The All-Team Killers Infield

Now that we are in mid-May, It's easier to see who is truly struggling. Thus, here is my list of the all-team killers infield based on stats thus far. Stay tuned for OFs and Pitchers.

If you own one of these players, it may be time to cut bait -- either by trading at a discount or by cutting them outright. If you dont own one of these players, this list represents a high-risk, buy-low scenario -- where you would likely be able to easily trade for these players at a discount over their draft prices.

Let's give it a go:

CATCHER

• First team -- Chris Iannetta, COL. The guy is mashing in AAA right now. Doh!! Former Marlin Miguel Olivo is playing well enough to make this mid-round catcher fantasy irrelevant.
• Second team -- Victor Martinez, BOS. Apologies to AJ Pierzynski owners, but Victor was a much higher pick who is delivering with a .234 batting average. He is slugging .379; but then again, teammate Jason Varitek is slugging .804! Victor is batting .217 in the last 2 weeks, so things are not on the upswing at all. Still, probably a good buy-low at this point, but will be difficult with that name.
• Hon. Mention -- Pierzynski; Miguel Montero (injured); Mike Napoli

FIRST BASE

• First team -- Carlos Pena, TB. Amazing to think that the Rays are dominating with its best power hitter turning in a .185 BA so far. Pena is mired is what is probably his worst career slump-- he is batting .150 over the last two weeks with 2 RBI. Classic buy-low opportunity here, as Pena owners are sure to be eager to pull the plug. But who would want to buy this junk right now?
  
• Second team -- Chris Davis, TEX. He has been demoted, and I dont see him coming back until he is on another team completely. Given several chances, Davis probably has proven that he is a bust. Cut the cord!
  
• Hon. Mention -- Mark Teixeira (coming on lately, so he avoids the top 2); Derrek Lee (when is this guy going to start hitting already?); Nick Johnson (cut the cord!! Done again!)
  

SECOND BASE

• First team -- Gordon Beckham, CHW. Definitely a buy-low considering his pedigree; and his .184 average and bordering-on-zero counting stats (1 HR, 6 RBI in 130 ABs) will make it really easy. Oh yeah, and he is batting .102 in the month of May. He should be on someone's bench, but at this point, his stats make him totally worthless.
  
• Second team -- Brian Roberts, BAL. One of the many reasons that the Orioles totally suck -- well mainly because he hasn't been there to lead off. Sure, he was batting .142 before his back injury, and he is due back in mid-June, but this might be something that lingers for quite a while. Almost zero return right now on what was one of the top 10 pre-season 2Bs.
  
• Hon. Mention -- Aaron Hill (my man needs to find his stroke); Jose Lopez (following up a career year with a .214 average so far); Clint Barmes (cant seem to hit, may be a cut-the-cord guy).
  

THIRD BASE

• First team -- Aramis Ramirez, CHC. The easy choice. He is just 32 years old -- has he just lost it? From what I have seen, not only can't he hit, but he is also butchering plays at third base on a routine basis. A friend of mine just got offered three junk players for Aramis...I thought he might have to take it. He's batting .166, for the record, although he does have 20 RBIs.
  
• Second team -- Chone Figgins, SEA. A change of scenery has thrown this guy's game into the crapper. Nine steals is a redeemable quality, but how can you swallow that .194 batting average? Still, I would put him on the buy-low list, if you need some speed.
  
• Hon. Mention -- Mark DeRosa (sucked before he got injured); Chipper Jones (sucks now, before he will get injured).

SHORTSTOP

• First team -- Yunel Escobar, ATL. I was very high on Escobar coming into the season, so his .179 average, zero HR and a measly 17 combined runs and RBIs comes as a sort of shock to me. He came in as the fifth-ranked SS by CBS for heaven's sake!! This is a guy that finished with a .300 average and a .436 slugging % last season. Of everyone I have mentioned so far, I think he is the best buy-low out there. An adjustment is coming in my opinion.
  
• Second team -- Jose Reyes, NYM. Last year, he was universally taken in the first five or so picks of every fantasy baseball draft. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Most owners are forced to suffer through his .210 BA to get those 9 steals, especially when the dude was projected (last year) to steal 70-plus bases for the next 10 seasons. People like me who bought this guy on the hype last year will be loathed to sell him this low, but it's looking like it might be now or never to get something back for him.
  
• Hon. Mention -- Alexi Ramirez (how many White Sox can I name?); Jason Bartlett (starting to turn it around, so buy now before it's too late); Erick Aybar (.229 average, but 23 runs scored -- should bring up the average soon).
  

I will admit that I own (or have at one point owned) four of these players.

Therefore, in their honor, I will post the following: