Ottoneu Tactics: Who To Arbitrate, Early Trade Thoughts

We’ll talk about two separate tactical topics today, because neither is really sufficient to carry a post by itself.

Which Owners To Target

In ottoneu allocation leagues, owners have $25 to distribute across 11 owners. You must spend at least $1 and no more than $3. In other words, you can assign $3 to between three and seven teams. How do you decide which teams to target with a couple extra bucks?

You can evenly distribute your cash by picking three teams for $3 and eight for $2. This seemingly communist approach is probably well suited for somebody who doesn’t see an obvious plan of attack. If you find yourself saying, “I don’t know what to do,” then do this.

Personally, I usually pick the seven teams I find most threatening and ding them for the maximum. What constitutes a threatening club? There are really two factors I track. Most obviously, who has a stacked roster? I’ve trumpeted my own keeper roster as an example of an ottoneu keeper gold mine. I expect a lot of money sent in my direction.

Another consideration is the quality of the owner. Chad Young has a bad habit of winning these shindigs. He happens to have a good keeper roster, but I’d find an excuse to send $3 his way even if he didn’t. I know he’s a threat even if he’s starting with a shaky foundation. There’s nothing wrong with looking beyond the roster when setting your allocations. Similarly, an owner could be in a good position for 2015, but if I know he’s the kind of guy who wanders off in July or overreacts to the first major injury, then I’ll go easy on him.

Really Expensive Trade Targets

While ottoneu owners aren’t allowed to trade until the end of arbitration, it’s probably a good idea to start thinking about trade season. The easiest players to plan around are those high priced superstars.

It’s usually pretty obvious if you’re buying or selling stars – your roster will tell you. My roster organizer says I have $187 guaranteed to 28 players. Functionally, it’s closer to $200 for 33. Either way, I’m in a position to add two or three of those expensive blue chippers.

If you’re a fellow buyer, you’ll want to maximize your leverage. Which means you’ll probably be setting your sights on those owners with top heavy rosters. If they currently have $500 worth of players, they’re going to have to cut a lot of guys. You might be able to snag a $60 Miguel Cabrera for a couple marginal $2 prospects. After all, two marginal prospects is better than a cut.

The first order of business as a buyer is to identify the supply and demand. Without trades, who has to cut keepable stars? How many owners can afford to acquire a stud? The answers to these questions will determine your aggression once trading season begins. More on that in a future episode.