Think David is bitter about this signing? Just a tad.

Keepers versus Yearly Leagues

It is that time of year when baseball leagues are slowing down. Major league baseball still has a number of teams fighting for first. As a Red Sox fan, I live and die with their travails and cheer the coming of Jacoby Ellsbury and rue the day that Theo Epstein gave J.D. Drew 70 million dollars for a no energy, mediocre right fielder with minimal commitment to the game. Still, thoughts begin to move toward football or basketball. At this time of year, fantasy baseball leagues are exciting only for those fighting for first.  Most participants have given up on that for quite a while. However, it is not quite time to put fantasy baseball into mothballs. Now is the time to look at what you have been doing and decide whether there is a better way. It goes without saying that I favor points over categories. Still, there is an equally important question. Should we change the length of service a player has with a team?

Many people wonder why I prefer two-year keeper leagues over all other formats. Certainly there a number of choices that start with the magazine leagues that ask “Pick a roster with a salary of under 50 million.” Those leagues allow for multiple teams to choose the same players from a list that is pre-salaried. Of course you compete for this year only. They are great for fans who only care about the stars but otherwise these leagues are boring to me. There is limited strategy after the starting rosters are set. I need more.

Yearly leagues mean you start over each year. If you are only in these leagues, you are not reading this article for player information. Yearly leagues pale in interest for most teams long before this. Unless you are in a money league that pays four or five places, many owners have finished their participation around the trading deadline. Those few who lasted until the end of August are asking themselves “Do you want to play some football?” First place has usually been determined. In an exceptionally close league three teams out of 12 might be still competing. I am in one American League only league like this that fortunately is head to head and have playoffs. Still, when you are out you are out. I can’t even tell you who won last year. I need more.

Then there are dynasty leagues that allow owners to grab someone and keep that player forever. I am in one Dynasty league with Albert Pujols still playing on my team for four years now. I took a chance on Ryan Braun this year and likely will keep him forever as well. I do develop an allegiance with my players. However, I will never have David Ortiz, Ryan Howard, or Alex Rodriguez. That lack of opportunity takes some fun out of the league.

My favorite league allows owners to use the stats of players for a two-year period and then the players go back into the mix to be auctioned again. We also can draft prospects and keep them on our bench for one year before using them or giving them a salary. This achieves two purposes. It allows us to build for a battle this year. If we are in the running then the future is now. Players with a year left and prospects are traded for final year players as competitive teams bulk up. If you want to win, you better have players others want on your bench or with keepable salaries. Secondly, teams who have fallen out of the running but with skilled last year players can build for next year. As we approach our trading deadline of Labor Day, a flurry of trades transforms all teams. More importantly, no team is truly a lame duck waiting for the year to end. If you are building for next year, you likely have acquired more than you can keep for next year. You are rooting for your players to develop and show you who to keep. While some owners complain that the last minute trades skew the teams that have played all year, the majority of teams like the last minute involvement. And isn’t it all about fun anyway?

While acquiring players is less and less important at this stage, let’s look at some recent call ups or returns from the dreaded Disabled List.

Top Players

Sometimes commitment is even more impressive than ability. Earlier I had mentioned J.D. Drew as a talented player who shows little love for the game beyond the money Scott Boras can get him from soon to be frustrated general managers. See it here first. Before the off season is over, the Red Sox will have traded Drew with a bundle of cash to a middle range team who will gush over him for a while.

The person I wish to complement has a wheel barrel of cash and still wants to excel on the field. I speak of none other than Alex Rodriguez. Remember this is the player who was willing to take a cut in pay just to play on the Red Sox before his Players Union said no. He then went to the Yankees and moved to Third Base even though he was a better fielder than the incumbent at Shortstop. If there is any complaint about Rodriguez it is he tries too hard on the field and in the batter’s box. Wednesday, I had to give this Yankee my reluctant admiration.

After spraining his ankle on Tuesday, going to the hospital for an MRI test and then hobbling into the park on Wednesday, Rodriguez hit two home runs as the Yankees climbed three games ahead of the sinking Seattle Mariners. Rodriguez is on his way to a season of numbers only exceeded by Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx. He has over 500 homeruns in his career and he is only 32 years old. Unless he decides to stop early, like Barry Sanders did in football, while still at his peak, Rodriguez will find himself at the top of many hitting categories. No matter what records he breaks, I will always be more impressed by his desire to be on a winning team.

Surprise Upturn

I want to acknowledge two players who have fought back from injuries and who may be keys to a fantasy team’s success. First is Phillies’ Second Baseman Chase Utley. Utley may be lacking some of his power, with only one homerun but he is hitting .400 with 14 hits in 35 at-bats since returning from the Disabled List from a broken hand suffered on July 26. He should continue to develop as the last month progresses.

I also want to recommend Pedro Martinez, if nothing more than as a serious competitor. In his first game back since undergoing rotator cuff surgery last Oct. 5, Martinez’ fast ball is only in the high 80s and he needs to utilize other pitches more effectively. I just believe that if anyone can do it, it is Pedro. Pedro will be on a strict pitch count of 35 pitches in an inning and/or 75 total pitches per start until he shows he can handle the stress. Martinez gave the Mets a needed boost with a win this past week and the hopes for more.

Over Their Head

If you failed to hear the name Clay Buchholz then you just haven’t been trying. Buchholz pitched a no-hitter in only his second big league start for the Red Sox and now finds himself in the bullpen while Boston tries to decide how to use him down the stretch. Do not expect too much for the balance of this year. Many owners have rushed out to get him and next year that may prove helpful. However, now Buchholz had pitched a full season of innings in the minors and he is unlikely to get more than a spot start or two. With little relief experience, Buchholz is unlikely to make many trips out from the pen.

Finally, do not expect much from David Wells, even in the spacious Dodgers’ park. The 44-year-old Wells is a desperation acquisition. He may have a good game or two but he is just as likely to blow up as pitch effectively.

Questions and comments may be sent to davidkopacz@sportsgrumblings.com