Fantasy

What good is talent to a fantasy owner who lacks timing?

Fantasy baseball—just like the real thing—is a game of skill, luck and timing. That last trait, in particular, comes in handy in regards to getting value in the trading game.

Knowing which player(s) to trade away and which to deal for—and knowing just the right time to do so—can make all the difference.

The first full week of the fantasy baseball season is in full swing. You'll want to keep an eye on the prize and finish the weekend strong, but there is nothing wrong with a peak ahead.

Here’s a breakdown of the two-start pitchers for the week of April 7-13. I used ESPN to generate the list. Starts are subject to change due to weather and injuries. Check for updates according to your league settings to avoid any surprises.

With spring training finally over (yay!), the 2014 regular season is about to get under way in full (double-yay!!). And with your fantasy baseball draft in the rear-view mirror (triple-yay!!!), it's time to update the Big Board again.

Yu Darvish has been great since joining the Texas Rangers, but a neck injury has forced the team to bench its ace, according to MLB.com. Darvish has a sore neck and is heading back to Dallas for more tests. It is very likely he will start the season on the disabled list.

Bleacher Report didn't ask for my opinion on the 2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings, but my readers did. So, here they are by position.

This slideshow outlines the rankings I used to select my 2014 Tout Wars team in New York City on Saturday, March 22 at the Sirius/XM studio.

The story this week has been pitching injuries, but while the outbreak of Tommy John across the league got headlines, it's not unusual. Tommy John surgery is happening more and more. Remember, David Wells, a player from the not-too-distant past, may have been one of the first 10 MLB players to have the surgery.

As we inch closer to Major League Baseball’s Opening Day, the excitement builds. You have likely already drafted or it’s in your immediate future. Every team in the league is tied for first.

It’s the perfect time to make predictions. Here’s the Lester’s Legends prediction for the statistical leader in each of the five-by-five-league fantasy baseball categories.

Let's flashback one year. After only 11 starts in Double-A, the Marlins announce that a 20-year-old named Jose Fernandez will break camp with the big league squad. Most had predicted perhaps a late-season call-up for Fernandez as the extent of his time spent in Miami for the 2013 campaign. 

Here’s a look at the 2014 Lester’s Legends’ Starting Pitcher Rankings for NL-only fantasy baseball leagues:


1. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw is 51-23 over the past three years with a 2.21 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He has also averaged 236.3 strikeouts per season over that stretch. He’s the best pitcher in the game, period.


2. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals

Here’s a look at the 2014 Lester’s Legends’ shortstop rankings for AL-only fantasy baseball leagues.


1. Jose Reyes, Toronto Blue Jays

Jose Reyes was limited to 96 games, but he hit .296 with 58 runs, 10 home runs, 37 RBI and 15 stolen bases. If he can stay healthy, he will give you a big boost in runs, average and stolen bases.


2. Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers