Todd Lokken from Strategic Fantasy Sports identifies the most dropped and picked up free agents for the current week of the MLB season.

Craig Wilson, who went undrafted in most fantasy baseball leagues, is all of a sudden a hot commodity as he assumes the first base job in Pittsburgh. The Pirates started the season with Sean Casey at first, but two fractures in his lower back have sidelined him for six to eight weeks. Wilson, filling in for Casey, was named National League Player of the Week by slugging five home runs, hitting .381, and driving in 10 runs. “Casey’s injury was a huge disappointment, but Wilson has filled in spectacularly. Now it is just a question of whether or not he will tally off as the season goes on.” says Todd Lokken, President of Strategic Fantasy Sports. Lokken continues, “Wilson was supposed to play sparingly, but now we will see if he can handle a full time role.” Lokken says if you need a first baseman or if you have Casey on your roster, switch over to Wilson as soon as possible. “Don’t wait long, or else he will be gone,” advises Lokken.

The next hot commodity is Brad Hawpe, outfielder for the Colorado Rockies. Hawpe recently homered in four straight games, and as a result, has become a player to take note of. Hawpe’s explanation for his recent power surge was simple: "If I get a good pitch, I put a good swing on it." Lokken continues, “While it is hard to tell what a season will look like based upon hot streaks early in a season, fantasy players may want to think about grabbing Hawpe, especially if they have a player just taking up a roster spot.” According to the CBS Sportsline, Hawpe was only drafted by about 40% of all teams in fantasy leagues. Lokken says, “if players take a look now, they will see Hawpe on probably 90% of all rosters, so grab him while he is still there.”

On the flip side, injuries are seriously hurting former fantasy stars, and team owners are making fantasy adjustments accordingly. The most prominent star falling is the previously mentioned Sean Casey. Casey, who injured his back in a game against the Cubs, is expected to be out for some time. Lokken says, “Casey is supposed to be out for just 6 to 8 weeks, but the guess here is that he is going to be gone for more time than that.” Lokken continues, “it’s not worth him taking up a roster spot, and you should find another player quickly.” If you miss out on Craig Wilson, Lokken says try to grab Phil Nevin of the Rangers.

Finally this week, Lokken gives us another disappointment: Tampa Bay’s Aubrey Huff. Huff, who was struggling already this year with a .182 batting average, went on the 15-day disabled list after running into shortstop Nick Green during a recent game. Huff sprained his knee, and will be out four to six weeks. While Huff has called the injury a fluke, Lokken points out “Huff was really struggling at the plate, with his low average and only 1 RBI, so he wasn’t doing much fantasy wise.” Having a starting outfielder out 6 weeks is deadly in fantasy baseball, so Lokken advises Huff owners to adjust their rosters accordingly. Grab another starter, possibly Alex Rios of the Toronto Blue Jays, if you need additional support. “If you can handle Huff going down for an extended period and you really believe in him, then hold him, as this ailment will not keep him out the entire season,” says Lokken.

Strategic Fantasy Sports provides fantasy analysis and strategy for players of fantasy games. For more information, contact Todd Lokken at 847.985.8566, or visit www.toddlokken.com.

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