Jan. 21, 2008 - Tips and basic hints for fantasy baseball, in alphabet form. Know the rules of engagement and what you should be looking for, with these 26 rules (there are 26 letters in the alphabet) of thumb.

Aa - Agents, the "free" ones. Home runs on your top 5 draft picks make things easy; good free agent hawking makes up for the mistakes you'll inevitably make.

Bb - Balance, key to winning in fantasy baseball. Good strategy can help you stockpile certain stat categories, but it's tough to win if you abandon others.

Cc - Championship, the obvious end goal. Fantasy baseball is a LONG season. If you're not successful, it's a whole lot harder to stay enthused.

Dd - Duds, you won't be perfect in your draft. Hit on more picks than you miss, manage well and compete for the championship regardless of a few bad choices.

Ee - Enthusiasm, have a good time while you play. Tip: Drafting and trading for players you actually like is a good first step.

Ff - Flukes, for some, it's more luck than skill. You can draft great, manage great and still not win; some less skilled managers just catch lightning in a bottle.

Gg - Gambling, I don't recommend it on fantasy sports. Maybe you're good and it's more investing than gambling, but you can turn into a junky when money's on the line.

Hh - Home runs, and the other power categories. Home run hitters drive in runs, score runs, and more and more are starting to steal bases. Focus on these offensive categories first.

Ii - Initiate, propose trades to get better. We like to give 2-for-1 or 3-for-2, where we upgrade core personnel and clear room for free agents.

Jj - Joke, most trade offers you get will be absurd. No leaguemates want to do a fair deal, and if they're making first contact, the offer will be decidedly in their favor.

Kk - Keepers, an element that gives leagues long-term value. Identify franchise players, harvest minor leaguers and rookies, and rebuild if you need - the closest you can get to managing a real team.

Ll - Losing, do it with grace. You need to be good AND have some things go your way to win, don't pout when one of the above doesn't happen.

Mm - Middle Infield, manage it wisely. The shortstop and second base positions can get thin quick, make sure you're stocked well enough to withstand injuries and poor play.

Nn - Notice, stay on top of current trends. There's an eb and flow to the way your players produce. If bench players and fringe starters are struggling, investigate possible alternatives.

Oo - Options, you want as many good players as possible. Sounds obvious, right? But outstanding depth gives you options to trade (i.e., you have 2 top-flight shortstops) and flexibility, should injuries strike.

Pp - Pitching, 2 things you should know. 1.) If there's a maximum number of starts, meet it. 2.) Take advantage of quality spot starters with good matchups.

Qq - Quest, know that it's a long road until season's end. From draft day until the postseason, there is six months of management. Lose interest for a couple of weeks, and you could permanently fall out of contention.

Rr - Relievers, make good use of them. Tip: Acquire 2 dominant closers with high strikeout rates and ultra low ERAs and WHIPs. There are plenty out there, and they don't cost much in a trade.

Ss - September, when some of the top minor leaguers are called up. An especially important time for keeper league managers, but big time talents hitting the waiver wire can help anyone down the stretch.

Tt - Timing, it's not just a matter of who you want, but when you get him. Pick up that key free agent - the player you know will do well - too soon, and you risk losing him if he gets cut. 

Uu - Untimely, there's never a convenient time for injuries. If bad luck strikes in the form of multiple injuries, don't panic. Swiftly make whatever tough decisions you need to keep your team afloat.

Vv - Vulture, stockpile closers. New closers are born throughout the season, swoop in and pick up any available. You can never have too many, whether blocking other managers from getting them or just building depth.

Ww - Wins, know the best way to obtain them. Strategies vary from league to league, be it managing a starts pace, maximizing your number of relievers, or picking up spot starters with favorable matchups.

Xx - Xeransis, dictionary definition: drying up. The free agency market can be shallow or deep throughout the year. Even through the "dry" times, keep in touch with who interests you and what they're doing.

Yy - Youth, impact youngsters often begin the year on the waiver wire. Rookies of the year, with good timing (see: "T") or unpredicted success, can be low-cost difference makers for your fantasy team.

Zz - Zeroes, 0-fer days aren't a good indicator of future success. Look for steady 1's in potential free agent pick-ups. Even if he has zero hits, good players walk, score and drive in runs with sac flies.