And I never had any trouble trading a Paul O'Neill or Tino Martinez type for a pretty good starter. There was always a team or two that thought they were one RBI guy from gaining 2 or 3 points. The main reason I switched strategies last year was to try something different. And to throw some of my opponents off who were on to my strategy and determined not to trade me pitching at the break. Now of course, nothing is foolproof.
Some pitchers are worse in the second half.
But it is easier to identify who is having a good year as the season goes on. The downside is you have to pay more for a Fassero or Kenny Rogers after they are 7-3 with a 3.00 ERA than you would at the draft. However, if you know your hitters then you'll have enough to be successful. I always draft a premier guy and a medium priced closer. But even if my few starters went bad in the first half.