Alright, so let me tell you about my Nolan Arenado fantasy baseball journey. It’s been a rollercoaster, man.
The Draft: High Hopes
First off, draft day. I was aiming for a solid third baseman, and Arenado’s name popped up. I remembered his years with the Rockies and the Cardinals, and he’s always been a beast – power, good average, plays every day. I snagged him in the third round, felt like a steal at the time. I was pumped! Thought I had my cornerstone at 3B for the entire season.
Early Season Struggles: Panic Mode
Then the season started. And… Arenado was ice cold. Like, batting .220 with no homers cold. I started to sweat. Everyone else in my league was bragging about their hot hitters, and my big third-round pick was a dud. I started second-guessing everything. Was he injured? Was he just washed up? Should I try to trade him? I was seriously considering offering him for pennies on the dollar just to get something back.
The Bench Experiment: A Tough Decision
I benched him for a week. It hurt, honestly. You don’t bench a guy like Arenado, right? But I had to do something. I picked up some random waiver wire guy who was on a hot streak and plugged him in at third. Guess what? The waiver wire guy actually produced! Arenado sat on my bench, collecting dust and mocking me with his potential.
The Turnaround: Patience Pays Off
Then, slowly but surely, Arenado started to heat up. A double here, a homer there. His average crept up. Suddenly, he looked like the Arenado I drafted. I plugged him back into my lineup, and he didn’t disappoint. He went on a tear for like two weeks straight, hitting bombs and driving in runs like it was nothing.
The Trade Bait Temptation: Almost Blew It
His hot streak got me thinking again – maybe I should trade him while his value is high? I put out some feelers, got a couple of decent offers. But then I thought about it. I needed a solid third baseman, and Arenado, even with his early struggles, was still my best option. So I decided to hold. Thank God I did.
Late Season Surge: Playoff Bound
The rest of the season, Arenado was consistent. Not always spectacular, but always solid. He hit for average, knocked in runs, and played good defense (which doesn’t matter in fantasy, but it’s nice to know he’s doing his job). He was a key piece in my run to the playoffs. I made it to the championship game, and even though I lost (damn you, injuries!), Arenado played well. He went 2-for-4 with a homer in the final game.
The Lesson Learned: Ride or Die
So, what’s the takeaway from my Nolan Arenado fantasy experience? Patience, man. Don’t panic after a slow start. Sometimes, even the best players go through slumps. Stick with your guys, especially the ones you drafted high. And remember, fantasy baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. You gotta ride the waves, both good and bad. Next year, I’m drafting him again. Maybe.
