The Six-Month Grind

Were three weeks into the 2006 baseball season, and if your fantasy team looks anything like mine, youre ready to unload half of your roster. I know its hard, but be patient. The worse thing you could do right now is panic and make a bad trade or drop a good player.

Baseball, more than any other sport, is driven by statistics. Its a long season with a lot of ups and downs for most players. In the end, the numbers usually even out. If you stick with your guys long enough, they should come around and start producing like you expected them to.

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Off to a Hot Start

While its very difficult to watch your team stumble out of the gate (as Im writing this, my offense is a collective 0-15 today and Im about ready to have a fire sale), there was a reason why you drafted these guys. If you were lucky enough or smart enough, depending on how you look at it to draft Chris Shelton, Jonny Gomes or Nick Swisher, youre probably at the top of your league, right now. But are these guys really going to lead the league in home runs?

Manny Ramirez hit his first two home runs of the season, last weekend. Mark Teixeira and Richie Sexson have three and two homers, respectively, through the first three weeks. These guys are all perennial 40-home-run-hitters, and barring injury, you can be sure that they will get their numbers by the seasons end.

Waiting for the Right Time

Everyones heard the clich buy low, sell high. Its sound advice. Knowing the right time to deal that guy whos off to a hot start is the key to making this happen. Theres no way Shelton, Gomes and Swisher are going to keep up the pace theyve set so far Sheltons already started to slow down but how can you not ride their hot streaks a little longer? Just dont wait too long if youre planning on dealing them.

Knowing players trends is another key in making the right deal at the right time. Some players are traditionally slow starters, like Ramirez and Jim Edmonds, and trading for them at the end of their slow start could mean big stats for you the rest of the way. A lot of hitters heat up when the weather does too, so they could be busting out of these slumps any day now.

On the Rise

Targeting players who are showing signs of breaking out is another key to making the right roster adjustments. Here are a few players who might be available and could definitely help some teams:

Josh Barfield The rookie second baseman has excelled since being moved to the No. 2 spot in the Padres lineup. Hes got his average over .300 and has 2 HRs and 6 steals. Grab him if hes still available.

Ty Wigginton Playing for his third team in four years, the journeyman third baseman seems to have found a home in Tampa Bay. Hes taken advantage of Aubrey Huffs knee injury and already has 8 home runs and 20 RBI. Playing in hitter-friendly Tropicana Field should help, too. Ride him while hes hot.

Brad Hawpe The Colorado Rockies outfielder has established himself as the everyday right fielder and is firmly entrenched in the heart of the Rockies lineup. Hes batting over .340 and already has slugged 5 HRs. The 2000 College World Series MVP is well on his way to a .300-30-100 season. You never can go wrong having a Rockie in your lineup.

The Pitching Hole

While there is plenty of time to make up ground on offense, falling behind in the pitching categories especially ERA and WHIP can be a killer. Avoiding those complete disasters in the early season is a key to remaining competitive on the mound.

With pitchers, its all about the matchups. Dont be afraid to bench one of your better pitchers for a riskier play if the matchup is right. Throwing a marginal starter against Kansas City or Pittsburgh is always better than having just about any starter face the Yankees or pitch at Colorado.

Whether you find yourself at the top of your league or at the bottom of the pack after these first three weeks, dont stop looking to make your team better. Stocking your bench with productive players who could be used as trade bait is always a good idea. The inevitable injuries will come, and having players to step in during those times will help you avoid having to make a desperate deal.

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