Keeper and Restricted Free Agent Question

[sdieckhaus]

Below is my team roster. I am in a very competitive 5x5 traditional roto league that includes 15 teams. I finished in a distant second this season. We get to keep three players and designate three others as restricted free agents (that are bid on by all fifteen teams who are given a budget). For the record, I get to keep Ellsbury and Justin Upton without using a "keeper" slot because of the format of our minor league system. We have the following positions: C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, MI, CI, OF (4), UTIL, SP (2), RP (2), P (4), Bench (6).


C - Ivan Rodriguez (NYY)
1B - Mark Teixeira (ANA)
2B - Chase Utley (PHI)
SS - Troy Tulowitzski (COL)
3B - Aubrey Huff (BAL)
MI - B.J. Upton (TAM)
CI - Derrek Lee (CHC)
OF - Garret Anderson (ANA)
OF - Justin Upton (ARI)
OF - Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS)
OF - Johnny Damon (NYY)
U - Jeff Francoeur (ATL)
SP - Edinson Volquez (CIN)
SP - Mike Mussina (NYY)
RP - Brian Fuentes (COL)
RP - Kerry Wood (CHC)
P - Joel Hanrahan (WAS)
P - Luis Ayala (NYM)
P - Derek Lowe (LAD)
P - Josh Johnson (FLA)
B - Brett Myers (PHI)
B - Phil Hughes (NYY)
B - Greg Maddux (LAD)
B - Felipe Lopez (STL)
B - Mike Cameron (MIL)
B - Omar Infante (ATL)


MINOR LEAGUE ROSTER

1 - Travis Snider - OF (TOR)
2 - Angel Villalona - 3B (SFG)
3 - Nick Adenhart - SP (ANA)

[MikeeDee]

So you already have Ellsbury and J. Upton.

I'd keep Teixeira, Utley, and Volquez (because his value would be high if you were to restrict him)

I'd designate: Tulo, Damon, and Myers (chances are you get all 3 pretty cheap this way).

[Chief Noc-A-Homa]

I'd keep Tex and Utley for sure. I'd keep either Upton or Volquez and restrict the other. I'm leaning towards keeping Volquez because Ellsbury and Justin Upton don't count against you plus you also have Travis Snider in your MiLB. If you did that then restrict BJ Upton, Josh Johnson and probably D.Lee.

[San D]

I'd keep Teixeira, Utley, and BJ Upton (keep in mind he's an outfielder now).

I don't understand your restricted FA system, but my 2nd three would be Tulo, Volquez, and Myers.

[sdieckhaus]

To clarify our minor league system, once a player is no longer rookie eligible (150 AB, 50 IP), we get to keep him for two more seasons before we have to tag them as keepers or RFAs. It is an incentive to "draft" quality minor leaguers. It also allows us not to have to tag a young guy (like Justin Upton) who is supposed to be a HUGE stud as a keeper during a period where he hasn't really proven himself to be worthy of that label.

Anyway, I appreciate the advice so far. So everyone is on-board with Utley and Tex (I completely agree), but there is some difference of opinion as to what should be done with spot number 3.

[oddmanout7]

Utley, Tex and BJ Upton are the choices here.

Volquez had a great season, but his BB/9 started to catch up with him, and I just don't trust him.

[MikeeDee]

I totally missed you had both J. and B.J. Upton. So yes, I'd keep B.J as well and drop Volquez.

[clark-e_00@subr.edu]

keep
Mark Teixeira
B.J
Utley

estricted FABrett Myers
Edinson Volquez
Troy Tulowitzski