It might not be time to give up on your draft picks yet.
But if your closer has been demoted (Brad Lidge) or the injury bug has bitten (Hideki Matsui, Chris Carpenter), it might be time to make a move.
There are a quite few candidates who could help your fantasy team if you’re ready to make a move:
1. Akinori Iwamura, 3B, Devil Rays
A .458 start through April 10 is enough to open some eyes, especially at a position where there isn’t a ton of talent. He’s a small guy (5-9), but had a big bat in Japan. Iwamura is playing every day and has even stolen two bases. If he’s available, grab him.
2. Kip Wells, P, Cardinals
We’ve seen this before from Wells, who seems to perennially be on the edge of a breakthrough, only to melt down again. But on the optimistic side, he’s had two very good starts for the defending world champions in St. Louis, where he should receive a lot better run support than he did in Pittsburgh.
3. Geoff Jenkins, OF, Brewers
Jenkins was overlooked in many drafts, and he put up some big numbers in the first week for Milwaukee (.400, 3 HR, 8 RBI). If you have Matsui and the ability to put him on an injured list, you might be able to ride Jenkins for a while.
4. Elijah Dukes, OF, Devil Rays
Another of the usually overlooked Devil Rays, Dukes slumped over the weekend and has red flags in his past (the team suspended him in the minors last season), but he’s playing every day and has tremendous power potential. He hit two solo home runs against the Yankees in his first two games.
5. Dan Wheeler, P, Astros
If you have Lidge, don’t drop him just yet. But you might want to hedge your bet by picking up his replacement if you have a roster spot available. Wheeler had a rough outing against the Cubs on April 10, giving up four hits and two runs in just one inning. But for now, he’s the Houston closer.
