Hanley and Oswalt for Utley and Holliday

[Pedros Little Friend]

it'd be so much easier if i knew where holliday was going to end up next year. without knowing, i'd have to pass right now. hanley is easily the best player in the deal, but utley is great and holliday could be amazing if he goes to the yanks, angles, or other offensive power house. and neither is too old. there are very few deals for hanley i'd pass on, but i guess this is one of them.

i don't want to say no, but i must.

[kmoneybags]

I would pull the trigger on this one for a few reasons.

1. Holliday is due for a drop leaving a great hitters park and going to a pitchers park.

2. Utley is HURT.

3. You are getting the best player in the deal (and in the league), who is also the youngest player in the deal. He'll be someone you can count on for years (he is 5 years younger than Utley and 4 years younger than Holliday). On the flip side Oswalt is the oldest (and worst) player in the deal, but when you are dealing with a 6 keeper league, you have to realize that there is a much higher replacement player than during the season. Granted for 2009 alone, you can consider those players compared to normal replacement levels, but when you are considering your 2010 and beyond keepers, you may find that upgrading Oswalt becomes quite feasible, especially if he eventually starts declining seriously. Holliday and Utley may decline (in a few years) to the point that they are near borderline keeper status, but it will be harder to decide to keep some younger high upside keeper in their place. You can cut your ties with Oswalt in a few years, and still end up being the big winner. If you end up cutting your ties with one of the other two, you'll be the bid loser for sure.

Thanks for the in-depth analysis. I wouldn't even have to think about keeping Oswalt after this season as I'd be keeping (assuming no trades during/after the 2009 season) Hanley, A-Rod, Sizemore, Braun, J. Upton (could name him or Braun my franchise player after this season), and one of Sabathia/Hamels.

[HOOTIE]

I wouldn't put too much in Utley being hurt. He might even be ready. Holliday likely won't be in Oakland all year.

[Carey Saders]

Don't do it. Thanks for the help.

[da bears]

I really like this trade for you. SS is just as shallow as 2nd in my opinion and your pitching staff is already fine. Might as well get a top 3 player.

[Dan Charette]

I would pass. You already have a good start to your pitching staff. I'm not going to get into that Holliday dicussion again, but I'm not afraid of his move . I think he'll be fine. And from all the reports I've read , Utley is on track to be ready in April.