Now that the All-Star break has passed, we are almost out of what can often be called “Fantasy Baseball Hell Week.” Simply put, for leagues that go head to head statistically, this short week can upset the apple carts of the best of teams. Bottom feeders can rise to the top of the food chain during a week like this, and many have been the lamentations of the victimized. For example, if the late games on Sunday do not pay off for the Stock Exchange statistically…it would be bad for team Stocks. Let’s just hope Brandon Webb and the Anaheim speedsters (Chone Figgins and Gary Matthews) bring their “A” games.
So, now that we are starting the second half of the season, it will be interesting to watch who fades after a strong start, and who finally starts after a cold first half. For example, Andruw Jones needs to bring it in the second half or else he is looking at a one-year deal in which he will have to restore the faith in him that has been lost so far in 2007. Eric Byrnes and Torii Hunter are both having great seasons, and are both in walk years that could make them dramatically wealthier this offseason if they can keep it up. Carlos Zambrano will be the hot pitcher in the offseason unless the Cubs can wrap him up again…and a new owner (Mark Cuban?) might be all it takes to keep him around, even if there is allegedly little love lost between the Cubs and their manager – Sweet Lou Piniella. Dmitri Young and Carlos Pena have had big seasons so far, salvaging careers that were on the ropes – but they need to keep it up in the second half if they want to keep their jobs going into next season. Young may have the tougher time of it considering that he was nearly traded to the Braves until Atlanta balked at the high price the Nationals sought to extract for a player who had almost retired before Washington gave him a “last” chance this season. Mike Lowell is recently known for being a “first half” player, but Boston surely needs him to keep it up in the second half if they want to keep that cushy lead that has developed in the AL East. Meanwhile, Albert Pujols is yet another big gun who needs to bloom in the second half, and who should really be a monster heading down to the playoffs. Of course, there is always Johan Santana who does not even really pitch his best until AFTER the All-Star break…now THAT is scary. These players and many more will have their seasons made or broken based on what happens in the second half. Let’s face it, once the playoff teams are set, does anyone really care who was hot in May?
Nope.
Second half studs are the players who will make playoff hopes come true, while the second half duds will do nothing but break hearts and crush dreams. Now is the time to trade off your first half heroes if they have any kind of history of a drop off. Likewise, being able to score a known second half talent while they are still cheap is definitely the way to go. Additionally, there may also be rookie call-ups who factor in as well as teams give their kids a try in the big league. The only problem is accurately predicting who the best second half players will be. Pujols and Santana are known quantities for a whole season, even if they do their best work after the All-Star break. Taking chances on poor performers from the first half – like Julio Lugo and JD Drew – will be more likely to pay off. So scour your league rosters and look for the names that have disappointed. Odds are good you can find a value or two there, and it could well mean the difference between making the playoffs or watching those who do.
The Gainers
Chone Figgins, Outfield, Los Angeles Angels – Hot speedster on the hottest team in the West
Raul Ibanez, Outfield, Seattle Mariners – Coming into a hot streak, and the Mariners are contenders
Garret Atkins, Third Base, Colorado Rockies – Finally getting hot, get him fast before the word it out
Andruw Jones, Outfield, Atlanta Braves – The drought is over at last
Fausto Carmona, Starting Pitcher, Cleveland Indians – Could be the breakout star for the Indians
Boof Bonser, Starting Pitcher, Minnesota Twins – The Twins could make a run in the second half, get him cheap
The Decliners
David Ortiz, Designated Hitter, Boston Red Sox – Sure he is playing tough, but the meniscus tear ain’t good news
Francisco Cordero, Closer, Milwaukee Brewers – Will he last the whole second half?
Joe Nathan, Closer, Minnesota Twins – What good is a closer who rarely gets the chance for a save?
Carlos Pena, First Base, Tampa Bay Devil Rays – Congrats on the first half, but it is not likely to last
Magglio Ordonez, Outfield, Detroit Tigers – Great first half from an ageing talent with an injury history
Gary Sheffield, Outfield, Detroit Tigers – Good numbers, but why does Gary hate so much?
Excelsior!
Have a question or comment for Chris? Email him at chrismeyer@sportsgrumblings.com.
A long-time writer outside of the fantasy field, Chris got sucked into sports journalism by Mark Haverty five years ago, and that has led to Chris being a regular columnist online for the last five years, and his work has also appeared online in such places as FOX Sports.