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Sporting News, The, April 15, 2005

SQUEEZE PLAY

BY ROGER KUZNIA

My Fantasy Source co-workers know me as the king of the free-agent wire. If a closer loses his job, I immediately snap up his replacement. If there's a hotshot prospect who gets called up, chances are I'll nab him, too. To me, there is no greater satisfaction than beating my competition to the punch.

It pays to be the most active on the wire early in the season. That's because you can find starting-caliber players just by keeping up with the news. Brewers first baseman Lyle Overbay is a great example. Entering his first season as a starter in 2004, Overbay wasn't drafted in most mixed leagues because many believed he would flop. He proved his detractors wrong by hitting .307 with 18 RBIs last April. Anybody who picked him up was ecstatic with his production, though he did slump in the season's final two months.

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Part of keeping up with the news is tracking injuries. That's how Twins outfielder Lew Ford, Angels utilityman Chone Figgins and Reds utilityman Ryan Freel got their chances for extra playing time. Each player made the most of his early audition and had at least 500 at-bats in 2004. Each provided at least 20 steals, too, a big plus for 5x5 owners who were short in that category.

You might notice that all the players identified here are hitters. That's because hitters generally are more consistent than pitchers over the course of a season. So if you're looking for an impact free agent, your chances for success are better with a hitter.

Finally, don't forget to look at the transactions your leaguemates make. If an impatient owner drops an established player because of an early-season slump, make sure you're there to grab him, even if you're happy with your current roster. Never be satisfied. You always can improve your team by staying active on the wire.

M@IL BONDING

CHRIS BAHR ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

I drafted Brandon Inge and Ramon Hernandez. Who will be more valuable this season?

James Pratt, New York

James: In fantasy games, Inge is the new Craig Wilson. Inge won't play often (if at all) behind the plate, but he still qualifies for use there based on his 2004 totals. His versatility is valuable, especially in leagues that require two starting catchers. You also can use him at third base and as an outfielder, which will come in handy in daily transaction leagues and when injuries inevitably strike your roster. Although none of Inge's numbers will be eye-popping, he will outproduce Hernandez.

To submit a question to our Fantasy experts, click on Daily Nail at fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball.

5 IN YOUR FACE

1. Did you notice the month Andruw Jones had in March? Expect more of the same from April through October. Before spring training, I thought he would top his career high of 36 home runs. Now, I'm having dreams of 45 with a .300 average.

2. Go ahead and take Alfonso Soriano. Subtract a good chunk of his steals because of leg problems and age (29), and what's left? A glorified Jeff Kent.

3. You can have Juan Pierre, too. No, you can have the rest of the field, I'll take Jose Reyes to win the N.L. stolen base crown.

4. Derek Jeter hit .172 last April. Aubrey Huff hit. 191. Eric Chavez hit .221. Keep them in mind if your early-round picks drive you batty in the opening weeks. They'll come around. If they don't, well, the Cubs have a mantra for that: Wait till next year.

5. If the slow-starting stars are on someone else's roster, go after them. However, offering a trade package of Mike Maroth, Richard Hidalgo and Ryan Freel won't cut it.--Rob Hurtt

TSNumber 2

Saves by Jason Isringhausen last April. He finished the season tied for the N.L. lead with 47. That's a reminder to be patient with your slow starters.

TOOLBOX

Whether it's about the Yankees' veteran rotation or the A's young guns, there is a constant flow of pitching news throughout the season. The Fantasy Source website keeps up with the changes with its projected starters list--the pitching grid, as we like to call it. The grid charts expected starters for all 30 teams for the next 10 days. The notes section details recent changes and highlights the pitchers who will start twice in a week for the benefit of those in head-to-head and weekly transaction leagues. We also go a step further than most sites by ranking each matchup as favorable, unfavorable or neutral. Don't set your rotation without first going to the grid.--George Winkler

To try Fantasy Source, go to fantasysource.sportingnews.com/baseball.

Fantasy source

Sporting News, The, April 15, 2005

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