Last week I advised you to create a list of potential replacements if someone leaves the league. This week, I'm advising potential replacements to turn down any last-minute offers to join a league.
Okay, so what gives? Isn't that counter-productive? Not really. Remember, I only care about one thing: Enhancing your fantasy experience this season. As a league member, you should have a short list of people you'd want in the league in case the unexpected happens. Because it happens so often you should probably expect it.
But as a fantasy free agent, I have to advise you to turn down those offers. They'll take up more of your time without adding much additional fun, and you won't be much of an asset to that league, anyway.
Maybe your cousin's wife has a brother who has a spot open in his work league. Maybe that guy you met at traffic school three years ago sends you a note on Facebook. Maybe your child's best friend has a dad who's starting a new league to see "what this fantasy football thing is all about." And you, being a knowledgeable football fan, top the list of owners they want to join them.
That's flattering, of course. And you might say to yourself, why not? It's not like you have to study all over again. You can probably walk into that league and be competitive. You'll spend a few minutes on the waiver wire each week, respond to trade offers and help them out. And maybe take home a little money in the process, or get another trophy for your mantle. Sounds great, right?
Sure. Except it isn't great. It's not coming from a desire to help out another league. It's the residual thrill you got at your draft or auction, rearing its ugly head for another shot. After weeks (maybe months) of speculation, discussion and preparation, you finally got to choose your roster in your main league. You got that quarterback you wanted, and your WR2 is looking more like a WR1. And if your RB3 pans out, you have a guy who can hedge against injury and be a formidable flex option. You did it! You have a team that could be a champion in a few months.
Or maybe it went a different way. It felt like you were one pick too late in every round. The guy you thought could wait a couple more rounds was snatched up early. That left you scrambling, and you reached for a player you don't even like. Every position seems like a reaction to what other owners did, rather than part of the strategy you had going in. If everything breaks right you'll be okay, but when does that ever happen?
Either way, you want to do it again. You either want to have the fun of building a winner, or a chance at redemption. And if somebody needs your help, why not indulge again? It's football season, after all. Isn't this what you were waiting for? Not really. An extra league full of people you don't know won't provide you with the same thrill of victory, or the agony of defeat (cue the skiing accident footage if you're old enough to remember ABC's "Wide World of Sports"). It's just a league of strangers, and an extra team that requires your attention.
If is was a great draft or a terrible draft, does it really matter? If you go 16-0 and win the league, or 2-12 and finish last, it won't make or break your fantasy season. And you know it. It will never be your main league, and you'll never really care about it. Once the fun of drafting is over, you're struck with another league. I know there are exceptions (there always are). Maybe a random league you join ends up being your favorite league years later. But the vast majority of the time, league number six doesn't add anything to your fantasy season. It just adds to your collection of leagues, and waters down your experience since you're probably starting and facing the same athletes across multiple leagues. You like Cam Newton here, and you hate him there. Joining doesn't make your season more fun. If anything, it will be less fun.
You're better off declining and sticking with the leagues you're already in. They're the ones you care about, and your season will depend on how you do there, anyway. You might get a few offers, and they might be tempting. But you don't need another draft. You need to work on the teams you have. Last minute leagues offer you nothing but extra work. Just say no.
Am I wrong? Are you a reliable last-minute replacement when a league needs you? Any good (or bad) stories about joining? Share your thoughts below.
Plus, here's the
"Wide World of Sports" intro. Enjoy.
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