It’s time for our annual question at this point of the season:
The All Star break is approaching. What are your plans on and off the field?
Seth Trachtman (SethRoto.com, Yardbarker, @sethroto): The break is a great time to reassess and recharge. We’re not quite to the home stretch in leagues, but there’s time to research what categories and positions need fixing on my teams and also get away from the grind for a few days so that I’m ready to put in the effort for the second half.
Joe Orrico (Fantasy Pros, @JoeOrrico99): The week will be a nice break for me, as someone who does daily write-ups recapping the slate, but I’m also going to take the opportunity to thoroughly assess each one of my teams and figure out which leagues need more attention than others. I’m also going to spend the week updating all of my rankings while there is a bit of calm. So essentially, a break but still a strong focus on fantasy.
Doug Dennis (BaseballHQ, @dougdennis41): I like having a static week to assess categories and see if I can find win/win trades and incrementally improve teams. I use the time also to catch up on MLB team news, injuries, lineups, their trades, their view of their chances, things that can have an impact on how they deploy their players the rest of the season. Off the field, so to speak, I often buy my flight and reserve my room for Baseball HQ’s Arizona Fall League First Pitch Symposium at the end of October. Gives me something to look forward to once the season ends and it starts getting cold. 🙂
Sara Sanchez (bleedcubbieblue.com, @BCB_Sara): I’m going to take a look at my teams and try to strategize. But I’m also going to use the time to reevaluate some of the assumptions that I need to change going forward. One example I’m already pondering a bit (that we just talked about on the most recent episode of Fantasy Feud) is how to adapt to the offensive environment in the second half. What that might look like strategy and player wise. I’m also going to sit by the pool and drink some rosé because that’s why God invented pools and July.
Larry Schechter (Winning Fantasy Baseball, @LarrySchechter): Great time to start my fantasy football prep. While Scott Fish bowl has been drafting and many others drafting best ball team, etc. I haven’t looked at anything yet
Tim McLeod (Prospect361, @RunTMcP361): The MLB Draft will be my principle focus and with a weaker draft class there should be plenty of surprises. Does an Aussie go off-the board first? I’ll probably skip the All-Star game and being that Robbie has determined that the future of the game isn’t worthy of a full game, also the Futures Game. I really should catch up on some chores but if I cut the lawn, it will only grow back making even more work. It’ll be covered in snow in another couple months anyway.
Greg Jewett (The Athletic, @gjewett9): Take one mental health day off. Note where teams can move in the standings and map out how to maximize FAAB the rest of the way. Last, focus on the trade deadline; for my niche, it’s a potentially volatile time covering closers with so many reliever names being floated, but moves are dependent on the standings a week ahead of the trade deadline.
Frank Stampfl (SportsGrid, RotoExperts, @Roto_Frank): Business as usual. We’ll still be putting out daily podcasts next week with a bit of a different spin because of the All-Star break.
Steve Gardner (USA TODAY Sports, @SteveAGardner): (In addition to listening to Frank’s podcasts) I’ll be checking out my teams’ strengths/weaknesses and trying to figure out what trades I can make to get in position for a solid second-half run. With numbers staying the same for a few days, it allows more time for analysis AND trade talks with other managers in my leagues. I’ll definitely be watching the Futures Game, the HR Derby and the All-Star Game because I’m still a baseball fan at heart — even when the games don’t count in the fantasy standings.
Michael Govier (Pallazzo Podcast, @mjgovier): I am going to dive fully into the MLB Draft on Sunday night with my pal Rogelio Castillo. Then I am going to review all of my 16 teams one by one to determine what chances I have left if any of winning or placing at all in each league. I have been looking forward to the ASB to take stock of my teams for possible trades which the break is good for giving me time to dissect my competitors rosters. I don’t need to be twisting my butt deeper into my office chair with FAAB analysis & so on. Hopefully outside of this review I will be able to start working on fantasy football analysis. It never ends! And I’ll tell you this, compared to other jobs I’ve worked in my life, this one takes the cake! If my biggest complaint is spending too much time with fantasy sports research, then that’s just fine by me. Enjoy the break!
CJ Kaltenbach (Fantasy Guru, @TheSeigeDFS): Looking at the closers most likely to move and get aggressive getting their potential replacements on the bench. I typically don’t hold a spec on my bench which is aggressive, but this is the time of year I need to clear out a roster spot or two to do that in case one of my guys moves from a closer role to a set-up role. After that, just tracking categories of need and prospects that will get the call up that could help that process. Other than that, it’s gladiator drafting season!
Phil Hertz (Baseball HQ, @prhz50): . On Wednesday, I’ll take a look at my teams and see which strategies to implement going forward. Until then, I might look at a couple of innings or the derby, but this is my time to chill
Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Fantasy Sports, @Scott_Pianowski): Football prep. Golf. Poker. Reading. Walking the dog. Rewatching old movies, looking at some new documentaries. Life.
Sky Dombroske (Fantistics Insider Baseball, @SkyDombroske): The extra day they added to the break a few years ago is a godsend for me, as I’m frequently getting a little burned out by this time of year with my crazy spring/early summer schedule. I’ll probably take 2-3 of the 4 days and not pay attention to baseball at all, and then use the last day and a half to set my expectations for each of my teams in the second half and start planning acquisitions to take them in the desired directions.
Corbin Young (Baseball HQ, Rotowire, @corbin_young21): Summer vacation, so taking trips to Hawaii to see family and friends. Football work, plus regular baseball, beaches, eating, and enjoying the time. Regarding my fantasy teams, looking to attack categories the team is deficient in, and paying attention to closer movement since I need saves in most leagues.
Rick Wolf (SiriusXM Fantasy, @RickWolf1): For Tout Wars, we need to vigilant. Holding onto 1st place can be harder than charging at it from 3rd or 4th. We will look at all the categories, track faab bids of other players and decide what that one trade that needs to be made is to solidify things. This year, it might be a closer so we will start adding those second closers where the rumor is that the current closer will be traded. Off the field, it is prepare for the FSGA Summer Conference starting on the 21st and hitting the gym and pool everyday next week. Cheers folks!
Fred Zinkie (Yahoo/Rotowire, @FredZinkieMLB): I will spend a bit of time assessing each of my rosters. Trying to develop a post-break plan for them. And I’ll continue to ramp up fantasy football prep.
Ryan Boyer (Rotowire, Baseball Prospectus, @RyanPBoyer): I’ll be taking a little vacation with the family. Driving six hours each way with a four- and six-year-old in the car. Wish me luck. As far as “on the field” goes, part of this time of the year, much like it is with real teams, is an honest evaluation of whether to buy or sell in your keeper/dynasty leagues. It’s looking like a mix of both for me this year across all my leagues.
Mike Podhorzer (Fangraphs, @MikePodhorzer): The ASB really gives me a chance to breathe. No more stressing about which reliever is going to blow my starting pitcher’s win or which offense is going to decide not to score enough runs to put my starting pitcher’s team ahead when he departs the game! It’s a welcome mental break, which also gives me the opportunity to really analyze my roster’s strengths and weaknesses to prepare for the final two and a half months.
D.J. Short (NBC Sports, @djshort): As we all know, the MLB schedule is unrelenting. For redraft teams, it gives you a little bit more time to think of how to catch up in certain categories, but the real interesting part is taking stock of dynasty/keeper teams and deciding whether to go for it or reload for next season. It’s probably my most active time in terms of making trades. Off the field, I’m going to be spending a lot of time thinking about Rotoworld/NBC’s strategy for football season. Fantasy never ends! (And that’s a good thing)
Ariel Cohen (CBS Sports, @ATCNY): Off the field – We will right in the thick of our softball seasons, so that will continue! As far as fantasy – going to do some category scouting to see where I need to focus the team on – then look for some trade possibilities in all of my teams. ASB is a great time to do that! Then, of course, I’ll watch our hometown boy Pete try to win another HR Derby, and root for the NL in the ASG !
Todd Zola (Mastersball, @toddzola): I’ve been putting it off long enough, I’ll use the break to plan my rebuild (hopefully retool) in a couple of keeper leagues. That said, I’ll be doing in Las Vegas, hanging with my Rotowire brethren on the company outing. I’d rather it be in Cape Cod where we can all go and take in some Cape Cod league action (my usual ASB activity), but I’ll be a company man and head to Vegas instead.
Ryan Bloomfield (BaseballHQ, @RyanBHQ): My favorite video game is back! I’ll be playing EA Sports College Football 25, which comes out Tuesday after an 11-year hiatus. Also, two episodes of the Bubba and the Bloom podcast, looking at preseason ADP vs. year-to-date Rank by position. Check us out!
Nick Pollack (Pitcher List, @PitcherList): Taking a moment to reflect on the first half to take notes for the off-season. We can forget about trends and understandings of success when looking at the full season marks at the end of the year and having a flag post to remind us of our convictions can go a long way!
Rob Leibowitz (Rotoheaven, @rob_leibowitz): Probably spending way too much time on OOTP to notice there was an All-Star break and maybe take the family camping. My team is coming around a little after crashing following our hot start. Patience on with the kiddos like Keith is starting to pay off, so it’s time to assess and make a push via the trade market.
Ryan Hallam (Fighting Chance Fantasy, @FightingChance): Definitely going to see what moves can be made to improve fantasy teams, enjoying the home run derby, and also taking some time away to recharge for the home stretch!
Zach Steinhorn (Steinhorn’s Universe on Substack, @zachsteinhorn): I’ve found the All-Star break to be an ideal time to make trades. At this point, you should know your team’s strengths and weaknesses and which category improvements would result in the largest roto point gain. A big part of the trade negotiation challenge is that player market values can change daily based on performance, so it’s easy to get cold feet. This can be frustrating for both managers. With no new games to complicate our thinking, it’s a lot easier to make clear and rational decisions.
Howard Bender (Fantasy Alarm, @RotoBuzzGuy): As a multi-sport “athlete” there is no down time. I can appreciate limiting all MLB talk to potential trades to bolster the second half, but we’ve got fantasy football work to do!
Joe Gallina (Fantasy Alarm, @joegallina): I plan to evaluate my fantasy baseball rosters’ weaknesses and strengths, plan out what moves I need to make to improve my fantasy teams, watch the HR derby, and do some heavy-duty fantasy football prep.
Michael A. Stein (Fantasy Judgment, @FantasyJudgment): I plan on assessing my teams’ needs and plotting out potential trade targets. I’ll also continue roasting in the 90+ degree heat and humidity that is almost as hot as our New York Mets.
Dave Adler (Baseball HQ, @daveadler01): Well, gotta watch the Futures Game (looks like it will be on TV this year! Woohoo!) on Saturday and draft on Sunday. Then, ignoring the boring HR Derby, I’ll assess the second-half projections of my squad and look for free agent or trade candidates who might make a good match.
Patrick Davitt (BaseballHQ, @patrickdavitt): Mourn a couple of my disaster teams, assess the others for opportunities, do the BaseballHQ Radio ASB roundtable with Todd and Ray, go to the pool and drink … well, not rosé, but something. Might watch the game.
MIke Gianella (Baseball Prospectus, @): In Tout in particular, look for stashes since it’s a short week. In other leagues, make sure I don’t have SP in there who aren’t going during the short week and put relievers in if I can. Off the field, I’d like to get some non-baseball writing done (I’ve been saying this for two months now)
Vlad Sedler (FTN Fantasy, @rotogut): Take a much-needed break from box scores and analysis. Get refreshed to finish the roto season strong.
Andy Andres (BaseballHQ, @sabermetrics101): Going on a road trip to let my mind wander, and then use Thursday to take a good hard look at my roster and available free agents.
Scott Swanay (FantasyBaseballSherpa, @fantasy_sherpa): Spending time with our cute kitten, Nero, whom we just adopted from our local SPCA last weekend. Photos available upon request.
Lauren Auerbach (Fantrax, @lkauerbach): I like the mid-season breather, as it allows me to recharge and reassess my teams. I also catch up on baseball articles and podcasts that I’ve yet to get to. Off the field, I’ll be kicking off the ASB by seeing the Savannah Bananas and then spending the week prepping for our upcoming kitchen renovation. Fun and stressy!
Andy Behrens (Yahoo Fantasy Sports, @andybehrens): Well, I’ve got some work to do. It’s a great week to FAAB some prospects and shop for trades.
Matt Cederholm (Baseball HQ, @TheBigHurtHQ): In keeper leagues, it’s a good point to look at where you are and change course if needed. in redrafts like Tout, I’m starting to think about attacking/defending specific categories instead of just looking for the best players.
Jeff Zimmerman (Fangraphs, @jeffwzimmerman): Knock off a few studies I haven’t had time for during the regular season. Also, do dive on everyone rostered and see if any need to hit the waiver wire.
Anthony Aniano (Rotoballer, @AAnianoFantasy): Take a short break from stats, sports, and baseball. Walk away from the computer and enjoy
Eric Cross (Rotoballer, @EricCross04): This is something that should be done throughout the season in general, but I’ll definitely be taking an even closer look at where my teams need upgrades, both for redraft and dynasty. And since a good chunk of my content is dynasty and prospect focused, I’ll be busy with the MLB draft as well. As for outside baseball, I’m taking advantage of the nice weather and doing things outside with my two kids.
Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire, @JeffBoggis): Come to the realization that I won’t be winning my tout league this season but won’t quit trying to move up in the league standings. Completing the Scott Fish Bowl #SFB fantasy football league draft which is now in the 18th round. And if anyone needs a fantasy football draft preparation spreadsheet, please take a look at http://FantasyFootballEmpire.com (shameless plug).
Peter Kreutzer (Rotoman.substack.com, @kroyte): I will spend time trying to fix my pitching problem (1 qualitative point so far), though mostly I need to make better roster decisions week by week. If that turns out to be true, and Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and Braxton Garrett are effective in the second half, I’ll have more time this week for corn on the cob.
Adam Ronis (SiriusXM Fantasy, @AdamRonis): Football prep and work on potential trades for my baseball rosters.
Chris Clegg (Pitcher List, @RotoClegg): The All Star break is a nice time to recoup, but for me, it’s all MLB Draft content and writeups. After those are complete it will be time to assess fantasy teams and what categories I can make jumps in by using the waiver wire or making trades. After the break, im heading to Florida to cover prospects in the Florida Complex and Florida State Leagues.