Over the course of a 162 game season, Major League teams change their lineups countless times, promote prospects from the minor leagues, make trades, and face constant struggles about what to do with certain players. Fantasy owners are no different.

Injuries, slumps, and platoons have owners throwing fits over the course of a season. Players get benched, get traded and catch fire. Through hot streaks and slumps, good games and bad, fantasy owners are there to stomach it all.

Beginning on draft day, fantasy managers have tough decisions to make. When do you draft your first closer? Should you take a risk on that rookie or go with the proven veteran? How do you avoid getting stuck with weak players at the shallow positions? ImaginaryDiamond.com is here to address some of the lessons you should have learned regarding these situations and more in 2008. Read more »

When February gives way to March, sports fans begin to think of the madness that comes with the month ahead. But, the NCAA Tournament is not the only sport that has fans excited. The turning of the calendar also signals that baseball season, and more importantly fantasy baseball season, is once again on the horizon.

“Pitchers and  catchers reporting” rings like music in the ears of baseball fans. At that point, just like every Major League team believes they have a shot to win a World Series, all fantasy owners still believe they’ve got a shot at a championship. Read more »

One interesting item to note each season is how teams handle their underperforming young players, especially those who have garnered top prospect status. Confidence is key, so clubs must be cautious in their decision to bench a rookie, demote him, or let him play through his struggles. Demotions make for interesting storylines because a player can, and often does, come back to the majors more prepared than ever for sustained success.

Four players come to mind as going that route in ‘08. The most heralded of the group was Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, who was called up for an early test in his first major league action since 2006 Tommy John surgery. Liriano crashed and burned in the earlyaudition and was sent to Triple-A Rochester, where he went 10-0 in his final 11 starts and hit the ground running upon his recall to Minnesota. Read more »

Finally, we can focus on what Minnesota Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano will do the rest of this season, rather than when he would be wearing a Twins uniform again. If Sunday’s start was any indication, fantasy owners who jumped on board will be more than pleased with the results. Liriano fired six shutout innings and struck out five as the Twins handled the Indians 6-2.

Given the amount of time Liriano had to re-gain the form that made him an All-Star as a rookie in 2006, we can realistically expect more of the same from him. From the left side, with a mid-90s fastball, vicious slider and changeup, Liriano is simply a different breed of pitcher. Only former teammate Johan Santana can match the arsenal, and, when at his best, few others can match Liriano’s results. Read more »

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers is back in a big league uniform after making four starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and Double-A Reading. He’s a perfect buy-low candidate because in many fantasy leagues, there is no price; he’s a free agent. By capturing his form in his last two seasons as a starter, Myers could provide a nice second-half boost.
 
Before struggling to start the 2007 season and eventually ending up in the bullpen, Myers had two excellent seasons in the Phillies’ rotation. Between 2005-06, Myers went 25-15 with a 3.81 ERA and 397 strikeouts in 413.1 innings. Read more »

At least one difficult decision lies ahead for Minnesota Twins management as it prepares to call up left-hander Francisco Liriano from Triple-A Rochester. With the success the Twins’ rotation has had so far, Liriano’s promotion is no longer just about timing. It is a juggling act to try and keep a handful of deserving pitchers happy.

As this St. Paul Pioneer-Press story points out, the organization is in a tight spot and must decide how to make the promotion work.

Of course, with Liriano rounding back into shape following 2006 Tommy John surgery, he simply must be on the big league roster. If a spot in the rotation does not open up for him naturally, the Twins are bouncing around the idea of recalling him as a reliever. Liriano has nothing else to prove in Rochester, so he might as well help Minnesota’s push towards a playoff berth. Read more »

Take a deep breath. For the first time since March, there’s no baseball to obsessively watch and no fantasy lineup to maintain. As much as major league players need a physical break from the grind of their daily schedules, we could use a mental break from our own daily grind.

Now, there’s a difference between taking a break and a leave of absence. Little news develops during the All-Star break, but there is still work to be done. This is a good time to reflect on where your pitching staff stands in relation to an innings or starts limit and figure out what needs to be done the rest of the way. Read more »

With another 7 1/3 strong innings on Sunday, Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano made his best case yet for a recall from Triple-A Rochester. The key number in the start was zero walks, which was a first for this season as he attempts to come back from 2006 Tommy John surgery.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire clearly recognized what Liriano was was up to in Rochester, even before Sunday’s dominant outing against Reds Triple-A affiliate Louisville. Read more »

The seed has been planted in Minnesota. With the recent quotes from Twins manager Ron Gardenhire about how close left-hander Francisco Liriano is to returning to the majors, one more quality start could officially put the wheels in motion. A fantasy owner would be wise to add Liriano now, rather than wait for firm news and risk losing out to a rival manager.

At this point in the year, there is little upside to be had on a standard waiver wire. Spot starters, risky youngsters and unknowns are the best we can hope for, but a healthy Liriano is a much different story. This is a Cy Young caliber pitcher when healthy, and he can offer dominant numbers in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts. While his ownership is creeping up, he can still be had in the vast majority of leagues. Read more »

Left-handers are a theme for this week’s free agent profiles, with veterans Wandy Rodriguez and Randy Wolf topping the list. There’s a good mix of young and old, risky and conservative available for either permanent roster spots or spot-starting duties. Splits, especially the home/road variety, are a good jumping point for determining how each pitcher can help in your pursuit of a championship.

Rodriguez epitomizes the home/road split, pitching so dominantly at Minute Maid Park (0.98 ERA) that he warrants a long-term roster spot just for the right to start him at home. Meanwhile, a couple of rookies and reclamation projects make for intriguing options in deeper leagues. Read more »