The Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week Seven

Week seven of the fantasy baseball season and their have been lots of changes made since week one, but what changes do you need to make this week? That's what I'm here to tell you.

Add Them Now:
Brett Cecil, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Anybody who's 2-0 has 15 strikeouts, a 1.80 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP deserves a pickup. Cecil is no exception to that especially since the Blue Jays are shocking the world this year.

Juan Pierre, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Pierre has 25 hits in 64 at bats, 11 runs scored, 9 RBI, five steals and a .390 batting average. Nothing to be stunned about but practically guaranteed a lineup spot with Manny on maternity leave means you've got to pick up the speedy veteran.

Drop Them Now:
Phil Hughes, SP, New York Yankees
He's 23 so what do you expect other than a rocky road to stardom. As of today Hughes has a 1-2 record, 10 strikeouts, 12 walks, 23 hits allowed, and a 7.56 ERA with a 2.10 WHIP. He'll kill your WHIP and ERA so drop him until he gets it back together as he's clearly not ready for the bright lights of New York.

Brad Ziegler, RP, Oakland Athletics
Ziegler was/is Oakland's closer and has four saves, 11 strikeouts, four walks, 20 hits, a 4.40 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. But all signs point to Andrew Bailey taking over the closer duties so drop Ziegler and get Bailey or one of the guys I mentioned above.

Monitor Their Status:
Andrew Bailey, RP, Oakland Athletics
Bailey has a 3-0 record, one save, 26 strikeouts, seven walks, seven hits allowed, a 1.61 ERA and a 0.63 WHIP. Pretty good but he's worthless as a reliever unless closing all signs point to him taking the job but watch to see what happens before pulling the trigger.

Stephen Strasburg, SP, Washington Nationals (?)
Strasburg has even been drafted yet so stop picking him up, will you? He's already owned in 12% of CBS leagues and started in 1%! Just stop it will you, yeah I know he's the best thing since sliced bread but let him get drafted first. Don't pick him up until he gets a call-up if this season.

The Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week Six

Week six of the fantasy baseball season is here and so is my week six waiver wire.

Add Them Now:
Justin Upton OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Upton is only available in 21% of CBS leagues meaning in most leagues you can't pick him up. But if your in the minority of leagues where he's a free agent pick him up now. Why pick him up though? Well he's hitting .294 with 15 RBI, six home runs, 25 hits and has two stolen bases and 10 walks, you've never hit the "pickup this player" button quicker.

Alberto Callaspo 2B, Kansas City Royals
Callaspo is seventh in the American League with a .359 batting average. Along with his awesome batting average he's got 33 hits, 16 runs scored, two home runs, 11 RBI, and gotten 10 walks. He'll really help your batting average so pick him up.

Drop Them Now:
Emilio Bonifacio 3B, Florida Marlins
The hot starter is now the cold hitter. Bonifacio is hitting .250 with 17 runs, 31 hits, one home run, six RBI, eight walks and six stolen bases. He's finally come back to being himself so drop him now.

Oliver Perez, SP, New York Mets
The bullpen was bad and now the disabled list is worse. He's 1-2 with 20 strikeouts, 21 walks, 28 hits allowed, a 9.97 ERA and a 2.26 WHIP. It's time to drop him but don't lose sight of him because when's he good he's one of the better pitchers for the Mets,

Monitor Their Status:
Matt LaPorta OF, Cleveland Indians
LaPorta got the call when Travis Hafner hit the disabled list but needs to get his act together before I endorse him. In four games so far he's hitting .158 and has two RBI, one home run, two hits, scored three runs and walked once. He's got the tools all he needs is to put it together.

Melky Cabrera, OF, New York Yankees
Cabrera's on fire right now with a .333 average, 14 runs, 23 hits, four home runs, 10 RBI, 10 walks and three stolen bases. My only hesitation is how much playing time he gets in a crowded Yankees outfield.

The Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week Five

Okay here is my week five fantasy baseball waiver wire where I take a look at the world of baseball and suggest to the readers who to pick up, who to drop and who to watch.

Add Them Now
Dexter Fowler, OF, Colorado Rockies
Fowler's speed is amazing having stolen nine already. And not only is he speedy but he's touched the plate 12 times, has two home runs, seven RBI, and eight walks. His batting average is a solid .290. Adding to this he has 18 base hits. I suggest that you pick him up now and if he gets any hotter trade him away for a big need.

Phil Hughes, SP, New York Yankees
Hughes has an astounding first start throwing six solid innings ad giving up only two hits and striking out six. He has a great offensive attack to help give him run support which for fellow super rookie Jordan Zimmermann is not existent. Grab Hughes over Zimmermann.

Drop Them Now
Kenshin Kawakami, SP, Atlanta Braves
The Japanese import has had a rough go at it so far ending April with a 1-3 record. Along with that he's got 11 walks allowed and 24 hits against him tie that with a 7.06 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and an injured shoulder. It's time to drop him not that you should have ever picked him up in the first place.

Oliver Perez, SP, New York Mets
Perez has been told to get his pitching performance on track or he'll find himself on the bench. As a fantasy owner that's one of the last things you want to hear (next to that he's been demoted). His 9.31 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, 23 hits given up and 15 free passes coupled with a 1-2 record mean it's time to give up on him and hope he becomes the Oliver Perez we all know.

Monitor Their Status
Joe Beimel, RP, Washington Nationals
Beimel who's on the disabled list as of today has been named the closer for the Nationals when he comes back. He'll begin a Class-A rehab assignment on Wednesday.

Matt LaPorta, OF, Cleveland Indians
When Travis Hafner was placed on the disabled list it opened up a hole on the 25 man roster. LaPorta is tearing the cover off the ball in Columbus and now it's up to the Indians to decide between him and David Delluci.

The Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week Four

Here is my week four waiver wire. Enjoy.



Add Them Now

John Baker, C, Florida Marlins

Baker is a quality catcher whom I have starting on two of my teams. So far in 39 at-bats, he has 12 hits, nine runs scored, nine RBI, one home run, five walks, and a .308 batting average. CBS calls him a No. 2 catcher but they're vastly underrating him. Pick him up now and make him your No. 1, especially you Ryan Doumit owners.



Nyjer Morgan, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

This is the second week in a row that I've advised you people to get him, and with good reason. He's tearing it up right now at the top of the Pirates lineup. Right now he has 21 hits in 65 at-bats, along with 10 runs, nine RBI, four walks, and six stolen bases amounting to a .323 average.



Drop Them Now

Lastings Milledge, OF, Washington Nationals

Milledge had four hits in 24 at-bats, scored one run, drove in one RBI, one walk, and one stolen base. He was hitting .167 before his demotion. If he gets called up, don't pick him up—just leave him on waivers.



Chien-Ming Wang, SP, New York Yankees

As we all know, "Wanger" has gotten off to an awful start and because of it, the Yankees will more than likely place him on the DL. After his latest start, he has a 0-3 record, 34.50 ERA, and has given up 23 hits and walked six—clearly not the best for fantasy purposes, or in real life for that matter. Drop him like he's burning your hands.



Monitor Their Status

Phil Hughes, SP, New York Yankees

He has no major league stats this season, but has the talent to be a major leaguer for 10-plus years. His pending call-up to fill in for Wang makes his value take a leap.



Jordan Zimmermann, SP, Washington Nationals

Zimmermann, aside from playing for the Nationals, has astounding talent. In one start he has 1-0 record, 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, three strikeouts, one walk, and six hits allowed. Zimmermann is a talent, but I'd like to see him make a couple more starts before I pull the trigger.

The Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week Three

Here is my week three waiver wire. Hope you all enjoy.



Add Them Now

Nyjer Morgan, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

I have a funny feeling that the ex-hockey player turned Pirates outfielder has a chance to be real. So far he's hitting .400 with eight RBI, and three stolen bases. His upside is his speed pick him up off the waiver wire and if he stinks please don't see me any hate mail.



Orlando Hudson, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers

Hudson is hitting .365 with two home runs, five RBI, and three stolen bases. The ex-Diamondback and Blue Jay has no competition out there on the west coast except for Blake DeWitt who was recently sent to Triple-A. Look for Hudson to continue tearing the cover off the ball.



Drop Them Now

Xavier Nady, OF, New York Yankees

Nady was hitting .285 with two RBI, and four runs scored this season which isn't spectacular to begin with but when he hit the disabled list his value hit zero. Mainly because reportedly he's been telling teammates he needs Tommy John Surgery after feeling a sharp pain in his elbow, but he's going to be tested again today so wait for the results before cutting ties with the ex-Pirate.



Alex Gordon, 3B, Kansas City Royals

Gordon was struggling this season hitting only .095 with eight strikeouts in only 21 at bats. But when it was reported that he had a cartilage tear in his hip and he was placed on the disabled list it meant time to drop the former top prospect. He's undergoing surgery today and could miss up to eight weeks, pick him up then if you wish.



Monitor Their Status

Marco Scutaro, 2B/3B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays

The journeyman utility man is having a fantastic year so far, hitting .309 with three home runs, nine RBI and an amazing nine walks. But as we all know these players are prone to fluky starts and I have a feeling Scutaro is one of those, I doubt you'll get anything for him in a trade to just monitor and see how he does.



Scott Baker, P, Minnesota Twins

Baker is arguably the best pitcher in the Twins rotation and he was just activated from the 15 day disabled list. In his first start back he got lit up giving up five hits and six earned runs, and earning a 13.50 ERA. His next start is at Boston and the knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, so hold off and see how he does, he does well pick him up.



Ricky Romero, P, Toronto Blue Jays

Romero only made the Blue Jays opening day roster because they needed a fifth pitcher but the rookie has impressed so far. As of today he has a 2.57 ERA, and given up on four earned runs.

But in two starts he's given up 15 hits but counters that with seven strikeouts. I'm not really sold yet so hold off on picking him up. Next start comes on Sunday where he's home to Oakland and Dallas Braden, if he does well pick him up.



Trade Them While They're Hot

Nick Swisher, OF/1B, New York Yankees

With Nady out, Swisher's value takes an immediate jump but even though he's already hitting .406, with four home runs and 11 RBI you have to deal him now.

Why you ask, because Swisher is not this good, he good but not this good and right now his fantasy value is at an all-time high. Trade him now fill one of you biggest holes and trust me it will work out for you in the end.



Emilio Bonifacio, 2B/3B, Florida Marlins

Bonifacio began last season in the Diamondbacks organization before getting traded to the Nationals who then dealt him to the Marlins. And boy is that trade paying dividends for the Marlins, Bonifacio is hitting .386, with one home run, five RBI, and four stolen bases. As of now all of you who picked him up are ecstatic.

However, you should trade him now for the same reasons as Swisher. Because as of today Bonifacio has never played like this except for this season, maybe it's real I don't know but I highly doubt it. Trade him while he's hot.

The Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week Two

Here is my week two waiver wire. I'm publishing it earlier than I'd like to since I'm going away this weekend.

PICK THEM UP NOW:

Koji Uehara, Baltimore Orioles

The Japanese import has had a fantastic start for the Baltimore Orioles, leading them with a 1.80 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP, giving up only five hits and a walk. However, Uehara failed to record a strikeout, though as long as you get a good start from a pitcher, this should not hurt you. His next start will be on Monday, making him a two start pitcher this week.

Jordan Schafer, Atlanta Braves

Schafer shocked the world by hitting a home run in his first ever MLB at bat. And since then he has hit another home run to go along with, two runs, three RBIs, three walks, and only two strikeouts. All of this in 13 at bats—if he's available, pick him up—you'll be glad you did.

DROP THEM NOW:

Joey Devine, Oakland Athletics

This is not a shocker as he has hit the 60-Day disabled list and will likely undergo Tommy John Surgery. Even if he lucks out and doesn't need surgery stay away, because the A's have up and coming Brad Ziegler who they will probably opt to use over Devine.

Troy Glaus, St. Louis Cardinals

Glaus is on the 15-Day disabled list but the Cardinals said he will be out until June, so stay away.

MONITOR THEIR STATUS:

Kevin Millwood, Texas Rangers

Millwood has had an amazing opening to the season, with a 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 5 K's, and only one walk in seven innings. Also, he gave up only five hits and one earned run. He needs run support to stay where he is; watch him in his next start on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers and Edwin Jackson.

Trevor Cahill, Oakland Athletics

If you don't have this kid, you don't know what you're missing. Cahill posted a 3.60 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP in five innings in his debut. He also had only two earned runs, he did have five walks however and only recorded one strikeout, but, like Uehara, that shouldn't hurt you. His next start will be Monday against Jon Lester and the Boston Red Sox so even though he's a two starter I suggest you stay away for this week.

The Top Five Fantasy Baseball Sleepers for 2009

Every year, numerous people release their "Top Fantasy Sleepers," and now it's my turn. These players can make or break your team.

Say your stud pitcher gets hurt and all you have are these guys. You need them and you know it, now find out my top five fantasy sleepers and win your league.

Some names I've been throwing about are Orlando Hudson, Dexter Fowler, Jordan Schaefer, Daryl Thompson, and Dewayne Wise, but I've decided to go with five other names who can really help you out.

Whether they are minor leaguers or major leaguers, these guys will be the players fantasy owners overlook now, but they will soon become the most wanted guys in every league.

Enjoy.

5. Matt Wieters - C Baltimore Orioles

The 22-year-old Orioles' top prospect is considered by many to be the next big thing in Baltimore and was ranked the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball by Baseball America.

Which I obviously agree with, since in one minor league season, at Double-A Bowie, he hit for a .355 batting average, with 27 home runs and 91 RBI. He has also tallied 155 hits.

Another upside is that Wieters has only struck out 76 times in his only minor league season.



4. Tommy Hanson - SP Atlanta Braves

Hanson was recently sent to Triple-A Gwinnett, but is still in line for a call-up once someone gets hurt.

In three minor league season, Baseball America's No. 4 overall prospect has put together a 20-15 record and a 2.74 ERA in 64 total games.

Now his downside as a pro is that he has only thrown in 64 professional games and he's 22, which means the Braves might want to keep him in the minors in order not to "stunt his growth."

The biggest highlight of his career came in 2008, when he was named the MVP of the Arizona Fall League.



3. Orlando Cabrera - SS Oakland Athletics

Yeah, yeah, he's not really a "sleeper" in the technical sense. But he has gone undrafted in two of my leagues and went for $1 in one of those new ESPN auction drafts.

So, to me he is vastly underrated. Why, you ask?

Well, first, he is a veteran of 12 major league seasons. And during his time, he has hit .274 with 105 home runs, 684 RBI, and 1,632 hits.

Not flashy but not awful either, plus he's coming off a down year with the White Sox but now he's recently signed with the Athletics, meaning he has something to prove.



2. John Baker - C Florida Marlins

Yep, the second catcher on the list.

He has only played one major league season since being drafted by Oakland in the fourth round of the 2002 draft.

And in that season, which came last year with Florida, he played in 61 games and hit five home runs with 32 RBI. A .299 batting average rounds out a solid season from Baker.

Now one year isn't much, but in seven minor league seasons, he played in 615 games, hit 45 home runs, 312 RBI, scored 305 runs and hit for a solid .276 batting average.



1. Johnny Cueto - SP Cincinnati Reds

This is my sleeper from last year, which didn't really pan out, to say the least.

But the upside from that is in 2007 my sleeper was Arizona SS Stephen Drew, and he was awful, and his breakout year was last season, so now he's a hot commodity.

If this works out the same way, then 2009 will be Cueto's breakout year, hopefully.

In his only major league season for the horrible Reds, Cueto went 9-14, had a 4.81 ERA and gave up 178 hits in 174 innings pitched.

However, he was a stud in his three minor league seasons, posting a 29-15 record, a 3.28 ERA, and 300 hits allowed in 348.1 innings pitched.

One thing that could hurt Cueto is the Reds' being awful; if they pull of a miracle and make something out of this season, Cueto could become a hot commodity.