Well, it’s official. The fantasy baseball preseason has begun. Why would I make such a claim, you may ask? In the past week, I’ve had two trade proposals thrown my way (in a keeper league obviously). The interesting thing about these trade proposals is that they both involve two pitchers that were heavily discussed during the MLB winter meetings: Danny Haren (I still like to call him Danny), and Erik Bedard. What makes these proposals so interesting is that it brings to light a quandary that I have every baseball preseason: Do you try to trade your players before Spring Training starts?
Let’s take a look at both players and their situations:
Dan(ny) Haren: I believe that Haren was in a rather unique situation. The two strongest rumors (before he was traded) had him going to either the Yankees or the Diamondbacks. In either case, he would be leaving a very pitcher-friendly ballpark and heading to two hitting havens. Where these two rumors differ, however, is that with the Yankees, Haren would be facing the mighty bats of the AL East while with the D-Backs, Haren would be facing the likes of the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants (all strong pitchers parks).
Here’s a quick synopsis:
Haren – Yankees: Wins up, ERA and Whip rise slightly, and potential K’s slightly down.
Haren – D-Backs: Wins up, K’s up slightly, ERA and Whip slightly rise.
Either way you look at it, the potential trade to either team is about a wash with both being better than his current situation. Now, eventually, Haren was traded to the D-Backs for a slew of prospects. Was I thrilled? No. Was I bumming? No. I didn’t really care either way as I believe it really didn’t affect his value too dramatically. If you put my feet to the fire, I would say his value increased slightly.
Erik Bedard: I am all for Erik Bedard being traded. He has put up stellar numbers (when healthy) even though his team resides in the hitting-friendly AL East. Could you imagine what would happen if he left the AL East and pitched in a pitchers park like Shea Stadium or Dodger Stadium (two of the stronger trade rumors)? His K’s would go up markedly. His wins would almost have to go up by default and his ERA and Whip would most certainly fall as well. This is a win-win situation for any Bedard owners. With that being said, however, he is still very much keeper-worthy pitching in the AL East as he has proven he can pitch there.
What is the point? My point is that you need to take every player on a case-by-case basis. Personally, I plan on hanging onto both of these players because I believe that they both will have stellar years. Also, I don’t like to trade players before the start of spring training. I like to know the situations of all my players going into the season before I start trying to peddle them.
e mërkurë, 19 dhjetor 2007
e martë, 25 shtator 2007
Heroes and Villians
With one week left in the MLB season, I’d like to acknowledge two different groups of players:
Villians:
Richie Sexson: When I thought I was buying low on you, I didn’t realize that I was buying high.
Chad Tracy: You’re the Lucy to my Charlie Brown. “Seriously, this time he’s really gonna break out and I’ll make a laughing stock of the league.” ARRRGH!
Nick Punto: OK, OK, OK. I knew you’re weren’t going to hit .290 again. Or .280. Or .270. I seriously would have been happy with .250. But honestly, .210? “I’ll take Team Batting Average Destroyers for 100, Alex.”
Rondell White: My bad.
Andy Marte: “Now batting clean up in the AAAA All-Star Game…”
Cliff Lee: His name is Cliff, as in “His fantasy value fell off of a…”
My new fantasy heroes:
Fausto Carmona: Sounds like an associate of Tony Soprano, mows down hitters like he is.
Ian Kinsler: A poor man’s Chase Utley.
Erik Bedard: How do I love thee? Let me count the K’s…221 to be exact.
C.C. Sabathia: Should change his initials to C.Y. Sabathia, as in Cy Young.
Alan Embree: I think I read that Embree is French for “Saves shot in the arm”
Magglio Ordonez: It’s gotta be the hair!
Villians:
Richie Sexson: When I thought I was buying low on you, I didn’t realize that I was buying high.
Chad Tracy: You’re the Lucy to my Charlie Brown. “Seriously, this time he’s really gonna break out and I’ll make a laughing stock of the league.” ARRRGH!
Nick Punto: OK, OK, OK. I knew you’re weren’t going to hit .290 again. Or .280. Or .270. I seriously would have been happy with .250. But honestly, .210? “I’ll take Team Batting Average Destroyers for 100, Alex.”
Rondell White: My bad.
Andy Marte: “Now batting clean up in the AAAA All-Star Game…”
Cliff Lee: His name is Cliff, as in “His fantasy value fell off of a…”
My new fantasy heroes:
Fausto Carmona: Sounds like an associate of Tony Soprano, mows down hitters like he is.
Ian Kinsler: A poor man’s Chase Utley.
Erik Bedard: How do I love thee? Let me count the K’s…221 to be exact.
C.C. Sabathia: Should change his initials to C.Y. Sabathia, as in Cy Young.
Alan Embree: I think I read that Embree is French for “Saves shot in the arm”
Magglio Ordonez: It’s gotta be the hair!
e mërkurë, 8 gusht 2007
The Art of the Dump Trade
What two words in fantasy baseball can raise the ire of an owner more than any others?
DUMP TRADE.
It never fails.
This time of the year, it is darn near impossible to read any fantasy publication without seeing a complaint about a dump trade and “how to avoid them”. Are they truly avoidable? I don’t think so. There’s always some way around it. Do they bother me as much as most owners? Not in the slightest. Here’s why:
DISCLAIMER: Before I begin my reasoning, I should qualify this answer in saying that I am STRICTLY referring to keeper leagues. Dump trades serve NO purpose in non-keeper leagues and I don’t condone them in that situation.
Reason #1: The dumping team has potentially made itself better for next year. For example, I’m in a league this year where I realize that I won’t make the top 5, but have a pretty strong grip on 6th place (out of 14 teams). The second place team has been stuck in second now for the past number of weeks and can’t quite overtake #1. Recognizing this opportunity, I am making a play for one of his best players in Ryan Howard, by filling in the holes on his roster with high quality players, but only two that are truly keeper-worthy in Sabathia and Magglio. Am I dumping? Yes. Am I making my team better for next year? Very much so.
Reason #2: More often than not, the team who is on the receiving end of the dump trade is weakening their starting position in the next year. I would be willing to bet that if you were to take a historic look at the final standings of any keeper league, you would probably find the same group of teams at the top or near the top, year-in year-out. Dump trades may help sway this balance a little bit. You’d be surprised at what having one or two strong foundation-type players on your team can do for you.
Reason #3: It’s really fun to watch the teams at the top scramble. It’s like having one giant train of dominoes. Once one trade is made, it’s only a matter of time before the domino falls and the next team at the top makes a deal. Sometimes it can be quite entertaining as tempers flare and frustration levels kick in.
So as you can see, dump trades can actually be quite useful, beneficial to the league, and more often than not, quite entertaining. Now before I go, let me mention, however, that these trades do need to be monitored by the league. However, as long as the dumping team gets some value in return, I say let it be.
DUMP TRADE.
It never fails.
This time of the year, it is darn near impossible to read any fantasy publication without seeing a complaint about a dump trade and “how to avoid them”. Are they truly avoidable? I don’t think so. There’s always some way around it. Do they bother me as much as most owners? Not in the slightest. Here’s why:
DISCLAIMER: Before I begin my reasoning, I should qualify this answer in saying that I am STRICTLY referring to keeper leagues. Dump trades serve NO purpose in non-keeper leagues and I don’t condone them in that situation.
Reason #1: The dumping team has potentially made itself better for next year. For example, I’m in a league this year where I realize that I won’t make the top 5, but have a pretty strong grip on 6th place (out of 14 teams). The second place team has been stuck in second now for the past number of weeks and can’t quite overtake #1. Recognizing this opportunity, I am making a play for one of his best players in Ryan Howard, by filling in the holes on his roster with high quality players, but only two that are truly keeper-worthy in Sabathia and Magglio. Am I dumping? Yes. Am I making my team better for next year? Very much so.
Reason #2: More often than not, the team who is on the receiving end of the dump trade is weakening their starting position in the next year. I would be willing to bet that if you were to take a historic look at the final standings of any keeper league, you would probably find the same group of teams at the top or near the top, year-in year-out. Dump trades may help sway this balance a little bit. You’d be surprised at what having one or two strong foundation-type players on your team can do for you.
Reason #3: It’s really fun to watch the teams at the top scramble. It’s like having one giant train of dominoes. Once one trade is made, it’s only a matter of time before the domino falls and the next team at the top makes a deal. Sometimes it can be quite entertaining as tempers flare and frustration levels kick in.
So as you can see, dump trades can actually be quite useful, beneficial to the league, and more often than not, quite entertaining. Now before I go, let me mention, however, that these trades do need to be monitored by the league. However, as long as the dumping team gets some value in return, I say let it be.
e hënë, 16 korrik 2007
Eyes on the Prize
We all know this is the time of the year where most fantasy owners starting letting their gaze wander to football. As tempting as this may be, don’t fall prey to football siren’s song!
Now is the time to pay more attention to your team than ever as your league mates allow their fantasy baseball ships to crash into the football rocks. Realize this: the more other teams turn their focus to football, the more your baseball team will benefit. You may find yourself climbing the standings or distancing yourself from others at remarkable rate without your team having to overproduce! It’s a beautiful thing!
So put those blinders on and keep your eyes on the prize!
Now is the time to pay more attention to your team than ever as your league mates allow their fantasy baseball ships to crash into the football rocks. Realize this: the more other teams turn their focus to football, the more your baseball team will benefit. You may find yourself climbing the standings or distancing yourself from others at remarkable rate without your team having to overproduce! It’s a beautiful thing!
So put those blinders on and keep your eyes on the prize!
e mërkurë, 27 qershor 2007
It's not you, it's me
“It’s not you, it’s me.”
Most people don’t like hearing this ominous line coming from their significant other. However, how many times have we said it in fantasy baseball or had it said to us? Probably more than we care to admit. Unless you’ve got a heart as cold as the grinch, we’ve all acquired emotional attachments to a player or players on our teams that become borderline obsessive.
I’ll be the first to admit such attachments. You’re talking to a guy that held onto Mark Prior because of his “ridiculously high” ceiling and “flawless” mechanics through thick and thin (mostly thin). I shudder to think of the ridiculously good offers (Roy Halladay comes to mind) that I received for him, but the stars (and my ego) got in my eyes and I wanted to be the owner who drafted him and rode him to numerous fantasy baseball championships. Oops.
What I am trying to tell you is this:
I can almost guarantee that if you trade one of your favorite players or prized sleepers, he will NOT call you up, berate you for trading him away, and then go on a Ruthian power binge and light up the rest of the league to prove you wrong. If you get a good offer for one of “your guys”, take it. At the end of the season, you can still say that you couldn’t have won the league championship without his help.
Most people don’t like hearing this ominous line coming from their significant other. However, how many times have we said it in fantasy baseball or had it said to us? Probably more than we care to admit. Unless you’ve got a heart as cold as the grinch, we’ve all acquired emotional attachments to a player or players on our teams that become borderline obsessive.
I’ll be the first to admit such attachments. You’re talking to a guy that held onto Mark Prior because of his “ridiculously high” ceiling and “flawless” mechanics through thick and thin (mostly thin). I shudder to think of the ridiculously good offers (Roy Halladay comes to mind) that I received for him, but the stars (and my ego) got in my eyes and I wanted to be the owner who drafted him and rode him to numerous fantasy baseball championships. Oops.
What I am trying to tell you is this:
I can almost guarantee that if you trade one of your favorite players or prized sleepers, he will NOT call you up, berate you for trading him away, and then go on a Ruthian power binge and light up the rest of the league to prove you wrong. If you get a good offer for one of “your guys”, take it. At the end of the season, you can still say that you couldn’t have won the league championship without his help.
e enjte, 14 qershor 2007
Tricks of the Trade
If you ask me, (which I believe you are since you’re reading this article), it is imperative to make a few trades during the season in order to win your baseball league. Unless you’ve got Carnac-esque abilities and can avoid all injuries, suspensions, and down right lousy seasons with your draft, your roster will need to be tweaked via trades, waiver wire pick ups, or free agent acquisitions. Now don’t get me wrong, you can certainly find a few gems out there with the last two options. However, I believe that you can more accurately address your team needs by addressing them with well thought out, properly executed trades.
Now normally when you begin reading an article like this, you would expect the typical, buy-low, sell-high adages that you can find on any fantasy baseball website. And while this is a very important aspect of trading, I would like to give you a few other insights to trading that may help maximize your trade chances and value:
1. Patience is a virtue
More times than not, hounding a fellow owner about a potential trade will only a) annoy them to the point where they won’t want to trade with you… possibly ever or b) make yourself appear extremely desperate. Desperation is like blood in the water for many owners. As someone wise once said, “Patience is a virtue”. Just because an owner hasn’t returned your phone call or e-mail, it doesn’t mean they are not interested. Believe it or not, people do have lives that interfere with their fantasy baseball teams.
2. Don’t be Monte Hall
We are all guilty of it. Come on now, you can admit it. And if you can’t, denial is not just a river in Egypt my friend. We’ve all sent embarrassingly low-ball offers to our fellow owners. On very rare occasions, these trade offers get accepted and you feel like you’ve found a Honus Wagner baseball card at a garage sale for 25 cents. Let me strongly advise you against making this a habit. Every league has the one or two owners that nobody will deal with because they won’t make a deal unless they are clearly coming out of the deal smelling like a rose. Don’t be that owner.
3. Who can you trust?
Every once in a while it’s nice to get a little input on a deal from a fellow owner. My only advice to you on this is: be careful. Asking for advice from someone in your league can be a dangerous proposition. A few tips: 1. Do not ask the owner who’s neck-in-neck with you in the standings about whether you should or shouldn’t do a trade. The odds of getting a straight, genuine answer are about as good as Paris Hilton winning a spelling bee. 2. Don’t ask an owner who is close to you in a certain category on whether or not you should trade for a player that would help you pass him or her in that category. No good can come of this, I repeat; no good can come of this because, either a) he or she won’t give you a straight answer (see above), b) he or she may try to snipe the player you’re trying to acquire right from out under you or c) try to talk your potential trade partner out of the deal. None of these outcomes are beneficial.
So where do you get advice? There are numerous websites, such as this one, that can provide valuable insights on players, teams and trends. Ask your friends, unless they fit the description of section three above, and then proceed at your own risk. Finally, use your gut; you’d be surprised how often it will tell you the right answer!
Finally, as we’re entering the heart of the fantasy baseball season, the fantasy hot stove is heating up. Soon, trades will be flying around your league like airplanes at LaGuardia. Remembering these three trade etiquette tips may not guarantee a trade getting done, but they may be that extra little edge that may make or break a deal now or in the future.
Good luck and most importantly, have fun!!!
Now normally when you begin reading an article like this, you would expect the typical, buy-low, sell-high adages that you can find on any fantasy baseball website. And while this is a very important aspect of trading, I would like to give you a few other insights to trading that may help maximize your trade chances and value:
1. Patience is a virtue
More times than not, hounding a fellow owner about a potential trade will only a) annoy them to the point where they won’t want to trade with you… possibly ever or b) make yourself appear extremely desperate. Desperation is like blood in the water for many owners. As someone wise once said, “Patience is a virtue”. Just because an owner hasn’t returned your phone call or e-mail, it doesn’t mean they are not interested. Believe it or not, people do have lives that interfere with their fantasy baseball teams.
2. Don’t be Monte Hall
We are all guilty of it. Come on now, you can admit it. And if you can’t, denial is not just a river in Egypt my friend. We’ve all sent embarrassingly low-ball offers to our fellow owners. On very rare occasions, these trade offers get accepted and you feel like you’ve found a Honus Wagner baseball card at a garage sale for 25 cents. Let me strongly advise you against making this a habit. Every league has the one or two owners that nobody will deal with because they won’t make a deal unless they are clearly coming out of the deal smelling like a rose. Don’t be that owner.
3. Who can you trust?
Every once in a while it’s nice to get a little input on a deal from a fellow owner. My only advice to you on this is: be careful. Asking for advice from someone in your league can be a dangerous proposition. A few tips: 1. Do not ask the owner who’s neck-in-neck with you in the standings about whether you should or shouldn’t do a trade. The odds of getting a straight, genuine answer are about as good as Paris Hilton winning a spelling bee. 2. Don’t ask an owner who is close to you in a certain category on whether or not you should trade for a player that would help you pass him or her in that category. No good can come of this, I repeat; no good can come of this because, either a) he or she won’t give you a straight answer (see above), b) he or she may try to snipe the player you’re trying to acquire right from out under you or c) try to talk your potential trade partner out of the deal. None of these outcomes are beneficial.
So where do you get advice? There are numerous websites, such as this one, that can provide valuable insights on players, teams and trends. Ask your friends, unless they fit the description of section three above, and then proceed at your own risk. Finally, use your gut; you’d be surprised how often it will tell you the right answer!
Finally, as we’re entering the heart of the fantasy baseball season, the fantasy hot stove is heating up. Soon, trades will be flying around your league like airplanes at LaGuardia. Remembering these three trade etiquette tips may not guarantee a trade getting done, but they may be that extra little edge that may make or break a deal now or in the future.
Good luck and most importantly, have fun!!!
Abonohu te:
Postimet (Atom)