THE 7 RULES OF FANTASY BASEBALL

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THE 7 RULES OF FANTASY BASEBALL

*this league is mixed, 5 x 5, and head-to-head.

Rule #1 - Don’t talk about your fantasy sports team. Nobody gives a shit.

For the most part, this is true, unless you’re in the company of fellow fantasy geeks, which (based on a few comments on the blog and Twitter) I’m assuming I am. It’s not like this post is sitting in the bottom right corner of your TV screen for an entire episode of LOST. Reading this, and reading on, is totally optional.

Rule #2 - Try to get 75 HR and 75 SB with your first three picks.

I read this tip in a few magazines this year, decided to follow it, and failed. CHONE has Teixiera, Crawford and Phillips combining for 69 HR and 66 SB. (For the record, I think that projection’s a bit conservative, but it helps temper expectations.) Having the 8th pick in a snake draft was tough. Rather than “snake” referring to the style of the draft, it seemed like it referred to what kept happening. I’d have my sights set on a player, look down at my notes, look up, and he’d be gone. Maybe my cheat sheets and projected picks we a little ambitious.

Rule #3 - Wait until Round 7 or 8 for starting pitching.

I’m not so sure if this worked out for me. The theory behind waiting is that you can cobble together a pretty decent rotation without a guy like Lincecum, Halladay, Greinke, or Verlander using up a valuable early pick that could be used on a hitter that can help you in multiple categories. I rolled the dice with Nolasco (even after he killed me in the first half of last season) but the general consensus is that he’s poised to bounce back. Weaver’s in a contract year and is a solid #2 (pitcher…not a turd), Burnett will get me some Ws and Ks despite killing me in ERA and WHIP, and Happ could be decent. Feldman is a reach, but that’s what you do in the 21st round. The Hudson pick is on Matthew Berry. He gushed about Hudson in a podcast with Bill Simmons, and I drank the Kool-Aid.

Rule #4 - Wait until Round 12 to 14 for a closer.

I back this “rule”. There are usually plenty of saves to be had without jumping on a guy like Broxton or Rivera in the 7th and 8th round in this league. I know Fuentes is going to drive me insane as an Angels fan, so I figured I’d double up and let him drive me nuts in fantasy as well. The Angels play in a ton of close games, and have had the MLB saves leader four out of the last five years, so I figured I’d take that chance. Franklin is projected via Fangraphs to have 32 SV, which should help, if Fuentes loses his job to the equally-awful Fernando Rodney. Frasor was drafted on bad information. I’m not sold on Kevin Gregg as the Jays closer though.

Rule #5 - Most years, even when you study up and follow seemingly sensible rules for Fantasy Baseball drafts, your team will suck.

OK, maybe that just applies to me.

Rule #6 - When you actually do win a league championship, it will be in a league with no monetary payout, or prizes. If you win, and there is a prize, you will get stiffed.

This has happened to me in three baseball leagues and one football league, yet somehow, I keep coming back for more.

Rule #7 - Don’t follow these rules.

My draft for another mixed, 5 x 5, head-to-head league is Saturday, and since that league is the most lucrative re: payout, I can ensure that I will find a way to eff it up even more than I effed this draft up.