As a supplemental piece to my article last week, fantasy owners should also take a look into players that pay off in the second half of the season.  If you have these types of players, obviously hang on to them.  These are the players that other owners in your league are undoubtedly frustrated with for not putting up the numbers they anticipated, especially if they are unaware that they are career second half performers.  Prey on these owners’ frustrations and buy these players low for a player on your team of overall lesser value, and you’ll give your team that needed second half boost to march to playoff glory. Here are three examples of star players that put up much better numbers in the second half of the season.

IKE DAVIS – 1B – NEW YORK METS

Ike Davis’ horrible start to 2012 was well documented and covered in the media.  By June 1^st he was hitting .179 with 5 home runs, and thanks to a powerful second half, wound up finishing with 32 home runs and 90 RBI.  In the early going this season, Davis is off to as bad of a start as last year, currently hitting .136 with 13 strikeouts in 44 at bats.  He will turn it around as the summer heats up, so my advice is to buy him low before June and reap the benefits for the rest of the summer.   There has to be someone on you roster you feel comfortable parting with in trade for watching this guy his 450 foot bombs for your squad.

CAREER SPLITS

2012

CHASE HEADLEY – 3B – SAN DIEGO PADRES

Chase Headley had a breakout season in 2012, smashing career highs (by a lot) in runs, home runs, RBI, slugging percentage, and OPS.  That career year vaulted him closer to the front of fantasy draft boards.  Excited owners were disappointed when he went down with a broken hand and missed the first three weeks of the season.  Now that he is back, they will expect immediate results to make up for missed time.  Don’t get me wrong, I anticipate Headley to play well before the break, but his career numbers, including his star year in 2012, show that you should try and pry him away before the break.

CAREER SPLITS

2012

JIMMY ROLLINS – SS – PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins is still a top of the line fantasy shortstop thanks to his annual 20+ home run and 30 steal potential. Although his batting average was lower in the second half of 2012, (“That little guy? Don’t worry about that little guy”), he hit 15 homeruns in 72 games, compared to only 8 in the first half. For his career he is known to light it up after the All Star break, and has plenty of memorable big home runs in September helping the Phillies to the postseason, which happens to be the same month he’ll help your fantasy team in the playoffs.

CAREER SPLITS

2012

These are just three examples of many second half performers that you should look into as the mid-season mark approaches.  Look at your team needs and then go get a deal done and reap the rewards.  You’ll help out your team and drive the selling team nuts when the player he drafted is taking you to the promise land in the second half.