Kuzul

Trevor Hoffman has now blown more saves than he did all of last year, but yesterday was the worst of the worst.

Coming in to protect a three-run lead, Hoffman could not even record an out. He looked like he was throwing batting practice to the Cincinnati Reds in the 5-4 loss.

Hoffman is having his worst season yet and a change has to be made.

With veteran LaTroy Hawkins on the DL, one has to wonder to whom manager Ken Macha will turn now that Hoffman is out of the picture.

Carlos Villanueva seems like the ideal candidate since the Brewers’ other options, like Todd Coffey and Mitch Stetter, are not having good seasons so far.

Macha needs to make the change to save his job. If he brings Hoffman out one more time to save the game, he might get fired on the spot.

Hoffman spoiled a gem pitched by rookie Marco Estrada, in relief of Manny Parra.

As Tom Haurdicourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel suggests, Hoffman needs to go to Macha’s office and suggest he be removed from the closer’s role. If you are done or struggling, you should admit it and make the call yourself to make the manager feel better.

It’s tough telling the all-time saves leader that he’s officially done, but the guy is 42 years old and must say goodbye to his career as a closer. It’s a shame that this is what it has come down to, considering how brilliant he was last year (1.83 ERA), but a change has to be made.

With his atrocious ERA this year, no manager would have confidence running Hoffman out there for every save opportunity.

Villanueva needs to get the next save opportunity, whenever that may be, considering how bad the team is playing right now.

Is it too early to throw in the towel on the Milwaukee Brewers? Maybe. But this is an awful ball club right now and there is no hope in sight.

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The Brewers’ struggles continued as the Phillies came into Miller Park and wreaked havoc.

The Braves had just swept the Brewers the previous three games, and the Phillies did exactly the same thing.

Things can’t be any worse right now for the Brewers. Players are getting injured, pitchers are struggling, and hitters are failing to get the big hit with runners on.

Take Satruday for example, the Brewers had the bases loaded, and Rickie Weeks and Craig Counsell both struck out.

The bullpen continues to struggle, and the rotation is now battered even more with Doug Davis going to the DL for a heart problem.

Is there any hope right now for this struggling squad?

There is no hope unless the pitching staff can turn things around and hitters can start getting hits with men on base.

General Manager Doug Melvin has to do something, whether it’s firing Ken Macha or Rick Peterson, making a trade or signing.

Wouldn’t Jarrod Washburn be a fine addition to a struggling pitching staff?

Wouldn’t Jermaine Dye’s bat look good in the lineup with Carlos Gomez on the DL and Jim Edmonds possibly joining him?

Things have to start turning around soon, or the Brewers may end up being the cellar dweller.

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This is the time of the year that most trading happens. Owners become impatient with slow starters or don’t think guys can keep up fast starts. Here are players to buy and sell before it’s too late.

Catcher

Buy: Brian McCann (ATL)

McCann usually gets off to slow starts and this year is no different. He’s batting .241 with two homers, nine RBI, and 11 runs. Some of this blame is on his constant vision problems, but he will probably go back to eyeglasses soon if things don’t improve. Buy him while you still can, because he will end up being a top-five catcher.

Sell: Ivan Rodriguez (WAS)

“Pudge” is having a career resurgence to start the year. He’s hitting a whopping .393 with one homer, 13 RBI, and 12 runs. But who really thinks he is going to keep this up at 38 years old? Trade him now before he cools off.

First Base

Buy: Carlos Pena (TB)

Pena has yet to get going, but still has five homers, 22 RBI, and 19 runs. His average is at a dismal .179, but he will hit close to 40 homers and drive in a ton of runs in a loaded Rays lineup.

Sell: Paul Konerko (CWS)

It’s hard to get a read on Konerko and he will still end up having a big power year, but it’s time to cash in on him. Konerko’s value could never be higher and if you can snag a top-10 first baseman in return, I’d pull the trigger. If you can get a guy like Adam Dunn for him straight-up, I would do it. Nothing against Konerko, but it’s hard to see him keeping this up all year.

Second Base

Buy: Brandon Phillips (CIN)

He is starting to heat up, batting .313 in May so far. He also has four homers, 11 RBI, 19 runs, and three stolen bases. Now is the time to try to get him before he takes off.

Sell: Kelly Johnson (AZ)

I am a big Kelly Johnson fan, but it’s hard to see him keeping his career-season going all year. He is a very streaky player and always has been. He won’t hit for a high average or steal many bases. He’s already shown signs of slowing down, batting .200 so far in May.

Third Base

Buy: Aramis Ramirez (CHC)

Ramirez is off to a pathetic start while batting .160 with three homers, 15 RBI, and 10 runs. He has never been a fast starter and should end up having a solid year. Even though he can never stay healthy, he still has too much power not to improve. See what you can get for him if you are struggling at third base or have a valuable trade chip.

Sell: Placido Polanco (PHI)

Polanco is off to a great start, but the problem is he does nothing particularly well besides hit for average. He has five homers already, but his career high is 17 back in 2004. Sell him now before he really starts to cool off.

Shortstop

Buy: Jose Reyes (SS NYM)

Reyes is struggling out of the gate with a .237 average, no power, and only eight stolen bases. He is not doing well in the three spot in the lineup, but Jerry Manuel may change things soon if their offense can’t improve or to get Reyes going. Now is the time to deal for him, because he’s going to end up being very valuable with his speed and runs. Shortstop is such a weak position so if you can get him for cheap then do it.

Sell: Alex Gonzalez (TOR)

Look nobody actually thinks his hot start will continue, but if you can get anything solid for him, then cash in on him. See if a Ben Zobrist owner wants to talk about a deal.

Outfield

Buy: Carlos Lee (HOU)

Lee looks like he is over his slow start. He’s only batting .265 in May, but has two homers and five RBI. With Lance Berkman back in the lineup, Lee has been much better. If you can get him for really cheap, then you have to cash in.

Sell: Austin Jackson (DET)

Jackson is off to an awesome start, batting .371 with 26 runs and six stolen bases. Now is the time to trade high, because he has an alarming 37 strikeouts and only 11 walks. He also doesn’t have much power and won’t drive in that many runs. He’s basically a poor man’s Juan Pierre.

Starting Pitcher

Buy: Aaron Harang (CIN)

Harang got off to a miserable start, but has quietly thrown three straight quality starts. He also has 36 strikeouts to only eight walks. He has a bloated ERA because of two horrific starts against the Dodgers and Marlins. The turnaround has already started, so buy him while you still can.

Sell: Barry Zito (SF)

Zito is off to an incredible start: 1.49 ERA, 28 K, 12 BB, 0.92 WHIP. He hasn’t had an ERA under four since 2006 and doesn’t strike many guys out. Now is the time to sell the 31-year-old before his value declines.

Relief Pitcher

Buy: Jonathan Broxton (LAD)

Broxton hasn’t had many save opportunities since the Dodgers have struggled out of the gate, but once he does he will regain his hold as one of the top closers in the league. Buy him now before it’s too late.

Sell: Kevin Gregg (TOR)

Gregg has nine saves with 19 strikeouts and only four walks. He has been almost perfect so far, but he was terrible last year and shaky two years ago. He’s not very reliable so see if you can trade him for a more reliable closer.

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There’s nothing better than when a young rookie gets called up early on in the season and has early success. We’ve already seen it this year with Starlin Castro. Castro was called up before the weekend series and all he did was hit .333 with a homer, double, two runs, and six RBIs. Guys like Castro are definitely recommended, but here are other players that deserve your attention.

C- Rod Barajas (C NYM)- Barajas has been on a home-run binge and now has a surprising nine homers early on in the season. Perhaps it’s not such a shock considering he hit nineteen last year, but he deserves to be owned while he’s hot. Catcher is such a weak position, so if you have a struggling catcher, like Mike Napoli or A.J. Pierzynski, take a look at Barajas and ride the hot streak as long as you can. His numbers are impressive: .233 9 hrs 17 RBIs 13 rs.

1B- Nick Swisher (1B OF NYY)- Not many players have been hotter than Nick Swisher at the plate. Already in May his numbers are: .438 5 hrs 13 RBIs 9 rs. He should not be available in 44 percent of Yahoo leagues. Scoop him up and enjoy the ride.

2B- Orlando Hudson (2B MIN)- Hudson bats in a very dangerous lineup in Minnesota and in front of the reigning MVP Joe Mauer. He has been very consistent to start the year with these numbers: .296 2 hrs 11 RBIs 24 rs 3 sbs. If you need some immediate help at second, grab Hudson. He’s a solid contributor and in every category. He won’t hit many homers, but still has some pop and won’t disappoint. He’s only 35 percent owned in Yahoo leagues.

3B- David Freese (3B STL)- Freese has the luxury of batting behind the dynamic duo of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday. All Freese has done is hit .320, three homers, twenty RBIs and scored twelve runs. Freese has a lot of potential so he is very worthy of a roster spot if you have one for him.

SS- Mike Aviles (SS KC)- Aviles started the year in the minors and has recovered from surgery that ended his season last year. Aviles looks like a man on a mission right now. Since he’s been called up his numbers are impressive: .417 2 hrs 2 RBIs 5 runs. Aviles was very productive two years ago when he hit .325 and hit ten homers. Grab him or Castro if you are in need of a shortstop.

OF- Andruw Jones (OF CWS)- Jones has resurrected his career with Chicago and looks like he’s in the best shape of his career. Jones has not only rediscovered his power stroke with nine homers, but patience as well with fourteen walks. Not many people are buying into his hot start as he’s only 54 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. Don’t make the same mistake and grab him and enjoy his career resurgence.

SP- Jhoulys Chacin (SP/RP COL)- Chacin was recently called up and has looked electric in his two starts. He has fourteen strikeouts to five walks and looks like he’s going to be staying in the majors for good. The Rockies have been desperate to find another answer to ace Ubaldo Jimenez early on and it looks like Chacin has answered the call. His early numbers suggest he’s overcome his control problems that plagued him in the minors. He’s also a ground ball pitcher and in the NL West. Those two reasons alone should warrant a higher ownership than twenty percent. Grab him while you can.

SP- Tom Gorzelanny (SP CHC)- He has looked like the prospect that was once hyped like so many young pitchers are today. He’s only 27 and looks like he’s turned the corner in his career. He has 22 strike-outs in his last three games and only six walks. He’s also only given up seven runs during that stretch. He’s had some bad luck with barely any run support, but the wins will be there in the end and should be scooped up immediately. He’s a much better option than guys like Carlos Silva or Jon Garland.

RP- Alfredo Simon (RP BAL)- Somebody has to get saves in Baltimore right? Jim Johnson was sent down and Simon has stepped up. He may not have a long leash with Koji Uehara recently activated from the DL, but ride him while you can. Saves are saves even from a bad Orioles team. He already has three saves since being promoted as the closer.

RP- Kerry Wood (RP CLE)- Wood started the year on the DL and that is why he’s only 32 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. Indians manager Manny Acta has stated that Wood would reclaim the closer’s role Tuesday and that means he warrants more ownership. He may get traded at mid-season and you will have to trade him by then but at least grab some saves in the mean time.

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  It seems like so many sluggers and pitchers are struggling right now. It’s early, but you can find room on your bench to pick up players on hot streaks. If you can afford to drop a mediocre pitcher for a red-hot hitter then you should do it. It’s not worth it right now to watch players like Grady Sizemore and Aramis Ramirez drain your batting average and power numbers each week. Here are this week’s hot pickups.

C- Ryan Doumit (C PIT)- Doumit was in a three-week slump to start the season, but has now turned the corner and should be added immediately. The Pirates lineup is weak, but he’s batting fourth on most nights and is hitting for a solid average (.308), power (3 hrs) and RBIs (12). If you don’t have a top flight catcher or an injured Joe Mauer or Miguel Montero, make the move.

1B- Paul Konerko (1B CWS)- I mentioned Konerko last week, but he’s somehow still available in 34 percent of yahoo leagues. If he’s still available, don’t walk but run to the computer and add him immediately. His numbers are unreal: .296 12 hrs 24 RBIs.

2B- Kelly Johnson (2B AZ)- Johnson is on a mission right now to prove the Braves wrong for letting him go. His power numbers at the second-base position are awesome right now: .310 9 hrs 18 RBIs. If you don’t have a top three second-baseman right now, Johnson needs to be added right now. Not only are those numbers great, but he’s very patient and leads off for a dangerous Diamonbacks lineup (14 bbs).

3B- Ty Wigginton (1B/2B/3B BAL)- Another guy I mentioned last week, yet he is also owned in only 58 percent of leagues right now. Ty is a on a hot streak right now: .324 8 hrs 14 RBIS 13 runs. He’s going to play everyday for the O’s since Roberts might miss the first-half of the year. Grab him and ride the hot streak.

SS- Alex Gonzalez (SS TOR)- With so many shortstops struggling right now, unless you have a red-hot starter, you need to add Gonzalez for his hot streak. His early numbers are sure to fall (.276 8 hrs 21 RBIs), but he’s a must-start right now with the way he’s swinging the bat.

OF- Marlon Byrd (OF CHC)- Byrd has been on a tear all year and refuses to slow down. He’s in a great position to produce all year, since he bats fourth right now for the Cubbies. Byrd’s numbers are absurd: .354 5 hrs 19 RBIs 16 runs 2 sbs. You have to add him if he’s still available.

SP- Brandon Morrow (SP TOR)- Morrow got off to a rough start early on, but has managed to look dominant lately. He still has issues with his control (16 walks), but most of those came early on. His last outing was a glimpse of what he can do each start: 6 IP 7 hs 2 er 2 bbs 9 ks. The opportunity to buy low on him is closing. Grab him immediately if you have a spot for him.

RP- Evan Meek (RP PIT)- Meek saved the last game for the Pirates and if Octavio Dotel continues to struggle or gets traded, Meek will step right in. His numbers are filthy right now: 1-0 0.60 ERA 15 ks 4 bbs 1 save. Meek is a solid speculative add right now.

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