By Michael Rushton
Phanatic Magazine
Editors note: Greg Wiley is on sabbatical while he tries to find Adam Dunn's power.
Baseball is a game of streaks. About a week ago, my roto team was ninth place overall in a close 10-team league. One good weekend that saw my starters go 4-1 with about a million strikeouts, as well as Mark Teixeira and Travis Hafner go deep, and I vaulted into a tie for first.
Again, it's early so we are all still close in the early stages of the season, but encouraging none the less.
So here is my point. Don't be afraid -- taking transaction fees or real-life bids into consideration -- to keep a roster spot or two for rotating streaky players. Just don't get too attached like I did last season with Mike Jacobs and Jason Marquis.
Rushton's hot list:
Justin Morneau, 1B, Minnesota Twins - At least one reigning MVP is finding his stroke. Morneau has three home runs and eight RBI over the last week, and has upped his average to .282 on the season.
Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Seattle Mariners - Ichiro is a classic example of a guy who helps you across the board. Over the last week, he has scored eight runs, swiped six bags, and is batting .394. He even hit a home run and is always a solid fantasy choice.
John Smoltz, SP, Atlanta Braves - Has thrown 14 scoreless innings over the last week while picking up a pair of wins. Also fanned 12 and has a WHIP under one.
Who to pick up this week:
Carlos Quentin, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks - Slowed by injury early in the season, Quentin is showing signs of getting it going. He had a five-game hitting streak last week and blasted a pair of homers with five RBI in a game against the Rockies.
Scott Baker, SP, Minnesota Twins - If you can stash him on your bench for another start or two, Baker may be a guy to grab now. The former highly-regarded second-round pick returned to the majors after a subpar 2006 and scattered two runs on six hits over 8 1/3 frames in a win over a talented and good-hitting Milwaukee club.
Bobby Crosby, SS, Oakland Athletics - Has had a solid last month, scoring 14 runs while knocking in another 14. Four of his last 24 hits have been homers, and he is hitting .284 over that span. Could be a short-term solution if your shortstop is slumping.
Rushton's cold list:
Carlos Delgado, 1B, New York Mets - Where has Delgado's power gone? He hasn't homered over the last week and has gone deep just three times this year with a .216 average. Is it his wrist? Either way, its tough if you own him because you can't give up on him. Possible replacement: None, you're stuck with him.
Chone Figgins, 2B, 3B, OF, LA Angels of Anaheim - And the Yankees want him why? Figgins, like Quentin was slowed early by an injury but he hasn't beenable to turn it around. The speedster hit just .176 over the last week, and hasn't been getting the hits to be a factor on the base paths. Possible replacement - Jose Lopez if Figgins is your second baseman.
Rich Hill, SP, Chicago Cubs - Hill set the world on fire at the beginning of the season, but has since cooled to three straight losses. His ERA also went from a mouth-watering 1.73 to 3.38 over that span. Possible replacement: None for now. Ride him out a little longer.
Leave your comments or fantasy suggestions at mrushton@phanaticmag.com
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