Baseball players struggle to get through the Dog Days of August. It?s hot, they?re wearing pants, and it?s hot. Fantasy players struggle through the Dog Days of August, but under different circumstances. In their case, August is full of air conditioning, vacation and flip-flops. But the Dog Days of August still hit them.
That 162-game schedule is grueling ? for both players and fantasy owners. Inertia sets in; bad habits start to form with lineup rosters. And sometimes, just sometimes, owners will give up, and stop playing.
But that?s why I love keeper leagues. Because in keeper leagues, there are still moves to be made in August, even if you have no hope of contention in 2012. Dreaming about the prospects of 2013 can sometimes be just as fun.
There are many different formats for keeper leagues, but today we?re discussing the types that allow owners to retain players at a certain price ? generally at or around their auction price or draft round.
If you find yourself at the bottom of the standings in a league like this: the time for trades is nigh! With deadlines fast approaching, now is the time to deal your studs to contending teams to help yourself in 2013. It doesn?t matter how good the player you?re getting rid of is ? whether he is Matt Kemp or Miguel Cabrera ? if he?s netting you only even value (meaning you?d pay for him next year about what you did this year) then trade him for a lesser player who will earn you a profit come next year?s auction. If you?re in such a spot, look to target these breakout performers for your team now.
Chris Sale, SP
Sale cost owners less than $2 on average in ESPN leagues, so the profit margin for him next season will be fantastic. Sale will be somewhat tougher to pick up given how amazing he?s been, but a Felix Hernandez or Justin Verlander ought to get the job done for you. When you?re keeping Sale in the single-digits next season, it will be worth it.
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
The world knew Goldschmidt?s power was real. He was one of the players I loved in the preseason because I thought he could support a decent average, too. But .298? I doubt even Goldschmidt imagined that. His average draft position (ADP) of 191 will skyrocket next year.
Stephen Strasburg, SP
He?s perfect for a contending team to deal away. The Nats insist he?ll be shut down soon, so it won?t even hurt for his owners to put him on the block. He cost just over $15 this year; he?ll be going for at least $25 in auctions next year.
Kenley Jansen, RP
When drafts were happening this season, Jansen was only a prospective closer in waiting. Now that he?s got the gig, he succeeding at it. He?ll be going for far more than the $1.50 he fetched this year. Eighty-one Ks, a 1.84 ERA and .84 WHIP make him one of the elite closers.
Jordan Zimmermann, SP
This is almost hard to believe: Zimmermann?s ADP was 120 this year? Or a little over $7? Certainly, pitching is deep, but those who believed Zimmermann?s 2011 was for real were rewarded. With a Nationals offense that should be poised for even further improvement in 2013, Zimmermann will be about a $12-$15 pitcher next season.
Josh Reddick, OF
Reddick went undrafted in most leagues, but paid out for those that picked him up off the waiver wire in a major way. Twenty-five HRs, 10 stolen bases and decent counting stats have made Reddick the 23rd-best outfielder in fantasy, according to ESPN?s Player Rater. There will be those who won?t trust him next year, but he?ll worth $5-$6 next year, which could net a nice little gain at what will be a lower price this year.
Mike Trout, OF
The most obvious name on the board, but also the hardest to pry away. In a league like this (where I am out of contention), I offered the following deal to the third-place team: Joe Mauer, Mark Teixeira, Matt Holliday, Jay Bruce and Ernesto Frieri for a $3 Mike Trout. I was turned down. And you know what? If I were the other guy, I would have turned me down, too.
Twitter.com/SethWalderNYDN
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
After a horrific start to 2012, followed by a rebound, will Albert Pujols make your top 5 players overall next season?
Ian Powers: I?m not putting Albert Pujols in my top 5 players for 2013. I?m not even putting in my top 2 for the Angels. The unstoppable Mike Trout will be the No. 1 overall pick in many leagues next season and Jered Weaver has been one of the best pitchers of the last few seasons and he?s coming into his prime pitching years. I believe with a year in Los Angeles under his belt, Pujols will be more comfortable and return to a form consistent with .300 AVG, 30 homers and 100 RBI, but that?s not good enough for top 5 overall when Trout, Matt Kemp, Ryan Braun, Robinson Cano and Justin Verlander are there to contend with him.
Seth Walder: Albert Pujols? steady rein over the top pick (or top two or three, anyway) has been all about one word: consistency. He?s provided fantasy owners with solid production out of that top spot every season. Including this one. That?s right, this year too. Pujols has been the 27th most valuable player this year, according to ESPN?s Player Rater. When you buy Pujols in an auction or draft him in that top spot, you?re doing so because you know he?s going to be good, even if other players have higher ceilings. I?m a believer in the old saying that ?you can?t win your league in the first round, but you can lose it.? Albert Pujols is one of the guys that let?s you know: he?s not going to kill your season. Declining skills for an aging veteran aren?t a concern when it?s a guy as steady as Pujols.
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