Coming out of spring training, conventional wisdom held that the two worst teams would be the San Francisco Giants and the Baltimore Orioles. Yet today as I write this, the Orioles are in first in the AL East, while my beloved Tigers wallow in the mire, last in the AL Central, and the Nationals are playing even worse than the Giants. While I expect things will right themselves soon, I feel that fantasy players can take advantage of the lack of depth on the lesser ranked teams and pick up bargains or find the buy low/sell high players that can help your team prosper.

I never advocate avoiding any team’s players just because that particular team has little to no chance to compete for a league title (although I did scrupulously avoid any Washington National player last year, at least until their young pitchers came up late in season and I was able to stream them into my H2H lineups). In fact, if you keep your wits about you, you can find useful players on any of the last place teams.

So who can help you out? Here are a few suggestions:

1. George Sherrill (RP, Bal). If you were lucky enough to draft Sherrill, you’ve got a classic sell high player on your team. Sure, Sherrill has been lights out, not allowing a hit through 4.2 innings and converting all 5 save opportunities so far, but how long can this continue? Plus, I anticipate the Orioles will fall out of first sometime soon, and although I expect a lot of their games will be close, a lot will also probably not produce save opportunities. Trade Sherrill now if you’ve got enough closer depth; I’ve seen him go one for one for Nate McClouth and Michael Young, but given his terrific start, you can shoot higher.

2. Ramon Hernandez (C, Bal). Hernandez has started the season horribly. Yet I believe he is still a very good hitter, and aside from a devastating injury, will be the Orioles starting catcher. Figure him for 20+ HR and a decent average. He tends to be available in leagues that start only 1 catcher, or is worth a low-ball trade offer while he’s slumping.

3. Jonathan Sanchez (SP/RP, SF). Sanchez is the number 4 starter for the Giants. He has 18 Ks in 10 innings, with only 4 BBs. The command is there, just as it was in limited action last season. I’m a firm believer in chasing high K pitchers, and letting the wins accumulate. So far he’s going to hurt you in ERA and WHIP, and will probably bounce between the starting rotation and the bullpen all season, but can provide you with a serviceable 5th starter (especially in H2H leagues), at least for now.

4. Kevin Correia (SP, SF). Like Sanchez, Correia can provide you with a good K/BB ratio, and a better opportunity for a decent ERA and WHIP. You can’t expect as many Ks as Sanchez will provide, but he has a decent chance to stay in the rotation all season and maybe rack up some wins for you in addition to the other peripheral stats.

5. Eugenio Velez (SS/2B, SF). Here’s a guy that can provide stolen bases, but little else. The Giants with their injuries in the early season seem interested in letting Velez play to see what he can offer. He’s essentially undrafted and should be available in most leagues.

6. Nick Johnson (1B, WAS). This is the guy who is going to win the 1B job full time in Washington, despite the contract management gave to Dmitri Young (still puzzling over that). He’s only owned in about 40% of ESPN leagues, but more so in Yahoo and CBS. I can see him hitting 15-20 HRs, batting around .300 and driving in and scoring 65-75 runs. Plus he’ll give you a few stolen bases during the season. If you didn’t get a top 15 first baseman in the draft, or if you are waiting for Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard to find their groove, you might want to consider adding him to your roster.

7. Ryan Zimmerman (3B, WAS). Zimm has been struggling so far this season, and has failed to drive in a run the past 11 games. His average is hovering right around his weight and he’s not being very selective at the plate. Time to make an offer to a manager who’s fed up with his top third sacker, and try to steal him cheap. Amazingly, I’ve seen him go straight up for Brad Penny, Yunel Escobar, Kosuke Fukudome, and Ty Wiggington. I’d jump on any of those deals to get a starting 3B with power.

8. Mike Jacobs (1B, FLA). Another 1B with power, owned in less than 50% of ESPN and CBS leagues, although Yahoo owners have recently discovered him (over 3,700 adds the last two days!). I could see him hitting 25-30 HRs, and driving in 80+, while scoring 75 runs and hitting a respectable .275. Act fast as his potential is being discovered quickly.

9. Miguel Cabrera (3B), Magglio Ordonez (OF), Gary Sheffield (DH) (DET). You just have to believe the Tigers will start hitting soon. Right now, the heart of the order is mired in a two week long slump. While I admit you’d never get me to part with any of them except for a 1st or 2nd round pick, some other owner may be getting anxious and willing to make a move. Offer him a player with strong opening stats (Mark Reynolds, Xavier Nady, Joe Crede, Frank Thomas, Andre Ethier, J.D. Drew) and see if you can pry one of them loose. The only concern I’d have is Sheffield’s injury history, but when he’s healthy, he’ll hit a ton.

10. Placido Polanco (2B, DET). Here’s another Tiger that has started out cold. He’s been a perennial .300 hitter, who hasn’t hit below .295 the last four seasons. No power, as my colleague Tyler Norton pointed out in his Buy Low…Sell High column on April 9th, but definitely an asset that can overcome some low average power hitter in your lineup.

Good luck in your quest to better your team. Remember, lots of fantasy players are impatient and will act in haste. Make sure they do so in your favor.