June 1, 2008, 6:39 PM

Answer Guys: Is Carlos Gonzalez worth a pickup?

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Hunter By Dave Hunter
ESPN.com
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You have questions, we have answers. The Answer Guys is an Insider service where ESPN.com experts personally answer questions about your fantasy team. These are a few of the more challenging questions we've received from Insiders and our answers.

I have the No. 1 waiver claim and was wondering what your thoughts were on [Oakland outfield call-up] Carlos Gonzalez. I wouldn't mind waiting for David Price, but I know it might be awhile before he gets a call or before another slugging prospect is called up. Is Gonzalez worth my waiver slot?
Brandon Bell

Carlos Gonzales
AP Photo/Tony GutierrezOakland's Carlos Gonzalez = The real deal.
Dave: I doubt you'll see Price at all this season, even when rosters are expanded. I can't see the Rays rushing him, especially since their current rotation has been pitching exceptionally well so far this season. Price has only two professional starts under his belt this year because he battled an elbow strain earlier this season, and look for the Rays to play it safe with him. There's no denying Price's dominant talent and skill level, but rushing him would be a big mistake.

As far as your waiver claim, I would certainly use it on Gonzalez. There aren't many other hitters in the minor league system that will make an impact at the big-league level this year, so you might as well grab a potential impact hitter while you can. According to "Baseball America," Gonzalez was the highest-rated prospect in the Diamondbacks' farm system before the Dan Haren trade brought him to the A's. Gonzalez has power to all fields, which can be attributed to his remarkable bat speed. In addition to the power, Gonzalez is an all-around run producer who also will swipe double-digit stolen bases, even with the A's. He'll have his struggles this year, like most rookies, but the potential reward is well worth the risk, even in 10-team standard leagues.

What do you guys project for Carlos Beltran the remainder of the season? Will he finish with 30 homers and 110 RBIs?
T. Emanuele

Dave: At this point in the season, 30-plus home runs isn't completely out of the question for Beltran, but it's unlikely. Beltran currently projects out at this pace: 119 runs, 12 homers, 93 RBIs and 22 steals, and he has three-year averages more like this: 101 runs, 30 homers, 102 RBIs and 19 steals.

As you can see, Beltran's run totals are slightly above his three-year average, which is good news considering his lack of power thus far. His current RBI totals aren't far off, so I'm expecting him to reach the 100-RBI mark for the third year in a row. The most surprising number to me is the stolen bases, as I was originally projecting Beltran to run much less this season. His seven steals lead me to believe his knees are structurally sound, more than his offseason knee surgeries would suggest. Does it mean Beltran will continue to run as the season progresses? It seems that way, as long as his knees continue to be pain-free.

In order for Beltran to hit 30-plus home runs, though, he'll need to drastically pick up the pace and average more than six homers a month for the final four months of the season. In 2007, though, Beltran hit 25 home runs from June through September, which shows that it's possible for him to match those same numbers this year. But I'm expecting him to fall short of your 30-homer, 110-RBI needs. Here are my final projections for Beltran: 105 runs, 25 homers, 105 RBIs and 20 steals.

Chad Cordero is on my waiver wire. Should I grab him and put him on my DL? Do you think he can get some saves when he's back?
Steve

Chad Cordero
Mitchell Layton/Getty ImagesChad Cordero is recovering, but he'll have a tough time unseating Jon Rauch in the closer role.
Dave: The short answer is yes, if you're desperate for saves, I would grab Cordero. Of course, you'll have to pull him away from his fledgling new career as a broadcast announcer. It seems that Cordero, along with injured Nationals teammate Paul Lo Duca, sat in for Hall of Famer Don Sutton last Thursday as he was recovering from laryngitis. According to The Washington Post, Cordero enjoyed the experience, "It was a cool thing to do," he said. It looks like the Nationals really try to get the most they can out of their players, healthy or not, but I'm fairly certain this was a one-time affair.

Anyway, since assuming the closer's role when Cordero went down with an injury in April, Jon Rauch has been nothing short of spectacular. In fact, he gave up just an earned run in 14.1 innings in a May, in which he racked up seven saves, so it's not going to be easy for Cordero to regain the closer's role, especially if the Nats treat Cordero with kid gloves upon his return. It seems Cordero could be back by the end of June, but only if everything goes smoothly with his rehabilitation and throwing program. Cordero told MLB.com that he hopes to get his job back "after a week of playing some games," but I believe it'll take longer than that.

As long as you're not expecting an immediate return by grabbing him, Cordero is worth picking up. I see him regaining the closer role by August. If having him in the closer role for the last two months of the season is worth it -- and it might not be -- then go for it.

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