Finally Finished

Well, the 2009 MLB season is officially over but not with a dramatic end. It took a few days and a few sleepless nights but the Philadelphia Phillies are the 2009 World Series Champions. After a long rain delay, which took days not hours, the Phillies finished the Rays off in Game 5 with World Series MVP Cole Hamels sitting on the bench after starting the game.

To me, this year seemed like a year where things, magical things, were going to happen. Starting the season in search of a Fantasy Championship, which didn't happen, I watched a young team in the AL East grow and mature into a World Series runner up. Honestly, did you think the Rays were going to take a step out of the AL East basement let alone having them reach the playoffs and walk into the World Series with a stride of pure confidence only a young true winner can bring. I was supporting the Rays through the playoffs and I was a little disappointed in their finish but after watching them, my fantasy season draft, which is only 5 months away, was truly affected.

Here are a few things I saw and you should take note of too.

Ryan Howard - Does anyone have the right to even question him? This guy may fall into slumps but when he starts connecting, this guy just flat out carries a team. Take a look at game 3/4. He had 3HRs and 6RBIs. This guy deserves a high draft pick but for owners who draft him there is a side note, you must draft a guy like Ichiro to offset the K's and low AVG.

Pat Burrell - This guy just didn't have a good World Series, 1-14, with no HRs and 1RBIs. This guy is going to find him a nice contract after this year but just watch for where he lands. His position in the 2009 draft depends on his future team. He is a career .257 hitter but gives you a nice 25-30HRs with 80-100RBIs.

Shane Victorino - Make sure to find him during the draft and take him off the board!

Brad Lidge - This guy was the epitome of domination...but don't let this fool you. Don't reach too far for him during draft day.

David Price - This is a guy you want on your team. A left handed thrower who hits mid-90's on his fastball is nothing to joke about. Look for him but remember, with his big time name, people will reach and draft him higher than he should be. This guy should be closer to the mid teens.

Rocco Baldelli - Make sure to keep his name on your draft sheet, period.

Matt Garza - Make him a 2nd/3rd starter on your team next year. I think his composure and experience gained from this World Series will be truly valuable for him and you.

I hope this is a quick guide for fantasy owners. Yes, I know that these are fairly big names in the drafts but you have to make sure you need draft these players in the right spots.

You can't win your league with your First Round Pick but you surely can lose it!

Rocco...again

Rocco Baldelli, I bet you are getting tired of me posting about him, finished his first 9 inning game while playing the field. He went 0-2 with a BB but the more important news is how he is feeling after the game.

David Price is earning his hype because he just completed 2.1 more innings at the end of a ball game. More importantly Price is showing his maturity and composure on the mound. This is a great sign for fantasy owners. If he can handle the pressures of a World Series game, during the 9th inning, he should surely be able to handle the day to day grind of a 162 game season. Ok, I won't go that far but his performance in the playoffs this year is showing me this kid might be a force to be reckon with next year.

Ryan Howard, where the fuck are you?!?!

James Shields - not a bad choice for a 3rd starter next year. Draft him in the early to mid teens.

NLCS

After two quick games the Phillies are half way to making an appearance in the World Series while the Dodgers, led by Manny, are left wondering what happened to their momentum while trying to see if they can make this series interesting.

The NLCS has a few players you should keep an eye on for the 2009 fantasy season draft.

Brad Lidge just converted his 2nd save in the NLCS and it seems like he will never give up a lead...ever! After recovering from injuries and also the Pujols HR, it seems Lidge is back on top of his game and is ready for elite closer status. Ok, he is up their with the best closers in the game but make sure you don't over play for him in the 2009 draft. He is having a career year and has the ability to hold down a bullpen but in my eyes he is still not in the same league as Papelbon, F-Rod, Joe Nathan, and Soria. If Lidge has a rediculous post-season watch for people to draft him higher than his true value.

Ryan Howard is not doing anything but walking back to the dug-out. He is batting a nice .000 in two games in the NLCS. Don't worry about him, he's s slugger and can easily go off for 5HR's in the next 2/3 games.

Chad Billingsley was hammered in game 2 of the NLCS but this is not going to affect his 2009 draft position, a 9-12 round pick. He should be your 2nd SP for next year.

Clayton Kershaw is throwing some post-season innings and I think this is great for his mental state and overall experience. This is a pitcher you need to keep an eye on. After exploding onto the scene this year and making a #1 waiver priority in ALL leagues, this guy is primed for a strong 2009 season. He has the stuff, just needs the confidence from himself and his team. He is a lock for a draft pick next year but make sure to draft him in the late rounds, watch people who draft him early because they are gambling.

Manny is being Manny.

Howard

Ryan Howard of the Phillies seems to have found his stroke, FINALLY. With his 13th HR of the season, Howard has hit 6HR's in his past 10 games. Owners, you better be glad you waited this out. Be ready for Howard to take your team to the next level. The only thing holding him back is his AVG but with his increase in HR's and RBI's the average doesn't mean crap for owners. Expect him to hit .280 for the rest of the season which will leave his final average at around .250-.265, which is is just below his career average.

Ryan Howard

Is Ryan Howard of the Phillies finally jumping back into the box with confidence and ready to take your fantasy team to the next level? Well during his 7 game hitting steak he's hit 3HR's, 6RBI's, and of course 8K's. But if you ask any owner about the high K rate and they will all say the same thing, "As long as he's hitting homers, you just have to take a hit with the K's."

Owners, I think it might be time for you to stop worrying about Howard and move onto another part of your team and focus your attention to a new area. Again, this all goes back to what I seem to always preach during the early stages of any fantasy season, never panic. A stud hitter like Howard and easily fall into a slump for a month or two but for the remaining 4 months he can still pop 35-50HR's and drive in 100!

Trades

It is the first week of May and you've had a chance to see your hitters have around 100AB's and your pitchers having 5-7 starts. This is a great chance to look at your team, with an HONEST eye, to see what you need to compete for the championship. The season is still very early and some hitter like Ryan Howard will start to mash the ball and bring in the 40HR's you drafted him for.

After taking a subjective look at your team it is time to send out some trade offers. Trading is one of the hardest things to do in any fantasy league that has owners who know what they are doing. People never want to send a struggling player in a trade and then watch him hit .350, 25HR's, and another 90+RBI's. So, be careful on trading because most people will decline your offer or send you offers that are absolutely absurd.

What I am trying to get at is, make sure to make value trades. Look at the categories you are strong in and of course weak in. My bottom line is, trade for and with value. If you are in need of saves and you have an abundant amount of starters, send a starter for a closer. But make sure the other team needs a starter in return. This is where trading is difficult, trying to meet the needs of both teams.

Please don't ever offer trades like A-Rod for Pujols. This is a challenge trade and it does nothing but add a number to your transaction number.

To conclude, look at your team with a subjective eye and see what you have and what you need. Then go out and send out some fair value trades, don't go out and try to rip someone off. Would you like someone sending you Fred Lewis for A-Rod? I didn't think so.