Always a Learning Process

Just three years ago, I had my first encounter with the Head to Head format. And I would be the first to admit, there were some growing pains. My first season was proof. LAST PLACE! That’s where I saw my team at the end of my first season. In the gutter, having to resort to trading for keepers and using the worst phrase any fantasy manager has to say, “Maybe Next Year”! However, my second year was much more kind. After placing second in the regular season (to Curtis), I went to the championship only to lose by 2 runs to the eventual champion. From last to 2nd in a ten team league, is not too shabby. So here are some lessons I’ve learned over these past two years so you can avoid making the same mistakes I have the past two years:

LESSON #1- The Rocco Baldelli Factor

Boy, do I love sleepers? And, sleepers are great, right? Yeah, when they work, which ain’t too often. The biggest reason for my collapse in year 1 was my affinity for potential studs. It just so happened I got all the risk and none of the reward. My lineup was loaded with these players. Richie Sexson, Mark Texiera, Hank Blalock, Rocco Baldelli, Vernon Wells all graced my roster. As did Mark Prior (don't get me started). It just turned out I was a few years ahead of the curve. Mark Texiera is a stud now and Richie Sexson seems to have put the injuries behind him but I put my team’s chances in the hands of a lot of question marks. Sure, sleepers can make teams dominant just ask Chris Carpenter and Andruw Jones owners last year, however it is the Ichiro’s and the Gary Sheffield’s of the league that ensure fantasy teams contend for the title year in and year out.

Conclusion: Sleepers are great but don’t reach too much for them. Keep a nice ratio to your team. For every two grisly veterans you select, take a flier on a Justin Morneau.

LESSON # 2- Make Friends with Your FAST

The best strategy in fantasy is to get those rare players that can provide your team with stats across the board. However, after the first round, those players are few and far between. At this point, every manager has to decide: POWER or SPEED. Speed is much more valuable as it is so much harder to come by after the draft. Very rarely can you find a person on the waiver wire that can steal 25-30 bases. Last year, only 16 players had over 25 steals. After that there is a big dropoff. You can't say that for 30 HRs (27 hit that many, including Tony Clark.) So, if you don’t have steals, you’ll have to trade for them during the season. A person who has extra steals holds all the cards in trade discussions. Hopefully, you're that guy.

Conclusion: It is apparent how scarce steals have become when guys like Ryan Freel become hot commodities. Draft Fast and Draft Early.

LESSON # 3- Fast times during the fantasy baseball playoffs

Conclusion: This one is short. Pick up a SB specialist for your playoff roster. Whether it be Craig Counsell or Tony Womack. Never underestimate the need for a steal on the last day of a playoff week.

LESSON # 4- It is better to be lucky than good

Conclusion: No matter how good you are, luck comes into play. Whether it is getting Dontrelle Willis in the 15th round or holding onto Andruw Jones just because no one else in the league would make a trade for him. Luck plays a part, sometimes too much of one.