Ten years ago, the professional sports world took a sabbatical after the attacks on the World Trade Center.  While it was absolutely the respectful thing to do, I remember how badly I wanted some kind of sporting event to take my mind off of the tragedy.  Today, the NFL carries out that mission, providing us the entertainment we may need to deal with such a sad, sad day.

Two months ago, we weren’t even sure this day would come; as the lockout was in full swing. Any prep work or Fantasy mock drafts seemed a little hollow, as the uncertainty of the season stole a little of the fun.  But, luckily, both parties succumbed to their greed and decided to amicably split the billions that we, the fans, provide.  So, on with the show!!!

Stars- They’re a prize package this weekend, as QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson face the Under-Manninged Colts.  Houston is primed for a worst to first divisional run, starting today; especially if Arian Foster can’t go…RB Knowshon Moreno is a Wagstaff favorite, poised for a big 2011.  He’ll show the Raiders exactly why in today’s opener.

Stiffs-  Don’t expect Baltimore to be overly impressed with the disco ball trophy  Steelers’ WR Hines Ward won on Dancing with the Stars.  He struggles mightily against the Ravens, a trend that will continue today… Cowboys’ WR Miles Austin is nursing a hammy; not the best condition for a stay on Revis Island… RB Reggie Bush will have to carry the load for the Dolphins, something he proved unsuited for in New Orleans- with a much better team around him.

Sleepers- We’ve been talking up Roy Helu for weeks now, so it’s time to put our monety where our mouth s.  Look for the Redskins’ rookie RB to have a very strong game against the injury riddled Giants’ D… We love how WR Greg Little is positioned in Cleveland.  Coming off a terrific pre season, he’ll be a favorite target of Colt McKoy.

Slippers- When the Not Farrugia League Draft came around to the fifth round, it was just too illogical for me to pass on WR Reggie Wayne. But the reason he lasted so long will be front and center today as Kerry Collins steps in for the injured Peyton Manning… If you thoought you had a steal when you grabbed Miami rookie RB Daniel Thomas, think again.  Not only will he be splitting time with Reggie Bush, but a hamstring that has him listed as questionable prompted the Dolphins to sign Larry Johnson, further crowding the Miami backfield.

“I know it’s the first week”, said Pad, ” but c’mon, Uncle Gil.  An ohfer?”   “I went to summer camp in Maine with the worst handicapper ever.  Couldn’t pick a winner in a one-horse race.  Even he would have gotten one right.”

This little Rife rift is something to watch, as the Locks have taken action against disappointing results in the past.  One suspects that, should Pad go to the bullpen, old standby, Johnny Duduguande, could make his 2011 debut.

What gives Pad the authority to make such a move?  “Hey, I’m the guy carrying this team.  That’s the nuts and bolts of it.  If Uncle Gil doesn’t like it,  let him sell cold cuts on the Jersey Shore!”

With that threat as motivation, Gil looks to turn things around this Saturday.

Locks of the Week (Season Record: 5-4)

Gil Lock (0-3)

Wisconsin -18 over Oregon State- The Beavers lost their home opener last week to Sacramento State.  Sacramento State!!  Before then, did anyone know that Sacramento State had a men’s team.  Wisconsin rolled over UNLV last week and will do the same to the aptly named Oregon State squad.

Notre Dame – 3 1/2 over Michigan-  I know all of the Irish boosters were embarrassed by Brian Kelly’s screaming last week but, maybe that’s the problem.  It’s about time someone lit a fire under this squad.  Notre Dame has a lot of talent and Michigan doesn’t.  It’s that simple.

Northern Illinois -5 1/2 over Kansas- Little conference against big conference here, which probably gives you a discount.  Northern Illinois has some big old country boys on their O line and they’ll run all over the Jayhawks.

Jill Lock (2-1)

Minnesota – New Mexico State over 50 1/2- New Mexico State is terrible but I’m not sure about Minnesota, either.  Almost laid the 18 1/2 but decided that neither will stop the other.

Alabama -10 over Penn State- It’s the same thing every year. Penn State beats up on some flag football team to open the season and I have to hear about it from this big-headed guy running the deli counter where I shop.  My sorority could beat Indiana State.  Alabama’s coach is way too handsome to lose to that really old guy from Penn State.
Half a pound of roast beef, please, and stick your Lions in your sock, Buckethead.

Oregon – 22 1/2 over Nevada- Oh my goodness, are the Ducks going to be mad after last week.  Nevada lost one of my favorite cutie-patooties, Colin Kapernick, to the NFL and will really miss him.  It’s going to be a long day for the Wolfpack.

Pad Lock (3-0)

Stanford – 20 1/2 over Duke-  I can’t believe that Duke can have such prominent programs in other sports and field a high school football team.  The Cardinal’s Andrew Luck will look to pad his Heisman resume while Stanford beats the Blue Devils by a Duke SAT score.

UCLA – 21 over San Jose State- Remember that kid in high school that spent most of his time stuffed in a locker by bullies?  In my school, it was this annoying little gnome named Philly Wrinkles.  Philly Wrinkles, meet San Jose State, possibly the nation’s worst team.

Arkansas – New Mexico over 51- If we learned anything from Bill Clinton is that they like to score in Arkansas.   Razorbacks may get the points themselves.

by Eddie Mayrose

The debate had raged throughout the summer. We’d grown used to the happy dilemma of choosing a name for a new baby, as it was, perhaps, the most exciting thing about expecting a child. None of us could wait for the November due date.  However, this time it was a little different.  This time, it wasn’t just my wife, Virginia, and me.  We now had four other opinions being tossed around the dinner table as our children, ages nine to fourteen, were each certain of their own ability to select the perfect name.

By late August, we were no closer to a decision.  It was then that Virginia, taking full advantage of her birthday privileges, put her foot down and announced to all of us that she had decided on a girl’s name – Caroline.  She then decreed that I would be responsible for selecting a boy’s name, and that she would abide by my decision without question.  Unfortunately for me, I didn’t have a particular name in mind.

September 11, 2001 was a day that boasted, in the words of  Dr. Archibald “Moonlight” Graham, “a sky so blue that it hurts your eyes just to look at it.”  It was the last one I ever saw without being reminded of tragedy.  None of us will ever forget the terrible events of that Tuesday morning, so I will not recount them here. Our lives were changed that day, in ways that we could have never imagined.  But, through all the misery, a wonderfully inspiring story about an angel here on Earth provided a name for a beautiful little boy.

I didn’t know FDNY Captain Timothy Stackpole.  Never even met him, even though we shared a number of mutual friends.  Four months earlier, I had read about his miraculous return to active duty after suffering terrible injuries in a fire that claimed the lives of two of his colleagues.  I had also read about him on September 10th, as he had just been recognized as Irishman of the Year at The Great Irish Fair in Brooklyn that weekend.  However, it was everything I read and heard after he was lost that filled my heart.

At the time, I worked on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange.  We had been locked in when the first tower came down and had spent a few hours dealing with the worst fear I had ever known.  Thankfully,  we were many, and the camaraderie and support got us through.  We could only imagine what was going on just six blocks away and, sadly, even our darkest thoughts fell short of the reality.

In those next few days, as we learned the names of all of those we lost, Timothy Stackpole’s story became very prominent.  My very close friend, Joe Berg, informed me that he had gone to high school at  St. Francis Prep a year behind Timmy and was devastated by the news. “This was the best guy that ever graduated from the Prep”,  he told me.  “He was everything that was good about the Prep.”   Even though he hadn’t seen him in more than two decades, Joe drove more than an hour to attend the wake;  standing on line for another ninety minutes.  “I didn’t know anyone there”, he said, “but I just had to go.”

As Captain Stackpole was a legend in the Department, there was no shortage of stories about him in the days that followed.  The one that touched me, though, was an interview with his wife, Tara, just two days after the attacks.  The way she spoke of her husband and treasured the time they had together, actually made me smile through the tragedy.

“What a great marriage we had,” said Tara. “People had no idea what they were missing. What I had. When he got hurt in ’98, he should have died.  It was a miracle that he didn’t.  I believe it was part of God’s plan that he’d have three more years to touch people’s lives.  He changed people’s lives by how he lived.”  Even now, ten years after the fact, I am in awe of the love they shared.

Two weeks later, Tim was eulogized by his only daughter, Kaitlyn, at his funeral.   “I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I’ll always know where to find you: in our hearts.  My whole life, I’ve always known what a good person you are.  I believe God gave us three more years. There is a little bit of you in all of us, especially in Mommy, the boys and me,” she said.  “I love you.  Thank you, Daddy.”

I saved both of the newspapers in which those stories appeared and brought them home to my family.  I  told them that, were we to be blessed with a little boy,  his name would be Timothy.  Not so much to memorialize Timmy Stackpole as to inspire my son to be a good friend, husband and father.  To become a man of faith and service;  one who guides others down the same path.  To be a man that shares so much love with the people in his life that they are keenly aware of the good fortune that was theirs to know him, even in their deepest grief.

Timothy McGee Mayrose was born on November 6th, 2001.   He’s a very smart, kind and polite young man.  He loves sports, his dog, Smalls, and Harry Potter.  Mostly, though, he treasures the time he spends with his very large family.  We talk about how he was named all the time.  I think Timmy Stackpole would like him a lot.

Shortly after he was born, I wrote a letter to the Stackpole family to tell them about my Tim.   Even though I didn’t want to be intrusive,  I did want them to know that their wonderful father and husband was a role model for my son.  The contents of that letter are too personal to be written here.  What I will share, though, is my last thought to them; one that resonates within me today as powerfully as it did during those terrible weeks and months.  “God Bless our Timothys.”

by Eddie Mayrose

Your Roto-style league’s trading deadline has long since passed, your Fantasy Football season beckons and it seems like there’s no way to make a move in the standings with just four weeks left in the baseball season.  Don’t look now, but you’ve just handed the league title away.

While it’s true that the task of climbing to the top of the heap in September is difficult, it’s far from impossible.  If you’re within striking distance, a quick analysis of the statistical categories should point you in the right direction,

First, throw out any of the “average” categories- BA, OBP, WHIP and ERA.  It’s too late in the season for one player to impact what an entire team has done to this point.  However, in the “accumulated” categories such as HR, R, RBI, W, S, etc…, players currently on the waiver wire might just give you the bump you need.

For example, in the 40-Kane Fantasy League, there is currently a dogfight at the top; where just 1.5 points separate the top three teams.  Each of the three are tightly bunched in Runs scored, where a daily, three point swing is possible.  Any of the three contenders has an opportunity to distance himself by picking up a free agent with a hot bat.

If you’re in a Head to Head league, this advice still applies. As you start your playoffs, you’re chances can be significantly enhanced by a hitter or pitcher who can sustain a hot streak for a week, Finally, remember to disregard a player’s poor performance to this point.  All you need to worry about is their production over the last month.

Forget, for a second, that you’ve spent most of the summer cursing Alex Rios for the pathetic production that cost you a ninth round pick.  Rios has suddenly found his stroke, with five multi-hit games over his last eleven. He’s still suffering from a power outage, but could help you if he can score and steal bases.

Mariners’ phenom, Dustin Ackley, has had an up and down rookie season, but is currently on an eight game hitting streak. Could be that Ackley has gotten his second wind in what is certainly a no-pressure situation in Seattle.

Rockies’ OF Dexter Fowler may finally be realizing some of the potential that made him one of Colorado’s top prospects.  He’s been very consistent since returning from a minor league stint and has absolutely been raking over the past week.

With Cincinnati out of the race, it’s time the Reds got a look at catching prospect Devin Mesoraco.  The rookie turned in a wonderful 2011, going .289-15-71 in AAA.  The aging Ramon Hernandez is likely not part of the club’s 2012 plans so, Mesoraco should get the lion’s share of the AB the rest of the way.

Not that many are paying attention to the Cubs, but those that are have taken notice of the fact that SP Randy Wells is currently one of the hottest pitchers in the game.  He’s 5-0 over his last seven starts and has averaged almost 7 IP over the same stretch.  His K/BB ratio says that he’s found a formula that should carry him through a strong final month.

A year ago, Michael Vick was an afterthought in most drafts; a late flyer probably selected as no more than a handcuff to Kevin Kolb.  After Kolb went down, however, Vick was the surprise of the season, vaulting his status from also-ran to, in some cases, the first pick in some mock drafts.

He hasn’t completely convinced the FantasySportsDirt staff, however, that he’ll return the dividends necessary to justify a first round pick. First, there’s the issue of Vick’s durability.  While his running game is precisely why he is at the top of the QB list, it also puts him just one big hit away from the injury list.

Then, there’s the Eagles’ status as the NFL’s dream team for 2011. If Philly is going to make it to the Super Bowl, it’ll be on the legs of LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown, not Vick.

Finally, there are just too many QB’s that’ll provide more than adequate production in later rounds to pass on a stud RB or WR to select Vick. Actually, his success in 2010 supports the argument against him.  Be patient at the QB position rather than rech for a high risk/reward guy like Vick.

Stars

OK, we all know Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers are at the top of everyone’s list.  (Rivers is the FantasySportsDirt favorite.)  So, who’s the guy that’ll produce on this level that you might be able to get a little later?  Look no further than Matt Ryan in Atlanta.  Having added WR Julio Jones to a potent offense that already included Roddy White and Michael Turner, Ryan will finish the season as one of the game’s elite, having grabbed himself a Super Bowl ring along the way.

Stiffs

Somehow, I expect the football gods to strike me down as I write this, but I have no choice but to list Peyton Manning as a stiff heading into the season. However, having missed all of the preseason while recovering from neck surgery and another procedure rumored to be pending, there’s no way you can take a chance on the future Hall of Famer.

Sleepers

Josh Freeman took a huge leap in 2010, tossing 25 TD and just 6 INT while rushing for 364 YDS.  He did this win a relatively conservative offensive system, one the good professor believes will be expanded to suit his growing talent.  We also love the potential of two former number one picks, Matt Stafford and Sam Bradford.

Slippers

Yeah, I’ve also seen those mock drafts that have Michael Vick going number one.  Have to say I agree that the talent is there to justify such a lofty selection. On the other hand, I’m not convinced that the small-framed Vick can enjoy a healthy season unless Andy Reid dials back the offense to protect him.  He’ll still be a star at the position, but probably won’t produce at a first-round level.

Professor Wagstaff’s Top 12 Quarterbacks

1  Philip Rivers
2  Tom Brady
3  Aaron Rodgers
4  Matt Ryan
5  Drew Brees
6  Michael Vick
7  Matt Schaub
8  Ben Roethlisberger
9  Josh Freeman
10 Tony Romo
11 Matt Stafford
12 Sam Bradford

They’ve been a very successful trio for a few years now.  Led by Gil Lock of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers, they’re a family unit of college football prognosticators that’s been quite impressive.  Last season Gil, his wife, Jill and their nephew, Pad, posted a 48-31-4 record against the spread.

We’re pleased to welcome them to our humble site, and look forward to bringing their opinions to you each week.  With the 2011 slate getting underway tonight, here are the Locks of the Week. (2011 record in parentheses)

Gil Lock (16-12-1)

South Carolina -20 1/2 over East Carolina- The Gamecocks are my pick to win the National Championship, even though I hate Steve Spurrier.  They get off fast against the Pirates.

UCLA +3 over Houston- Rick Neuheisel’s job is on the line.  Can’t believe he’ll start the season with a non-conference loss.

Oregon -1 over LSU- Unusually big matchup for Week 1.  Ducks looking to return to the BCS title game and should take advantage of a Tiger squad hurt by multiple suspensions.

Jill Lock (14-9)

Wisconsin -35 1/2 over UNLV- Never mind a big spread when you’ve got a coach who’ll run it up.  Wisconsin beat Indiana 83-0 last year.

Boise State -3 1/2 over Georgia- Love Boise’s cutie-patootie QB, Kellen Moore, who should walk away with the Heisman.

Ohio -7 over New Mexico State- Simple pick.  New Mexico State stinks.

Pad Lock (18-10-3)

Alabama -38 over Kent State- Alabama looks great and Nick Saban shows no mercy.

Stanford -30 over San Jose State- Andrew Luck begins to pad his Heisman stats against a terrible San Jose team that may be looking forward to their matchup with Nichols College.

Memphis- Mississippi State OVER 50- Your basic, Uncle Gil math. State is favored by 29.  That means, you might need just two scores from Memphis to go over.

by Eddie Mayrose

They are the foundation of most Fantasy Football rosters.  The stud running backs of the NFL, posting 100 yard games and lugging the pigskin over the goal line enough to make their owners kings of their Fantasy leagues.  The problem is, with so much invested, your season is doomed if your prime ball carrier disappoints.

Such was the case last year with Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville’s star back who had registered 27 TD’s over the previous two campaigns. In 2011, however, despite the fact that his rushing total was, essentially, flat, his TD total plummeted to a measly 5.  Given the fact that he was likely selected in the top five of most drafts, it’s hard to believe that Jones-Drew was a member of too many Fantasy champs.

In addition to securing a marquee back, sleepers become equally important as they allow a Fantasy owner the luxury of filling other holes with better players. Owners that passed on Ray Rice last year in favor of a WR like Calvin Johnson or Roddy White were rewarded well by Ahmad Bradshaw, whose numbers compared very well to Rice.

Let’s take a look at the studs you need to have, the sleepers that will help and the busts you need to avoid.

Stars- The emergence of Sam Bradford as the Rams’ signal caller has us clicking our heels over Steven Jackson.  Always a top pick, he’s posted great numbers in the past as the only weapon in St. Louis.  Now, however, with talented receivers to compliment the young QB, Jackson is set for a career year.  Much the same can be said for Michael Turner in Atlanta, as rookie sensation Julio Jones becomes the final piece to one of the league’s most potent attacks.

Stiffs- Don’t buy into the hype surrounding the chances that Miami’s Daniel Thomas will emerge as a reliable sleeper. The Dolphins are going to be really bad, Reggie Bush is the starter and Thomas’ pre-season struggles will certainly continue into the regular season. Indy’s Joseph Addai hasn’t played a full season in five years. Donald Brown is having a great camp and Peyton Manning’s health is still in doubt. If Manning’s performance suffers, Addai’s will go into the tank.

Sleepers- Given his track record with unknown ball carriers in Denver, gotta love Mike Shanahan’s ability to elevate a running back.  That’s why we’re so high on Roy Helu.  The rookie from Nebraska has had quite a camp, even topping ther century mark in the ‘Skins second pre-season game. Grab him late and just wait for him to be given the job.  When Ronnie Brown signed with the Eagles, there wasn’t much hoopla.  However, we think that, in Andy Reid’s offense, he’ll have a very productive season in the red zone.

Slippers- As crazy as it seems, we’ve got to put Houston’s Arian Foster and the Titans’ Chris Johnson on this list.  While both are likely to turn in stellar seasons, their individual situations are cause for immense concern. In Foster’s case, a hamstring issue could linger throughout the entire season. With Johnson, it could be a double whammy.  Despite his holdout, he’ll still cost you a top pick. Then, when he returns, he’ll be a significant injury risk; having missed all of training camp.  These guys could both turn out to be steals at the bottom of the first round, but are too uncertain at the top of the draft.

Professor Wagstaff’s Top 20 Running Backs

1  Adrian Peterson
2  Michael Turner
3  Steven Jackson
4  Jamaal Charles
5  Arian Foster
6  Rashard Mendenhall
7  Ray Rice
8  Knowshon Moreno
9  Chris Johnson
10 Maurice Jones-Drew
11 LeSean McCoy
12 LeGarrette Blount
13 Matt Forte
14 Ahmad Bradshaw
15 Ryan Grant
16 Frank Gore
17 DeAngelo Williams
18 Peyton Hillis
19 Ryan Mathews
20 Darren McFadden

by Eddie Mayrose

It should have been a baseball fan’s dream.  The game’s biggest rivalry, Yankees-Red Sox, taking center stage in the middle of August with the teams dead even atop the AL East standings.  In years past, each city would have come to a dead stop as the series played out.  This time around, however, in the dreaded era of the Wild Card, it was just another three game summer set.
There has been much excitement generated by the playoff format that was expanded in 1995.  Not only have teams that would have otherwise been eliminated enjoyed the added thrills and ticket sales generated by a pennant race, more than a few have manage to win the World Series. Iis there that advocates of the system point when extolling its virtues.

There is a dark side to this, though, one that the suits at MLB choose to ignore, and it made its annual appearance in the middle of the AL East race.  With both the Bombers and Bosox nine games clear of their closest Wild Card contender, each is virtually guaranteed a playoff berth already.  Thus, there is no urgency to juggle pitching rotations in order to create favorable matchups or rush injured players back on to the field.  Why bother?  The division title has been rendered meaningless by the playoff system that Bud Selig and his money grabbing minions have sworn to uphold.

Last season, with these same two teams neck and neck into the last week, it seemed as though the title was an afterthought.  Indeed, the Yankees’ matchup wit the Twins, one that resulted from their being the Wild Card winner, was infinitely more beneficial than Boston’s, who had to face Rangers’ ace Cliff Lee twice in a five game series.  Does MLB really want a situation t exist where a team can actually be better off by losing?

Here’s a simple solution.  Since Selig and his boys are so hot too add another playoff team, let’s give them one. At the same time, let’s restore some integrity to the divisional races.  Each league will now have two wild cards, and those teams will meet in a one game playoff on the day after the season ends with the winner advancing.  Want to make it important to win the division?  Float a winner-take-all playoff game in front of any team and see if they start to care a little bit more about the regular season.

Taking it a step further, no matter what the outcome of the All Star Game, no Wild Card team should gain home field advantage in the World Series.  In a SiriusXM radio spot I did shortly after the Yankees had, once again, dispatched the Minnesota Twins in three straight last October, host Mike Ferrin wondered about the merits of my proposal, thinking that it was too severe and overly punished the Wild Card team.  Punish?  Maybe.  But it certainly removes the window of opportunity a team might use to roll over and gain a weaker opponent in the first round.  More importantly, it restores the importance of late season games between divisional rivals; something we all want to see.

As I Sit and Think
Congratulations to Chris Mullin, Brooklyn-born St. John’s legend, NBA All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist, on his induction into the National Basketball Hall of Fame.  The classic gym rat, Mullin spent a lifetime playing the game the right way.  That he never got to do it for the Knicks is a shame…  With Daniel Murphy out for the season and Jose Reyes, once again, on the shelf, is it finally time for the wheels to come off of the Mets’ bandwagon.  Maybe, but don’t bet on it.  If Terry Collins has done nothing else, he’s, at least, turned this group into a team of grinders that will battle until the last out… I keep hearing the same refrain from radio talkies about the Yankees’ rotation. “You just can’t take Burnett out of the rotation and replace him with Ivan Nova.”  Really?  Burnett is in the third of three seasons in which he’s underperformed spectacularly while Ivan Nova has done nothing but win whenever he’s been handed the ball.  The common logic says that Nova is a playoff risk because of his inexperience.  “You don’t know what he’ll give you”, goes the thinking.  That might be true.  The scary thing for Yankee fans, however, is that they, pretty much, DO know what Burnett will deliver.  Given the choice, I’ll take my chances with the kid… There’s no doubt that  the signing of RB Ahmad Bradshaw was a critical one for the Giants as they head into the 2011 season. However,  not much else has gone right for Big Blue since training camp opened.  The bitter contract battle between the front office and DE Osi Umenyiora stands to be a distraction that could last throughout the entire pre-season and beyond while the injury to their first round pick, CB Prince Amukumura, robs them of much needed help for a defensive unit that was one of the league’s worst in 2010.  With the Cowboys welcoming back Tony Romo and the much improved Eagles looming as a Super Bowl favorite, Eli Manning and Co. may have to put up a ton of points for the season to be successful… On the other side of the PSL aisle, the usual bluster about Super Bowls is, again, emanating from Jets camp in Florham Park.  Rex Ryan, to this point, has backed up his talk to some degree with two straight appearances in the AFC title game.  However, it’s hard to see where the Jets have improved enough to start booking hotel rooms in Indianapolis.  They’ve replaced WR Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards with the recently paroled Plaxico Burress, who hasn’t played football outside of a prison yard for two years.  DE Shaun Ellis turned down Gang Green’s contract offer and, worse, headed north to the Patriots.  That gaping hole on the D-Line will be filled by untested Muhammad Wilkerson, a rookie out of Temple.  It’s a given that Big Rexy will put a playoff-worthy defensive unit on the field, but he’s betting heavy that Mark Sanchez will take that big step from promising youngster to elite quarterback.

by Eddie Mayrose

During the course of a Fantasy Baseball season, there will be a number of opportunities for you to make a run toward the top of the standings.  Early on, there’s a lot of competition for free agents as owners not satisfied with the roster they drafted try to upgrade. Quick evaluations to distinguish who starts from breakout seasons are necessary here but, unfortunately, are not that common.  Big chunks of a transaction budget are often spent with little bang for the buck.

Another is, usually, after the first trade of the season is made within your league.  That initial swap always seems to open the floodgates for a week or two as owners in contention vie to keep pace. Here, again, it’s important to be able to recognize a flash in the pan, although, with a larger body of work, it’s a little easier.

Then,as the Fantasy deadline approaches,sometimes a few weeks after the MLB deadline, the HAVES, gearing up for a stretch run to a title, pillage the rosters of the, by now, disinterested HAVE NOTS, who are simply looking to improve their positions heading into next year.

While most owners dip their toes into the water during these periods of the season, the guys that are also perusing the box scores on a daily basis are the ones usually doing most of the bragging over the winter.  They recognize that every day will present an opportunity to improve, even if just for a short time.  Free agents or your own reserve players on a hot streak,your own bench player two- start pitchers facing very weak teams or MLB bench players thrust into the lineup as a result of a trade or injury can all give you an advantage over those less diligent players. If any of these hidden gems can give you a statistical boost even for a few days,you might have all you need to raise a banner.

Derek Lee was shipped from Baltimore to Pittsburgh yesterday and gained 19 games in the standings.  More importantly, his return  to the National League should give him a huge boost in confidence.  Seemingly never comfortable with the Birds, the seasoned vet is now in the middle of a contenders’ lineup. Look for Lee to deliver overv the last two months.

Staying in Baltimore, the much-maligned Mark Reynolds has been on a small HR tear.  Now, it’s long been our position that Reynolds no longer belongs on your FAntasy roster and that still applies in most cases.  However, if you need some power, he’s up to 23 HR after poking two this weekend.  Take advantage of his mini hot streak but be ready to pull the plug.

Another all-or-nothing guy is Atlanta’s Dan Uggla, who has spent most of the season as a huge disappointment. So much so, that a 20 game hitting streak raised his BA to just .206.  The dingers that he was expected to provide are finally leaving the ballpark over the last few weeks, making him a must-play if you need power.

St. Louis 3B David Freese spent a good portion of the season on the DL.  For that reason, he’s still a bit under the radar, even though he’s hitting .319. A free agent in some mixed leagues, he’s got enormous value in the middle of a potent lineup.

The only thing holding back Royals’ 1B/DH Billy Butler is his lack of pop from a traditional power spot.  Butler slammed 3 HR this week and seems to be enjoying a power surge.

With the housecleaning finally done in Houston, Jason Bourgeois moves into the third spot in the order, adding another dimension to the speedster’s value.  Pick him up for the SB and be very happy when he provides a few RBI as well.

by Eddie Mayrose

It’s been a wild couple of weeks for the Washington Nationals. First, and foremost, they’ve opened eyes around the baseball world by putting together an incredible hot streak that saw them register 12 wins in 13 games, raising their record above .500 at a later point in the season than at any time since they were the Montreal Expos.

Then, in a very bizarre twist, the Nats saw their skipper, Jim Riggleman, take his ball and go home when he couldn’t secure a contract extension. It was an act of virtual career suicide, as it’s hard to imagine any other franchise hiring a leader prone to abandon his troops mid-battle.

Riggleman, rumored to have had trouble with some of Washington’s more veteran players, maintained that his lame duck status undermined his authority. Whether that’s true or not, Riggleman decided he’d had enough, opening the door for what could be a great story.

Davey Johnson, plucked from the ranks of consultant and thrust into the dugout after an 11-year hiatus, takes the reins of a team eerily similar to the New York Mets squad he inherited in 1984. And we all know how that turned out.

Johnson has always been a manager with a keen eye for player development, who allows the players to police themselves in the clubhouse. Those skills will be critical as the Nats’ roster, dotted with some solid veterans and one superstar in Ryan Zimmerman, will soon welcome the game’s top two prospects: Steven Strasburg and Bryce Harper. Can you say Hernandez, Gooden and Strawberry?

Whatever happens over the course of the rest of the season in D.C., rest assured that the final building block is likely in place. Johnson will lobby hard for Harper to be in his 2012 lineup, hand the team over to Zimmerman and Jayson Werth and watch his charges start their climb up the NL East ladder.

“Down in Front!”

Gotta love that Mets’ medical staff and its diagnostic talent. Angel Pagan, thought to be out two weeks with an oblique strain, ends up waiting six to return. David Wright’s six-to-eight-week stretch with a back injury will end up being closer to 12 and now we find out that Ike Davis will likely need season-ending surgery. Worse, his condition may have been aggravated by the boot prescribed by the Mets’ quack staff. Too bad, as the Amazins, miraculously hanging around in the Wild Card race despite their depleted ranks, could really use a couple of big bats in the middle of the lineup … Not that many sports fans have it marked on their calendars, but the College World Series from Omaha is one of my favorite events of the year …The more Tiki Barber tells the world he’s still capable of playing in the NFL, the more I wonder about his ability to evaluate talent. Isn’t he the guy that told us that the idea of Eli Manning winning a Super Bowl was laughable? … No way to tell yet whether the Knicks’ first-round pick, Iman Shumpert, will make it in the NBA. However, you have to like the fact that they finally went after a guy whose forte is defense …My favorite line of the NBA draft was supplied by ESPN’s Stuart Scott, who pointed out how important this draft would be to the Cavs just a year after losing LeBron James. “If there was ever a city that needs for something good to happen, it’s the Cavaliers.” Thanks for the geography lesson, Stu …I’m wondering, now that Alex Rodriguez has his average up around .300 with 50 RBI, is he still done? …As the AL East race heats up and the Yankees and Red Sox jockey for position atop the standings, neither should get caught sleeping on the Rays, currently just two games back with a wealth of young pitching.

Eddie Mayrose appears weekly with Craig Mish on SiriusXM’s Fantasy Sports Network — Sirius Channel 210, XM Channel 87 and can be seen by Fios customers on “Down in Front” with co-host Tom DeAngelo. Check local listings.