Word to the Winners - Fantasy Baseball Advice

The Season that Doesn't Sleep - by Evan Cohen.

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Major League Baseball is watching the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals play in the Fall Classic and it promises to be loaded with great moments that will be talked about for years. However, while the playing part of the season may end with that final out, the popping of champagne in the victor’s locker room and the thousands of fans lining a parade route in the winner’s city, your preparation for next fantasy baseball season should already have begun.

As a rule, you always want to stay current with what is happening in MLB baseball. Paying attention to what players are free agents, which guys may have had “career years”, or even a managerial change can get you started in the right direction.

A list of free agent baseball players is usually available on any website; these lists can help you understand which fantasy baseball players are on the move. In many cases, like with Luis Gonzalez, formerly of the Arizona Diamondbacks, it is a foregone conclusion the player won’t return to the team. However, there are times when you can’t get a read either way what will happen with the players and their teams.

Earlier, I had used the term “career year”, which refers to a baseball player who exceeds his average playing numbers. One player who had an outstanding season prior to his free agent year that comes to mind in recent seasons is Carlos Beltran.Beltran, now a center fielder for the New York Mets, had a tremendous free agent season and post-season for the Houston Astros in 2004. Once he signed a contract for the Mets in 2005, he proceeded to struggle in his first year in New York. He has since rebounded and quieted speculation the Mets made a blunder in signing him.

One final situation to initially look at is who is managing a new team in a new place. A current example of a guy whose value might be changed is the current third-baseman for the Chicago Cubs, Aramis Ramirez. A-Ram, as he is known, has shown a tendency to not run out ground balls. This will not sit well with new skipper, Lou Piniella. The lack of hustle could trigger a trade of Ramirez, an above average fantasy third-baseman, to a team where he is the only legit bat in the lineup.

By getting your early homework done this October, you may be setting yourself up for a fantasy baseball World Series victory of your own next October.

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