In short, Fantasy Points (FPs from here on out) are simply a measure of the overall worth of a real professional athelete. Long time Fantasy buffs may argue over the relative merits of how many points this stat or that stat is worth, but ultimately whatever values are placed on each stat, (runs, homers, stolen bases, etc.), in Fantasy Point leagues, the important thing to remember is that TOTAL FPs are all that matter in the end.
Just like runs scored is the ONLY measure determining who wins a baseball game, total FPs is what determines who wins an FP league. FPs are also used in Head to Head leagues, but that will be discussed under the H2H section of this website, not here.
For SANDBOX, the FP values are as follows: Sandbox FPs
Actually, due to changes in stat providers for the 2002 season, some stats normally included (catchers throwing out base runners and blown saves), were not used for 2002. It is critically important for every team owner to know what stats get what values, and to double-check each season, because this CAN change, and in fact is often different when looking at different Fantasy Portals, (ESPN, CNNSI, etc.).
Unlike Rotisserie, in FP leagues, it doesn't matter where you get your points. You can assemble a team of slow, home run sluggers, while someone else assembles a speed demon team of high OBP guys with tons of steals. And total FPs is all that matters in the end.
So, if you haven't figured it out yet, TOTAL FPs is the only thing that matters in FP leagues. And, in truth there are only two factors which a Fantasy team manager needs to be concerned with. The first is FP/game average. This is the most common yardstick for comparing players, (other than just Total FPs). The second factor is games played. And games played is often the factor novice fantasy managers too often overlook.
GAMES PLAYED
A mistake common to many novice fantasy managers is failing to understand the importance of games played, especially at the offensive positions. Each offensive spot gets 162 games each season. At Sandbox, there are 10 offensive positions, (the regular 8, plus a Utility Outfielder and a Utility Infielder). The biggest complicating factor is the three normal OF spots are treated as one large position, with 486 games (162 * 3) available. This simplifies things in that you can have three center fielders on your team, but can make it a little more complex in keeping your games played on the correct pace. One of the most important tools provided by Sandbox is the Games Played Chart
The reason games played is so important is that only a select few players will appear in all 162 games. Sure, your star players will play 150+ games each season, but that still leaves you 10 or more games short of maxing out your games played at a given position. For example, in 2000, Nomar averaged 3.7/game, and appeared in 140 games, for a total of 520 FPs. AROD averaged 4.1/game, and appeared in 148 games, for a 604 total. So, AROD netted 84 more points than Nomar. But, what if the Nomar owner managed to average 2.5 points from plugging in his backup in order to max out his games played? That would be worth another 55 points. If the AROD owner doesn't bother to max out his games played, knowing he has the best SS in baseball, he still ends up on top in total FPs, but only by a 604 - 575 margin.
Every season, I watch owners squander HUNDREDS of points by not working to maximize their games played. They blithely accept 150 games @ 3.0, (450 FPs) convinced they're doing better than my guy who is putting up only 2.8/game. But if I get 2.8 for 150 games (420 FPs) and then just 2.5 for the other 12, I get 450 FPs for the season, too.
For catching and pitching slots, it isn't difficult to make up lost games quickly, because you can start multiple players. But at the offensive positions other than catcher, a manager MUST keep his games played on schedule all year. This is done primarily by getting bodies into the lineup on Mondays and Thursdays when your starters' teams get the day off. It is next to impossible to predict when your regulars will get a day off for rest, so paying attention to the TEAMS scheduled days off is of critical importance.
Even in April and May, I believe in plugging in waiver wire pickups when my starters aren't playing. I prefer to run a day or two AHEAD of schedule, if I can, because rainouts, inuries, and rest days aren't predictable. But, even trying to stay ahead of schedule can be difficult. Sometimes, there just aren't any players available at the positions you need, on the days you need them.
Double-headers are another tool for a manager to use to pick up games played. It's up to the manager to keep on top of rainouts and determine when makeup days are scheduled. I'll pick up a copy of Baseball Weekly, (or visit their website), occasionally JUST to stay on top of these days. In 2001, I picked up a dead team at the break, which was already over 60 games behind pace in the outfield. So, I was constantly using the waiver wire to make up games. I even picked up Roger Cedeno for a one-day stint, because he was appearing in a double-header. He ended up producing 25 points for me that day.
So, my #1 piece of advice for a novice fantasy point manager, is to keep track of your games played.
Of course, all the above has been directed toward the offensive slots. Games played at starting pitcher (SP) and relief pitcher (RP) are equally critical. Relief pitching is probably the least appreciated fantasy area. As such, it often gets short shrift on proper management. It is unique in having only 140 games available per season, and like catcher, requires at least two players in order to attain maximum games available.
Typically, two reliable closers will get very close to the 140 game limit. One may need to get a third closer to get the last 5-10 games. A common approach is to carry three closers in the first half of the season, and get ahead on games played for RPs. Then, before the trade deadline, trade a closer for an upgrade to another position. This isn't a bad approach at all, though there are no guarantees that anyone will trade, so it does carry some risk.
Occasionally, if you have particularly bad closers, a manager may be tempted to grab a middle reliever who has recently notched a few wins. This is a BAD idea. The BEST middle relief guys will get a win every 8th or 9th start, while the worst closer will still get a save every 3rd outing. While middle relief guys can occasionally hold value in ROTO leagues, only the wildest stroke of luck will make them even remotely valuable in FP leagues.
Still, while it is important to max out your RP starts, it is important to keep your per game average as high as possible with each RP game you use. So, you'll be better off taking a closer in a "committee" rather than nabbing a middle reliever.
For starting pitchers, the biggest mistake is burning through starts too quickly, and as a result, sending your per game average into the crapper. If your SP average is up near 20, sure, burn starts as fast as you want. But, if your SP numbers are suffering, my recommendation is to REDUCE your SP usage, concentrating on playing only your best 2-3 pitchers, in order to get your SP average up. At the same time, pay attention to the lesser pitchers on your staff and try and identify patterns of when or where they tend to pitch better. (Home/Road is my #1 indicator, since most teams, and lots of pitchers have noticeable skews upward at home).
Many novice managers will fixate on FP totals and burn their SPs up in order to stay atop the standings. Unfortunately, they learn too late that when they've reached their 162 game limit in July, that they're completely screwed for the rest of the season. FP average is the critical point to watch with SPs. So, while keeping up to or ahead of pace for hitting games is a priority, NOT burning starts too quickly is the key to successful management of your starting pitchers. Truthfully, starting pitching management requires a great deal of effort, but that will be covered later in another article.
AVERAGES
It is important for the novice player to understand the difficulties in comparing FP/game averages in a reasonable manner. With starting pitchers throwing only about every 5th day, while hitters play every day, and closers getting action just under every other game, looking at FP averages is truly comparing apples to oranges to pears.
The simplest way to compare is using total FPs. While not perfect, it's a reasonable place to start comparisons. Another adjustment to consider is multiplying a position players average by 5 in order to compare to an SP. Doubling an RP average will get you close to a comparable SP. But, these are all just ways to get you on *roughly* the same scale.
Truthfully, top pitchers will outpoint top position players, which makes them extra valuable. But, after the first 3-5 pitchers, comparisons of total FPs are generally pretty close when considering top players and mid-level players. But with the flexibility of being able to freely pick and choose when to start or sit SPs, the listed FP average for SPs can be deceptive, as it is possible (and actually common) to cull a higher average out of starting pitchers than what is listed by benching them in situations where they are likely to lose or perform badly, (like pitching in Coors or in Yankee stadium, etc.).
One must also remember that averages are just that - and daily fluctuations are simply part of the game. EVERY pitcher, including aces like Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling WILL have off days. Slumps and streaks are common in baseball, and no player is immune from them. The novice player often panics when a solid performer slumps, and makes the mistake of waiving away star players. Sadly, it is a common mistake to forget there is an option between playing a player and waiving him. If you have good players with solid histories, BENCH them, don't waive them casually. Occasionally, a star player will have a really bad season - but in the vast majority of cases star players make adjustments and pull out of slumps. The only cases where I'd be prone to waiving a proven star is when he is playing through a nagging injury - back injuries especially.
Ultimately, the combo of FP average, games played, and relative value is in large part fluid, and dependant on what is occuring during a particular season. But player histories are *generally* reliable yardsticks, and total fantasy points remains the sole factor in determining whether you win your league or not.