In general, leagues are vastly becoming larger in size. This year, I'll be participating in leagues that have anywhere from 10 to 16 teams. The average seems to be about 12 teams in a given league. With that, there are only three to five spots on an average bench.
Filling these spots does not necessarily occur in the final rounds of a draft. In fact, it could really happen at any point. That's where most of the strategy takes place. Certainly, in most cases, pitching bench spots are filled in those final rounds, as most teams don't round out the rotation early in a draft.
Positional bench spots are more delicate, and require greater understanding as to when a player should be added. Often times adding a decent bat at a position you already have filled is a better decision than reaching for a player too early in a given draft.
If you've already missed a wave of elite middle infielders, waiting to grab someone in the next tier while grabbing an additional power hitting first basemen or outfielder is often times a better decision for your team. Using your spots in this regard creates an immediate trade market with a team that may not have been able to secure this type of player.
Even better, without a trade, you've created options in terms of your regular lineup. Daily leagues can take advantage of a player's history against a given pitcher or team and capitalize on streaks quickly. Again, the design being that you benefit your team and reap the benefits in the win column.
Bench pitchers, though, are generally final pitching selections. Most owners don't, nor should they, build a rotation early in a draft. That rule of thumb alone means these spots are filled last. Nothing wrong with it, simply a fact.
Ultimately, your strategy should be influenced by a few factors. First, as mentioned, is league scoring. Second, the number of spots available. Third, perceived value of the players on the board at any given point in the draft.
Offense is much easier to predict, and even standard 5x5 leagues have lineups that reflect that. Recent additions of second catchers, as well as middle and corner infield spots, and utility players create a greater need for bats and a reduced reliance on pitching. Using this to your advantage would lead you down the path of leveraging your bench for offense more than pitching, and overall that would be my recommendation.
Let's start with a bench that involves just three players.
Because of the volatility in pitching we've discussed at length in various pieces, it shouldn't surprise anyone that I would advocate only a single bench spot for pitching, unless talent warranted it to be different.
Using just the one spot allows you to have a limited degree of protection, either in your rotation or in the relief spots. It should also create the opportunity for you to drop one of these pitchers and pick up someone else to easily fill the spot when the need arises. I continue to say that the best pitching work is done after the draft, and limiting representation on the bench follows those guidelines.
Sure, there are times when a player or two will slip or go unnoticed that would make you want to fill a second spot with a pitcher. In cases such as that, you would still be best served to watch the early returns and make a move accordingly early to generate more offensive flexibility.
As more drafts are conducted, fantasy owners and writers are realizing that Joe Saunders and Mark Buehrle, among other veterans, are going undrafted. Wins are going to be available. Home runs, though, are snatched up much more quickly.
The remaining two spots should be focused on offense.
I find it perfectly acceptable to fill a bench spot earlier in a draft if the right player is available. My personal preference is to find and leverage a deep position to grab additional power. First base is a perfect example. Adam LaRoche and Mark Reynolds can be found in the latter third and later of drafts. Both players are near certainties for 25 home runs and more.
Outfielders are another spot where home runs and power numbers can be found later, and it's often a place where owners spend an extra spot should they be starting four outfielders. Marcus Thames and Rick Ankiel are still slipping in drafts. While Thames may not play all the time, he provides pop. Ankiel is a 30 home run threat.
The second spot can go to preferences. I would advocate a utility-type player. This morning, another fantasy fan and I discussed Mark Teahan, who has outfield and infield eligibility at all positions excluding short, Emmanuel Burriss (MI), and Clint Barnes (2B, SS, 3B) as players that would qualify.
This allows you to plug a hole in multiple spots with a player that may not help you in one specific category, but will provide adequate production across several.
As the number of bench spots increase, your strategy should change proportionally. With four spots, look to handcuff a top reliever with his primary setup man. It saves you the headache later on. Five spots should have you looking for additional offensive help.
Utilizing a bench effectively increases the flexibility that an owner has and creates greater chances for success. While the players may or may not make it off the block in weekly leagues, owners that make changes daily can leverage days off and flexibility to maximize their chances in statistical production.
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