Do You Believe in Papi? Three Options For Fantasy Owners

With David Ortiz's struggles seemingly coming to a head with his benching for the weekend series at the Mariners after an 0-for-7 day at the plate on Thursday, even the most loyal or willingly blind fantasy owner has to accept that Ortiz is no longer "Big Papi."

Now, that said, what is the next step as an Ortiz owner?

There are three reasonable options an owner can take:

1. Trade him, and trade him now. Get the first semi-usable arm or bat anyone will part with, and just wash your hands of him.

2. Bench him and wait until he hits even one home run, then immediately try and get someone to believe that it's the start of many and trade him at a higher value.

3.  Bench him, and when he hits that first home run, be that guy who believes it's the start of many to come and just put him back in your lineup.

I think the answer can be any of the three. Ortiz could still end up hitting 20 homers this year, or he could still end up with the big doughnut. 

Waiting for the first glimpse of a hot streak could just leave you making an emotionally devastating waiver wire addition of Tim Wakefield for a two start week and dropping Ortiz to the wind.

The strategically optimal option is to do research in your particular league, and see who in your league is A.) a Boston fan and/or B.) drafted big names at high prices (Krod, Manny, Joe Mauer). 

Someone who fits these categories might still be willing to give something resembling value for your early mid-round pick.

Ideally, shoot for some other woefully under-performing player who could potentially give returns that would be considered useful. (Scott Kazmir coming off another stinker of a performance on May 15 comes to mind.)

Even trying for potential studs who have no real stat line yet like David Price, Matt Wieters, Tommy Hanson, or the currently streaking (but hammy-tweaking) Adam Jones could be a smart move. 

Just don't be settling for a no-upside player that will barely be rosterable...at least not yet.

At least that is what I would shoot for this week.

Without some major incident, Ortiz still will get his shots to succeed.  Boston needs him. But if he ends up losing his starting DH role, you don't want to be the one left holding the bag.