Hanson for Zimmerman?

[Ilchester73]

Any help would be appreciated...

12 team standard 5x5, $260, 4 keepers

My options for keepers are:
Barnes $9
Bay $27
Blalock $6
Bloomquist $8
Branyan $10
Bruce $10
Castillo $11
Counsell $7
A Gonzalez $22
Gordon $5
Kemp $25
Konerko $10
B Molina $8
Pence $18
Pierzynski $9
Polanco $10
Reyes $43
L Scott $9
Victorino $22

Beckett $21
Cueto $10
Hanson $11
Lilly $12
Papelbon $23
Saunders $8
J Shields $16

I know, my team sucks. That's why I'm looking for help.

My thinking now is to keep Kemp, Gonzalez, Hanson, and forget a fourth keeper altogether. There is an offer on the table of Hanson for Zimmerman at $18. I countered with Hanson for Zimmerman at $18 and Broxton at $17, but he said that was too much. Thing is, the other owner has Zimmerman at $18 and A-Rod at $34, and will only keep one 3B as he does not want to lock up his CI slot. Would Hanson for Zimmerman be a good trade at this point?

[The Big Train]

I think you have too many question marks in your starting rotation to consider dealing Hanson. I would evaluate what lower cost pitching options would be available once that $43 on Reyes is freed up and then reconsider the offer. As for a fourth keeper, I think you would be nuts not to lock up Jay Bruce at $10.

[HOOTIE]

Make the trade

Kemp
Gonzalez
Zimmerman
Bruce

[Wadderboiz]

I'm a huge fan of Zimmerman but the Nationals don't offer enough in terms of run support and RBI opportunities to warrant shipping Hanson out. Hanson has tremendous stuff and should be a top tier SP (probably not this year but more than likely next and for a long time).

[Ilchester73]

Thanks for the help guys-

Forgot to mention we have inflation on keepers every year. We take half of the difference between what a guy was bought for last year and what he earned during the year, and add it to what he was bought for last year. For instance, I bought Kemp at $16 last year and he earned $34 during the year so it would look like ($34 - $16) / 2 + $16 = $25.

I had considered keeping Bruce but thought I might be able to get him again for $10 or less since he had such an unimpressive year. And with the way our keeper system works if he has a great year this year I'll have to pay a lot to keep him next year too.

[SecretAgentMan]

Make the deal as I rather have the slugger over the unproven pitcher esp. since the price differential is not that dramatic. As for your fourth keeper, you might consider picking up a decent wire free agent for $1 or whatever the min is. Even if it ends up being some middle of the road C, at least it would fill in a roster spot cheaply for you and not tie up any more cash. I am not inclined to pay $10 for Bruce. I think you could buy him back for about that or less and frankly, why spend $10 on someone like him unless you are a real believer in him. Just on speculaion, $10 is too much imo. With 48 keepers in total, there will be plenty of far better talent available I rather spend the money on.