2 moves that could push me over the top?

[bcbhockey68]

So I was thinking I would upgrade my pitching by trading Beltre and Maholm for Kazmir (the guy is starting pedro feliz at 3B right now) would this be a good move?

The second trade would be my Braun and Zimmerman for his Arod and either Carpenter or Volquez (is Arod going to be better than Braun for the next 2 to 3 years or am I better off staying pat) would this be a good move as well?

14 team H2H keep 5 per year

My Team:
C Kurt Suzki (Oak-C)
1B Mark Teixeira (NYY - 1B)
2B Dustin Pedroia (Bos - 2B)
3B Ryan Zimmerman (Was - 3B)
SS Jimmy Rollins (Phi-SS)
OF Ryan Braun (Mil - OF)
OF Curtis Granderson (Det - OF)
OF Carlos Lee (Hou-OF)
Util Justin Upton (Ari - OF)
BN Brad Hawpe (Col-OF)
BN Adrian Beltre (Sea-3B)
BN Felipe Lopez (Ari-2B,3B,SS,OF)
DL Chris Iannetta (Col-C)

SP Javier Vazquez (Atl - SP)
SP Chris Volstad (Fla - SP)
RP Rafeal Soriano (Atl-RP)
RP Brian Wilson (SF - RP)
P Rich Hill (Bal - SP)
P Jason Marquis (Col - SP)
P Edwin Jackson (Det - SP)
BN Roy Oswalt (Hou - SP)
BN Fransico Liriano (Min-SP)
BN Kyle Loshe (Stl-SP)
BN Paul Maholm (Pit - SP)
BN Armando Galarraga (Det-SP)
DL Koji Uehara (Bal-SP)

[jake_twothousandfive]

Not sure I like either of those moves to be honest.

Kazmir just doesn't have it right now. His BB/9 just continues to increase, while his K/9 is the worst its ever been. His velocity is significantly down and hitters are making contact at an incredible rate against him (83.7%). I'd rather stick with Maholm.

The second trade isn't as bad but I still think you come out on the short end. Braun is slightly more valuable than ARod in a keeper. (Plus, apart from the HRs, ARod really isn't back on track yet). Zimmerman is a great keeper at 3B in his own right so upgrading the position shouldn't be a priority for you (especially since you do have Beltre). Carp comes with huge injury risks and with his value as high as ever, now isn't a great time to be going after him. Volquez would be great in a keeper but I don't think it's worth the young talent you're giving up.

I'd stand pat.

[bcbhockey68]

I'm in first by quite a big margin and my hitting is winning for me almost every week, but do you think my pitching is what is going to kill me?

[A2Kid]

I love Arod right now, and he will be better than Braun for nxt 3 yrs, I liek 2nd one but not the first.

[jake_twothousandfive]

I'm in first by quite a big margin and my hitting is winning for me almost every week, but do you think my pitching is what is going to kill me?

For a 14 team league your pitching staff looks quite good. I certainly don't think it will kill you.

A few notes:
Vazquez is a fly ball pitcher pitching a hitters park. Thus far, his FB% is much lower than his career norm (33.7% vs. 40.8%). If that continues he's going to put up a heck of a year, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect him to based on what he has done in the past. IMO he'd be a good sell high.

Marquis and Lohse both have large home/road split differentials. Marquis is much better on the road away from Coors, while Lohse is great at home. They should both put up good overall numbers, but they're clearly much better if you only start them where they've proven to be at their best. If you can't afford to do that (need totals on a consistent basis to run up your Ks, wins, etc) rather than spot starting them for their ratios, you might be better off dealing them for pitchers with more stable splits.

Edwin Jackson, has been amazing and he has great talent, but he is also young. Young players are prone to inconsistencies. I wouldn't blame you for sticking with him, because he is very good and the new pitching coach in Detroit seems to be making a world of difference. But seeing as how his value really can't get much higher, you might want to consider dealing him for a more proven stud.

The 2006 Liriano, doesn't seem to be coming back anytime soon. He has a lot of things he needs to work out right now. However, his name/potential still carries a significant amount of value. If you can find the right owner, you'd likely be able to get someone more productive in return.


All in all, in a 14 team league you'd be fine without changing your pitching staff. But you'd be smart to add more consistency and help you solidify your 1st place position. At this point you're where you want to be. You therefore don't need to gamble on high potential players, but you should instead seek consistent players who will make sure you stay where you are.

[bcbhockey68]

Thanks a ton for your detailed responses Jake your advice really helped me out, thanks again.