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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