By The Jersey Hitman

League 6

League 17

Manny Ramirez and Jason Bay are looking good in their new homes … so far. Will they keep it up until the end of the season? Will I continue to search for saves until the end of the season? And are you going to continue keeping up with your fantasy baseball teams until the end of the season? Or will football season distract you and cost you a fantasy baseball championship?

The Good: Manny Ramirez & Jason Bay

We all know about the July 31st trade that saw Manny Ramirez go to the Dodgers and Jason Bay to the Red Sox. So, how’s it working out so far?

Well, so far, so good. Both teams have to be happy with the play of their new left fielders. Manny has brought some life to a lifeless Dodger offense. In his first 5 games wearing Dodger blue, he is 12 for 20, with 3 HRs, 7 RBIs, and 6 Runs Scored. Meanwhile, Bay has become an instant fan favorite. He is 11 for 26 with 1 HR, 6 RBIs and 10 Runs.

While the numbers are very good for both players, it’s much more than just the numbers that make this a good trade for both teams. It’s attitude and chemistry in the heat of a pennant race. It’s Manny hustling around the bases for his new team, something he stopped doing for his old team. It’s Bay getting a chance to show off his talents hitting in the middle of a great offense, something he never got the chance to do with his old team.

While this trade is still in the honeymoon period, you have to expect some rough times ahead. Manny has played his typical bad defense in a much larger Dodger Stadium outfield. And, despite what he said his first day in LA, he hasn’t cut his hair yet. Will Joe Torre have to ask him to cut it again? If so, how will Manny react?

In Boston, Bay will be playing in the first meaningful August and September games of his career. September baseball in Boston is much different than September baseball in Pittsburgh. Can he handle the pressure of a pennant race in a new league? Will Red Sox Nation stay on his side if he stumbles?

Its only been one week. The next eight or nine weeks will be a whole lot of fun to watch.

The Bad: Closers

Putting closers in the “Bad” section is something I could do every week. They drive us ALL crazy EVERY week of EVERY season. But, this week I am having a closer melt down.

Mets closer Billy Wagner is on the DL. No problem, just move him to my DL and pick up his replacement. But, who is his replacement? Aaron Heilman? He has been awful. Duaner Sanchez? He has been worse than Heilman. Maybe minor league call-up Eddie Kunz? I guess it would be best to look elsewhere.

Ahh … but where? How about the Cardinals? Ryan Franklin is a free agent in my league. But he’s not the closer anymore. Jason Isringhausen got the job back … for a day. Chris Perez got a save for the Cards the other night. Should I pick him up?

Who’s closing in Pittsburgh these days? Grabow? Yates? Both? The Tigers? Todd Jones is on the DL and lost his job before he went on the DL. Fernando Rodney isn’t still trying to close games, is he? What about Zumaya? Farnsworth? No, no, no! Never Farnsworth!

I picked up Chris Perez. Why not? The kid has a good arm and has closed at other levels. I never thought I would say this but, please hurry back Billy Wagner!! Please?!

The Ugly: Football season

Baseball is my favorite game. No doubt about it. Therefore, fantasy baseball comes before fantasy football for me. But, football season is quickly approaching, and fantasy football drafts will begin soon.

I play in a few fantasy football leagues and need to get ready for the drafts. I played in eight fantasy baseball leagues this season and am in the running for first place in every one. So, what do I do? I have a job, a son, and a need to sleep. When and how do I get ready for some football?

I am going to wing it! I will download a cheat sheet or two and draft my football teams. And, while others begin to obsess about their football drafts, I will stay on top of my baseball teams. Once the football season starts, I will continue to stay on top of my baseball teams … especially on Sundays.

Everyone gets pumped up at the start of a new football season. They tend to neglect their baseball teams. Do not do this! If you are in the running for a fantasy baseball championship, you need to continue paying attention to your team.

Some owners are going to drop the ball. They are going to have Josh Beckett on the bench the day he pitches a two-hit, 12 strikeout, complete game shutout. Why? Because the Saints played the Falcons and they forgot to change their lineup.