I've gone back and forth on this, but after this season, I'm convinced:
- The "Zero MI" strategy is the way to go. The "get the best players at the MI spots so you have the advantage" strategy is a fallacy. I now believe that you need to focus on getting the best players outside of the middle infield spots (C, 2B, SS, MI) in the draft, and just take what you can get from them in the draft and in-season. While you may be chasing those positions all season long, you'll likely be able to land startable players on waivers or pick up some others in minor trades. It's far more important to get the stud power/speed bats elsewhere than it is to get seemingly low stats from these middle infielders.
If you do spend a lot of resources on these middle infielders and they fail, you're DOA.
- A "save is a save is a save." Bid early and often on closers on waivers. While many do come and go, it's also possible you can land guy(s) who can secure the entire category for you. The winners of my two major fantasy leagues had their entire bullpens shaped by waiver wire closers, and even dominated in saves. Spending a lot on the big names is a waste of resources, since their Ks & ratios may not help in the end for your teams, and all you're really paying for these days is job security.
- Power rules. Only 11(!) players had 30+ HRs this season, so players like Chris Carter -- who was hard to start over the season's first half -- have far more value than meets the eye.
- WHIP kills. You have to pay far more attention to a pitcher's WHIP than in the past, because as pitchers rule this era, the WHIPs we're all accustomed to being "solid" are in fact killing your chances. In my 16-team redraft, ONE team had a WHIP of >1.30, whereas five seasons ago, a full half the teams did. Pitchers who throw a lot of innings and have WHIPs of 1.25+ must be avoided, and if you end up with one, you can likely sell them to someone who hasn't been paying attention over the last 5 years.
- The "Zero MI" strategy is the way to go. The "get the best players at the MI spots so you have the advantage" strategy is a fallacy. I now believe that you need to focus on getting the best players outside of the middle infield spots (C, 2B, SS, MI) in the draft, and just take what you can get from them in the draft and in-season. While you may be chasing those positions all season long, you'll likely be able to land startable players on waivers or pick up some others in minor trades. It's far more important to get the stud power/speed bats elsewhere than it is to get seemingly low stats from these middle infielders.
If you do spend a lot of resources on these middle infielders and they fail, you're DOA.
- A "save is a save is a save." Bid early and often on closers on waivers. While many do come and go, it's also possible you can land guy(s) who can secure the entire category for you. The winners of my two major fantasy leagues had their entire bullpens shaped by waiver wire closers, and even dominated in saves. Spending a lot on the big names is a waste of resources, since their Ks & ratios may not help in the end for your teams, and all you're really paying for these days is job security.
- Power rules. Only 11(!) players had 30+ HRs this season, so players like Chris Carter -- who was hard to start over the season's first half -- have far more value than meets the eye.
- WHIP kills. You have to pay far more attention to a pitcher's WHIP than in the past, because as pitchers rule this era, the WHIPs we're all accustomed to being "solid" are in fact killing your chances. In my 16-team redraft, ONE team had a WHIP of >1.30, whereas five seasons ago, a full half the teams did. Pitchers who throw a lot of innings and have WHIPs of 1.25+ must be avoided, and if you end up with one, you can likely sell them to someone who hasn't been paying attention over the last 5 years.
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