Power isn't everything in fantasy baseball, but I can't say I've ever seen a team punt the power categories and win. If you know me at all or have ever read my work, you know how I feel about punting a category. It's the complete opposite of my stance on free food. Balance your stats, and sure, I'll be over at 7 for barbeque.
It's only the first week of May, and while I have just begun to look at the standings in my league, it remains far too early to panic on who is and is not delivering the stats you need. I made a big mistake Thursday in a head-to-head league, and it cost me a few categories for the week. In an OPS format that doesn't count batting average, I overdrafted Jack Cust, enjoyed his opening week homer and some walks, then got tired of him a few days ago, and signed a starting pitcher for that night. A few hours after I cut Cust, of course, he homers and gets on base six times. Guess I didn't know Jack. Once he cleared waivers, Cust was back on my team. Now Gary Sheffield is gone. Guess we'll see what he does as Jim Leyland hums the words to that David Bowie song and reshapes his team today. "Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph ... He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone." No, I have no idea what it all means, but I do like the song. Maybe he's waiting for Sheffield to call him from home as he goes on the DL? That's it!
Leyland might panic on what to do with Sheffield, but he's not going to make like a fantasy owner and cut the guy. Sheffield can't hit for power with his shoulder messed up, and I'd disable the guy and see if he can heal properly. It's not like anyone's running away with the AL Central, you know. The Twins had a good week, now they are in first place.
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Eric Karabell
