Fantasy source

Sporting News, The, August 2, 2004

ROTO RAP BRENDAN ROBERTS

A's general manager Billy Beane is known for his creativity when talking trades. Yankees G.M. Brian Cashman is persistent. Atlanta's John Schuerholz usually won't bite on a short-term fix with a possible long-term deficit. White Sox G.M. Ken Williams is like an excited puppy looking for a Beggin' Strip.

Whatever your trading style, there's no better time than now--before football league drafts and before it's too late for your baseball team--to bit the phones.

Trades require more work than just making a blanket statement on your league's message board. Some methods to try:

Offer somebody big. The first impression is everything, and you won't get far by offering Jose Vizcaino. Even if it's not an official offer, throw out a big name to reel in another owner. And throw that stud out with the real possibility that you will trade him. What good is a trade if it's schlep for schlep? That doesn't mean talks can't start big and end smaller.

Try the or bait and switch. Ask for or offer somebody good, fully intending to get or give someone below that. Of course, you must entice other owners enough to carry on talks, but asking for Alfonso Soriano so you can end up with Mark Loretta is not such a bad thing.

Search for excess. Owners are uneasy about having depth at a given position. It's like having money that's burning holes in their pockets. So find a weakness in a team's lineup and try to address it by offering to take its excess.

Be persistent. Trades sometimes take 10 or so replies per side to get done. Be patient and keep talking. If things aren't working, step back and leave an out--something like, "Nope, can't do that, but if you decide you still want Brian Giles, you know who to contact."

STUDS, SLEEPERS & STUMBLERS

August predictions from Fantasy Source experts
Brendan Roberts, Chris Bahr and George Winkler:

           Expert      Stud                   Sleeper

Infield    Roberts     Edgar Renteria, StL.   Ryan Freel, Cin.
           Bahr        Marcus Giles, Atl.     Justin Leone, Sea.
           Winkler     Mark Loretta, S.D.     Ryan Freel, Cin.

Outfield   Roberts     Vernon Wells, Tor.     Randy Winn, Sea.
           Bahr        Bobby Abreu, Phi.      Carl Everett, CWS
           Winkler     Carlos Lee, CWS        Charles Thomas, Atl.

Starter    Roberts     Johan Santana, Min.    Aaron Harang, Cin.
           Bahr        Randy Johnson, Ari.    John Patterson, Mon.
           Winkler     Mark Mulder, Oak.      Sean Burnett, Pit.

Reliever   Roberts     Keith Foulke, Bos.     Ugueth Urbina, Det.
           Bahr        Billy Wagner, Phi.     Salomon Torres, Pit.
           Winkler     John Smoltz, Atl.      Ugueth Urbina, Det.

           Expert      Stumbler

Infield    Roberts     Ken Harvey, K.C.
           Bahr        Mike Lowell, Fla.
           Winkler     Cesar Izturis, L.A.

Outfield   Roberts     Luis Gonzalez, Ari.
           Bahr        Ichiro Suzuki, Sea.
           Winkler     Dave Roberts, L.A.

Starter    Roberts     David Wells, S.D.
           Bahr        Pedro Martinez, Bos.
           Winkler     Kenny Robers, Tex.

Reliever   Roberts     Jose Mesa, Pit.
           Bahr        Matt Herges, S.F.
           Winkler     Matt Herges, S.F.

M@IL BONDING CHRIS BAHR ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

I'm in a 12-team keeper league. I have been offered Francisco Rodriguez and C.C. Sabathia for Oliver Perez and Jorge Julio. Which would be the better set of players as keepers?

Bobby Fleck, Centerville, Ohio

Bobby: It is never too early to start thinking about keepers, especially for owners whose teams aren't in contention this season. Rodriguez will be the Angels' closer next season and has electric stuff. Sabathia already is a borderline ace on a team that provides run support. That duo is the better option. Perez, a strikeout machine, has a great career ahead of him, but Julio isn't an elite closer.

To submit a question to our fantasy experts, click on Daily Mail at fantasy.sportingnews.com.

TSN Games Tip of the week

Of all the statistics to pay attention to in Basic Fantasy Baseball Season 2, the post-All-Star break splits are the most important. Some players catch fire in the second half each year, and if you latch on to them, your team will succeed. That's why you should consider Carlos Lee as one of your team's cornerstones. His second half stats were robust the past two seasons, and his power appears to be awakening. But don't always take the splits at face value. Dodgers third baseman Adrian Beltre is another pronounced second half player, but leg injuries have slowed him this year and could continue to do so in the season's final months. You're better off going with a player who doesn't have health issues.--Roger Kuznia

WIRE WATCH

Is your fantasy team power impaired? These guys might be available to lend some assistance:

Wily Mo Pena, OF, Reds. Pena, 22, finally received an opportunity when injuries hit Cincinnati's slarting outfield, and his power has been on display ever since. He hit .362 with seven homers and 15 RBIs from July 9-24. Mixed-league owners should give him a whirl.