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Waiver Wire Grumblings -- Week 2

By Daniel Heyder | Published 04/6/2007 | Waiver Wire Grumblings - (2007)

Daniel Heyder

Dan Heyder has been involved in fantasy sports since 2001 with baseball being his "bread and butter" sport. He’s written many articles for web sites such as fantasybaseball.com and SI.com. He’ll also be featured in the upcoming 2007 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide.

View all articles by Daniel Heyder

Catch and Release -- Week 2

Nady is off to another hot start this season; he just loves the month of April

The first week of the 2007 season is just about in the books. With that comes the excitement of every pitch, catch and throw... and at-bat. Conversely, owners will encounter questions regarding player personnel. Questions such as, do I hold onto this guy? Do I drop this player? Is this pitcher a good pick up? Or the ever favorite (and hopefully this doesn’t pertain to you) “Holy #$$%^%, Kerry Wood found the door to the DL yet again!" It's too early to hit the panic-button but micro-managing is essential if a fantasy manager is to be succesful.

Like I explained last week, in order to really compete in your league you’ll need that something extra; a certain knack that is required to find that “lightning in a bottle”. And at the same time, you’ll also be required to send players to the “cutting table” regardless of their name, stature or their one-upon-a-time value. Difficult? Nah, not at all. Confusing? Hmmm, not necessarily…provided of course you’re reading this column.

LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE

OF - Elijah Dukes – TB
Dukes, starting in center field for Rocco Baldelli (hamstring) has two home runs against the Yankees in the season’s opening series. Dukes could move to DH once Baldelli is healthy again but for now, he certainly warrants attention in AL-only leagues, as well as all keeper leagues. However, if he continues to take advantage of his opportunity and he gets regular playing, mixed-leaguers will be the next to start looking at him. For now though, you’ll need to take a wait and see approach.

1B/DH - Dmitri Young – WAS
If it wasn’t for Larry Broadway’s inability to hit major league pitching on a consistent basis, perhaps the elder Young (younger brother Delmon plays for….well, you know who he is) wouldn’t have gotten a reprieve to prove he could still compete in the senior circuit. Young will play 1B every day for the Nats and he has pop in his bat. Consider him an option in NL-only formats at this point. If he continues to go well, he could eventually be a mixed-league stopgap.

1B/OF - Xavier Nady – PIT
Nady is off to one of his typical hot starts this season and just loves the month of April. Over the last 2 years, the “X” man has hit .283 with 10 HRs and 23 RBIs in 159 at bats. Consider Nady in deeper leagues right now especially since it looks as though he is seeing the ball real well. If you’re a believer in past stats, then you need to act now since April only has three weeks left.

Byrnes, one of thee players last season to be a member of the 25/25 club is getting little love this sping. He was still available in over 40 percent of mixed formats heading into Week 1.

OF - Eric Byrnes - ARI
Eric Byrnes is having a great start to the season and even hit fourth this past week against the Rockies. The saying “April showers bring May flowers” definitely holds some sort of truth with regard to Byrnes. Over the last three years during the month of May, he hit .309 with 12 HRs, 33 RBIs and 9 SBs in 269 at bats. If he’s somehow available in your league, knock everyone down including the old lady with the gray hair to get to him.

SP- John Maine - NYM
John Maine picked up right where he left off from last years NLCS. To one hit the defending champion Cardinals definitely has to boost his confidence heading into his next start on Monday against the Phillies. Maine is on track to pitch twice during Fantasy Week 2 (April 9-15). Consider him a solid start for the upcoming scoring period. He could pay big dividends for Fantasy owners this season and makes for a nice pick up this week since both home starts (PHI, WAS) are favorable.

SP- Chuck James - ATL
James continued his tremendous spring (3-1 record and 2.25 ERA) by beating the Phillies this past week giving up one run on six hits while striking out five over five innings. In 2006, James was 11-4 with a 3.74 ERA in 25 games, 18 of them starts. He has drawn comparisons to former Braves star Tom Glavine with his ability to fool hitters without reaching 90 mph on the radar gun. Consider James a great start this week against the offensively challenged Nationals.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

C- Johnny Estrada -- MIL
Is available in over 50 percent of mixed formats and is arguably the purest hitting catcher in the league. Only Brian McCann has more fantasy points among catchers heading into Week 2.

2B --Mark Grudzielanek -- KC
Was expected to miss most of April due to knee surgery but found the lineup on opening day and is a solid option in deep mixed and AL-only formats. Gruds is hitting .333 with 3 RBI in his first nine at bats.

OF -- Jason Lane -- HOU
Lane started Tuesday night in right field because Luke Scott was dealing with elbow stiffness. Lane would be the long-term solution if Scott's elbow turns out to be more serious than originally thought.

OF -- Kenny Lofton -- TEX
Lofton's milestone steal in the first inning Monday made him only the seventh player in major league history with 600 or more steals and 100 or more homers in his career. 5x5 managers looking for stolen bases could do worse than Lofton. While he isn't hitting his weight in the first week, he does have two (2) steals in the teams’ first three games.

RP -- Rafael Soriano -- ATL
Soriano picked up his first save in an Atlanta uniform Thursday against the Phillies when he entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth after Macay McBride and Chad Paronto did all they could to blow a 8-2 lead. Soriano got the final out of the game and the Braves won 8-4. Soriano will record double digit saves this season while recording a more than acceptable ERA, WHIP and 50 plus strikeouts. 5x5 owners in deep formats should have the Braves right-hander in their starting lineup.

SP - Chris Sampson -- HOU
Sampson will get his first start on April 11 against the Cubs but has already made an impact in relief. As the fifth starter Sampson is scheduled for a double start in Week 3 (vs. FLA and Nolasco and @ Mil vs. Dave Bush). Sampson was 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA in 12 appearances, including three starts, for Houston in 2006 and is an intriguing prospect.

THE CUTTING BOARD

RP- Jorge Julio – FLA
Julio's first save opportunity since his trade to the Marlins did notgo well as he gave up three runs on five hits in one-third of an inning against the Nationals…uh, yeah the Nationals! While I can’t say not to worry because this is just one blown save, it’s worth noting that Julio has had other closing opportunities and not held those. Since the Marlins gave up a decent prospect in Yusmeiro Petit, the leash on Julio may be a bit longer than expected. Should this trend continue, you may be left with no alternative than to part ways with the right-hander.

1B/3B/SS- Rich Aurilia – SF
Even though Aurilia had a nice spring, his numbers over the last three years during the months of April and May speak a different language. He has hit .251 during the month of April with only 6 HRs and 31 RBIs in 223 at bats over that three-year span. It gets worse the following month with a .200 batting average and 4 HRs in 145 at bats. He’s already hitless thus far this season and appears on his way to a 4th straight year of mediocrity during the first two months.