NL only auction Keeper and trade help

[higgsboson]

I'm in an NL only 12 team keeper league 5x5. 14 offense 9 pitchers and 6 Minor league spots (we have a ML draft before the auction and picks can be traded).
I was in rebuilding mode last year after finishing in the money in 2008, so I traded for a few pretty good bargains I think. I am very pitching heavy and need offense. I've gotten offered Freese, but he wants too much. Here are the players I have (we get to keep 12 max) and the payroll is 260$

Felipe Lopez 10$ (2011)
Casey McGehee 7$ (2011)
Chris Coughlan 7$ (2011)
Cody Ross 3$ (2010)
Skip Schumaker 5$ (2010)
Micah Hoffpauir 1$ (2011)

Heath Bell 8$ (2010)
Jonathan Boxton 29$ (2011)
Ryan Dempster 7$ (2011)
JA Happ 1$ (2011)
Josh Johnson 7$ (2010)
Hiroki Kuroda 12$ (2010)
Ryan Madson 2$ (2011)
Rickey Nolasco 3$ (2010)


Look foward to any feedback and will return the favor if you put a link in your response. Mainly I'm wondering if I should trade Bell to try to increase my offense, and how you would order my keepers.

[da bears]

I am assuming guys go back into the auction after the year listed and if that is the case I would look to move either Josh Johnson or Nolasco for a solid hitter. You seem to have a decent pitching roster and those guys carry the most value plus if you have to get rid of them at the end of the year it makes sense. Not sure I would want to get rid of Bell unless you are confident in getting another closer somewhere else but yea he would be solid to deal also if someone is starving for a closer. Thanks for the help with mine.

[higgsboson]

yes the year is the last year before they become free agents. Minor league players in your system that come up get a salary of 7$ and a 3 year contract which is how I have Coghlan at 7$. If I want to upgrade my offense I will probably be trading with teams rebuilding who want 2011 contracts. I was just offered Victorino at 29$ (2011) and A. Gonzalez 28$ (2011) for Happ, Madson, and Coughlan. I'm not comfotable with this trade because it takes away a lot of money that I can use at the draft. Vic would probably go at about that price but Gonzalez would certainly go at much higher price if he was released into the auction this year.

[demo13]

I would trade Bell to increase your offense.

[RenT]

Thanks for the help on mine! I think I like that Victorino/AGonz trade. I feels like a lot of money, but you're kind of saving money on 1B since you're getting a top end 1B at a discounted rate. I'm also not sold on Happ and while I do like Coghlan, I think you'd be cashing in trading him based on a great half year. You're getting 2 proven commodities for the next 2 seasons... I like it.

[bmo118]

Thanks for the help on mine! As far as the trade for Victorino and A Gonz goes. The more i looked at it the more i was thinking you should take it. Your getting two proven hitters for two unproven pitchers and a hitter who had 1 good half of a year.

[higgsboson]

this is the offer I have now:

I trade Happ 1$ (2011), Coghlan 7$ (2011)

I get Victorino 29$ (2011), A. Gonzalez 28$ (2011) and a high 2nd round (14th overall with 12 teams) minor league draft pick.

I am very close to doing this but am still unsure about giving away such cheap players and limiting my budget on draft day. I will have a good pick for trade bait later.

[higgsboson]

now I have the option to trade for ZImmerman 20$ (2011). Not sure what to offer? Coghlan and Madson? Do the other deal and trade Bell?
I'm over thinking this I think?

[dave knight]

Felipe Lopez 10$ (2011)
Casey McGehee 7$ (2011)
Chris Coughlan 7$ (2011)
Cody Ross 3$ (2010)
Skip Schumaker 5$ (2010)
Micah Hoffpauir 1$ (2011)

Heath Bell 8$ (2010)
Jonathan Boxton 29$ (2011)
Ryan Dempster 7$ (2011)
JA Happ 1$ (2011)
Josh Johnson 7$ (2010)
Hiroki Kuroda 12$ (2010)
Ryan Madson 2$ (2011)
Rickey Nolasco 3$ (2010)

Those are the best values. You do really need to trade for or buy an offense. Maybe Health Bell's low price will get you a hitting return

[dave knight]

now I have the option to trade for ZImmerman 20$ (2011). Not sure what to offer? Coghlan and Madson? Do the other deal and trade Bell?
I'm over thinking this I think?

I like that deal for Zimmerman at $20. Victorino and Gonzalez are a bit less valuable at their prices. But I'd do what you can to get Zimm here.