This is a tricky time of year. The season is now old enough that we have a statistical sample that allows us to presume that breakout players will continue to succeed (hello, Fausto Carmona). At the same time, the season is young enough that there still may be time to acquire underachieving proven performers.

A word of caution, though. Years ago (1997), I traded a young Shawn Estes for a proven Greg Maddux around this time of year. It was Estes, not Maddux, who went on to win 19 games. That same year, I traded an aging but hot Tony Gwynn for a struggling Gary Sheffield. Sheffield never got going that year. So sometimes taking advantage of something that would have looked good in March, in June or July doesn't work out.

Nonetheless, I've identified a player at each position who may be available now due to underachievement, but who should recover.

Catcher -- Ramon Hernandez, Orioles

Hernandez is driving in runs and walking, but he's not doing much else. Last year may have been unreasonable, but the power and more average should come.

First Base -- Lance Berkman, Astros

Odd that Berkman came back so successfully from his injury, but now is struggling this year. Incredibly, he only has two doubles. The on-base percentage suggests he'll get it together.

Second Base -- Tadahito Iguchi, White Sox

His first two years were quite consistent, and he seems to be heating up now.

Shortstop -- Khalil Greene, Padres

Not much to choose from here in an up year at shortstop. Greene usually puts up decent numbers when he gets hurt, so maybe his injury will help him.

Third Base -- Garrett Atkins, Rockies

When the humidor wears out at the end of August, Atkins will take off.

Outfield -- Bobby Abreu, Yankees

I almost feel bad for the guy, playing in Philadelphia and New York. He usually starts slow. In fact, most years I end up mentioning him in an article like this one. He always recovers.

Designated Hitter -- Frank Thomas, Blue Jays

Last year, Thomas looked like he was done in May. Then I looked up in September and he was in the MVP race.

Starting Pitcher -- Carlos Zambrano, Cubs

Zambrano is having a truly weird year, but he's simply too talented to right off. He's the kind of pitcher that can carry you in a deep league.

Closer -- Mariano Rivera, Yankees

The Yankees have some pitching problems, but they aren't nearly as serious as they seem. There is some statistical evidence that they've been quite unlucky, actually. Odds are that Rivera will see a lot more save chances as the year goes on.