New Tips And Triks For You

Raul Ibanez, who has gotten plenty of playing time with the Mariners, might see that greatly reduced if he ends up getting traded to a contender. (Photo: Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights In 'only' formats, go ahead and spend the majority of your FAAB on players switching leagues Remember that players' roles and lineup spots will likely change in their new environments Trades will also have a trickle-down effect on playing time for both teams

For a major league general manager, the last week before the trade deadline is a time of hyper-vigilance. No roster is left unexamined, no idea left unexplored, as a GM tries to improve for the stretch run or rebuild for the future.

As fantasy owners, we need to follow the lead of these real GMs and be thorough, aggressive and smart with how we react to the real-life wheeling and dealing.

In that light, here are a few principles to guide you as the deals begin to go down.

1. In AL- and NL-only leagues, use the bulk of your remaining FAAB or your top waiver claim on players who join your league pool.

Yes, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and injured Carl Crawford got through waivers last August, but those really were the exceptions. The rule is July 31 will be the last date when a proven fantasy difference-maker will make an appearance in your player pool. New players after Aug. 1 generally will be minor league call-ups, who might or might not be ready to contribute.

FREE NEWSLETTER: BaseballHQ.com analysis every Friday 2. Remember that traded players' roles can change.

Not only is this the last influx of talent, but with 10 weeks left in the season, players picked up at each successive weekly transaction deadline will offer 10% fewer counting stats and have 10% less impact on the qualitative categories.

Tossed about in this year's rumor mill are a few closers who might not be if they are dealt. Names in this category include Francisco Rodriguez and Jose Veras. Even Glen Perkins, who has been excellent for the Minnesota Twins, could be no more than the lefty half of a one-two punch if traded to the Boston Red Sox or Detroit Tigers.

This is an issue not just for closers. Raul Ibanez is getting fairly regular playing time for the Seattle Mariners but might become a bench bat on a contender.

3. While role changes are important, don't forget park factors and lineup effects.

If you own these players, you should be formulating a backup plan. It might mean rostering the next pitcher in line at the back of a bullpen or acquiring a player to offset the potential loss of Ibanez's power.

Speaking of Ibanez, he has hit twice as many home runs (16) in the recently friendlier confines of Safeco Field than he has on the road. He might well end up in a new park just as conducive to left-handed power, but it's always best to check.

Counting on power to go with speed from Alex Rios? It will be harder to come by almost anywhere other than U.S. Cellular Field, and the San Francisco Giants' AT&T Park would be a particularly challenging new home.

Of course, park effects work the other way, too. Watch where rumored trade chip Bud Norris ends up. Norris doesn't pitch in an overly helpful environment now. But a move to the Texas Rangers, for instance, would pose additional challenges.

4. Don't forget that trades will also have a trickle-down effect on playing time.

As for lineup effects, Rios couldn't help but have more run-scoring and RBI opportunities in a different lineup. Likewise, Norris' win total is bound to get a boost from the better run support he'd have on a playoff contender.

While most analysis will focus on the players in new places after a deadline deal, some of the more important fantasy commodities will be the ones left behind.

Leading this group are the closers-in-waiting. Some, such as Jim Henderson, Rodriguez's tag-team partner on the Milwaukee Brewers, have already been scooped up by forward-thinking owners. But other situations are murky enough to provide a late-breaking opportunity:

Jared Burton of the Twins has long been considered Perkins' second-in-command, but spring struggles led to an early July demotion to lower-leverage situations. Meanwhile, a surprisingly robust strikeout rate has propelled Casey Fien to a bigger role, which likely positions him ahead of Burton - at least for the time being.

Chicago Cubs reliever Pedro Strop was part of the Scott Feldman trade with the Baltimore Orioles, but he has exhibited better control with his new team and might be the best of a bad remaining lot if Kevin Gregg is dealt.

Jose Cisnero had been mentioned as a possible successor to Veras earlier in the season with the Houston Astros. He has stumbled a bit of late, but a team in the Astros' position might allow the 24-year-old to take his lumps while trying out the closer's role.

If the Philadelphia Phillies somehow found a taker for Jonathan Papelbon, Antonio Bastardo would likely step in, despite his left-handedness and a significant dip in his strikeout rate.

The hitters being bandied about as trade candidates would open up playing time, too. Twins outfielder-first baseman Chris Colabello is a player to watch if Justin Morneau is traded. He is having a monster season with ClassAAA Rochester (N.Y.): .354 average, 1.084 on-base-plus-slugging percentage and 24 homers in 322 at-bats.

If Rios leaves the Chicago White Sox, owners might want to gamble on Jordan Danks or Casper Wells.

5. With all of the above, it's also possible many of the rumored trades won't happen.

In Seattle, a trade of Kendrys Morales or Ibanez would open up enough at-bats to allow Dustin Ackley to continue to play, even after Michael Morse returns from the disabled list.

Flexibility is paramount. There are factors that make deadline deals less likely these days. The added wild card in each league keeps more teams in contention, resulting in fewer sellers. Teams have also begun clinging more tightly to prospects and young players in order to keep their budgets in line.

Kris Olson writes for BaseballHQ.com, a USA TODAY Sports Media Group property

While there are always surprises, fantasy owners can at least take comfort in the fact that their championship quest is unlikely to be derailed, or even seriously disrupted, by a deadline deal.