Heading into the season, these were three players I wanted on my roster. Now, a week later, none of the three can be counted on for regular at-bats going forward. What should one do about it?
On the one hand, I've thought about trading |STAR|for|STAR| Upton in one league - as his owner is surely disappointed about his lack of regular playing time, and the possibility that he could get sent down to Triple-A - and Upton is still one of the most talented young players in the league - one who posted an .820 OPS last year at age 20. On the other, if Upton does get demoted, he could be down for a couple months, and now could be your last chance to |STAR|sell|STAR| before that happens.
Things were looking more dire for Dukes a week ago after he was beaten out for a starting job by Austin Kearns in spring training. Lastings Milledge has struggled, opening up playing time for Dukes in center, and Dukes has had two good games (before straining his groin, though he's back in the lineup Sunday).
The bottom line here is that Upton's slow spring and 0-for-9 start, or Dukes' poor spring really shouldn't matter. Both players have produced at the major-league level, and both are big-time talents that their teams need in order to come close to reaching their potential this year.
The question is whether to trust in their skills and buy, or to mistrust that management will give them a long enough leash to ensure they succeed. Because I have little doubt that both players will contribute plenty this year if management just lets them play. I have some doubt whether that will happen if either has a three-week slump.
As for Milledge, he probably had the most fantasy upside of the three - because he runs. But he's not the real-life offensive player that Dukes is and Upton almost certainly will be - so unless he improves in center field - something he's struggled with - he's the player management could justifiably sit. Still, he held his own in the majors last year at age 23, and the Nationals aren't winning anything this season. They need to get major-league development at-bats for Milledge so he's that much more experienced and polished going forward.
Bottom line: stick with all three, and consider trading for them if their price has gone down since Opening Day.