It’s time to feast on the least

BASEBALL still may be frontand-center, but the rest of the sporting world is waking up from its short, offseason slumber.

NFL minicamps are in full-swing, the NBA kicked into high gear with its draft and a flurry of trades, the NHL just opened its doors to Las Vegas with its first expansion draft in 17 years. Thanks to the growth of the daily fantasy sports industry, the WNBA is picking up a head of steam.

With an array of distractions, those near the bottom of your fantasy baseball standings are looking for a way out, and it is time to start treating them like prey rather than competition.

Though the All-Star break is considered the midpoint of the MLB season, half of your league likely already has decided there is no second half for them. Their teams have underperformed, injuries are too tough to overcome, and an attempt to move from 10th to first seems like far too much work. It is time to be extra-aggressive on the trade front.

Preying on the “have-nots” in your league is a race. You have to be the first to reignite their interest and make them feel like they’re still a part of the league, rather than just a farm team you’re about to pick clean.

It is easier in keeper leagues. Just hype up next year and dangle a marquee name you’re willing to lose. They’ll be more than happy to hand over their productive supporting cast.

For redraft leagues, it requires more savvy. You need to play a mental game. Pit the have-nots against your competition. If your league know-it-all is in contention, prey on their desire to watch him fail. If it is a family league, key in on sibling rivalry. Everyone has a competitive edge. You just need to find the right way to exploit it without appearing collusive.

Your season may be half over, but your f ight to win has just begun. September call-ups will be a big help down the road, but aggressive trading now is vital. Win the race to pilfer the rosters of the have-nots, and you’ll win the race to bring home the title.