(Mostly) bad advice

Before continuing on this exciting fantasy discussion, I have to make a first-ever correction from a previous blog. Alison, my wife, pointed out that the picture of my brother and I in our underoos, circa late ‘70s, is actually in my parents’ bedroom, not the living room. Feel free to ignore this, as I have tried for years.

Because I have my ‘live’ fantasy baseball draft in a couple of days, it’s time to do something that few serious fantasy writers ever try to do. Give bad advice. OK, if you try you can get some excellent bad advice from dozens of sites out there. One reason is that no one can make perfect projections. Another is that anyone can call themselves a fantasy expert. "But I won the WUSS (Western Utah Statistical Studs) league last year! Doesn’t that make me an expert?" It might.

1. Draft injury risks early and often, because this is a good year to break the trend. Go ahead, take Kerry Wood. He’s solid. This is the year that Cliff Floyd doesn’t get hurt. And that Larry Walker, he looked really good in spring training. Be wary of any guy who routinely walks around with an ice pack on any part of his body.

2. You can’t go wrong with the overhyped rookie. Last year’s stud-to-be was Joe Mauer. Mauer has a ton of talent but he already has knee problems, which we all know is great to have in your starting catcher. If USA Today writes a long story on the guy for opening day, think about the possible consequences.

3. Closers are consistent. Three closers in major league baseball have had 30 saves in three consecutive years. This is why most fantasy baseball leagues aren’t keeper leagues. Few general managers keep their jobs by paying a ton of money to a closer.

4. Don’t worry about a team’s style when drafting players. The Oakland A’s almost never steal bases because the computers tell Billy Beane not to. It’s hard to argue since they make the playoffs almost every year with a Dollar Store budget.

5. Pay attention to your league-mates’ drafting trends at your own risk. If your friendly local Yankee fan drafts Mariano Rivera in the first round, take note. If your friendly local Pirates fan drafts Jack Wilson in the second round, laugh at him first then get him some help.

Yes, humble readers, my upcoming draft is a Yahoo league. If it weren’t for free leagues, I wouldn’t have any baseball leagues at all.