Word to the Winners - Fantasy Baseball Advice

Early Season Fantasy Baseball Advice - by Evan Cohen.

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Now that the 2007 fantasy baseball season has begun, it is time to keep some things pertinent to winning in perspective. On Fantasy Baseball Starters.com, we posted some information on how to be successful in the off-season and in the drafting process. Now, we are here to make sure this season is going to be a winner for you and make sure you have a good time doing it. Like in the winter months, you always need to be prepared, watch the waiver wire and don’t give up on players who have gotten off to slow starts.

After your fantasy baseball draft has been completed, double check to be certain that the players on your team are still playing. Last year, I was in a league where current Texas Rangers outfielder, Sammy Sosa, was drafted. He even went in the 12th round of a twenty-five round league. Of course, Sosa didn’t play all last season after turning down a minimum contract offer from the Washington Nationals. Whether you believe that Sammy didn’t want the little money he was being offered or he was still under the suspicion of steroid abuse, he sat out the whole year. He was not really even someone you should have considered at all in your fantasy baseball league. On the other hand, seven time Cy Young Award winner, Roger Clemens was drafted and it paid off for owners last season. A good example this season is Minnesota Twins left-handed pitcher, Francisco Liriano, is out for the year after having arm surgery. Again, in one league that I played in, Liriano was selected. The only reason to take Liriano is if the league is a fantasy baseball keeper league where you can hold on to him for the 2008 season.

In the early part of the fantasy baseball season, some players make the big league rosters that weren’t expected to do so. Some players may not even make it to the big time until a month or more is gone in the season. In Baltimore, Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons had what might have been the worst luck of any player in the game. Due to early season injuries and a bizarre situation involving his wife, Gibbons played in only 90 games. The season totals were 34 runs, 13 HR’s, 46 RBI’s zero SB’s and a .277 AVG. In 2005, Gibbons played in 139 games with 72 runs, 26 HR’s, 79 RBI’s, zero SB’s and a .277 AVG. Not great numbers, but those make for a solid number three fantasy baseball outfielder. The injuries plus a game where he hit a foul ball that went through the screen behind home plate and struck his wife in the ribs. All these factors led to his replacement getting more playing time.

Nick Markakis was the player that benefited from Gibbons' poor and unlucky season. Markakis came in and played 147 games and posted 72 runs with 16 HR’s. He also drove in 62 runs, stole two bases and hit .291. Markakis also mustered up 143 hits in 2006. Once again, these aren't the numbers of a one or two fantasy baseball starter, but good for number three in your outfield. Markakis seized the most of his opportunity and is now the primary right fielder in Baltimore.

New York Yankees outfielder Melky Cabrera also fits into the early season waiver wire pickups from last year. After Hideki Matsui was injured in a game against the Boston Red Sox, Cabrera, who has a dismal stint in pinstripes in 2005 got the nod in left for the Yankees. He made the most of it by playing all over the outfield and 130 games. His 75 runs, 7 homers, 50 RBI’s, 12 steals and .280 average were solid number three outfielder fantasy baseball stats. Cabrera will likely get more playing time this year or possibly be part of a trade to get the Yankees some much needed proven pitching.

The most important thing to remember during the course of a long fantasy baseball season is to not jump the gun if a guy gets off to a slow start. Many players will start off at a snails pace and turn it on after a little while. A great example from last season is Chicago Cubs third basemen Aramis Ramirez. “Rammy” got off to a very slow start in April and May. His pre-June fantasy baseball stats were 180 at bats with 26 runs, 43 hits, nine homers, 25 RBI’s, two steals and a .239 batting average. From June on, Ramirez got 414 at bats and had 130 hits. That is a .314 average. He also smacked 29 long balls and scored 67 runs to go with 94 RBI’s. He only swiped one more base, but he is not a stolen base guy. For the 2006 season, Ramirez posted a .291 AVG., 93 runs, 38 HR’s, 119 RBI’s and two SB’s. Those are top five fantasy baseball statistics. Never give up on your stud players during the early part of the year because it is a long season and guys develop trends where they are notoriously slow starters and still post solid numbers by years end.

As long as you keep the fantasy baseball advice for the entire year and make some good trades to get you the players that will help you win your fantasy baseball leagues, you should be in contention all year. Don’t get frustrated by players who hit a cold stretch or be part of a short-term platoon situation. Proven players will do what they always do and that helps you win your leagues.

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