In a 12-team, mixed league I'm in, I've got several all right, but not great closers. They are Francisco Cordero, Trevor Hoffman, Chris Reitsma, Mike Gonzalez, Dan Miceli, and Joe Borowski. I would like to trade 2 or 3 of these guys for a better closer, like someone like Huston Street or Jason Isringhausen, but no one is taking my offers. Would anybody in their right mind take a three-for-one deal where they only get quantity over quality?
- Daniel
When you’re talking saves, you’re talking about the biggest pain to trade for in fantasy baseball. While steals are also hard to come by, it’s always tough to find anyone who is willing to deal closers.
However, the lost of relievers you have is pretty nice. Granted Miceli and Borowski probably won’t be considered closers for long, the rest of the guys should be able to rack up somewhere around 30 saves over the course of the season if they stay healthy. If it’s a matter of clearing up some space on your team, the best bet would be trying to move Hoffman and Gonzalez, if only because they have the closer spot on their teams locked down. Pay close attention to what happens with Cordero over the next couple weeks, he’s blown three saves already and Akinori Otsuka is waiting in the wings.
I have Eric Gagne and my DL list is full. Who of the following should I drop him for: Rafael Soriano, Scott Baker or Noah Lowry?
- Anthony
While the Dodgers have been optimistic about Gagne’s return this season, I just don’t see it. As of right now, he’s projected to return at the end of May, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Even then he’ll have to be handled with kiddy gloves.
If it’s a case in which you have to drop him, it depends on your needs. If you’re looking for more saves, Soriano is your man. He’ll probably be taking over the closer role in Seattle once Everyday Eddie finally gets yanked. JJ Putz might steal some saves, but Soriano will be the go-to-guy.
If you need a starter, the best pick between the other two is Lowry. He already has an established track record in the majors and could easily win 15 games for the Giants this season. Baker will take you through the normal ups and downs of being a rookie pitcher and Francisco Liriano (and fantasy players everywhere) is salivating at the prospect of taking over his spot in the rotation.
Its getting near that time when Roger Clemens is able to make a decision regarding the Astros (or, for that matter retirement, Yankees, Sox, etc). As for us in fantasyland, Do you recommend adding him, speculatively (where available). If so what would you say is his approximate value (in terms of an equal pitcher).
- Cid
The Rocket announced this week that he won’t be making a decision until the beginning of June, so don’t expect him back until the second half of the season. As for picking him up, if you’ve got the space to hold on to him for another month and it won’t hurt you, go for it. There are owners in several of my leagues that drafted Clemens and plan on keeping him until he finally comes back.
As for his value, one half of a season of Clemens might be better than a fill season of other pitchers. It’s not out of the question to think you’ll get 8-10 wins, 80-90 strikeouts and an ERA below 3.00.
While reports keep hinting that he’s going to retire, I think he’ll come back to the Astros. Their start has been too good for him to ignore and he has to realize that with him in the rotation, Houston has as good of a chance to win the NL Central as the Cardinals.
I've been offered two deals: I give: V. Wells; I get: Ichiro; I give: Derek Lee; I get: J. Peralta
Which one should I choose?
- David
It really depends on what you’re looking for.
If you can keep Lee on the DL with your team, I’d say do that and suck it up. But if you have an awful shortstop and can get Peralta, it wouldn’t hurt to pull the trigger as long as you have a viable backup at first base.
With the Wells-Ichiro trade, I would probably do it. The only thing you’ll lose is home runs and RBI, but if you’ve got power hitters on your team that will easily make up for the fact you’re greatly improving other categories such as steals, runs and batting average.
We use specific positions (LF, CF, RF) instead of OF. I've been playing Milton Bradley and Brad Wilkerson at RF, but getting a bit tired of it. Which RF should I play for the remainder of the season (esp. end of the season in a H2H league):Jeremy HermidaKevin MenchBrad HawpeWilkersonBradley
- Will
As of now, you can play the hot bat with Kevin Mench.
As for the length of the season, I’d go with Hawpe. He’s capable of hitting at least 20 home runs playing half his games at Coors and he actually has been hitting better away from Denver. There’s no knowing what you’ll get from Hermida or Wilkerson right now.
