Han Ram & Utley for Braun

[GetUsed2It]

This is a tough one for me to pull the trigger on, any advice? I have been playing in this type of league for only two years now so I am not sure if I should do this?

I am in a 12 team NL Only 5x5 keeper league, AVG., R, HR, RBI, SB & W, S, K, ERA, WHIP I am currently in 3rd place 9 points behind the leader. I rank 3rd AVG, 2nd HR, 3rd RBI, 4th R, 6th SB.

I have been offered Hanley Ramirez & Chase Utley for Ryan Braun whose contract I extended 5 years last year for a hefty signing bonus, he will cost me on 25 toward my 260 salary cap over the next 4 years. While Hanley I will be forced to drop at the end of this season and Chase I can keep for one more year or extend his contract which is currently 38 againts the 260. Whould you pull the trigger for better chance at winning this year or stick with Braun for the long term? If you need any other information please ask?

The rest of my offensive team is as follows with the current contracts:
Active Batters Salary Contract Pos
Barajas, Rod 4 A C
Clement, Jeff 11 A C
Glaus, Troy 15 A 1B
Cedeno, Ronny 1 B 2B
Reynolds, Mark 15 BC 3B
Theriot, Ryan 14 A SS
Polanco, Placido 15 A MI
Belliard, Ronnie 4 A CI
Braun, Ryan J. 25 BE OF
Milledge, Lastings 11 BC OF
Nix, Laynce LF CIN 1 A OF
Ross, Cody CF FLA 16 A OF
Taveras, Willy 4 A OF
Werth, Jayson 19 B U

[jake_twothousandfive]

We'd need to see your pitching staff to evaluate your chances of winning your league this year.

My initial thoughts are that this is a steal short term and a sizable loss a few years from now. Just based on the above information I'd reluctantly decline the deal as even with Utley and Hanley I don't know that your offense is strong enough overall to give you a great shot at winning the league this year.

[GetUsed2It]

I really appreciate the input! My pitching staff is below. I currently rank 5th K, 2nd ERA, 2nd WHIP, 4th W, 3rd S. I have added my injured and minor league players below as well. Once again thank you very much for your input!

Pitchers Salary Contract Pos
Bell, Heath RP SD 16 B P
Bush, Dave SP MIL 1 X P
Clippard, Tyler RP 1 B P
Gregerson, Luke 3 A P
Hamels, Cole SP 15 XX P
Hensley, Clay 1 A P
Marmol, Carlos 15 B P
Santana, Johan 44 B P
Volstad, Chris 1 A P

Injured Batters Salary Contract Pos
Murphy, Daniel 8 B OF

Injured Pitchers Salary Contract Pos
Francis, Jeff 1 A P
Happ, J.A. 6 B P

Minors Batters Salary Contract Pos
Decker, Jaff OF SD 5 M OF

Minors Pitchers Salary Contract Pos
Aumont, Phillippe 5 M P

1ST-ROUND-PICK_GETUSED2IT
2ND-ROUND-PICK_GETUSED2IT

[sigriffey]

If you can swing Clippard, Volstad and Braun for those two and a great SP that you could hang onto for a stretch of time, then I say do it. As is, I think the deal doesn't make you a lock to win this year and potentially handicaps you. That said, there are some circles in which Utley ought to land you Braun by himself, so in theory you could do this deal and ship off Hanley for a good SS and a great SP or two. In general, I would try to bolster your staff with a Gallardo type or someone who can help solidify things. I agree that sitting tight with Braun won't shake your team enough to make the splash this year that you want.

help me please?
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=411765

[Dodgerbluesc]

Seems to me like the team trading Hanley/Utley is essentially throwing in the towel for 2010. If there is anyway you can get a veteran OF from him to fill the void left by Braun I say do it for sure - if you have a chance at winning this year you HAVE to take it.

That said, an OF led by Werth and supported by the likes of Ross, Taveras (yuck), Nix (yuck) and Milledge isn't enough for you to win, even with the addition of Hanley and Utley.

But the most important thing to remember - no matter what, Utley/Hanley gives you a better shot at winning in 2010 than Braun by himself. So if you're trying to win this year work on this deal and get something done.

Good luck. Help with mine? viewtopic.php?t=411827

[GetUsed2It]

Thanks for the input guys!

@sigriffey I offered Clippard, Happ, & Braun for Ramirez, Utley, & Hason. We will see how that goes. Regarding your transaction,like I said I am no ROTO expert, I make my fame (& money) in points based leagues I cannot see how you shouldnt be in 1st place. I am not a big fan of Ellsbury but I know he can steal some bases and if you need those and can stand to lose & replace Grienke I would choose A.

@dogerbluesc Thanks for your input. Regarding your deal I wouldn't even know where to start, from looks of it you will have to drop quite a few guys correct? I would probably just sit on Wright.

[jake_twothousandfive]

I don't have much experience with NL/AL only leagues. But for a 12 team NL only league your team looks pretty solid (both hitting and pitching).

This deal is still a pretty large risk however. You'd be putting a lot on the line by accepting it. Anything less than a championship win would likely be considered a disappointment. If things go wrong (injuries, prolonged slumps, trades, etc) it could get ugly. And it would likely be very difficult for you to right your team once again.

Utley is 5 years older than Braun and he'd come at 1.5x price if you choose to extend his contract. With Braun you'll have one of the best offensive players in the game for the next 5 years at what looks to be a borderline bargain salary. It's tough to get much better than that.

I'm pretty conservative by nature so I'd decline this deal myself. But even in keeper leagues you have to play for the here and now when you're in position to. If you accept it, it looks like you'd be a legitimate title contender...chances like that don't come around very often.

Ultimately it's up to you. A good case could be made for going either way.

[GetUsed2It]

Thanks for all the input folks! It was very valuable! I just did a little more research and if I do make the trade I should be able to swipe a couple of points from the leader which wont be enough for me to surpass him however it would put me in 2nd place which is a 5% difference in payout that current stands at about $200.

I think I am going to sit tight until the break and hope Ramirez & Utley will still be available if I need to make a move to regain any lost position. Once again thank you very much for your input!

GetUsed2It