A Year In Review: Patience and Aggressiveness
I thought timing my first post with the end of the First Half and Beginning of the second fit what I was planning on writing. Except, what I planned on writing is not what you are reading. Initially I planned on going through the players that I missed on in the first half. Tonight that was scrapped, and now I’m giving you the two biggest ideas I have taken from the first half. Welcome, I hope you enjoy the reading, and please any critique and opinion is more than welcome.
Patience and Aggressiveness are two themes that I should have remembered from my fantasy baseball teams last year, but the off-season is long, and there is football. Patience requires you to hold on to whom you value high, and not give in at the first sign of struggle. I can’t say I was patient in any of my leagues this year, and it has cost me. But going into the second half patience is still required. The players you still believe in, hold on to. The only caveat is, if that players potential doesn’t help you with your weaknesses, be more willing to move him.
Next, at this point in the season you need to be very aggressive in addressing those weaknesses. The time is past where they were unknown, you should have began to address them a month ago, but if you haven’t, make the push now! Identify your strengths, what can be replenished off the wire, and where you need help. Make the moves, push the envelope. Below are some batters that I feel are undervalued and can aid in the particular category. Good luck Fans, undervalued pitchers to come tomorrow.
R : Kole Calhoun - At the top of a strong lineup the 26 year old has caught fire. Hampered by injuries early on, his ceiling is leading the league in Runs with positive contributions in HR’s and steals. I don’t expect his .344 AVG of the past 30 days to maintain, but I would pay top 50 value for him if I could use the help.
HR: Marlon Byrd - With 18 HR through the first half the power is obviously still there, but I still feel he’s undervalued. With the Phillies in Sell mode, a move to a contender, in the middle of their lineup is on the horizon. His power won’t be diminished much in any park, but the gain likely to come in R/RBI will more than make up for it.
RBI: Jayson Werth - In the middle of a now healthy Nationals lineup, Werth’s RBI’s are sure to go up, not to mention the 4 Cat positive contribution and the occasional steal. Werth hasn’t struggled the first half, but nor has he excelled. Likely able to acquire him for less than he’s worth the rest of the season, Werth is virtually a lock to be a top 15 OF for the rest of the season. He’s #15 according to Yahoo’s rankings as of today and 9th over the last 30 days. Top 10 in RBI for the rest of the season is what I see, go get him.
SB: Jimmy Rollins - Another Phillie on the block. With the bonus for being a SS , Rollins is another player that may be in a new home come the trade deadline. With the possibility of a boost in R & RBI at a new home, and his HR potential. Rollins should be easily acquired for less value than he can provide if you need the Steals.
AVG: Alex Rios - Even with a .305 AVG Rios has under whelmed. In the middle of a lineup that’s struggled through the first half , Rios’s R/RBI should increase during the heat of the Texas summer, while continuing to help in AVG and SB. With his first half performance , you should be able to profit off a trade involving him. I recently acquired him for Trevor Rosenthal in 1 league, his ceiling is much higher than the price you should have to pay at this point.
