Fantasy

A proactive fantasy baseball manager already has an eye ahead to August 1's MLB trade deadline.

The moves are bound to create new opportunities by way of playing time and role improvements. Nobody can predict every impact deal, but now is the time to anticipate possible shake-ups before the competition acts first.

At a previous time as recent as June, seeing these MLB players on the fantasy baseball waiver wire would have seemed ridiculous.

As the unofficial second half of the baseball season kicks into gear, ailing managers can locate relief from familiar options. A 2015 All-Star has resurfaced, as has a former saves leader and slugger pegged to go bonkers this season.

Fantasy baseball gamers need the MLB All-Star break nearly as much as the players.

Managing a fake baseball squad is a thankless job with no off days. There's a reason fantasy football has commanded more mainstream popularity. Instead of setting one lineup a week, MLB fiends must monitor leagues on a daily basis for half the year.

More than midway into the season, owners of rotting rotisserie squads are realizing an epic comeback isn't happening. But don't give up this far into the game.

Even during a 162-game season, one amazing day can command the attention of fantasy baseball players everywhere.

Multiple players blazed their path into this week's wavier-wire recommendations with a monster statement game. Perhaps the magic has already passed, but it's tough to ignore a dominant performance.

Some of this week's fantasy baseball waiver-wire recommendations will cause readers to second-check the article's published date.

Accompanied by a few young up-starts, this list features several former studs well past their glory years. They're all available in over 50 percent of Yahoo Sports leagues, but the veterans would have even smaller ownership rates if not for their past successes.

The fantasy baseball waiver wire can't stay hot forever.

Through hot streaks, call-ups and role changes, a steady stream of worthwhile free agents circulate on a regular basis. Yet an upgrade isn't always available at no cost, and there's no law requiring fantasy players to pick someone up every week. 

This might be a week to lay low. Assembling a fruitful list of 10 waiver-wire recommendations has never proved tougher this season. Some options are limited to smaller mixed leagues.

Fantasy baseball often boils down to which MLB players receive the appropriate opportunity to succeed. A talented player is useless without playing time or the right role, and favorable circumstances can elevate a middling contributor.

Week 11's waiver-wire recommendations have always had the skills, but most only recently received the proper role. This includes two relievers instantly made relevant by save potential and a pair of first basemen who slugged their way into relevance.

Never permanently discard an MLB player who doesn't immediately offer fantasy baseball production.

One way or another, most waiver-wire recommendations are getting a second chance to meet previously higher expectations. This includes a player almost ditched before playing an official game.

Some former contributors on this list never met their potential, but they're currently reaching new heights. It may feel like they have been around forever, but none of these forgotten players has celebrated his 30th birthday yet.

By now, most fantasy baseball players hate their teams.

There's a commonly cited notion of MLB clubs using Memorial Day as a reflection point. Two bad weeks isn't enough to panic, but two months represents a more significant sample size. Fantasy managers often think the same way, ditching the "it's still early" line when the calendar turns to June.

Nearly one-third into the 2016 MLB season, fantasy baseball players have received plenty of reminders of the game's cruelty.