Monday, April 20, 2009
Aramis Ramírez’s walk-off homerun in the 11th inning on Saturday was my absolute best-case scenario.
Ramírez, Chicago Cubs third baseman, plays for my favorite team, but he’s also on both of my fantasy baseball teams.*
*Hamsterdam Bunnies are currently ranked first out of 12 in my keeper league, and The Rowengartners are ranked second out of 12 (behind Sports Editor Andrew Wiebe) in my Kansan league. Bonus points for anyone who can tell me where those team names came from.
However, rarely does that perfect situation play out for a fan/fantasy owner. So, what’s the etiquette on cheering for your fantasy players when they’re playing against your favorite team?
Unlike fantasy football, it’s okay to root against your favorite team if it results in a big move in your fantasy rankings.
I’m sure some of you disagree completely, but that’s okay. This is only a guide for die-hard fantasy owners looking for someone to tell them it’s alright to hope Ryan Franklin blows the save as long as Ryan Braun’s three-run homer moves them inches closer to a fantasy title.
In football, it’s never okay to root against your team. In 16 games, any loss could end up costing your team the playoffs, so who cares if you beat that jerk Jim from work by 1.5 points because Jay Cutler’s second interception cost Jim the game?
In baseball they play 10 times as many games, so no single game (especially any pre-August) has too great of an effect on the final standings. So go ahead Royals fan/Michael Young owner, it doesn’t make you a bad person to be happy about yesterday’s outcome.
Of course, you could just realize your rooting interest has no affect on the game, so just sit back and enjoy it. But where’s the fun in that?
SELL HIGH
In honor of 4/20, I felt obligated to squeeze in at least one drug reference. However, The Morning Brew doesn’t condone making any fantasy baseball decisions while impaired and that double entendre does have a purpose.
This week’s fantasy advice concerns trading players who are off to fast starts. Marlins infielder Emilio Benifacio (.321 Average, 13 Runs, 4 SB), Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett (.429 Average, 2 HR, 5 SB) and Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan (.381 Average, 7 Runs, 11 RBI) are bottom 300 players putting up top-50 numbers right now.
That’s great news for the owner who snatched them off the waiver wire or free agency, but reality is about to set in. Before these guys (or similar talents like Brandon Inge, JD Drew and Marco Scutaro) come back to Earth, put them out on the market to get maximum value returned in a trade.
The best way to do that? Find out which one of your opponents is a fan of that player’s team, then drop a line about how he could have the best of both worlds. Works every time.
— — Edited by Grant Treaster
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