GMs ruin fantasy prospects

IF YOU find yourself still reading fantasy baseball columns during the month of September, you are looking for September call-ups who can provide the statistical boosts necessary to help get you into the winner’s circle.

But what if you were one of those savvy fantasy owners who had the foresight to prepare for such needs back in July? What if you smartly stashed a few top prospects only to have real-life GMs pull the rug right out from under you?

Where the heck is Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? Can somebody get Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins on the phone? Watching Guerrero slash .381/.437/.636 with 20 home runs across four minor league levels had fantasy owners salivating at the idea of his call-up, and there is no reason he shouldn’t be hitting dingers in the Rogers Centre right now.

The Blue Jays claimed they didn’t want to move Guerrero to the outfield, but third baseman Josh Donaldson was injured much of the season and was f inally dealt to Cleveland at the end of August. Still no Guerrero, though.

While we’re at it, let’s throw White Sox GM Rick Hahn under the bus as well. Why in the world are we not watching Eloy Jimenez destroying big league pitching right now? The 21-year old uberprospect has gone . 385/. 384/. 577 with 22 home runs between Double and Triple-A. Most clamored for Jimenez to jump from Double-A to the majors, but Hahn said that he needed some time at Triple-A. Well, after a dozen home runs in 211 at-bats, how much more did he need to warrant playing in September on the South Side?

Fantasy owners understand the concepts of arbitration clocks and Super-Two free-agent status. What we don’t understand is why our championship dreams have to suffer for no reason.

We’re not asking for these kids in May. We just want a late-season taste for a final push.