Find a Short-Term Sub While Derrek Lee is Suspended

July 18, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Andrew Stewart
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

Chicago Cubs first Derrek Lee (ankle) dropped the appeal of his five-game suspension that was issued for his June 16 altercation with San Diego Padres starting pitcher Chris Young. Lee was injured Tuesday, July 17, after fouling a ball off his left ankle. He was expected to miss at least two to three games, which led to his decision to drop his appeal now.

Lee, though his power numbers are down, still remains one of the most valuable first basemen in fantasy baseball. He had also shown signs of turning things around in the home run department, with two of them, along with four RBI, in his last three games. This suspension should do nothing do affect his value. Lee was expected to miss two to three days because of the ankle injury anyway, so this five-game suspension will ensure Lee does not rush back onto the field and has ample time to rest his ankle.

Lee was replaced in the lineup Wednesday, July 18, by Cubs first baseman Daryle Ward. Ward is hitting .323 with eight RBI in 62 at-bats. He is not recommended as a replacement in Lee's absence unless you are in an NL-only league or a deep league and have dead weight on your roster.

Since Lee is not making a trip to the disabled list, fantasy owners will need to replace Lee from within their roster or drop someone else to pick up a temporary first baseman. Some first basemen that are in the free agent pool in most fantasy leagues include Cleveland Indians first baseman Ryan Garko and Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche. Garko, who is available in approximately 96 percent of leagues polled, is hitting .317 on the season with 12 home runs and 38 RBI. In his last six games, he has gone 12-for-19 (.632) with three home runs and eight RBI. LaRoche, who is available in roughly 66 percent of leagues polled, is hitting .233 with 13 home runs and 53 RBI. However, in the last month he is hitting .270 with six home runs and two RBI.

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Andrew Stewart
Andrew Stewart has been a Hot off the Wire Analyst for KFFL since 2007.

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