Buy Low

When to buy/sell players is one of the biggest keys to winning your fantasy league each year. Below is a list of players that I believe will have a strong 2nd half and turn their season around.

C - Russell Martin - Martin has been one of the biggest disappointments in the 1st half. He was projected as a top 3 catcher coming into the season. June was an awful month for Martin only batting .190, and more importantly only 1 RBI for the entire month which was a solo homerun. Martin has been hot so far in July, batting .343 through 9 games. I expect Martins average to be around .275 by end of year.

1B - Ryan Garko - Garko owners had pretty high expectations going into 2009. He had a career high 90 rbi's last year, and only a disappointing 34 so far this year at the break. Garko for his career is a much better 2nd half hitter batting .297 vs .267.

2B - Howie Kendrick - Owners who have stuck with Kendrick even though he was sent down to the minors earlier this year will be rewarded in the 2nd half of the season. Kendrick is another 2nd half hitter, .313 vs .277 in his early career and is batting .304 so far in six games in July.

SS - Jimmy Rollins - If you drafted J-Roll early in your draft, you are probably near the cellar in your league. Luckily for you, there is time for a 2nd half comeback and Rollins historically is a 2nd half player, .287 vs. 265. Rollins had one of the worst months of his career in June only batting .167, but he has been on fire in 12 games in July batting .378 and stealing 6 bases.

3B - David Wright - It is tough to put an all-star on this list, but Wrights power numbers have dropped a ton this year. Yes, mainly due to his new hitting approach because of Citi Field. Wright statistically is a monster the 2nd half batting .325 vs .299. His 44 RBI's on the season are what is most shocking as he is 80 behind last years pace. These numbers should increase with the big 3 due back within the next few weeks.

OF - Ryan Ludwick - Ludwick was dropped I am sure in your league. He followed a .186 May with a .200 June, with a total of 6 HR's & 19 RBI's for the two months. He was out earlier this year with an injury, maybe he came back too soon, but he appears to be back to the form he was earlier this season and last year. He is batting .409 so far in July with 4 HR's & 18 RBI. Batting behind the best player in the world Albert Pujols, Ludwick should shine the 2nd half.

SP - Roy Oswalt - Oswalt is a slow starter. His career numbers in August & September are filthy, 2.59/2.50 ERA. I believe Oswalt will hover around his career 3.18 ERA by years end. If you own Roy, keep him...come playoff time you will be glad you did. - Paul Leume

Paul Leume is a MLB columnist from Montreal, Canada. Paul, a one-time beat writer covering the Montreal Expos for the Montreal Gazette is a proud grandfather of 3 girls and now spends his time offering his thoughts and prospective on Major League Baseball on a variety of blogs and websites throughout Al Gore’s internet.