You know that ringing sound you keep hearing in your head every time you look at your fantasy football roster these days?
It’s the sound of the trading bell.
Yes, it’s time to take those great late-round draft picks and early-season waivers you snapped up for trade bait and drop them into the water.
Week 8 is approaching and with some heavy fantasy hitters taking time off in the next several weeks, including the Colts, Rams and Bengals, you’re probably looking to fill some holes – and quick.
In most leagues, there are the haves and the have-nots. And trades are the way to level the playing field a little, even if both sides believe they got a good deal.
If one team has three great running backs, but can only start two, it should look to move one in order to fill a bigger void elsewhere on the roster.
Now, while every fantasy player should try to get as much value out of a trade as possible, it’s important for the integrity of the league and the game that you strive to keep trades fair.
In other words, do just go out and devour some helpless rookie just because you think you can.
At the same time, it’s important to remember that not all trades have to include a marquee player from each side, or players from specific positions.
For example, if you’re particularly weak at tight end and receiver, but you have a solid third running back, you could send the running back off for an upgrade at tight end and defense.
Every league’s scoring system is different, but never underestimate the points you can get from the tight end and defense positions.
Points are points and you should try to find them wherever you can get them.
It’s also important to offer realistic trades to other players in your league in order to be taken seriously.
While you’re ultimately trying to get the best deal for yourself that you can, you should be able to step back and look at the trade and make a solid case for why it’s a good deal for both players.
The first thing to do is keep all options open. Just like in the draft, you don’t want to necessarily target a specific player, but rather a specific level of player.
If there’s only one player you’ve got your eye on and that player’s owner won’t give him up, then you’re left with nothing. But if you can be flexible and open your eyes to more trading options, you’ll end up happier and you’ll probably find the right deal.
And always remember the buy-low-sell-high rule. You can probably get much less for Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez now than ever before, but that also means that you could get him in a trade for less than ever.
Ones to watch
* Jaguars running back Fred Taylor faces a horrible Rams rush defense. Some players might be hesitant to start him upon returning from his injury, but if you do, you’ll be rewarded.
* Bucs quarterback Chris Simms gets the starting nod with Brian Griese out for the season. What better way for a young QB to ease his way into the NFL than by facing the 49ers and their horrid pass defense? Look for Simms to use the opportunity to get acclimated to his new job and to his receiving corps.
* Saints receiver Az-Zahir Hakim’s great run may dwindle this week as Joe Horn is expected to return. Lots of fantasy players may have missed the short boat ride entirely, but look for Horn to make his presence known right away.
* Redskins tight end Chris Cooley has quietly put together a solid fantasy season. Look for the quick hits to keep on coming as Washington visits the New York Giants.
Columnist Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
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