Guru says sell high, trade streaky players

The Fantasy League Guru [email protected]

My editor in chief did not hesitate when suggesting this Fantasy
League Guru could clean up in the stock market, since the same
skills apply there as to fantasy baseball.

So the encounter got me thinking, “Hey, isn’t it
about time to look to sell high?”

There are a lot of MLB players who had unconscious stats for the
month of April. Shea Hillenbrand and Randy Johnson stand out.

The “Big Unit” I can trust to continue with his
dominant pitching (as long as that back holds up, of course). But
anyone who expects 120 RBI out of Hillenbrand doesn’t deserve
to win a league.

The proper thing to do with a one-month wonder like Hillenbrand
is to trade him. Find someone who has bought into the hype and hold
him hostage. Demand Aramis Ramirez or Johnny Damon. You’ll
have to settle for less, but demand them anyway. You never know
what you might get.

Don’t expect to rip someone off, but certainly test the
market. And do so before the player cools down.

Hillenbrand is already 3 for his last 22 prior to
Tuesday’s game. His only home run and RBIs during that
stretch came on a pinch hit grand slam Sunday. That means
Hillenbrand owners still have a chance to sell high since one needs
to accentuate the positive. A grand slam is certainly visible
enough to leave Hillenbrand with some sort of trade appeal.

Players such as Joey Hamilton and Geronimo Gil are almost devoid
to any trade value after their recent injuries. Hamilton had a 3.10
ERA before he tore his hamstring and Gil, who had five home runs
and 15 RBIs in April, missed a week because of a groin strain.

Any and every April fluke will lose trade value as soon as
semblances of doubts creep in.

Slumps are certain to hit Jay Gibbons, Juan Encarnacion and
Elmer Dessens soon.

Hell, Gibbons is in a worse funk than Hillenbrand. Before
smacking his eighth home run Monday, Gibbons had not hit one since
April 20 ““ a span of 14 games.

Encarnacion is the odd-man out when Ken Griffey Jr. gets back.
There is no way Adam Dunn loses his job and if Austin Kearns
remains in the majors as reported, he won’t ride the bench.
That leaves no room for Encarnacion.

And then there’s Dessens. The right-hander has a 2.05 ERA,
but there are two strong things going against him. The Reds are not
known for consistent pitching and with that ERA, he has managed
only two wins in seven starts. Look for someone who believes in the
guy and upgrade ASAP.

Plus does anyone really believe that either Mike Williams or
Eddie Guardado will lead their respective league in saves by the
end of the year? Swapping Williams for Kelvim Escobar and using
that exchange to upgrade another position would help immensely.

That’s it for this week. I need to go and find out what an
IPO is.

HITTERS TO TRADE: C Michael Barrett, Expos 1B Eric Karros,
Dodgers 3B Shea Hillenbrand, Red Sox 2B Marcus Giles, Braves, SS
Juan Uribe, Rockies OF Juan Encarnacion, Reds OF Jay Gibbons,
Orioles OF Matt Lawton, Twins DH Brian Jordan, Dodgers

HONORABLE MENTION:
Randall Simon,
Tony Batista
and Mike Lowell

PITCHERS TO TRADE:
SP Josh Fogg, Pirates
SP Elmer Dessens, Reds
SP Kirk Rueter, Giants
SP Orlando Hernandez, Yankees
SP Danys Baez, Indians
CL Mike Williams, Pirates

HONORABLE MENTION:
Jeff Suppan
and Eddie Guardado