Also at The FDH Fantasy Newsletter at the FantasyDrafthelp.com blog.
NOTE: You’ll notice that we aren’t listing three high-profile pitchers in this mix: Fausto Carmona, Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander. Not everyone who is off to a slow start is a good candidate for this list. There appear to be unresolved issues with these pitchers at this point, and while all looked like decent bets to put the demons of ’08 behind them, it would be irresponsible to assume that they merit paying a high or even moderate price to acquire right now. Of course, as always our advice is not delivered in a vacuum, so if somebody in your league is conducting an absolute fire sale on any of these three, then by all means take a flyer on them.
^ Mark DeRosa: Given his tri-eligibility in 20-game leagues this year, he was probably much cheaper than he should have been in many drafts – so owners disgusted by his slow start may not be as attached to him since he may not have cost that much.
^ Adrian Beltre: He generally picks up as the season progresses, so if an owner in your league is ready to bust a cap in him, be in the right place at the right time.
^ JJ Hardy: He was pretty streaky last year as well, but he produced at a super-high level when hot. Buy him now at a low ebb if you can and just wait for him to carry your team when he gets hot.
^ Jake Peavy: Until and unless word surfaces about arm issues, don’t worry about this money pitcher. Throughout his career, he has had a few ugly starts interspersed here and there, so don’t sweat this mediocre start.
^ Jeremy Guthrie: He’s another pitcher who can be a bit up-and-down, so this point in time would be perfect for acquiring his services.
^ Randy Johnson: He’s shown enough this year, in an extreme pitcher’s park, to at least merit consideration as an end-of-the-rotation starter should he be available in your league.
Fantasy Baseball: Buy Low
