ottoneu: Early Trades and Strategy

In case you hadn’t heard, it’s officially the Hot Stove season in ottoneu Fantasy Baseball, so it’s time to start talking trades with other owners in your league. The FanGraphs Staff league is already buzzing with rumors and conjecture, but most of those have to do with what Eno is hiding under his hair. That aside, three trades have already been made, and I was proactive enough to be involved with two of them. Let’s take a look and talk strategy, shall we?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While I love Joey Votto like you wouldn’t believe, my team may just be better off without him, and Carson “Prose Master” Cistulli gets to reap the benefits.  I have Billy Butler to cover first base for a mere $17, and team Zach needs more overall talent than a singular star right now. Dominic Brown is a nice player, but he still needs at least half a season in the minors, and I’m not sure the Phillies are willing to trust him for another year. With the package I’m getting back, not only do I get immediate outfield and third base help that I desperately need, I get two young studs who could become mainstays of my roster in a few years. Miller may be in danger of the arbitration purge next season, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take.

Final Verdict
I think both of us win this deal. Cistulli uses his depth and available budget to obtain a star player, but I fill holes both immediately and in the future while getting some added payroll flexibility.

Strategy
Don’t be afraid to trade star players, even if they aren’t overly expensive. Sometimes the package you get back can help your team more than one player can. It’s hard to stomach, but sometimes getting rid of your best player is in your best interest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade talks with the great Mr. Robert Sanchez began before arbitration had come to a close. We first talked about Joey Votto, but we ended up going for less of a blockbuster deal. In Drew Stubbs, I feel like I’m getting a player who hasn’t quite reached his potential yet. He still strikes out too often, and he didn’t show all of his power ability last season. The fact that he plays in a big-time hitters park factored into the equation, as well. Even if he doesn’t break out next season, I’m still likely to get 750 points from the centerfielder, and while that’s nothing special, it’s a pretty solid floor for a player entering his age-27 season.

Getting rid of Heath Bell was an easy decision for me. Even though he’ll probably be returning to paradise in San Diego, he’s on the wrong side of 33 and last season’s K/9 decline scared me. I also have four closers and a setup man still on my roster, so Bell was extremely expendable.

Final Verdict
I’m quite sure I’m on the winning end of this trade, as I got the younger player who helps fill a hole in my roster. While Robert may be cutting $3 and getting a closer in a great ballpark, he could be severely disappointed by the results. Then again, Points on the Package still has a pretty good outfield, so this trade was more one of needs than betting on overall talent level.

Strategy
Obviously, you should look to trade players you may not value as much as other owners, and the easiest way to do that is to look at each team’s needs and surpluses. Look for players with average floors but high ceilings, as they can be great value adds if things go well, and they won’t end up killing you even if things don’t turn out rosy.