04.18.11 Fantasy Baseball Hot & Cold List

Every Monday we will be bringing you the Top 3 hot and cold baseball players from around the major leagues. The twist, I’ll also be providing a buy or sell recommendation on the cold players to help you decide if this is a guy to target in a trade offer or someone you should cut if they’re clogging a bench spot, while on the other side giving you the sign on whether to sell high or buy the continued dominance.

For the last week, here are your Hot & Cold recommendations:

HOT

Lance Berkman

Last 7 games: .357 Avg, 9 R, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 0 SB

Call: Sell

In the “I told you so” section falls Lance Berkman. Yes he went 0 fer in his last game, but this guy has been hot. Only a matter of time until a stint on the bench with the rigors of playing OF and his numbers have nowhere to go but down from here, sell high.

Matt Kemp

Last 7 games: .520 Avg, 5 R, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 2 SB

Call: Buy

As our first repeat player here on hot and cold, I mentioned last week, Kemp’s average will cool off, closer to his career .290, but he continues to show baseball is his priority this year and if you own him, hold on and enjoy the ride.

Dan Haren

Last 3 games: 3-0, 1.10 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, 15 K

Call: Buy

Apparently Dan Haren Loves LA! Since coming to the Angels last season he has been dominant. Expect his numbers to move closer to his career averages, but I think Haren will have a great season, possibly Cy worthy.

COLD

Carl Crawford

Last 7 games: .094 Avg, 2 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB

Call: Buy

I don’t know how it would be possible for Crawford to start the season worse than he has. If he has an impatient owner, you will never be able to get him cheaper.

James Loney

Last 7 games: .160 Avg, 1 R, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB

Call: Sell

We’ve seen what Loney is at this point, a weak hitting first baseman that’s highly dependent upon his lineup to generate RBI. True, his average will get better, but that’s about it.

Daisuke Matsuzaka

Last 3 games: 0-2, 12.86 ERA, 2.71 WHIP, 4 K

Call: Sell

What is there really left to say about Dice K? The guys a mess and probably shouldn’t even be a 5^th starter in the majors at this point. The Red Sox have a fortune invested in him, you don’t.

Check out last week’s edition here.