Another week is over and another homerless week for Albert Pujols, Giancarlo Stanton, and Mark Reynolds. Be patient and feel sorry for the team your playing when these guys break out. It’s still very very early. Let’s take a look at some good pickups, buy lows, and sell highs..
Devin Mesoraco (CIN C)- This article is becoming a Reds love fest. Mesoraco is very good. He was platooning with Ryan Hanigan and not playing enough. He just started 3/4 of the games in his last series. Hanigan is struggling while Mesoraco is hitting over .300. Long term Mesoraco is the guy. And long term Mesoraco is a fantasy starter. He’s a Brian McCann type offensive catcher in the coming years.
Adam Dunn (CWS 1B)- I think he’s back. I expect him to be the same guy he was 2 years ago. Your looking at a 30 HR 90 RBI guy. Of course he will destroy your average though. If your in need of power grab him. He’s legit. There was no reason whatsoever why a guy with his skill would fade that quickly.
Anthony Rizzo (CHC 1B)- He’s not in the majors yet, but watch for him. He is dominating AAA. Rizzo has a huge ceiling and should excel at Wrigley. He may have some growing pains and hit for a low average, but he will show power right away.
Kila Ka’aihue (OAK 1B)- He’s beginning to become the everyday 1B for the A’s. He’s more of a guy to keep an eye on. I see him having a .280 20 HR ceiling.
Jose Altuve (HOU 2B)- He’s looking like a really good hitter. He’s the shortest player in the majors, but that doesn’t effect him. Altuve could hit over .300 with some runs and steals.
Allen Craig (STL 2B/OF)- He homered in the first game of his rehab. He should be back in about a week. Craig is a solid player who can hit for average and add a little bit in each category.
Darwin Barney (CHC 2B)- He hits for AVG. That’s about all he does. If you like getting a nice number of hits to boost your AVG for the day, he might be your guy at a weak position.
Edwin Encarnacion (TOR 1B/3B)- He’s been consistent long enough to be a good pickup. I don’t expect him to be great all season, but it’s looking like he could have a nice season. Everyone likes to hit HR’s in TOR, so if he can keep his average up, he could be an uppertier fantasy 3B.
Pedro Alvarez (PIT 3B)- He’s showing life. Keep an eye on him. The power is starting to emerge.
Lonnie Chisenhall (CLE 3B)- He’ s in the minors. But he’s hitting .338 for 4 HR. He shouldn’t have started in the minors in the first place, so watch for his call up.
Zack Cozart (CIN SS)- What do you mean you didn’t pick him up yet? Since last week (when I used his picture on my article) he was promoted to the leadoff spot. That means he hits in front of Stubbs, Votto, Phillips, Bruce. Plus he’s going to hit around .300 with 15-20 HR and SB. Why would you not have him by now?
Alcides Escobar (KC SS)- He has a lot of speed. 40 SB potential. Right now he’s hitting for AVG. I don’t think that will keep up, but if it does, he’s a must have. Expect big struggles from time to time.
Rafael Furcal (STL SS)- Shortstops have such low expectations that anyone is just about a good start. Furcal hits in a decent lineup and has been very good lately. Get him while he’s hot. He might also put up decent enough numbers to stay there all year.
Delmon Young (DET OF)- He’s heating up. He should hit .280+ with 20-25 HR and 100 RBI. Very solid numbers.
Matt Joyce (TB OF)- It didn’t seem possible that he could repeat last year’s numbers. So far so good. He was decent in all 5 categories last season and should be the same again this year. He’s a nice #3 OF to have that can give you a little boost in every category.
Colby Rasmus (TOR OF)- He played well last week. His huge upside and recent good play is a good reason to pick him up. He’s definitely going to hit bombs in TOR. Don’t expect him to be consistent just yet, but expect decent power.
Luke Scott (TB 1B/OF)- He’s starting to play everyday and hit in the #5 spot. He has some pretty good value batting behind Pena and Longoria. As we all know, when he’s hot he’s a must own. I expect a pretty good season from him IF he’s healthy.
Alejandro De Aza (CWS OF)- He won’t give you AVG. But he does bat leadoff for an underrated offense. He’s a potential 20/20 guy. I’d bank on at least 15 HR this year. He makes a decent utility or backup OF.
Jason Bay (NYM OF)- He still has some power left in the tank. His AVG will be bad. But he could easily reach 20+ HR. That’s solid for a #3-#4 OF.
Kyle Lohse (STL SP)- He’s worth holding on to. Not just as a two start pitcher.
Kyle Drabek (TOR SP)- I told you to get him last week. He’s here to stay. He could be the young breakout star of the league.
Ross Detwiler (WAS SP)- Solid add. Former 1st round pick. High K’s. Low ERA.
Lance Lynn (STL SP)- Another Cardinal off to a good start that’s worth holding on to.
Bartolo Colon (OAK SP)- It looks like he’s going to have another good season. He’s a two start pitcher this week.
AJ Burnett (PIT SP)- I’m sure he will put up decent numbers in PIT with pretty good K’s.
Wei-Yin Chen (BAL SP)- Could be a quality start machine with a low ERA. Just like Hiroki Kuroda.
Phillip Humber (CWS SP)- Do I really need to say why?
Dillon Gee (NYM SP)- He’s pretty good. Better than most realize.
Francisco Cordero (TOR RP)- He’s the closer for now due to injury. He’s still good enough to close for half the teams in baseball. I wouldn’t be surprised if the job continues to be his for the rest of the year.
Henry Rodriguez (WAS RP)- The closing platoon should be over after Lidge blew his second one of the season.
Sell High:
AJ Pierzynski (CWS C), Bryan LaHair (1B/OF), Omar Infante (MIA 2B), Chase Headley (SD 3B), Ian Desmond (WAS SS), Josh Hamilton (TEX OF), Nolan Reimold (BAL OF), Jordan Schafer (HOU OF), Travis Hafner (CLE UTIL), Michael Pineda (NYY SP), Cory Luebke (SD SP), Chad Billingsley (LAD SP), Danny Duffy (KC SP), Carlos Zambrano (MIA SP), Johan Santana (NYM SP)
Trade for Low:
Albert Pujols (LAA 1B), Dan Uggla (ATL 2B), Eric Hosmer (KC 1B), Carlos Gonzalez (COL OF), Giancarlo Stanton (MIA OF), Shin-Soo Choo (CLE OF), Tim Lincecum (SF SP), CC Sabathia (NYY SP), Jon Lester (BOS SP), Yu Darvish (TEX SP), Adam Wainwright (STL SP), Mat Latos (CIN SP), Max Scherzer (DET SP), Clay Buchholz (BOS SP), Chris Sale (CWS SP he’s done well so far…but there is much more to come)
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So I am leaning more towards D. Span but for a guy to have on my bench for some cheap steals would you pick up Denard Span or Juan Pierre?
Juan Pierre. I’m not sure he will play every single day, and his average may not be good, but he will steal bases. However, he was caught stealing more than anyone in the league last year. But at least he keeps trying!
If you got Evan Longoria and Matt Holliday for Votto and Desmond Jennings would you do it?
No I would not. Votto is better than Longoria and Jennings is better than Holliday.
Why do you want to sell Cory Luebke high? Looking at his numbers from last year when he was a starter and the beginning of this year he is looking more and more like an ace. I know he might not get that many wins but everything is looking up for him.
Just wondering because I just traded Broxton for Luebke and felt pretty good about the trade.
Well Broxton for Luebke is an amazing trade. Because you got him for such a low price you don’t need to move him. His numbers right now are ridiculous though. I do like him, but he will not keep up this pace. His value right now is as high as it will ever be. So if people can move him for an actual ace who is struggling, I would do it. Sell high and buy low on guys like Lincecum and Lester.
What should I do with Alex Gordon? He’s giving me next to nothing when I compare him against what’s available on the wire — Altuve, Schlerholtz, etc.
It’s early you might as well wait on him. The entire Royals team is slumping. He will give better long term numbers than those guys. Bench him for now. If you have to have immediate offense then maybe think about dumping him.
Would you trade Ian desmond for bryan lahair
@lenin
Is that even a question? Of course make that trade. Bryan Lahair (will be an all-star) > Desmond
@Mark
You really think Delmon Young will produce those numbers? He had a good season two years ago, and in the postseason, but 25hrs 100 rbi?