The Checkdown

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Posted 04.14.09 | 8:34 PM

Hot starts create free-agent frenzy

Owners putting too much stock in quick starters
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By Anthony May
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The best fantasy owners are restless by nature; never happy with their rosters, constantly scouring the waiver wire, looking to snag the next big game-changer. With the 2009 Fantasy Baseball season just a week old, there's a handful of players who have already climbed out of relative obscurity and are being added to rosters everywhere.

Here's six largely undrafted guys who are off to hot starts... that may or may not last.

1. Emilio Bonifacio, 2B, FLA

Bonifacio started the season with an undeniable bang - notching an inside-the-park homerun on Opening Day. Since, he's gone 16 for 33 swiping four bags and scoring 11 runs. There's no doubt that Bonifacio will cool off - he's not going to hit .485 - but he's worth a look, especially if your needing infield help (he has both 2B & 3B eligibility).

2. Adam Lind, OF, TOR

While I realize I tagged Lind in my draft sleepers post, not even I could have predicted that the Blue Jays slugger would have notched 3 HR and 12 RBIs in the first few days of the season. If he's still available in your league, I'd give him a look, but expect him to come back to earth soon. He'll finish the season with 20-25 HRs and an average around .300.

3. Brandon Inge, 3B, DET

Got to hand it to Inge, the utility man hung around long enough in Detroit to earn a starting job. He's making the most of it, opening the season with 4 HRs and 7 RBIs. Look for his numbers to wane as the season wears on. I can't recommend adding Inge, unless you've got a spot to spare. The fact that Jim Leyland changes his line-up as often as he changes his underwear doesn't bode well for Inge either.

4. Jason Barlett, SS, TB

The Rays shortstop is hitting a cool .400 after the season's opening week. Of all the guys on this list, invest the least in Barlett. Ignore the numbers; there are far better options at SS.

5. Christian Guzman, SS, WAS

One of those options is the National's Guzman. He's gone 17 for 33 near the top of the Nationals line-up. Health is the biggest question mark for the oft-injured middle infielder. If he's able to stay in the line-up, expect him to score frequently, setting the table for Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn. Don't be surprised if Guzman crosses the plate 100+ this season.  

6. Aaron Hill 2B TOR

It seems like every Blue Jay is off to a hot start; As a team they're hitting .303 and have already notched 56 runs on 98 hits. When you look at their middle infield, SS Marco Scutaro is the one drawing the "hot start" talk, but 2B Aaron Hill has been equally impressive. He's hitting .300 and has driven in eight, and while I expect he'll sustain his numbers better than Scutaro, his already-high strikeout total (9), hardly make him worth the risk.

Extra-point: Kosuke Fukudome OF CHC

After a dissappointing American debut in 2008, the Cubs Japanese transplant is starting to turn things around in '09. He's gone 10 for 24, hit two homers and driven in five. The key stat for Fukudome is his OBP of .533. Being on base is key when you're playing in the Cubs high-power line-up.
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