The Fantasy League Guru Due to unforeseen
circumstances, the last Fantasy League Guru was forced to resign.
Schain was the only writer whose head fit the Guru hat, so the job
was his by default. E-mail comments to gregoreo@ucla.edu.
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Being that we are heading into the home stretch of the baseball
season, everyone involved in fantasy baseball should already know
whether they have a chance to win their league or whether they are
out of it. If you are out of it, then too bad. Read this to get an
idea of what you’ll need to do next season. If you are still
in it, then congrats and read on. In the following paragraphs, you
will read sage advice that may make or break your team. Five
players who should have stellar second halves will be presented, so
try to pick them up if you want to win. When asked about who you
would most like to have on your team, these players might not come
to mind. But consider them, because they are great fantasy players,
or else you will join the ranks of the countless losers that came
before you. The five players to acquire, in no particular order,
are …
OF ““ Ken Griffey Jr., Reds The former
heir to Hank Aaron’s throne as all-time home run king,
Griffey has struggled mightily since becoming a Red last season.
His value dropped after hitting only .271 with 40 home runs and six
stolen bases in 2000, all the lowest in his career since 1992, not
countingthe strike-shortened season. This season has been even
worse for Griffey. Troubled by a torn hamstring, he has played in
only 44 games and is hitting just .245 with seven homers through
July 17. Although questions still surround the health of his hammy,
the injury seems to be improving and his bat seems to be coming to
life after hitting two homers on July 16 against the Tigers.
Griffey’s value is lower than it should ever be and you might
be able to pick him up for a second tier player. Take a chance on
him, because the pitching in the NL Central is subpar, and if he is
able to stay healthy he could have a big second half.
1B ““ Tino Martinez, Yankees After hitting
just .258 with 16 homers and 91 RBI in the middle of a loaded
Yankee lineup last year, the Boss became disgruntled at his
high-priced first baseman. When he got off to a slow start this
year, rumors swirling around New York had Martinez being be shipped
out of town for Jason Giambi. But Martinez quickly silenced his
critics two weeks before the All-Starbreak by homering in four
straight games and five of six, boosting his power numbers. As of
July 17, he had a respectable 17 homers and 67 RBI. Hitting behind
Derek Jeter, Paul O’Neill and Bernie Williams, Martinez
should get plenty of RBI opportunities in the second half. Batting
in front of Jorge Posada, Martinez should get plenty of pitches to
hit because Posada is having a career year. With his contract
expiring at the end of the year, Martinez is sure to not let this
great opportunity pass him by. Plus, the Yankees have the easiest
second-half schedule in baseball, with opponents winning percentage
a meager .464. Thus, they should get to face a lot of young,
inexperienced pitchers. Expect him to put up some huge power
numbers in the last part of the season.
SP ““ Pedro Astacio, Rockies Astacio is
normally a fantasy nightmare, because he pitches half of his games
in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field, where balls fly out
like cannons being launched out of a pirate ship. He is having one
of the worst years of his career, with only six wins and a 5.14 ERA
through July 17. But his 1.35 ratio of walks plus hits per innings
pitched is the lowest it has been since he first went to Colorado
in 1997, showing that he is getting poor run support and bad
breaks. Astacio went from being Colorado’s No. 1 starter to
No. 3 starter this season after the Rockies acquired Mike Hampton
and Denny Neagle in hopes of making a run at the pennant. But the
Rockies’ plans have been foiled, as they are well under .500
and in last place in the NL West. Thus, the Rockies are looking to
unload his salary. Trade rumors are flying about Astacio being
moved to teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox, who are looking
for solid pitchers at the back of their rotations. If he gets out
of Colorado, his numbers are sure to improve, and right now he can
probably be picked up for a song.
SP ““ Kip Wells, White Sox Wells was moved
from the bullpen to the rotation in mid-May to replace the
struggling Jon Garland, and has flourished in the role. In 12
starts, he has a decent 6-5 record with a stellar 2.57 ERA and 1.21
WHIP, and has become an integral part of the rotation with the
absence of David Wells (no relation). He is only 24-years old and
should get better as the season progresses. Expect him to become an
ace in the not-so-distant future, and pick him up now while he is
still relatively unknown.
SP ““ Roy Oswalt, Astros Oswalt, like
Wells, has been dazzling since joining Houston’s rotation in
May. A former No. 1 prospect, Oswalt quickly moved from the minor
leagues early this season to being one of the stopper’s on a
decent Houston starting staff. Through June 17, he has an 8-1
record with a 2.30 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP,and at 23 years of age can
only get better as the season wears on. He is also a strike out
machine, with 58 K’s in 58.2 innings pitched. WithHouston
still fighting with the Cubs for the NL Central crown, expect him
to pitch in meaningful games and to come through in crucial
situations. Oswalt is a strong Rookie of the Year candidate, and
can probably be picked up cheap because he is still a rookie. He
will be a big boost to your starting staff.