It's time to make your final playoff push in Fantasy Baseball and if you're like one of my teams, you need to make a move, whether it be a trade or a waiver wire pickup.
For the latter, here are my suggestions to help bring you to your league's playoffs.
Add Them Now:
Neftali Feliz, SP/RP, Texas Rangers
The Rangers acquired this flamethrower from the Braves in the Mark Teixeira deal and he's finally paying dividends. In three relief appearances, he has eight strikeouts in 10 innings with only one hit allowed which was a home run. If you need a reliever or just someone who can rack up strikeouts, grab Feliz without hesitation.
Gordon Beckham, SS/3B, Chicago White Sox
Beckham is hitting .308 with 61 hits, six home runs and 39 RBI in only 198 at bats. Ignore the fact he's on the road all next week, because he's just that good of a hitter.
Drop Them Now:
John Smoltz, SP, Boston Red Sox
I have to say I'm surprised it took the Red Sox this long to designate him for assignment. He's 2-5 with 59 hits allowed and a 8.32 ERA. Avoid him even if he comes back again.
Edinson Volquez, SP, Cincinnati Reds
If you were holding onto the Reds stud pitcher in hopes he'd comeback, you were greeted by some bad news this week. Volquez is out for a whole year with Tommy John Surgery. Drop him now and don't draft him next year until he's given the green flag to comeback.
Brandon Webb, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
I feel bad for whoever drafted him, only one start this year and he's done. Chris Carpenter, anyone? Unless you're in a keeper league, drop him and hope he comes back to being Brandon Webb next year. Although, if I took him this year, you wouldn't be able to pay me to take him next year since I'd probably miss the playoffs because of him.
Monitor Their Status:
Bud Norris, SP, Houston Astros
Let's face it, Bud Norris is a rookie and rookies are prone to fluke performances. But two straight?
In two starts this year, Norris is 2-0 with 16 strikeouts in just as many innings. A 1.69 ERA and 1.12 WHIP doesn't hurt either. However, don't get ahead of yourself, his next start is at Florida and Ricky Nolasco. See how he responds and then go after him.
Brian Matusz, SP, Baltimore Orioles
I'm going to get killed for this one just like I did with Jordan Zimmermann but even after striking out five in his debut, his next start comes against Roy Halladay in Toronto. Avoid him for now.
Justin Masterson, SP, Cleveland Indians
Masterson had 71 strikeouts in 75 innings with a 4.32 ERA as a Red Sox reliever. But after being traded to Cleveland in the Victor Martinez deal, this strikeout machine takes over Carl Pavano's rotation spot.
He'll make his first two Indians' starts on the road. With the first start being today at the White Sox and Carlos Torres, the next will be on the 14th at Minnesota and Carl Pavano. See how those two starts go before pulling the trigger.
