[ThePundit]

Are you going to make your annual donation to your fantasy league this year? Or is this the year you get serious and receive a check at the end of the season?

I won my fourteen team league last year and my first 2 picks were relative busts (Jason Schmidt and Adrian Beltre). I was in 8th place at the All Star Break and zoomed ahead of everyone to win. So it can be done.

Caveat: There is no foolproof method to win. There is still a lot of luck involved in coming in the money, but you can increase your chances greatly by following some sound strategies.


1) Draft catchers, 2nd basemen and shortstops early:

Let’s say with you draft A-Rod and a top line pitcher like Randy Johnson with your first 2 picks. You’re ready make your third pick.

There are a ton of good outfielders and first baseman still left. It may be tempting to go for a guy like Paul Konerko for example who had a monster year last year. This is where a lot of people go wrong.

This is a perfect place to take a 2nd baseman or catcher. I would take Victor Martinez ( I took Martinez #3 last year and although he started off slow, he really did great in the 2nd half) or Jorge Cantu (Cantu will probably be gone by then so you might want to grab him even earlier).

The logic? Victor Martinez will end up with much better numbers than almost any other catcher while you’ll be able to get a 1st baseman later on in the draft that will put up numbers comparable to Konerko.

In the long run, you’ll be better off with a 1st base - catcher tandem of Victor Martinez and say Ryan Howard than Konerko and say Jason LaRue.

Last year, I got Konerko very late, after Mike Sweeney. The point: There are always first basemen and outfielders that slide through to the later rounds that you could draft and not lose all that much in offense compared to the top round picks at that position.

But how many good catchers, second basemen and shortstops are there besides, Victor Martinez, Javy Lopez, Jorge Cantu, Julio Lugo, and Jeff Kent? I mean Jason LaRue will not put up numbers anywhere near the stats Victor Martinez puts up. Follow the logic?

2) Don’t give up saves:

Too many people give up saves to get other categories such as innings and strike outs. I almost understand the logic but why give up save points right off the bat? It makes no sense. Plus good closers usually give you good ratio. And good ratio is tied into good overall pitching performance.

3) Avoid pitchers with big ratios at all costs.

It’s this simple: good pitchers have low ratio. So if you have too many pitchers with high ratio, it not only messes up your ratio, but you’ll tend to have a high ERA and a lot of losses also.


4) You must watch the waiver wire and team news – every day!
Part of the reason I was able to come back and win my league because I paid attention to the happenings on various teams and picked up players off the waiver wire. At the time, these moves seemed insignificant but they ended up to be huge.

For example, when Colorado named Brian Fuentes closer, I grabbed him. I already had three closers. So what’s so special about adding Brian Fuentes?

Well nothing by itself. But what it afforded me was to be able to trade a closer to improve my offense. I had 4 closers and I really only needed 3 to compete. Since Beltre was not giving me the numbers that I wanted, I looked at the other teams and found someone who needed saves. I was able to trade Beltre, Jason Isringhausen, and a throw in of Coco Crisp for Aramis Ramirez. And why was I able to do that? Because I picked up Brian Fuentes!

Once I made that deal, my team never looked back. So what seemed like a normal every day pick up helped propel my team into first place.

Another move I made: The second I heard the Yankees traded for Sean Chacon, I grabbed him. He had a great second half!

So pay close attention to all MLB teams, injuries, team announcements and be prepared to run (not walk) to your computer and act.

Now you have a life you say. You don’t have time to be so crazy about this stuff. Well that’s fine. Just be prepared to lose because there is someone in your league who is all over this stuff.

5) Don’t take injury prone players EARLY…
After I took Victor Martinez with my third pick, I was going to take Nomar Garciappara with my 4th pick. After all, I needed a shortstop.

But then 2 things happened: Roger Clemens was still available and something in the back of my brain told me to stay away from Nomar, he’s an injury waiting to happen.

So luckily, I drafted Clemens. Garciaparra got hurt immediately and even with all my late moves, I don’t know if I would have been able to overcome drafting Garciappara instead of Clemens (I also got lucky. Who knew that Clemens was going to do what he did? As I said before you need luck as well).

6) ….But you might want to take your chances LATER.
There is a time to take chances on good injury-prone players after your main positions are filled out. For example: I took Ken Griffey as my Utility player about the tenth round or so.

My logic: That late, I figured there was no risk because, I could always find a replacement to be my utility player. I also figured if by some miracle, Griffey should stay healthy, he would put up big numbers. After all, he is Ken Griffey, Jr.

Griffey stayed healthy until the last month and was like the Griffey of old. Sure it was lucky that Griffey stayed healthy but I got him so late, where was the real risk? Answer: There was none. (Garciappara may be that guy this year).


So to review:

1) Take premiere catchers, 2nd baseman, and shortstops relatively early.
2) Don’t give up on the “save’ Category
3) Stay away from high ratio pitchers.
4) Watch what’s happening with all teams, and then act – fast!
5) Stay away from injury riddled players early but….
6) … know when to take a chance and draft them when your risk is low
7) Get lucky! The more you pay attention and the quicker you act, the luckier you will get!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

I think I would add, get everyone else drunk right before the draft ...I think this fits under "Gamesmenship/Strategies"...

[Lefty Noob]

Good info, Pundit. But couldn't you have posted this BEFORE my draft?

[ThePundit]

Addendum to my article:

Don't join fantasy leagues that draft a MONTH before the season starts. Seriously. Lefty, why so early ? What if your number 1 pick breaks his leg in spring training? According to my theory you can still win, but still....

[Lefty Noob]

Yeah, I know, it's way too early. Here I have my team and have barely been able to catch any spring training games at all. But hey, last year I was able to deal Aaron Rowan for Andruw Jones in this league, so it's all good in the end.

[ThePundit]

Somebody traded you Andruw Jones for Aaron Rowand ?? Tell that guy I have an opening in my league and he's invited.

[Lefty Noob]

You should add that to your fantasy advice, Pundit:
"Always figure out who the sucker in your league is, and take advantage immediately!"