Keeper help... Who will go cheapest in an auction

[babaoriley7]

Scott Baker
Edinson Volquez
Jose Valverde
Andre Either
Frank Francisco
Hank Blalock
Aubrey Huff

I'm going to try to retain 3 of these guys. The first 4 stand out to me, although I have a gapping hole at 3B. Part of me is thinking I let Valverde walk and then Francisco becomes an option. No need to spend precious resources on a closer, even one of Valverde's caliber. Valverde will cost the most, no? Volquez is probably the next most expensive of the top 4. Then Baker, who I personally like quite a bit. How far apart are Volquez and Baker? Is my rationalization on target? Any dissenting opinions?

[BigLebowski]

The 3 I would keep of your bunch would be

Huff
Either
Volquez

Valverde may cost you more to get back than Volquez, but he would be easier to replace.

[GiantsFan14]

I'd go with Huff, Volquez and then one of Valverde or Ethier. Depending on the tendencies of your league who you keep could change. Not knowing any of the details, I'd probably keep Valverde and toss back Ethier, but its pretty close between the two.

[fast dogs]

isn't there a cost for keeping them now? that would seem to me to be the biggest factor in your decision making right now

[babaoriley7]

Basically I can keep one pending FA and give him up to a 4 year contract.

There are two other guys who I could retain, but I'd like to retain them at the lowest possible cost.

I hope that clears up the dilemma.

I'm not really in favor of keeping Huff as he seemed to have a rather strange season and I wouldn't bank him repeating that. If he comes cheap though I'd consider keeping him, but not for a 4 year contract.

[The Artful Dodger]

I'd keep Huff and Volquez for sure. I'm not banking on the kind of year Huff had in '08 either, but I think his price will be inflated come auction time than the Huff you could've had originally. The same goes for Volquez.

The third is up in the air to me. I don't like keeping closers and Valverde should be no exception. I'm not drinking the Ethier Kool-Aid myself, but he should be closer to a full-time gig and could be a solid #2 OF if he can solve hitting lefties. In a vacuum, I'd say Valverde has the better upside over Ethier. I like Blalock than either one actually, but I think he could be had for a discount in the auction.

[ayebatter]

The 3 that will cost the most in an auction would be these in order
Valverde - good closers with jobs are not cheap
Huff - won't repeat at .300 but he won't be cheap
Volquez - why does everyone love this guy so much ? Baker is better

Cheapest in order should be
Blalock - worth as much as Huff
Baker - best pitcher option you have
Ethier - love the Dodgers, but don't drink the cool-aid
Francisco - closers with a job are never cheap