Cornerstone, nay, cornerboulder, Prince Fielder is off to another yawnstipating start. Last year he hit 8 homers through the month of May. Boca Burgers were blamed last year, but maybe he just can’t swing a bat in cold weather because all he can think about is getting back to his hotel room and putting on his Snuggie. He’ll only be 25 in May and is still completely capable of 40 HRs on the year. If you can somehow wrestle Fielder away from an impatient owner, go for it (try a roofie!). Anyway, here’s some more players to buy and sell this week in fantasy baseball:
BUY
Jason Frasor – Newest victim of Scott Downs’ Syndrome? Maybe. Or maybe… Downs Goes… Frasor! Downs Goes… Frasor!
Aaron Hill – He’s 27 years old — yo, that shizz is magical, Copperfield! — he has power for a 2nd baseman and he’s not a drain on average. Best case scenario is 20/5/.290 — That’s pretty good for a 2nd baseman when you consider Utley has the conch shell at 30/12/.310.
Nelson Cruz – Damn, Fonzie, you thought I’d say he was a sell after his big time start, huh? Nah, noob. I wrote a whole fantasy baseball sleeper post on this guy two months ago. Recognize!
Adam Lind – Everyone and Grey’s mother seems to like this guy. Okay, I do too! Just keep expectations in check. If you can get Krispie or Ludwick for Lind, I’d go for it.
Josh Anderson – With Thames on the DL, Anderson’s going to have some time to steal bases. Your league has to be fairly deep for his name to matter, i.e., I picked him up in my 16 team mixed league… Then dropped him for Hawkins. Well, nevermind that.
Tommy Hanson – Looks like he’s going to get the call soon. Don’t drop anyone that is currently helping you, but if you’re choosing between middle reliever schmohawk door number one or Hanson, I’d go for Hanson.
Phil Hughes – Is it Phil or Phillip? He’s still very young with tremendous potential. He’s not just on your radar because he’s a Yankee. With Wang wrong, Hughes could be up any moment now.
Derek Holland – Could be an impact pitcher right now. He’s contending with Millwood, McCarthy, Padilla, Harrison and Scott Feldman. (Yes, that last name sounds like Skippy from Family Ties’s real name.) In 12 team leagues or deeper, I’d pay to find out how long until Holland’s inserted into the rotation.
Josh Johnson – Going with the just-abandoned Josh theme, if Johnson avoids injury, he can be this good all year.
Mike Lowell – No, I’m not saying he’s going to keep up a pace of 150 RBIs, but you can’t sell him and get value so you may as well keep him and have a decent cheap 3rd baseman.
Cameron Maybin – He’s been pretty bad so far, but go watch this. Did you see how close the leftfielder was playing? That’s cuz the leftfielder had no idea the scouting report on Maybin and he said to himself this scrawny guy isn’t hitting the ball over my head. Maybin! (Okay, I’m completely bonkers pushing Maybin as a Buy at this point, but if you’re in a deep league and someone thinks your Melky is going to breakout, I’d get Maybin from them.)
SELL
Geovany Soto – I don’t think you should sell him for a pair of Meat Puppet reunion tour tickets, but while last year is still fresh in people’s minds, you might look to unload Soto. Not only is he struggling, but he might be struggling because of shoulder problems. That spells trouble.
Jason Bartlett – Besides having a name that sounds like a jobber in the WWE, he’s having himself a nice little start for the year. .373 with 5 steals. Well, la di da. He’s going to hit .280 and steal 20 bases. If you can get anything for him, go for it. Otherwise, just ride out his hot streak for now, but keep your mind open to other MIs.
Jarrod Washburn – Wanna know what it’ll feel like if you continue to hold him? Punch yourself in the stomach.
Emilio Bonifacio – 2 walks in 66 ABs. He has speed, guys. There’s no doubt he can steal. At some point the goose is going to cook his average real unpheasant.
Chris Volstad – He’s running an ERA out there under 3.00 and it should be above 4.00. He will probably be usable this year, so you don’t need to drop him, but you should use caution with him or trade him for a different piece.
Kyle Lohse – Drop the H.
