General Managers don't sleep and work the telephones around the clock, major league players are wondering about their career destinations, minor leaguers are hoping the phone doesn't ring telling them they've been traded, and owners are calling their accountants to see how their payroll will be affected. But perhaps no one loses more sleep at the trade deadline than the fantasy baseball owners...myself included.

Of course, when drafting a team in March, or making a deal during the season, a player's contract status has to be evaluated, but let's face it...how many Manny Fantasy owners thought at the start of the season that Ramirez might actually be traded by the Red Sox (which seems plausible)? And though many fantasy owners had to know that players like Teixeira are in the final year of their MLB contract, it's difficult to pass up one of those players in favor of a first baseman like Doug Mientkiewicz. Then again, if a fantasy owner is in a "keeper" league, a player like Manny could have been won at auction years ago, making it even more painful to lose that player after a few years because of his contract status, or in Manny's case...a big mouth and even bigger ego.

Unfortunately for many fantasy owners, this week can make or break a season. If a team behind you has more free agent money to spend than you do, and a slugger like Manny Ramirez switches leagues, that owner can acquire Manny and change the entire outcome of the league results. Granted a smart fantasy owner would have that FA money available to use, but others use their free agent money wisely to find bargain players through out the entire season. A fantasy team's closer is often dealt to another MLB team as a set-up guy. Even if the pitcher doesn't switch leagues, this hits them hard in the saves category. That alone could determine an outcome to a fantasy league. And if a MLB team upgrades at a position, what becomes of the fantasy team who had the player who was being demoted due to the new acquisition. You can bet that Fernando Tatis fantasy owners (who must feel like they've hit paydirt) are hoping the Mets don't acquire a left-fielder.

There are some cases where an owner will be happy with the MLB trades that are made. Many Brandon Inge owners, for example, were thrilled to see Pudge dealt to the Yankees. But for every happy Fantasy owner, there is a sad one. Just ask Jose Molina owners who saw their catcher lose his starting job to Rodriguez. Other than auction/draft day itself, this week (trading deadline week) is the one that often decides the final standings in a fantasy league. (Although this year, AL fantasy owners were stung harder than usual when players like Sabbathia, Blanton, and Harden were dealt well before the trading deadline.)

So remember, that for every satisfied MLB General Manager that acquired a big bat for their lineup, there are thousands of fantasy owners who are angry. While real life fans are hoping their team can land that big time bat in their lineup, there are fantasy owners who are nervously awaiting to see if their players are dealt to another league, or being moved to the bench in favor of the new acquisition. While Marlins fans are hoping to reel in Manny, there are thousands of AL Fantasy owners hoping it falls through.

I feel for you Fantasy owners, as I too, am in the same boat. So, I can empathize with all of you Manny, Bay, Hermida, Street, Winn, Fuentes, Jacobs, Molina, Griffey, Dunn, Giles, Laird, Putz, and Ibanez owners. May the Fantasy Force be with you.



Court Adjourned!