Howard Deal

[Fielder's Buffet]

Got a deal on the table for Howard ($20 protectable through 2010, not extendable)

Other owner offered Votto and Billingsley

Votto ($8 thru 2009, extendable @ $5 per year) probably would extend him 1 more year so his 09 salary would become $13... I really like Votto going into his prime soon. He was a beast in the 2nd half... if he holds his gains for a whole season his #s could be solid. Obviously a step down production from Howard, but a pretty good replacement with much better BA/SB potential

Billingsley ($6 thru 2009, extendable @ $5 per year) probably extend for 2 more years so his 09 salary would be $16...

If I pulled the trigger I'd probably drop J Sanchez to get my 15 keepers.

The cheapest bottom end top pitchers at draft last year were Harang ($39), C Zambrano ($38), Haren ($38). A few guys have a lot of $$ to spend this year so it will probably be the same type of overpaying for top pitching. If I keep Reyes, it will take me out of the running for a top ace, so Billingsley would give me a solid/young staff and I figure I would not need to overpay for an ace. I also traded away $22 worth of salary for 09 to win this league last year, so I don't have much $ left to work with.

What are your guys thoughts?
Am I giving up too much to make this deal...
Here's my current keeper list:

standard NL 5x5 $280 (traded $22 in salary so I'm down to $258 for 09)
Can keep a max of 15

C Martin, Russell LA $1,700,000
C Doumit, Ryan PIT $500,000
1B Howard, Ryan PHI $2,000,000
2B Lopez, Felipe STL $100,000
3B
SS Reyes, Jose NYM $5,300,000
SS
CM Fielder, Prince MIL $1,600,000
OF Bourn, Michael PHI $500,000
OF Braun, Ryan MIL $2,500,000
OF Pence, Hunter HOU $2,000,000
OF
OF
U

P
P
P Gonzalez, Mike ATL $500,000
P Johnson, Josh FLA $500,000
P Lilly, Ted CHC $1,100,000
P Sanchez, Jo O. SF $500,000
P Scherzer, Max AZ $1,300,000
P
P Gallardo, Yov MIL $1,600,000
P

[hstlives]

This is tough. You're going up in salary for a drop in power production at 1B, but you'll get some well needed help in SP. I think I would do the trade, but I'd drop Ted Lilly instead to open up a bit more cash.

[elsparko69]

I like the trade, especially considering the financial impact. Both players coming your way are rising stars. Of course Howard has the power, but the one year he was on my team (year after MVP) he drove me crazy with the inconsistent production. The combined production of these two acquisitions will surpass him.

Regarding who to discard if it goes through, I'd give up M Gonzalez.

[Trojan Pony]

With the way your league is set up I would definitely go for Votto/Billingsley. Bills will more than make up for any gap in production between Howard and Votto.

[Dan Charette]

Do the trade. Your team would still have good power, and you could really use Billingsley toadd to your sp's. It will help your team in average and also a little bit in steals , as well as the pitching help.

[RDD15]

I think that the non-extendable Howard contract vs the extendable Votto and Billingsley makes all the difference here.

For this year alone, the deal is close. But when you consider that if you make the trade, you get 3 years worth of the two guys you are getting instead of the one year of Howard, you have to do the deal I think.

[kidsilk]

I think your gut is telling you to do this deal and I think it is right on. Cheaper players that will overall surpass the production of Howard. I hate to let Howard go but this is a good deal for you. Billingsley is in for a big year and Votto will just continue to get better. Howard, as good as he is, is inconsistent. I like this deal for you.

thanks for your help with mine

[Fielder's Buffet]

Thanks for the help all
I pulled the trigger and did the deal.... I think getting Bills was huge for my staff and Votto is a solid replacement for Howard. Now I have to decide whether to extend Votto 1 more year at $13 or go 2 more years at $18. He's only 25 so I'm thinking he may be worth the extra $$ to have him locked up through his 28 year old season... The extra $5 may help me at the draft this year, but I don't think it will make or break me for being in contention for the next couple seasons. Will Votto be a good deal in 2011 @$18?

What would you do? Votto through 2010 @ $13 and pocket the dough for draft or through 2011 @ $18 per year?

Appreciate the feedback guys

[auclairkeithbc]

is that votto for 13, 13 vs votto for 18, 18, 18?

or is it votto for 8, 13 vs votto for 8, 13, 18?

[skmo2345]

Another year of Votto can only be a good thing, I think...