FANTASY FOCUS:Still waiting for Mets’ Mr. Wright to right himself

Why did they vote Sanjaya off “American Idol”?

Why does David Wright of the New York Mets have just two home runs so far in the Major League Baseball season?

If the second question interests you more than the first, then you’re probably at the right place. It’s my first fantasy sports column for the Daily Pilot, and my goal is to hit it out of the park, just like John Rybarczyk swats homers for the Costa Mesa High baseball team.

All kidding aside, this column needs a local angle, and that’s where you, the fine folks of Newport-Mesa, come in. Please e-mail me with any fantasy sports questions, ideas or feedback. If you have a specific question about a player, a proposed trade or fantasy sports in general, include your first name, last initial and hometown so we can give you some pub.

That being said, here are my thoughts about some current issues around baseball, starting with Mr. Wright, who hasn’t really been that so far for his fantasy baseball owners.

Wright, who has hit 53 combined home runs over the last two years, had just one so far in 2007 before a three-run jack on Thursday. That’s obviously disappointing for a player who was selected in the first round in many drafts — also disappointing is his average, well below .300.

My advice is not to panic, though. Keep him and don’t entertain low-ball offers for the Mets’ third baseman.

Why? It’s early May! You can’t project full-season stats already. The same goes with the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, Ryan Howard of the Phillies, whose stats through Wednesday (.217, four home runs) weren’t exactly awe-inspiring.

I own both players in my league, and so the goings are currently tough. But if someone else in your league owns players like Wright or Howard and offers them to you at a discount, take it. During the dog days of summer, you’ll be grinning. The other owner, who you dumped Ian Kinsler on (yes, he’s a good talent, but I doubt he’ll keep up a 40-plus homer pace), won’t be as happy.

On the other side of the spectrum, there is Alex Rodriguez, whose 14 April home runs tied the Major League record. Yes, A-Rod has managed to turn the Yankee Stadium boos into cheers, but feel free to unload him if you have a stacked offense. His value can’t be higher than it is right now, so you should be able to get plenty of pitching help if you need it.

The “buy low, sell high” idea is pretty commonplace in fantasy sports, but many people abandon it when their team isn’t doing so hot. But again, it’s early May. If you drafted players like Howard and Wright, your team should soon start to climb up the standings.

If fantasy football is more your thing, last weekend’s NFL Draft gave you plenty to watch.

After some promoting of himself as worthy of the No. 1 overall pick, Brady Quinn instead dropped to No. 22. But he should still be a good fit in the Cleveland offense and someone to look for late in your fantasy draft come August.

Another guy who slipped down the draft boards nine years ago before the Vikings drafted him — receiver Randy Moss — is also a hot topic in fantasy sports. Moss was great for the Vikings but has been less so in his two years with the Oakland Raiders.

On Sunday, Moss was traded to the New England Patriots, and I predict a breakout year from him for three reasons: He is only 30 and should have plenty of production left; he knows that how he does with the Patriots will determine his legacy; and he now has Tom Brady throwing him passes instead of Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter.

I think Moss will return to being an elite receiver this season. Fantasy football drafts are months away, but it’s something to think about.

Let me have those e-mails about your leagues, and I’ll see you next week.