Conquer trade fears

FEAR is something we are faced with every day. Fear of making a mistake, fear of saying the wrong thing, fear of the unknown.

Sometimes it keeps us safe, but it is also something that can hold us back in life. This is why we are told to face our fears, to conquer them.

As fear is prevalent in life, so too is it in fantasy baseball. Fear of losing. Fear of being ridiculed by your friends. That fear is what holds you back in this game, preventing you from making the trades you need to make.

How many times have you negotiated a deal and said you need to sleep on it before pulling the trigger? That’s fear. You drafted players with certain expectations. If they are slumping, you fear they will break out for your opposition. If they are performing well, you fear they will take their game to the next level and you’ll miss out on a breakout campaign. The emotion is understandable, but in this case, it is not keeping you out of harm’s way. It is holding you back.

Just ask the owner who turned down offers for Jason Kipnis while he was on the disabled list. Kipnis possesses the skills many owners covet and, despite a lengthy injury history, remains in high demand. But those who refused to trade him for fear that he eventually would break out are now suffering through a major slump that will take time to shake.

Owners of Ian Desmond are going through something similar. They’ve stashed him all month, and he has come out white-hot. Trade offers likely are piling up, but owners are afraid to let him go. But who knows how long this production will hold? Hot starts cool off quickly.

If a fellow owner is willing to pay a price similar to what you paid in drafting him early, why not make that deal if it helps your team? Desmond is 31 years old. Even factoring in Colorado, you’ve seen his ceiling.

Fear of losing a trade is common. But if you’re not seeking deals to help your team, that fear will guide you right to the middle of the pack. No risk, no reward. Face your fear. Make that trade.