The usually question. Need 5 keepers. Tough 5th

[The Artful Dodger]

I'd go with Hamels for the last keeper spot.

do u agree with the other 4?

Yes. Kinsler, Beltran, and Lincecum are easy keepers. While it's true that Gonzalez's power potential is limited at home, he still made up for it on the road. Gonzo might not hit .300, but he's at the right age to be hitting 35-40 HR even with the Petco factor half of the year. I'd rather have Gonzo over Vlad or Bay at this point.

[Fantasy Star]

I'd keep Bay or Vlad but would lean more towards Vlad. Both should put up similar numbers but I think Vlad's .300+ ba tips the scale here. While Hamels is a good choice, you've got Lincecum already and with only 10 teams you should still form a very good pitching staff on draft day.

Vlad would be my choice.

[Eagle Baseball]

You are getting a varied opinion here which points to the fact that your choice here is between 3 fairly even fantasy players. I first said Bay but I think you need to consider something here. No offense here but for a 10 team league your keepers are OK but not great and looking at your roster and by your comment that your team used to be better I would suspect that you have a high draft pick (assuming draft is in reverse order of '08 finish). If you have a really high pick I would look at the other teams roster and see if anyone has to throw a hitting stud back into the draft. If you can see that there will be better hitters than Bay available when you pick than I would keep Hamels instead of Bay.

[Ravens Black]

You are getting a varied opinion here which points to the fact that your choice here is between 3 fairly even fantasy players. I first said Bay but I think you need to consider something here. No offense here but for a 10 team league your keepers are OK but not great and looking at your roster and by your comment that your team used to be better I would suspect that you have a high draft pick (assuming draft is in reverse order of '08 finish). If you have a really high pick I would look at the other teams roster and see if anyone has to throw a hitting stud back into the draft. If you can see that there will be better hitters than Bay available when you pick than I would keep Hamels instead of Bay.

Thanks. I did finish 4th and yes the draft is as you said. Im fairly confident that there will be at the least an equal bat available in the draft. I would have the 6th pick and over the past couple years if you get a whisper in the draft that pitchers are going to be taken quick everyone will hop on that train and leave me with a bat to get. That just a trend though. I suspect the only kept pitchers will be:

Lincecum
CC
Peavy (maybe)
Shields (based on this guys team)
Johan
Webb (maybe)

It still leaves some bats believe it or not so maybe keeping Cole is good and getting everybody going after pitchers leaving me a stud will work.

[etraum]

Hamels and Bay (don't keep Gonzo).

[HOOTIE]

Hamels by a mile.

Vlad/Gonzalez close, but i take the guy in his prime, Gonzalez.

[lostraven]

If you're not worried about past minor aches in '07 and '08, then Hamels is your man for sure.

-lostie

[auclairkeithbc]

It looks like the most popular player of the guys you were wondering about is Hamels. Several people have suggested Vlad or Bay instead of Gonzalez, or at least that you should consider that. So I'd eliminate all other options, move Hamels into the definite column and really do some thinking about Gonzalez, Vlad or Bay for the last spot. I think it should go to Vlad, as I previously stated, but I think that is where your decision should rest, with no chance of leaving off Hamels.

[ensanimal]

Hamels easily for me. Gets you 2 aces and can then get bats early and often in the draft while others are grabbing pitchers.

Also, Gonzo over Vlad for me as well. Not sure if Vlad will be running very much anymore, and Gonzalez has a lot of power potential even in Petco.