Before his remarkable Cy Young performance last season, R.A. Dickey spent two seasons as an efficient, middle-of-the-road starter for the Mets. He was 19-22 with a stellar 3.08 ERA and 238 strikeouts. There was no way to tell he was about to win 20 games, have a 2.73 ERA or strikeout 230. Heck, it’s hard to believe Nostradamus, The Amazing Kreskin or Miss Cleo would have predicted that one.
Before last season, fantasy owners looked at Dickey as a solid sleeper — a guy who showed he could win a few games and keep his ERA relatively low while pitching for a mediocre team. He was the type of pitcher you took in the mid-to-late rounds because he added depth and balance to your fantasy team.
Now, he is considered a bona fide ace who, at 38 years old, is going to be drafted far too early because of what he did last year (expectations should be tempered, even with a solid rotation and lineup around him).
This, however, is the trick to winning a fantasy title: finding value for your roster. You have to find the young up-and-comers to be daily fixtures in your lineup, as well as players to stash on your bench until their call up to the bigs. You have to find the one-time All-Star coming off a down year, and the savvy veteran who puts up consistent numbers. You have to find the pitcher who will win a game for you every fifth day, as well as the unheralded closer ready to save the day. At the same time, you must steer clear of the over-hyped players who never seem to live up to expectations, or those coming off major injuries or unrepeatable career years.
Here is The Post¹s quick hit guide to the 2013 season:
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Tons of young talent atop the fantasy ranks this season, starting with Mike Trout (Angels) and Bryce Harper (Nationals). But, there’s also room in the outfield for the Braves’ Justin Upton and Jason Heyward, Baltimore’s Adam Jones and Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton. Freddie Freeman (Braves), Anthony Rizzo (Cubs), Paul Goldschmidt (D’backs) and Ike Davis (Mets) will provide some power from the first base side, while youngsters Mike Moustakas (Royals) and Brett Lawrie (Blue Jays) are exciting options at third. Young catchers like 22-year-old Salvador Perez (Royals), Wilin Rosario (Rockies) and former Yankees prospect Jesus Montero (Mariners) should offer solid fantasy value as well. Matt Harvey (Mets) and Jordan Zimmermann (Nationals) will add great depth to any rotation.
BACK TO EARTH
Dickey won’t be the only one to see his numbers return to the level of mere mortals. Gio Gonzalez (Nationals) will still put up strong numbers, but another 21 wins may be pushing it. Don’t expect another 17-win season from Chris Sale (White Sox), but he’ll still be a solid contributor. Feel comfortable having Edwin Encarnacion (Blue Jays), but another 42 homers may not be in the cards. Where’d Chase Headley (Padres) come from in 2012? Don¹t know? Neither do we, and we¹d be shocked if he hit 31 homers or drove in 115 again.
ON THE MEND
Two-time Cy Young award-winner Tim Lincecum (Giants) should bounce back from an off year, as should one-time All-Star Ricky Romero (Blue Jays). Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox) should be ready to wreak havoc, but doubt he’ll be posting anything near those 2011 power numbers. Kansas City’s 23-year-old first baseman Eric Hosmer should bounce back from a disastrous sophomore year. Ryan Howard (Phillies) may not be the same guy who hit 58 homers and drove in 149 runs in 2006, but with an Achilles injury and broken toe behind him, he¹s still valuable.
VETERAN¹S DAY
Nick Swisher (Indians) is as steady as he is underappreciated in terms of fantasy production. Adam LaRoche (Nationals) and Michael Morse (Mariners) provide power and won’t kill your team’s batting average. Alfonso Soriano (Cubs) may be getting older, but he still has something to offer, as will Kevin Youkilis while batting in the middle of the Yankees’ ailing lineup.
Garrett Jones (Pirates), Paul Konerko (White Sox), Martin Prado (D’backs), Josh Willingham (Twins) and Torii Hunter (Tigers) will also provide depth and production — as they always seem to do.
STASH ¹EM
Zack Wheeler (Mets) has tons of upside and should stashed on your roster instead of picking up the likes of Adam Dunn or Mark Reynolds who will give you a homer here or a homer there and kill your team’s batting average. You can also stash the Yankees’ lineup (Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter) because they’ll eventually come back and contribute. Oh, and if you want Alex Rodriguez to feel wanted, take a late flier on him, too (but drop him when someone better comes along).
jwilk@nypost.com