .258.  His .296 BA, 10 HR, 27 RBI, and a very impressive .962 OPS are solid numbers for his rookie campaign.  Since Lou Pinella declared that Kosuke Fukudome was going to be benched at the beginning of June, Colvin has quietly become a solid fantasy option, but he remains available in 95 percent of YAHOO leagues.

With the regular playing time that Colvin is receiving, he is a solid option in deep mixed leagues and NL-Only leagues. Unless the Cubs turn around their disappointing season in the next few weeks, the northsiders will turn into sellers. Rumors are swirling about Ted Lilly, Derek Lee, and Kosuke Fukudome as likely candidates to be traded as the Cubs begin a somewhat modified youth movement. They are not able to completely clean house because of a few contracts that no other team would take on. Alfonso Soriano and his ridiculous contract are not going anywhere in the next five years. Hopefully, the Cubs will be able to trade Carlos Zambrano after his latest breakdown. Aramis Ramirez has a player option for 2011 and although he says that its about winning, my guess is Ramirez does not walk away from the $12 or $13 million he can make next year with the Cubs.

Colvin, Starlin Castro, and Andrew Cashner are the first three players the Cubs have promoted to represent this youth movement. Others are in route and we will probably get to see them sooner than September. Colvin can play all three outfield positions and gives management flexibility. If Colvin is available in your league, I suggest you take give him a shot.

In other fantasy news from Sunday…..

• Carlos Beltran is making progress in his rehab and getting close to returning to the Mets lineup. With Angel Pagan playing so well in Beltran’s absence, Beltran was asked if he has been told that he will return to center when he returns to the Mets.
  
• Patrick Saunders from the Denver Post suggests that the Rockies face a tough rotation decision when Jorge De La Rosa returns from the disabled list on July 7th. Jhoulys Chacin, despite a career-high 12 strikeouts on Sunday, could be the option to move out of the rotation and back to Triple-A.
  
• Jorge De La Rosa dominates in his second rehab start at Colorado Springs.
• Matt Kemp was given a mental health day by Joe Torre. Kemp is having a down season, but still on pace for 20 home runs. Expect Kemp back in the line-up on Monday.
  
• Yadier Molina continues to struggle through a hitting slump. Tony La Russa was asked if he is concerned about Molina’s innings behind the plate.
  
• Will Venable stayed hot on Sunday with a two-run homer that helped the Padres win again on the road. Venable is hitting .313 in his last ten games with 4 home runs and 13 RBI.