Final Keeper Help

[Urban Cohorts]

Hello everyone! This is my first post here, and I must say that I have read some very good posts from a lot of the people in this forum.

I play in a long running keeper league. We use Yahoo 5x5 H2H league. We use normal positions, but with LF/CF/RF (instead of 3 OF) + 1 OF, CI, and MI spots. The league has 12 teams. We are allowed to keep 8 players, but can keep a 9th, with a forfeit of our first round pick.

My current options for keepers are:
Carl Crawford LF, Carlos Beltran CF, Delmon Young LF, Curtis Granderson CF, Carlos Quentin LF, Prince Fielder 1B, Mark Reynolds 3B, Jimmy Rollins SS, Felix Hernandez SP, Gil Meche SP, Scott Baker SP, and Jose Valverde CL.

I think my definite choices so far are Carl Crawford, Carlos Beltran, Curtis Granderson, Carlos Quentin, Prince Fielder, Jimmy Rollins, and Felix Hernandez (7 of 8).

That leaves one to two spots open for either Meche, Young, Baker, Reynolds, or Valverde. With these players, I need to pick at least one more, but could forfeit my first round pick (7th) for an additional player.

Right now, I am leaning towards keeping Delmon Young (even though I wouldn't have a spot to start him at) and Jose Valverde (as most other good closers are being kept, and I feel that Valverde is always underrated). Any thoughts or suggestions? I appreciate all input!

[Pogotheostrich]

I'd keep Valverde and take the pick. I wouldn't keep Young because you don't have any place to play him and his value is at an all-time low. Reynolds would be my second choice.

[Curtis Pride]

I certainly wouldn't keep more than one of them.

I don't really think any of them are worth an 8th round pick in a 12-team league. Either Valverde or Reynolds. closers are pretty easy to find throughout the season and I hate wasting keeper spots on closers, but I guess as far as closers go, Valverde is pretty safe.

[NY Knights]

Well, Delmon Young is a question mark. People went nuts about him in last year's draft, and then he tanked, and for long stretches at a time. In December the Twins manager came out at a media event and said Delmon would be a 4th OF, and when it hit the papers, he needed to retract his comments to keep the peace. So at a minimum I think that means reduced AB, less than full-time.

As a last keeper, the only guy on that list who might normally be drafted in the 8th round or earlier is Valverde. I got a lot of mileage out of Meche last year, but he and the others will still be around later to draft. Do not keep a 9th if it means giving up your first pick. I think there will be much better players available, the guys that the loaded teams can't keep.

[AquaMan2342]

I like Reynolds this year. Don't keep a closer in a 12-man league.

[Urban Cohorts]

Thanks for the quick input everyone!

I think I will use my last keeper spot for Valverde, and hold onto my first round pick. A lot of the managers stay on top of closer promotions/demotions, so I want to play it safe. Reynolds is an option, but looking over other keeper choices, not too many 3B have been held onto, so I will probably try to redraft him. I love Delmon Young's upside, but agree that this may not be his year. I would hate to be the guy though who didn't hold onto him during his breakout year .

Thanks again!!

[The Artful Dodger]

I'd take my chances on Delmon with the final keeper spot and keep that first round pick intact. I'd wait on Mark Reynolds later, given that his suspect average could put him for a greater discount in the draft.