And So It Begins...

Finally it's here. February 13th 2014, pitchers and catchers have reported. The beginning of a new season, a clean slate for your ball club to start anew on their journey to a World Series victory. What this also means for some, is the beginning of your fantasy baseball research. With drafts happening all over the month of March, its time to get your keepers in order and find out who you are going to add to your team to bring home the pot and more importantly the bragging rights.

In my league, The Matt Reilly Memorial League, it is taken very seriously. I'm very close with my friends from college, but the friendships take on a whole other level between the months of February and October. Whether its trying to pry who they are going to be keeping throughout February or trying to get the blockbuster deal done in mid-July, the communication between members of the league heightens beyond the casual friendship. When I was asked to be a part of the league's inaugural season in 2008, I knew close to nothing about MLB players and their stats, other than the stars of the Phillies.

The amount of baseball knowledge I now have entering my seventh season is significantly greater. I now, not just know extensively the ins and outs of the Phillies but starting lineups, rotations, bullpens and prospects of most major league teams. Unlike other fantasy sports I've been a part of, to be successful in a 5-keeper, 5 x 5 roto, auction fantasy baseball league, it is a daily chess match. So many variables determine the ultimate success or defeat of your team. A short list includes, Value of Keepers, Auction Value of Players in the Draft, Completing a Well Rounded Roster, Working the Daily Waiver Wire, Knowing How Much FAAB to Spend on Each Player on the Waiver Wire, Trading to Win Now, or Trading for the Future. And the thing is no matter how much time you put in to it, no matter how much research you do, sometimes you just miss….

Why am I writing about this? Good question. The answer is because my co-blogger David (hereinafter Dancing Bear), has just joined the league and will be entering his first season of fantasy baseball. I felt this would be the perfect forum for us to post weekly updates on our progression throughout the season. Whether it be power rankings, commenting on trades, or just trash talking to one another, you will get the inside look of our fantasy season this summer. Lets now just hope Dancing Bear doesn't pull one of these in his first season ...