Fantasy Baseball is in full swing already and I couldn't be happier! Let the debate begin on who should be drafted and where they should go. Everybody has the ultimate sleeper player in January and by April he is being taken in the 5th round. (2009 Chris Davis anyone) Of course we have that can't miss player who just kills us and doesn't he always seem to be a pitcher (Thanks Joakim Soria). But all of those things are in the past. A new year means a new Fantasy Title, for all of us.
I have decided to join Fantasy Baseball Tonight and Fantasy Baseball Search this season and hopefully for many more. I have written for other sites and teamed with Tony Cincotta on Blog Talk Radio and enjoyed every stop. This just seems like the right place for me. I can't wait to get reacquainted with everyone who listens to the radio shows and interact with each of you who read Fantasy Baseball Search.
My articles will have a very narrow focus this year. I will talk draft strategy, player versus player analysis, and sleeper picks (which we all like to crow about). Todd Farino, RC Rizza, and myself will discuss all of these things each week at 10PM EST on Wednesday starting on February 3rd.
I can't wait to get started. Best of luck in all your drafts and leagues.
To get more from Todd Farino and RC Rizza, catch our weekly podcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/fantasy-baseball-tonight . Listen to us LIVE every Wednesday at 10pm EST for 90 minutes of pure fantasy baseball talk.
As the book closes on the first half of the MLB season, we look back at a unforgettable first half. So far, we've seen numerous injuries, suspensions, slumps, breakouts, and an abundance of young talent. As major league teams gear up for a second half run, we as fantasy owners must follow suit.
It's time to address your team needs, as well as the needs of other owners in your league. Throwing out a blind trade is an absolute no no in the world of fantasy baseball. Figure out what categories your team is lacking in, and what categories you can afford to give up. This is especially important in roto leagues, where extra stats like stolen bases will be wasted. Whether you win the stolen bases category by five or 50, you still get the same end result. If you can find a team who has what you need and needs what you have, you're well on your way to getting a deal done. It's important to always keep in mind what the other fantasy owner needs. If you consistently offer bad trades, you're really just shooting yourself in the foot, and in the end nobody will want to trade with you. When it comes to trades, name recognition is what most people use to evaluate a trade, but it's the superior fantasy owners who look past this. What matters most is team needs, for both owners. Last I checked, the name on the back of the jersey doesn't have it's own category in fantasy baseball. It's also important to keep an eye on the actual trades going on around the majors, which can help or hurt a player's fantasy value.
With that being said, it's time to review some of the first half happenings around the big leagues. Of course, Manny Ramirez has been all over the news with his recent return, and it appears he's continuing right where he left off. With the All Star voting nearing an end, Manny and Alex Rodriguez did not make the roster, a pleasant surprise to many. Although the voting process is highly flawed, it seems that the voters got something right for once.
As we've seen numerous breakout stars, such as Adam Jones and Adam Lind, none stand out more to me than Toronto's Aaron Hill. Hill, who spent most of last season on the disabled list is having a monster season. He is currently batting .295, with 20 home runs and 59 RBI. Although this pace may not hold up, a 30+ home run season and 100 RBI isn't too bad from a second baseman who was drafted at about 177th overall in ESPN leagues. Hill is not only a breakout player, but a comeback player, which makes his story extra sweet.
Two other comeback players who top my list are Justin Verlander and Victor Martinez. Verlander, who had a lackluster season last year is back and better than ever with a 9-4 record, 141 Ks, and a 3.59 ERA. Not only has Verlander been dominant but his pitch location is much improved. Last season, his K/BB ratio was slightly less than 2:1, not even close to the 4:1 ratio posted thus far. Victor Martinez is having a solid season after missing much of last year due to injury. With a .299 batting average, 14 home runs, and 57 RBI, V-Mart is a fantasy stud with his catcher/1B eligibility. Not only does he help with roster flexibility, he also gets more playing time than most catchers who sit out on regular rest.
Unfortunately, not everybody can come out of the gate flying. Jimmy Rollins has been a disappointment to everybody who drafted him, but is showing signs of life this past week. True, Rollins was drafted too early in most leagues, I guess an MVP award can do that (cough cough Dustin Pedroia), but is he worth trading? I say no, hold on to him if you've got him. The shortstop position is slim this year, and I believe Rollins will have a productive second half. He won't start hitting home runs like Albert Pujols or stealing bases like Carl Crawford, but the value you'll get in the second half will most likely exceed the value you'd receive in a trade. Rollins has a good lineup around him and is a proven winner. He is currently batting .224, with seven home runs, 33 RBI, and 11 stolen bases, but he has actually been swinging the bat fairly well. If he ends up with close to 20 home runs, 75 RBI, and 30+ stolen bases, I won't be surprised. With that, the average and runs scored will improve. I'm convinced that Rollins will turn it around soon, most likely after the All Star break. He may be aging, but his experience should help him bust out of this slump, and it always helps when you play for the reigning World Series Champs.
Remember, as the second half of the season begins, be sure to keep an eye on the waiver wire as well as what trades are being made in the majors. A fantasy championship is rarely won on draft day. It takes dedication and consistent management down the stretch to dominate the competition. Don't get caught sleeping behind the wheel, or you'll find yourself riding the pine.
David Wright is just 26 years old, yet has the weight of the world on his shoulders. With a plethora of injuries plaguing the Mets, Wright not only has to pick up the slack on the field, but also in the clubhouse. The Mets are in turmoil, and Wright is one the few players who can turn things around. Sure, Johan Santana is a great figure, but the Mets need an everyday player to step up and lead the team. With players like Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, and Carlos Delgado on the DL, the Mets have been forced to call up many players from the minors, some of which are just not quite ready for the big show. Wright needs to lead by example on the field and off. He needs to take these youngsters in and show them the way.
So what does all of this have to do with fantasy baseball? The answer, It has EVERYTHING to do with fantasy baseball, and not just in regards to David Wright. So far, Wright has posted an impressive .340 batting average, with 20 stolen bases, however his power numbers are quite pedestrian, with just five home runs and 42 RBI. 54 players currently have more RBI that David Wright, including names like Cody Ross and Casey Blake. On top of this, a staggering 161 players have more HR than Wright. What's the deal? Obviously the lack of protection around him has something to do with it. When you combine this with the apparent pitcher friendly Citi Field, you're headed for disaster. Even with a healthy roster, Wright's power numbers would mostly likely be down considerably. From the outside looking in, Wright's lack of power might scare some fantasy owners, but taking a closer look, Wright has merely adjusted his game to adapt to the new ballpark. He's spraying the ball around and looking for a base hit, taking advantage of the spacious dimensions of Citi Field, hence his .340 batting average.
This brings me to my next point. It's not just David Wright who is being affected, the pitching staff is suffering from lack of run support and poor defense. Johan Santana, currently with 9 wins has been a bit shaky of late. On top of poor run support, the Mets defense has been a highlight reel of errors. Misjudging a fly ball, throwing the ball away when there is no chance to get the out, and missing third base, it's like watching a bad little league instructional video on what NOT to do. In Santana's last start, he was clearly rattled after a number of errors and brain farts, as he too joined in on the circus, and blatantly airmailed a ball over the third baseman's head. After the inning, his discontent was clear in the dugout. I believe his words were something to the tune of, "I've had enough of this bleep, let's go!" That sounds about right.
The bottom line is that Wright is still a very valuable fantasy player, but his power numbers are just not there this season. Normally with a player of his caliber, I'd say that he's bound to turn the corner and start mashing. Sadly, I'm afraid I'm on the other side of the fence on this one. Citi Field isn't going to change, and Beltran, Reyes, and Delgado are still huge question marks. Even with a healthy lineup, I'm convinced that Wright's power number would still be down enough for one to take notice. Wright is currently on pace for 11 home runs, while he's hit 63 the past two seasons.
If you're looking for help with stolen bases and batting average, I would recommend keeping Wright on your roster. However, if you're in need of some pop and could use some extra power, you're better off trading Wright. Despite the poor power numbers, his exceptional average and stolen base numbers combined with name recognition will fetch a solid player in return. So don't panic yet, Wright is still an asset to your team, but in the long run if power is what you need, you're going to need to look elsewhere.
