Nick Fruscello: Hey everyone, its time for Fantasy Friday! The fantasy hockey championships are winding down as the final day of the NHL regular season is coming up this Sunday. The marathon that is the fantasy baseball season however, is just starting up. The Tigers, who were considered by many to be the next 1927 Yankees with their lineup, got swept by the Royals and not only got swept, but lost $153 million dollar man, Miguel Cabrera to injury along with DH Gary Sheffield. A lot of the top players in the league are still scraping off the spring training rust, so don't go hitting that panic button just yet. Remember its April. By the time this thing is over, the NFL will be in Week 4 or 5 and the next NHL season will be right around the corner. Its a long marathon, don't make any decisions now, that will dramatically affect your August and September.

BronxBombers: Is there anyone on the Royals worth owning? They just swept the Tigers, but I don't know who their best players are

Nick Fruscello: I mentioned last week that I felt Billy Butler will be a solid fantasy contributor this season. Alex Gordon is another that has a lot of potential, but he really hasn't shown me yet, that he can be counted on as an everyday player in your lineup. Jose Guillen wouldn't be a bad option as a 3rd OF and if you need runs or stolen bases, David DeJesus (currently injured) and Joey Gathright are a good source for those. I don't really trust any of their pitchers, even after shutting down the Tigers lineup. Closer Joakim Soria, however, is a good 2nd or 3rd closer. He finished the 2nd half of last year with 33K's and 5 walks in 32.1 innings. That's pretty impressive and that's why he's their closer.

BronxBombers: I need power numbers and I saw the Big Hurt on waivers. Could he fix that problem?

Nick Fruscello: Big Frankie hit 39 HR's two years ago, but only 26 last year, in a homerun friendly ballpark. He's one of my personal favorite hitters and I would like to see him get back to his 2006 form, but I'm thinking even his twlight days are behind him. This should be the Big Hurt's final year and unfortunately he's going out with a pop instead of a bang. Its always tough to look for power because homerun hitters change from year to year. Power hitters that could still be available for you, Richie Sexson, Billy Butler, Carlos Delgado, Ken Griffey Jr and Jermaine Dye. Those are the best that might still be on waivers.

BronxBombers: Xaiver Nady is on fire and I'm considering making a spot available for him and if he cools off I can pick up another hot bat

Nick Fruscello: That's actually not a bad idea. Just have a spot on your roster for a hot bat and drop him as soon as he gets cold. The problem with that is, knowing when he's cold and finding the next player on a hot streak on waivers. Its a decent strategy, but I would go with a more consistent player that goes up and down between good and great rather than a player that goes from great to cold.

BronxBombers: I NEED pitching help. Both relievers and starters. Any players I should look for?

Nick Fruscello: Its true what they say... you can never have enough pitching. As I mentioned earlier Joakim Soria is a good reliever to snatch up. Kerry Wood is on waivers still in a lot of leagues, he'll be another solid contributor in saves. Starting pitching, look for a Ian Snell or Johnny Cueto. Cueto had a big debut striking out 10 and walking no one. One of the tricks to winning your league is getting guys like this early.

RaZor: I'm in a cap league. Ryan Braun or Miguel Cabrera?

Nick Fruscello: I know a lot of people will think I'm nuts for saying this and maybe I am, but I like Ryan Braun a lot more than Cabrera. Cabrera has moved to the AL which is a much more difficult league right now, he signed a HUGE contract which puts a lot of pressure on him, plus so far this year, he looks like he's pressing a bit. Braun on the other hand is good for average, HR, RBI, Runs, SB's, he's a top 5 tool player and he's playing in a division with a lot of hitter friendly parks.

RaZor: Jose Reyes or Jimmy Rollins? Or maybe Hanley Ramirez?

Nick Fruscello: I'd go with Reyes. He's more consistent than Rollins and has a much better lineup than Ramierez behind him. Last week, I read that Ramirez's manager is asking him to steal less bases saving his body from wear and tear.

donJavier: Hi, Nick. Quick question. NHL.com had a poll up the other day asking visitors to vote on which division championship team they felt had the best chance of winning the cup. Choices were Montreal, Detroit, Pittsburgh, & San Jose. Sharks were the front runner with Pittsburgh bringing up the rear. Do you think these results are telling or just Crosby-bashing people making their voices heard?

Nick Fruscello: I'm sure their is some Crosby bashing fan votes in there. The Penguins have probably one of the best chances to win the Cup, but out of those four, I would pick the Pens last as well. Having said that, I think the Penguins still are one of the favorites to win the Cup, but I think the Habs will take them in the Conference Finals.

RaZor: Carl Crawford or Hideki Matsui?

Nick Fruscello: I never thought I'd pick a D-Ray over a Yankee, but I'm going with Crawford over Matsui. Crawford will steal a ton of bases, get lots of runs and have a higher average than Matsui.

RaZor: Thanks Nick

Nick Fruscello: Thank YOU. Back to the hockey question. I'm thinking those will be the final four teams. I don't know why, but I see Price carrying the Habs to the Finals.

donJavier: What is the stupidest move a rookie baseball fantasy player could make? Spending all his/her money on A-Rod or Bonds? Stacking their team with nothing but designated hitters? Any advice for a newbie?

Nick Fruscello: Drafting players on the 60 day DL or drafting retired players. For hockey, I remember seeing Mark Messier, Scott Stevens and Paul Coffey on the available list of players well after they've retired. This year some poor soul grabbed Eric Lindros in the 3rd round of a fantasy hockey draft. My advice for a newbie for baseball is to look for hitters that can contribute to multiple categories, like a Ryan Braun or BJ Upton and for pitchers, get strikeout pitchers. If they're good enough to get strikeouts, they're good enough to have low ERA's and wins. Unless that strikeout pitcher is Daniel Cabrera.