As we approach the end of May, after having had ample opportunity to watch MLB players adjust to the new rules of baseball and how the game is played today, it is the perfect time to evaluate the needs for your fantasy baseball team.
Not only do you need to figure out how best to climb your standings, you also have to decide which commodities can be dealt in a way that maximizes your return.
The old “buy-low, sell-high” philosophy is in-play, but with so much fantasy advice out there, dishing off your overperformers becomes difficult. Not only do you worry about trading a player in the middle of a breakout performance, but fewer people are also biting on the hype.
Tough decisions need to be made, but if you want something strong in return, you have to pay to play.
Those who own Oakland outfielder Brent Rooker are having a difficult time parting with the well-traveled 28-year-old.
Heading into the weekend, Rooker had a slash line of .295/.408/.605 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs.
His approach at the plate has been significantly better than in the past, and that has helped his plate discipline, his ability to get on base and his power numbers.
Try to criticize him in fantasy circles and you’ll get a first-hand lesson in Statcast and how great his numbers look.
But though we don’t want to diminish what Rooker has done to date, we have to be realistic about things.
He batted .353 with nine home runs and 22 RBIs through the end of April, and he did it with a 16.3 percent walk rate and just an 18.6 percent strikeout rate.
As impressive as those numbers sound, you cannot ignore the fact that in May he is batting .230, his K-rate has jumped to nearly 30 percent and his on-base percentage is down more than 100 points. Regression was expected, but the differentials here are tough to ignore.
You also have to accept the fact that Rooker is on his fourth team in three years, and he is very likely to join his fifth at some point this season.
The Athletics are the worst team in baseball and will be sellers come the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
Rooker is not someone general manager David Forst is looking at as the foundation of a rebuilding process, and once the contenders come calling, you have to be concerned with his playing time.
With the A’s, Rooker is a bright, shining star, but everyone looks beautiful when they are surrounded by ugliness. The A’s are a bad team.
On a contender, he may end up a fourth outfielder or the right-handed bat in a DH-platoon. As a fantasy manager, you need to prepare for that. Trading him now while his value is high is your best course of action.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball advice.