I don't know what's worse - shaking Moises Alou's hand, listening to Tony Pena say the Royals are still going to win the AL Central, or owning Sidney Ponson.

I know it's only May, but El Sid is killing me. I keep trotting him out there, and he keeps getting hammered. He's one of the topics you e-mailed me about:

Q: Hello. Rookie fantasy baseball player here. Is Sidney Ponson going to pan out as the No. 1 starter for the Orioles? Do you recommend that I trade him, or possibly waive him? Nobody in my league thinks he's worth more than a backup outfielder, so I am limited. - Rookie

A: Since his 2-0, complete-game victory over Tampa Bay on April 20, Ponson has lost three straight decisions. He's sitting at 2-3 with a 6.80 ERA, and I'm ready to strangle him. Right now you can't even get a warm six-pack of expired beer for El Sid, so you're going to have to stick it out or waive him. And as awful as he is right now, you can't just cut a guy like Ponson.

Q: Aaron Guiel is hitting .181, but it's still early. Should I drop him now or wait and see how he does? He hit about 14 homers and 50-60 RBI last year. - Viking

A: Considering Guiel can't even crack the starting lineup right now in Kansas City, things are not looking good. I have to believe most leagues have plenty of better outfield options on the waiver wire. Cleveland's Jody Gerut, for one.

Hot box

Pick him up: Carlos Silva, SP, Twins. Although he got a no-decision Tuesday in his start against Seattle, Silva is still 5-0 with a 3.11 ERA and has to be considered among the biggest surprises of the season.

Sit him down: Byung-Hyun Kim, SP, Red Sox. Boston manager Terry Francona pulled the plug on Kim this week and sent him down to the minors after another shelling jacked his ERA to 6.17.

Keep an eye on: Lyle Overbay, 1b, Brewers. Richie who? Overbay, acquired in the deal that sent Richie Sexson to Arizona, has been on fire this month. He came into this week hitting .356-5-31.

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