Fantasy Tip of the Week

We are about 1/3 of the way through the 2006 MLBJimmy Rollins, SS, and Bobby Abreu, OF, Philadelphia -
season, and whether you are doing well or areIt's amazing the Phillies have done as well as they
struggling, this is a crucial time. You know whathave with two of their biggest players
categories you need to improve on and one of theslumping. Abreu is about to bust out, so
best ways to improve your standing is to pick upsnag him quickly. Rollins is the best SS in the
guys who have started off slowly but are due toNL, but you wouldn't know it judging from his
break out. Here is a list of players to targetnumbers so far. He will hit over .300 and get
who have had a bad spring but should soon get asyou at least 20 steals the rest of the way, so grab
hot as the weather:him now!
Batters:Jason Bay, OF, Pittsburgh - He's already started to
Marcus Giles, 2B, Atlanta -He is historically a .300break out, but if you can find an owner who isn't
hitter who is currently hitting .235. He's apaying attention, go get those 20-25 HRs and 75-80
perfect buy-low candidate.RBIs that are coming.
Manny Ramirez, OF, Boston - Usually good for 40Richie Sexson, 1B, and Adrian Beltre, 3B, Seattle -
HRs and 130 RBIs, he is currently in single-digits inThese two were supposed to be the Mariners'
HRs and very low in RBIs. He is the ONEpower duo of the future, but it just hasn't
player who is due to go crazy in the month ofhappened....yet. Look for both of these guys
June.Âto get it together soon and help Ichiro out.Â
Juan Pierre, OF, and Aramis Ramirez, 3B, ChicagoJim Edmonds, OF, St. Louis - With only 5 HRs so far,
Cubs - Both players have seen their value decreaseEdmonds is a very good candidate to bust
with the injury to Derrek Lee. Pierre isn'tout. He's normally good for 35, so look for
scoring or hitting as well as normal, and Ramirez'shim to get at least 25 more for the year...IF he can
numbers are all down. When Lee returns,stay healthy, which is always his biggest issue.
watch these numbers start to rise.ÂCarl Crawford, OF, Julio Lugo, SS, and Aubrey Huff,
Ken Griffey Jr., OF, Cincinnati - IF he can stay3B, Tampa Bay - All 3 of these guys have had slow
healthy, a power surge is coming.starts due to injury (Lugo/Huff) or just a sub-par
Todd Helton, 1B, Colorado - Now over his mysteriousperformance (Crawford). All 3 should start to
stomach ailment, he should be sending many homerspick it up together.
into the Mile-High air shortly.Mark Teixeira, 1B-DH, Texas - With only 4 HRs so
Reggie Sanders, OF, Kansas City - Should be goodfar, Big Tex is my bet to hit the most homers in the
for at least 15 homers and 15 steals in the upcomingAL from here on out. He is simply too good
months.a player not to have a huge hot streak and in the
Garret Anderson, OF, LA Angels - The Angels'100-degree Texas heat, the ball simply flies out of
offense has been horrible so far, so look forthe stadium.
Anderson to have more RBI opportunities as theyJose Guillen, OF, Washington - This is a talented
begin to heat up.player if he can keep his head on straight. He
Jeff Kent, 2B, LA Dodgers - Kent is always good forwas projected to have 30 HRs and 100 RBIs, so pick
25 HRs and 100 RBIs, so take advantage now andhim up now and hope he stays on the straight and
reap the rewards later.narrow. The numbers will come if he
Cliff Floyd, OF, NY Mets - Floyd has really struggledcan.Â
so far, barely batting over .200. That won'tObviously not all of these players will break out and
continue.start to hit immediately, but they have done much
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NY Yankees - Along with Mannybetter historically than this year. Next week,
Ramirez, he is the highest-profile player on thisI'll take a look at some pitchers to acquire that fall
list. Look for A-Rod to really explodeunder the same classification.
soon. He is too good a player not to.