ChiCubsFan

Or I could just trade Johan and get Liriano/McCarthy/LaRoche

Same league, but I got a new offer I'd be giving up Johan Santana and Mark Prior and I'd get Rich Harden, Brandon McCarthy, and Francisco Liriano. Once again, this is a dynasty league.

Which one would you rather have in a keeper league? Prior or Buehrle?

I was at the game so I probably didn't have as good of a view as everyone else, but he seemed to be getting squeezed a little bit. It seemed like there were a lot of close pitches that didn't go his way. Particularly that first inning walk to Pujols that led to the 2 run homer by Rolen. But it could just be my Cubs bias and not having a great view (although I was right behind home plate and not too many rows up). Either way, I think he pitched real well, and I'm excited to see how he does the next time out. I think Dusty pulling him when he did was the right move. If that Pujols hit was a few more feet up the middle, we get out of the inning without giving up any runs.

The good thing is we have a very deep bullpen, which we haven't had in past years. Last year, for instance, Wuertz was thrown out there day after day and it started to show. This year Dempster has so far thrown the most and he's thrown 4 innings. There are a ton of relievers around the league at or above 4 innings. But you are right, the starters need to go deeper. In 5 games so far, the bullpen has pitched 18.2 innings. That's too much. I think once we get our guys back from the DL (Prior, Wood, Miller) and they get healthy, we'll have our starters going deep into games. I really like how the bullpen has looked so far. Eyre-2.2 IP, 0ER Howry-3.1IP, 0ER Williamson-3.1IP, 1ER Dempster-4.0IP, 0ER Wuertz-0.2, 0ER Williams-3.0IP, 2ER Ohman-1.2IP, 0ER Total: 18.2IP, 3 ER. If you take out Williams (because he really isn't a middle reliever) you get 15.2IP with only 1 ER. That's about a .57 ERA. Even if you include Williams our bullpen is at a 1.45 ERA.

If it's a keeper league, most definately. If it's not..tough choice, depends on the rest of your lineup. I have two keeper leagues, but unfortunately this league is not one. I have Freel to take Kent's spot. And my starting pitching is very questionable outside of Santana (Blanton, Clement, Lowe, Bush, Washburn, Madson). I accepted the deal, but I'm starting to have doubts. If Freel was an everyday starter (like he should be) I would probably have no problem doing it. And outside of the 2b position my lineup is V. Martinez, Morneau/Wilkerson, Renteria, Aramis, Alou, Burrell, Lane, Hafner. 16 team league. He'll probably be starting at second full time by May. I wouldnt worry. Which one did you give up, Clement or Lowe? Im guessing Clement. I actually gave up Lowe. I rate them pretty similar, with a slight edge going to Clement because I expect him to win more games and have a higher K/9ip. Its a weekly changes league so neither of them will probably be in once Prior is back.

If it's a keeper league, most definately. If it's not..tough choice, depends on the rest of your lineup. I have two keeper leagues, but unfortunately this league is not one. I have Freel to take Kent's spot. And my starting pitching is very questionable outside of Santana (Blanton, Clement, Lowe, Bush, Washburn, Madson). I accepted the deal, but I'm starting to have doubts. If Freel was an everyday starter (like he should be) I would probably have no problem doing it. And outside of the 2b position my lineup is V. Martinez, Morneau/Wilkerson, Renteria, Aramis, Alou, Burrell, Lane, Hafner. 16 team league.

That said...would you do the following deal: I'd be getting Felix and Prior and giving up Kent and Clement OR Lowe (whichever I chose)

What else do the Cards have to offer beyond Reyes? They're farm system is even more shallow than ours is. We've got some arms and a few really good position prospects. Aside from Reyes and Wainright, all of them are a few years away, but guys like Chris Lambert, Mark McCormick, Colby Rasmus, Tyler Greene, Stuart Pomeranz could be considered potential star prospects. Unfortunately, any trade for Cabrera would almost certainly completely deplete our system which is just now starting to become respectable. The Cardinals have nothing beside Reyes that I think would interest the Marlins. They have 1 prospect in the top 100 (according to BA and every top 100 list I've seen this year) and thats Reyes. Reyes is good but the Cardinals definitely don't have enough to get Cabrera. I think a team like the Angels could make a good run at him if they wanted. Howie Kendrick would be a good start.

How??? Probably drafted minor leauge players as well.

Well obviously Mauer is better than Barrett, but you aren't going to get much for Barrett but you will for Mauer. Because of that, I'd probably trade Mauer. You can probably get a stud pitcher or outfielder or whatever it is you need. I think that is more valuable than the difference in stats you'd be getting from keeping Mauer over Barrett.

Here we go again...

Hmm, ok, what about either cinci catcher, mccann, torrealba, or navarro? Looks like theres no pitching available. Navarro and McCann are taken. If you are talking about Javier Valentin as the cinci catcher...I already have him. And Torrealba is availabe but on the 15 day DL. Valentin should be fairly productive if he is given enough playing time, but he is 31 so thats why I was interested in getting McCann. What I really need is young hitting, preferably outfield. It's just everyone in this league is taken. Which is why the trade for Mench and Gonzlaes was so intriguing. I did decline it though because, as you said, I couldnt afford to lose Santana.

FA's that are have me thinking... David DeJesus Todd Walker Conor Jackson Juan Rivera Jorge Piedra Brian McCaan Ryan Doumit Scott Baker Brian Bannister (is he even on yahoo?) Bannister is not on yahoo.

I'd probably keep an eye on Cotts and Burgos and drop Molina or Casey if Cotts becomes closer or Burgos looks good in the role.

Well Bonderman would replace him, although nowhere near as well. I have a ton of minor league prospects on the way (Anibal Sanchez, Jon Lester, Mike Pelfrey, Colin Balester, Chris Volstad, Aaron Thompson) plus Guzman and Marshall. I'm thinking of not doing it, but Bonderman has the potential to be an ace and I could really use the offense of Mench in the OF/UTIL and McCann at catcher. Plus, Gonzales is a top 50 prospect who is compared by BA to Carlos Beltran when he's on...a little bit slower but a little bit better hitter. Just wanted to list the reasons why I'm even considering it. Well it will definitely be suicide for this year. Bonderman (even though hes still very young) is just one of those guys that has not lived up to his potential and although he gets to pitch half his games in Comerica, he unfortunately has to pitch all of his games for the Tigers who are a fairly inept organizaton. I'd wait until bonderman actually starts to realize his potential to start considering the trade. Your OF is thin, but you should look to backfill it with prospects who have a better chance of realizing their potential and staying healthy than you pitching prospects. Mench isnt a huge improvement anyway. In the counter offer I would upgrade from Mench to one of the other guy's better OFs. I really like McCann, but there are a lot of catching prospects about to hit the bigs, look to pick some one up there if theres any one available. Yeah, I understand what you're saying. The only problem is there isn't anyone to pick up. It's a deep league with very knowledgable owners. I probably will turn it down for now though. Making that trade would complete kill the slight chance I have to squeak into the playoffs. But seriously this league is crazy. If you can think of any deep sleepers that might be available please let me know. All the guys like Brazelton, Gavin Floyd, Dave Bush, etc. who are young and had great springs have been taken. I have room to pick someone up because I just put Hampton on the DL, but there's nobody even worth picking up. Well if youre looking for starting pitching and Heilman and Liriano (I know, not starters now) arent available, what about Bannister or Baker? If your looking for a catcher what about Doumit? Baker, Bannister, Doumit, Heilman, and Liriano are all taken.

Well Bonderman would replace him, although nowhere near as well. I have a ton of minor league prospects on the way (Anibal Sanchez, Jon Lester, Mike Pelfrey, Colin Balester, Chris Volstad, Aaron Thompson) plus Guzman and Marshall. I'm thinking of not doing it, but Bonderman has the potential to be an ace and I could really use the offense of Mench in the OF/UTIL and McCann at catcher. Plus, Gonzales is a top 50 prospect who is compared by BA to Carlos Beltran when he's on...a little bit slower but a little bit better hitter. Just wanted to list the reasons why I'm even considering it. Well it will definitely be suicide for this year. Bonderman (even though hes still very young) is just one of those guys that has not lived up to his potential and although he gets to pitch half his games in Comerica, he unfortunately has to pitch all of his games for the Tigers who are a fairly inept organizaton. I'd wait until bonderman actually starts to realize his potential to start considering the trade. Your OF is thin, but you should look to backfill it with prospects who have a better chance of realizing their potential and staying healthy than you pitching prospects. Mench isnt a huge improvement anyway. In the counter offer I would upgrade from Mench to one of the other guy's better OFs. I really like McCann, but there are a lot of catching prospects about to hit the bigs, look to pick some one up there if theres any one available. Yeah, I understand what you're saying. The only problem is there isn't anyone to pick up. It's a deep league with very knowledgable owners. I probably will turn it down for now though. Making that trade would complete kill the slight chance I have to squeak into the playoffs. But seriously this league is crazy. If you can think of any deep sleepers that might be available please let me know. All the guys like Brazelton, Gavin Floyd, Dave Bush, etc. who are young and had great springs have been taken. I have room to pick someone up because I just put Hampton on the DL, but there's nobody even worth picking up.

Well Bonderman would replace him, although nowhere near as well. I have a ton of minor league prospects on the way (Anibal Sanchez, Jon Lester, Mike Pelfrey, Colin Balester, Chris Volstad, Aaron Thompson) plus Guzman and Marshall. I'm thinking of not doing it, but Bonderman has the potential to be an ace and I could really use the offense of Mench in the OF/UTIL and McCann at catcher. Plus, Gonzales is a top 50 prospect who is compared by BA to Carlos Beltran when he's on...a little bit slower but a little bit better hitter. Just wanted to list the reasons why I'm even considering it.

Need some help on this one. It's an 18 team dynasty league. Meaning you keep all your players. Offer is I would get: McCann, Bonderman, Mench, and Carlos Gonzalez (OF prospect from the DBacks) for Frank Thomas, Johan Santana, and Rafael Soriano Here's my team: C-Lieberthal 1b-Nick Johnson 2b-Giles SS-Peralta 3b-Ensberg IF-Walker LF-Holliday CF-Sullivan RF-Pena Util-Thomas Bench-Patterson Bench-S. Drew Bench-Catalanotto Bench-J. Valentin Bench-A. Boone SP-J. Santana SP-M. Buehrle SP-Prior RP-Dempster RP-D. Wheeler RP-Crain P-R. Soriano P-Benoit P-M. Maroth Bench-Hermanson Bench-Jerome Williams Bench-J. Benoit Bench-Randy Wolf Bench-Mike Hampton Should I do it?

Aardsma was VERY impressive.

He is available because the guy dropped him thinking he didn't need him. He does have two other good 1Bs though but it was a mistake to drop him no doubt. I have 2nd waiver priority so we'll see what happens. I am guaranteed John Patterson or Howard though so we'll see. Wow. I've got a logjam at 1st too, but at least deal the guy for something. Good for you at any rate. Leagues like that are boring. I hate being in fantasy leagues with idiots. John Patterson and Ryan Howard should not be anywhere near waivers unless you are playing in a 4 man leauge.

jealous much I think he's serious. That's not a good team for a 10 team league. Are you serious? I'm pretty pleased with the starters all around, moved Wilkerson for Carlos Guillen. The OF might be a little unproven with Gomes, but productive outfielders come up from the minors all the time if he busts. I'll post the final roster after some waiver claims go through (if they do). Nomar and Polanco have no buisness of being a starter in a 10 team league. Nomar you can MAYBE make a case for at SS, but you better have a backup plan. Your relief pitching is horrible, but I don't like drafting top-notch closers high so having bad relief pitching doesn't really bother me much. Zambrano and Peavy are a nice 1-2 combination. Zach Duke has been getting lit up this spring, but last season he was very impressive. Sabathia is pretty good and Weaver has a ton of potential to be good, so you should be alright with your starting pitching. It's definitely not a great team. Probably somewhere middle of the pack.

Is this a 40 team keeper league? Hahaha. I have seen Figgins go in the second round in a 16 team league and Reyes early in the 3rd in the same leauge. A lot of people value stolen bases a lot and Figgins and Reyes qualify at difficult positions to fill (2b and ss respectively). I don't value guys like this too much, but a lot of people do. If I were you, I'd take the best all around hitter now and wait a few rounds to grab guys like Peralta, Lopez, Weeks, and Cantu for your middle infield.

Out of those I'd probably go with Felix and Lopez.

Just so you know, Furcal suffered back spasms tonight. I wouldn't trade Tejada that quickly. I probably still would. Your offense is fine without a stud shortstop. I'm sure there's a decent option at SS availabe. If you can get a top starter, I'd do it no matter what.