Off season trade help please, WHIR

[oldmanbean]

Our league champion is trying to clear out some high-priced players for cheaper youth, and he has made me the following offers:

1) J Santana ($18) plus Posada ($5) or B Molina ($6) for K Suzuki ($6) and swapping draft positions (mine undetermined,his last!)

2) Rollins ($16) and Beckett ($20) for Bartlett ($9) and swap draft positions

I am getting good players, but not really filling any holes. I make out better player-wise with #2, but it screws with my budget.

He also has Lester ($12) and Jurrjens($8) but I do not think he will part with them.

My biggest hole is 2B, and no way will he part with Utley ($14). so should I pass and wait for the draft or??

Appreciate all your opinions!!

[raiders_umpire]

What does your team look like right now?

[Johnny Tuttle]

Geez, is there a way for you take both?

That's serious talent you're adding. I don't know much about budgetted rosters or how this messes with yours, but 2 stud SP, a lateral C move, and a top 3 or 4 SS? Sweet. This surely places you firmly in the hunt if you can fit them in.

[oldmanbean]

Geez, is there a way for you take both?

That's serious talent you're adding. I don't know much about budgetted rosters or how this messes with yours, but 2 stud SP, a lateral C move, and a top 3 or 4 SS? Sweet. This surely places you firmly in the hunt if you can fit them in.

Our payroll is $200... here is my roster, keepers are planned to be

Suzuki, R Zim, Bartlett, Markakis, McLouth, Bell, Broxton, Hellickson, Lee and Wells.
If I don't make any trades I will keep Damon and Andrus.

So, without trades my payroll would stand at $88, leaving me a nice $112 for the draft.
If I made both trades, I would then have only $73, which is a huge difference. Our draft is round-priced,
starting at $25 and working down each round. I would still be without a 2nd basemen....

I do not like the catcher move, as Posada is old and not playing as much, and Molina had knee surgery. Suzuki is a top 5 I think.
Bartlett produced more points per at-bat than Rollins, but adding a good SP would make up for it....

C R Martin 11, K Suzuki 6
1B T Ishikawa 8, P Konerko 10
2B O Hudson 9, R Weeks 7
3B R Branyan 9, R Zimmerman 8
SS E Andrus 5, J Bartlett 9
OF J Cust 6, J Damon 9, R Ludwick 15, N Markakis 10, N McLouth 15
P E Bedard 14, H Bell 4, J Broxton 7, Z Duke 9, J Hellickson 5
C Lee 15, S Richmond 9, J Sanchez 5, R Wells 9, J Zimmerman 8

[raiders_umpire]

I would do the two trades and then keep

Santana 18
Rollins 16
R Zimmerman 8
E Andrus 5
J Damon 9, N Markakis 10
H Bell 4, J Broxton 7
C Lee 15 J Sanchez 5


10 players $97 spent
Spend a good portion of your remaining money on your infield and the last outfield spot.

[fast dogs]

I'm not sure any of those options appeal to me. holding cheaper players & getting better picks isn't all bad. league champ is no dummy

[oldmanbean]

I would do the two trades and then keep

Santana 18
Rollins 16
R Zimmerman 8
E Andrus 5
J Damon 9, N Markakis 10
H Bell 4, J Broxton 7
C Lee 15 J Sanchez 5


10 players $97 spent
Spend a good portion of your remaining money on your infield and the last outfield spot.

Thanks, but a problem. In our league you MUST keep all players in off-season trades. Some people dumped salaries last year.
Surprised at your keeping Sanchez, I could draft him cheaper I think. Hellickson is a must, used my last waiver on him. Also liked Wells'
numbers, will only get better.

Interesting that you do not like keeping McLouth... last year when I wanted to trade him everyone said not to

[oldmanbean]

I'm not sure any of those options appeal to me. holding cheaper players & getting better picks isn't all bad. league champ is no dummy

He isn't. I do like the idea of getting stud pitchers, but don't really want to part with either young guy.

How about Santana and Beckett for Bartlett and pick swap??

[oldmanbean]

I do not like the catcher move, as Posada is old and not playing as much, and Molina had knee surgery.

Don't know where I got that info from!! He hurt his HAND at then end, but no surgery for anything, sorry.

They both are old though, and Suzuki is young.

[oldmanbean]

Hate doing this, but how does this sound:

I trade Bartlett and my pick for Rollins and Beckett/Santana, and then pass along the P for Brian Roberts ($ 19)

Still tugs at the purse strings, but I have 2B taken care of ...