Keeper Conundrums: Requests, Part Two
During the Keeper Conundrum series, I got some nice suggestions in the comments. Today, I continue my look at some of your ideas.
Travis Snider
Snider made some nice strides on the field this year, but he had a hard time staying in the lineup. He improved his contact rate, started to hit lots of liners, and still showed us that he can hit for power. He’s really young (will be 23 next season), and I think he’ll continue to get better next year.
Crude 2011 Projection: .265/.335, 24 HR
Verdict: Keep. I don’t know if he plays a full season, but I’m not banking on it. He’s a nice risk to take, and a good piece to keep in your possession.
Jay Bruce
I thought he was going to hit 30+ homers this season, as did most people, and his ADP reflected that. He ended up doing pretty well for himself, and a big August and September will drive his value up once again. He has the potential to consistently hit 30 bombs, but please remember that he’s only 23 at the moment.
Crude 2011 Projection: .275/.365, 30 HR
Verdict: Keep. He’s only a year or two from putting it all together and getting picked in the third or fourth round.
Desmond Jennings
Everyone thinks that he’ll be handed the LF job once Crawford signs elsewhere this winter, and there’s no reason to think otherwise. His value comes down to how you think he’ll adjust to major league pitching, because we know he can run if he just reaches base.
Crude 2011 Projection: .270/.340, 5 HR, 30 SB
Verdict: Keep. Personally, I don’t like keeping guys just for steals, but I’m not going to let my prejudice tell dictate my response here.
Andre Ethier
The Dodgers outfielder started out hot, but had some injury troubles and cooled off later in the year. He still ended the year with over 20 bombs, a good average and respectable counting stats. He’s right in the middle of his peak, so now’s the time to own him.
Crude 2011 Projection: .290/.365, 28 HR, 5 SB
Verdict: Keep. Odds are that you got him in the seventh round, and that price is right. It’s no bargain, but you’re not overpaying.
Thanks for all the suggestions this week, and check back tomorrow for part three of your requests.
Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.
assuming jayson werth goes to an AL team, and thus a potenial avg dip, is trading him for jay bruce a worthwhile thought? Or should i aim for andrew mccutchen, or if possible a package to get shin-soo choo
I’d aim higher than Bruce, but if that’s all you can get, it’s still a good deal.
ethier for bruce?
You might want to hold off on Choo until we know for sure that South Korea won’t be stealing him back for 2 years.
I’d go for McCutchen if the other owner would do that trade. A fair amount of talent yet to be tapped, and the age is right. A new manager might even produce a lineup capable of maximizing McCutchen’s talent. Then again, maybe not.