I'm in 2nd Place, just 1.5 behind. Any Suggestions?

[MyBallsIchiro]

I've been lurking here for awhile now and decided to register. I must admit there are a lot of knowledgeble Fantasy Baseball heads in here than most other forums. Its one of the most active forums as well. Good Website

Okay, so back to the subject. I am in standard yahoo 5x5 roto league (non-keeper). As I look at the standings the three categories I'm struggling at is HRs, Wins and ERA.

My team:

C Víctor Martínez
1B Lance Berkman
2B Chone Figgins
3B Ryan Braun
SS Hanley Ramírez
OF Carl Crawford
OF Magglio Ordóñez
OF Corey Hart
Util Adrián González
BN Mike Lowell
BN Édgar Rentería
BN Nick Swisher

Pitching

SP Erik Bedard
SP John Lackey
RP Al Reyes
RP Jeremy Guthrie
P Joe Borowski
P Joe Blanton
P Matt Capps
BN Brian Fuentes
BN Ian Snell
DL Chris Carpenter

Should I stay pat with this team or make some moves. I made one trade so far this season, I got Hanley for Abreu/Weathers. Other moves I made through FA. Any suggestions on improving my team? I already tried trading away Lowell and Renteria, but no one is biting. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

[FleshForFantasy]

I commend you on a most excellent hose-job on the Hanley trade.

The way your roster is constucted, I don't see a way you can improve much on HR's. Jack Cust might still be out there, but expect a bigtime slump soon.

If you can trade for better pitching, I would do so. Outside of the 1-2 of Berdard and Lackey, the staff seems a little "lacking," in the W's to play on a word. Is Yovani Gallardo still on the WW? It's doubtful, but that might be a guy.

If you can get a Red Sox fan to bite on a Lowell trade, or figure out a way to upgrade a touch on the starters, then I think you might just have to stand pat. Being 1.5 back at the start of the ASG is a pretty good place to be, and unless the guy in front of you is that much better, you still have a good shot to win if you stand pat.

Help? :: viewtopic.php?t=304860

[MyBallsIchiro]

Yeah gallardo is available in my league. Idk, isn't he going to the bullpen though? Any of these pitchers worth a pick up?

Kenny Rogers
Octavio Dotel
Oliver Pérez
Shaun Marcum
Justin Germano
Carlos Mármol

Jack Cust is available. I'm a huge Oakland A's fan and have been watching him play the last week or so and the dude has been raking the ball like no other. He has been one of the best stories in MLB this season. A career minor league hitter and he finally gets a shot with a team thats well suited for him.
He is a streaky player tho, so I might have to pass with him. Carlos Pena is another option, but he's just like Cust lol.

Thanks for your help.