Trading: Types of Traders
This is article seven in a seven-part series on fantasy trading. To read the introduction, click here.
If liked my preseason piece on the different types of owners, this is right up your alley.
The Sniper
The Sniper rarely makes an offer, but when he does, it’s dynamite. Reminds some of a cautious poker player, who must have a hand if he raises. He does his research, knows your team, and will always give you something to think about. If he offers a deal, he expects to get it done.
The Master of Propaganda
This trader also goes by his scientific name of “Das Goebbels”. Never offers a trade without writing at least a paragraph in the comments. Never includes any bad stats about the players he gives up, yet can always find the flaws in the players he is receiving.
The Gunner
Can’t go a day without studying an opponents roster looking for a trade opportunity. He’ll make an offer to every team when he wants to trade a player, and won’t stop until he gets a deal done. While he’ll annoy some, others will love him. Because of his willingness to deal, other owners may begin to give him first shot at players they are looking to deal.
The Con Artist
A deadly combination of The Gunner and The Master of Propaganda. Frequently tries to deal players if he finds out they’re injured before others do. His trades tend to get vetoed, and he always complains. His league mates hate him, but any new team won’t know any better. He’s been kicked out of countless keeper leagues, but dominates in newly formed public leagues.
The Mule
The most stubborn owner in the league. If he doesn’t like a deal, he will never make a counter-offer, instead forcing his counterpart to wonder where the deal went wrong. Playing the role of The Mule has shown to be a great negotiating technique when utilized properly.
The Counter-Attacker
Rarely initiates trade talks, electing to sit back and let others come to him. Once he receives an offer, he runs with it and tries to get a deal done. A combination of The Sniper and Counter-Attacker have been seen roaming the world at times, but are now only bred in captivity.
Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.
What’s the term for a guy who thinks his players should only be traded away for 1st rounders.
Example:
Back in 2008 I tried to get Chien Ming Wang from an owner in this league that’s been together for years. I forget what I offered but he countered saying he would only take Miguel Cabrera in return. His reasoning was that Wang had won 19 games the year before. I declined and shortly after Wang suffered the injury that effectively ended his career.
Other trade offers that I have made to him have met with similar results.
What’s the name of that guy?
His name is Jared.
For extra style points pick up every hot player off of waivers, hold onto them for a few weeks until their numbers look fantastic, and then shotgun trade requests for every teams currently struggling star. Make sure you include a closer in every offer.
This almost perfectly profiles my trading habit because I know:
A) the casual fantasy player is likely to succumb to gawdy stretches of performance that have the sabermetrically inclined screaming “sample size”
B) the casual fantasy player also overvalues saves. Come on, don’t tell me you would have felt comfortable rostering David Aardsma for all of 2009, even if he did pitch exceptionally. This season when someone that’s competing for saves in my roto league loser their best closer I’d be offering Lindstrom or some other closer perceptibly playing over their head for a high-ceiling BABIP victim.