Fantasy Round Trippers

We are going to start a new segment for Wednesdays. Why you ask, well let’s be frank “Coulda… Woulda… Shoulda…” was kind of weak sauce. So now I am using an idea from an opponent in my Yahoo H2H league Aaron B. and employing a segment that has Bernie, Bryan and I all choose a player whose stock is on the rise and one that is plummeting aptly named Three Up - Three Down. Since each one of us is giving a player Bernie’s will be first, Bryan second and I (Nate) will bring up the rear.

Three Up

Vladimir Guerrero (OF - ANA) Go trade for this guy NOW! The weather is fially heating up and it’s starting to show. He is finally knocking the ball out of the park and has been hitting over .400 for the last two weeks. If Vlad owners haven’t been paying close attention they will just see an “underperforming” Big Bad Vlad (.275/10hr/35RBI). He seems to always go on a tear in the summer months, and is starting that tear now.

Chris Ianetta (C - COL) The newly anointed starting catcher for those Coors swilling Rockies - with a lineup is getting healthier by the day - Ianetta has been taking those steps that past Rockies catching prospects have never dared take… hitting over .250 for an extended time. Hey Bernie, do you still have those Ben Petrick and J.D. Closser jerseys? I need some new rags to wash my car.

Russell Branyan (3B - MIL) Branyan got the call with the help of a struggling Bill Hall and tearing up Triple-A (.360/12hr in 45 games). Since joining the show he has continued his streak by contributing a .304 AVG, 8 HR and 13 RBI, but all it is, is a streak. His stock is high now as it should be, but it can drop real low real quick with Branyan’s tendency to strike out. So ride the streak while it is there, but don’t be afraid to cut bait once his numbers start to fall.

Three Down

Derrek Lee (1B - CHC) You heard it here and I’m not just hating on the Cubs either. What has this guy done since his tremendous April? I’ll tell you: .239 Avg, 6 HR, 21 RBI in over a month and a half. The RBI numbers aren’t bad, but the .239 average scares me and his initial power surge seems to be more of a hot streak now. Trade him now, while his .285 avg, 14 HRs, 48 Rs, and 44 RBIs still look good. Those numbers don’t look so good when you figure in his April of: .364 avg, 8 HRs, 23 RBIs. I have him in one league and I’m getting tired of his 1-4 and 1-5 nights while the rest of the Cubs are crushing the ball.

Ivan Rodriguez (C - DET) Yes, he has been hitting a bit lately but if you strip away the name, would you want a “top” starting catcher hitting .273 with 1 HR and 26 RBIs? The 6 steals are nice, but he’s throwing bone chips with every stride of his cartilage-less knees. Inge is proving a good option and these guys are in a 60/40 split. Go out and take a chance on an Ianetta, Shoppach, or even Olivo and leave the HOF bound Pudge on the waiver wire with his HOF bound buddies Frank Thomas and Ken Griffey, Jr.

Hunter Pence (OF - HOU) After having one of the best Mays in baseball Pence has been on a steep decline since we have entered the sixth month of the year. This probably will not turn into a long term slump of sorts - at least fantasy owners hope not, but since June 1 his average has fallen 27 points and only has 5 extra base hits which include only 1 homerun. I am not suggesting you cut bait on Houston’s future but if you can bench him until he heats back up it would be in you and your team’s best interest.