BY ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca
I always preach preparation, research, and first-mover advantage when it comes to fantasy baseball. That strategy has done me well over the years with plenty of championships and top-three finishes.
However, this year something surprising occurred when I approached the manager of the fantasy team that I am competing against in the finals for a fantasy baseball championship. When I congratulated the fantasy manager for his fine season, he was shocked and did not even know that his team was in the playoffs.
While this helped explain why he was starting Johan Santana, I was still surprised that he was able to attain such success without touching his fantasy lineup for the last two and half months. Perhaps I should have noticed this from the name of his team: TBD (To Be Determined).
While there is a good chance that my opponent will beat me and win the Fantasy Championship, you will note by the roster comparison that TBD won with luck thanks to a good draft and exceptional health from his players, while my strategy and research allows me to compete for a title every single year.
CATCHER: Buster Posey, Giants versus Matt Wieters, Orioles
Based on my tracking of Giants top prospect Buster Posey early in the season, I was able to grab him off the waiver wire the moment he was called up. He has responded with 16 home runs and a .317 average in what could be a Rookie of the Year season. Before picking up Posey I started the inconsistent Jorge Posada at catcher. He is currently at the end of my bench.
Wieters, meanwhile, was dumped by most fantasy managers midway through the year when he struggled. Since my opponent was not managing his team at that point, he kept Wieters, and the Orioles backstop has responded with a decent second half of the season.
EDGE: SHAW
FIRST BASE: Adam Dunn, Nationals versus Joey Votto, Reds
I grabbed Adam Dunn in the 7th round and he has responded with a superb season, though he has tailed off quite a bit over the last few weeks.
My opponent selected Reds sensation Joey Votto in the fourth round. Votto has responded with an MVP-calibre season.
EDGE: TBD
SECOND BASE: Ben Zobrist, Rays versus Brandon Phillips, Reds
After Ben Zobrist hit 27 home runs with 91 RBIs and a .297 average last season, I expected big things from him again this season. He has responded with a pathetic .246 average, which outweighs his 24 steals and solid run production.
Even in a ho-hum season, Brandon Phillips has chipped in with 17 home runs, 15 steals, and 98 runs scored. He was the fifth-round pick by TBD, and provided the numbers you've come to expect from him.
EDGE: TBD
THIRD BASE: Adrian Beltre, Red Sox versus Jorge Cantu, Rangers
Finally, one of my drafted players has enjoyed a big season. I selected Adrian Beltre in the 14th round and he has responded with an average of .323, 28 HRs and 101 RBIs so far. Had the Red Sox been in contention, he would be mentioned for AL MVP consideration.
Jorge Cantu got off to a great start, but has been ice cold since. Now with the Rangers, Cantu has just two RBIs over 27 games with his new club.
EDGE: SHAW
SHORTSTOP: Jose Reyes, Mets versus Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
Once Reyes got healthy, he provided us with what we expected: .284 average, 81 runs, 11 HRs, and 30 steals.
Troy Tulowitzki dealt with his own injuries, but the difference here is that once he got healthy, the Rockies star put up MVP-calibre numbers. In fact, Tulo single-handedly advanced TBD through the first round of the playoffs.
EDGE: TBD
CORNER INFIELDER: Wilson Betemit, Royals versus David Ortiz, Red Sox
Wilson Betemit was another player I grabbed from the waiver wire. He has finally enjoyed a chance to play everyday and has responded with 13 home runs and a .312 average in exactly a half a season's worth of games.
TBD once again lucked out because his lack of supervision likely explains why David Ortiz wasn't dropped early in the season when he had just one home run and a .143 average through 16 games. Of course, ever since, Ortiz has exploded with 30 more home runs and raised his average to a respectable .264. TBD does deserve credit for drafting Ortiz in the 16th round.
EDGE: TBD
MIDDLE INFIELDER: Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks versus Miguel Tejada, Padres
I drafted Aaron Hill to man the middle infield spot, but his all-or-nothing ways have forced me to bench him in the playoffs. Instead, I have turned to the red-hot Stephen Drew, who I also nabbed from the waiver wire. He has 10 home runs and a .283 average since the all-star break.
Miguel Tejada was a 17th-round pick by TBD, and after an ordinary start with the Orioles, which likely would have landed him on the waiver wire had I been coaching, Tejada raised his game when he was traded to the Padres. Despite the pitching-friendly confines, Tejada has blasted eight home runs in 52 games with the Padres while batting .278.
EDGE: SHAW
OUTFIELDER 1: Ryan Raburn, Tigers versus Matt Kemp, Dodgers
Over the last 50 games, Raburn has blasted 12 home runs with 36 RBIs. He was another Hidden Jewel I found off the waiver wire to help me in the recent weeks.
Matt Kemp was a rare bad pick by TBD as the seventh-overall pick of the draft. While he still has some power and speed, it comes in spurts and the average is way down.
EDGE: SHAW (In the playoffs it's all about what have you done for me lately and Raburn has been better than Kemp)
OUTFIELDER 2: Matt Holliday, Cardinals versus Carl Crawford, Rays
Matt Holliday was my second-round pick, and he has played like it with 28 home runs, 103 RBIs, and a .313 average.
Carl Crawford will be a very wealthy man after this season. The Rays speedster is batting .306 with 16 home runs, 87 RBIs and 46 steals.
EDGE: PUSH
OUTFIELDER 3: Adam Jones, Orioles versus Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
Adam Jones got off to an awful start, but his power has improved in recent months. Jones has tied his career-high with 19 home runs, though his total of six steals is a disappointment.
Carlos Gonzalez is worthy of an MVP award after this season. TBD's slugger has connected on 34 home runs and 115 RBIs while keeping his average at .341. Gonzalez has even swiped 25 bases to round things out.
EDGE: TBD
UTILITY 1: Alex Rodriguez, Yankees versus Josh Hamilton, Rangers
I drafted A-Rod with the third pick overall, and while he has rewarded me with 29 home runs and 119 RBIs, I have not been thrilled with his .272 average, 74 runs scored, or measly four stolen bases.
TBD may have had the best draft ever. He nabbed Josh Hamilton with a seventh-round pick. Even though he hasn't played over the last three weeks, Hamilton's season totals are MVP-worthy: 31 home runs, 97 RBIs and a .361 average. The problem for TBD is that by ignoring his franchise, Hamilton is taking up a roster spot even though he is not playing because of broken ribs.
EDGE: SHAW (Hamilton is injured!)
UTILITY 2: Colby Rasmus, Cardinals versus Dexter Fowler, Rockies
Yet another player that I grabbed off the waiver wire, Colby Rasmus is enjoying a fine season with 23 home runs, 11 steals, and a .279 average.
Even though Dexter Fowler spent a large chunk of the season in the Minor Leagues, TBD has stuck with him. Simply put, Fowler has been a bust with just 12 steals and .249 average.
EDGE: SHAW
As you can see, my team is assembled of a couple of players that I drafted combined with a healthy dose of waiver wire acquisitions. Nonetheless, TBD has greater star power with Tulowitzki, Votto, Gonzalez, Crawford, Phillips, Ortiz, Kemp, and Hamilton. That's why I'll likely have to settle for second place, while TBD is either a brilliant talent evaluator and drafter, or the luckiest fantasy manager I've come across.
