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Bleacher Features - 'Cellar Dwellers'
CBS SportsLine Fantasy Baseball
'Top Of the World' June 5, 1998
Michael Mullins, aka Moon, is a Reds' fan and has seen the cellar many times. He is currently in League 059 in the CBS SportsLine Roto Challenge, leading the way.
- First, I think it is important to plan for the second half of the season. Do not use too many trades. If you are close you can use trades in the second half when others have used most of their trades. If you find yourself in this position you will have to stick with a team that could slump.
- There is nothing one can do if players are not in the lineup; rainouts, or injured players. In my league, if someone gets hurt you are stuck with him for the week until trades are effective the following week. In the early part of the season it may well be to your advantage to play teams that are not effected by rain such as San Diego. Also, players that play 150 to 160 games are the type you need to get the at bats to produce good numbers. Know the history of players as well as what managers plan for them. Although Ivan Rodriquez is having a great year, it has been stated he will play less games than he did last year.
- Stolen bases and saves seem to be the categories that kill most. This has been a problem all year, although Gregg Olsen has gotten me some saves at a low cost. If you have a closer who is on a team that has only won 19 games, his chances and appearances are slim. Pick a closer that gets a lot of chances. It will cost you more, but it will save you in trades as you try to find a better closer.
- Stolen bases seem to be hard for everyone. I find myself at -20 in this category routinely. What I am trying to do now is find the baserunner who has the higher OBP%. They seem to be the one's who have the best chance at attempts.
- ERA is another one that has hurt me. I find myself trading a pitcher because he has a bad outing right away. Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez both have had a few bad outings but will have a low era at years' end. Keep the ones that have proven track records. I had Rick Helling early and got six wins with him. Watch your players performance each time. It was obvious Helling gives up runs so I traded him and he has not won since.
- Get comfortable with a roster and play it. It always helps to look at the league leaders. If you have several of these players on your roster you probably will have a competive team.
- Remember, the game will never give you enough money to get all the best players. It is designed to entice you to trade players so the game is profitable. It is good, however, to get players that will increase in value so you can get a few good players for the end run.
- Keep an eye on the top teams and rosters. They are there for a reason. Know your weaknesses and see if the top teams may have a clue as to how you can improve.
- Communicate with other's in your league. Entice a debate and they may clue you in on a weakness you have not seen.
- Most important is to have fun! I find that a cold beer and a ballgame in the background, while using the Advance Scout to out-manuever opponents, to be the best.
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