Some National League Players

Dennis asked us to provide a little guidance on a few N.L. players. Always happy to oblige.

Gary Matthews, Jr.
Matthews is 35 now, but with Beltran out, will split some time with Pagan. He knocked in 50 runs in only 360 AB last year, and will have a little value until Beltran comes back (Beltran missed his run today, so he looks to be out for another six solid weeks). Unfortunately, he has very little pop left in the bat, and is unlikely to repeat his .313 BABIP.

Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Two words...David Eckstein. Though brought in as an utility player, Hairston only needs outplay Eck to have some value. He hit 10 HR last year and earned $8 in 4x4. He won't earn $17 like he did in 2008, but he will earn enough to warrant a couple of bucks.

Sean Marshall
Marshall has been a favorite trendy pick for a couple of years now. He seems to be anchored in that bullpen, however; not winning a spot in the rotation even with Ted Lilly on the disabled list. He also won't close, so he has a little value, but not much.

Esmailin Caridad
It is hard not to like Caridad. He has good stuff, great control, and is only 26. I think he is better suited to the pen than the rotation, but he moves into the 8th inning role with Angel Guzman down. If
Carlos Marmol implodes, I think it's unlikely he gets save opportunities (See: Lou Pinella), but he has some value, particularly in 5x5.

Omar Infante
It is hard to recommend Infante, but if you need someone to generate ABs, you could do worse. What you see is what you get...contact hitter with no pop and no real speed. I would look elsewhere, even if Chipper is likely to be out regularly.

Kyle McClellan
McClellan lost the 5th starter battle, and is now back to the pen. He doesn't strike out many guys and walks enough to make me think his success is not repeatable.

Jason Motte
Motte, on the other hand, gives up home runs, walks people, and strikes them out at an incredible rate. Motte is definitely a future closer as he matures and learns to harness his stuff. If you are in a keeper league, I would stash him away, particularly in 5x5, where strikeouts matter.

Fred Lewis
Lewis is out of options and going to return soon from the DL. At this point, I think you need to wait and see what happens, as I expect he will get designated when he returns. He is too old to be a prospect, but he put up nice numbers in nearly full-time work last year. If you can stash him on reserve without displacing anyone of importance, it would not be a bad gamble.