Over the years my strategies have shifted, first it was not paying more than $10 for any pitcher and buying only high batting average guys, moving to spreading the risk over the entire team without paying more than $25 for any player, to buying up a position to drive up the price on less than worthy players, to deciding this is what I want my team to be and buying certain guys no matter the price.  

Last year I went in with yet a different strategy, and the approach and execution was almost flawless.  I was extremely happy with my team coming out of the auction, and for the first few weeks of the season for that matter, but then the injury bug hit.  These are not all of the DL names, but having a $25 Josh Johnson, $41 Ryan Zimmerman, $18 Adam LaRoche and eventually an $18 Jonathan Sanchez and $20 Pablo Sandoval all miss considerable time really hurt me – $173 of my $270 auction dollars had been on, or were on, the DL by July 1st.  

Basically the point I am trying to make is, don’t confuse the outcome with the decision.  I think how I approached and executed the auction was not a problem, what happened afterwards that was out of my control is what hurt me.  Honestly, the only bid that sticks out in my head now that I would have done differently was going more on what ended up being a $38 Matt Kemp.  If I had, I wouldn’t have had to overpay for Ryan Zimmerman, who was the “last man standing” among elite hitters at the time he was bid on.

My strategy last season had me spend high dollars on a core 5 or 6 offensive players, spend about $60 on 3 quality starters, buy a secure closer and fill in the rest with upside players that have a history of succeeding.  I am planning on doing the same this season, but the evolution of the National League player pool, along with the league’s keeper list, will make me tweak my strategy slightly.

If you like what you just read make sure to check out my previous article on my NL-Only team, and be on the lookout for my next few articles, which will touch on how the pitching rich, power deprived NL will play out in this year’s fantasy season.

Remember to check out our 2012 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, with Ranks, Auction Values, Expert Mock Draft and tons of articles. Click here to learn more or purchase.

Written by Nate Springfield exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Nate’s NL-Only expertise, and follow him on his journey for a title of the State House League in 2012.