Third Base Must Haves

By George Womick, Fantasy Baseball Cafe Regular

Every year about this time, teams begin to evaluate their rosters. Some teams are downright gleeful about those late round picks that are having strong starts. Others are looking at preseason top 10 picks that are dragging their heels around the basepaths. This is the best time to strike in the trade markets. Those overachievers are ready to be sold. For instance, Mark Reynolds, with 6 home runs and 19 runs driven in at the moment, and he is ranked #6 by Yahoo. But what if you could trade him for Rollins, Fielder, Soriano, or Ryan Braun? Sure all four of these studs are either hurt or slumping but would you make the deal? You should. Because there are plenty of third basemen on most waiver wires and free agent pools right now that are consistent enough to replace an extremely hot Mark Reynolds.

WHO?

Mike Lowell - BOS He is sitting on the DL and as a result has hit a few waiver wires. But once he gets back he should be a good investment in that Boston home run offense.

Edwin Encarnacion - CIN This guy is always good to have on your roster. He has picked it up the last few days. As he goes, so go the Reds.

Troy Glaus - STL He lost some luster when he wasn’t SS eligible this year. But still a decent play at 3B. He has drawn plenty of walks and his average is at .268 which isn’t the worst possible. He is just a few home runs short of shooting up in the rankings.

Scott Rolen - TOR Last on my list, but possibly the most profitable investment at this point. Still on the DL, but with Frank Thomas gone, Toronto wants him in the lineup ASAP. He will be given plenty of opportunities for RBIs with his career .283 AVG and .507 SLG.

So sell high and reinvest. Those late round picks may continue to soar, or they could drop back down to expectations. It is better to sell them and give the risk to another owner in your league. Quality and consistency win in the long baseball season, not hot flavors of the week.

George is a veteran of many Yahoo leagues in multiple sports. Primary sports: Baseball, Football, and Basketball. Had a few good seasons, and a few not. Utilize the waiver wire and trades extensively to over come injuries and utilize the 'hot' players is his strategy. You can catch up with George in the Cafe's Forums where he posts as macrovirus.