Roto Ethics

[Bloody Nipples]

I was just thinking about trading in roto leagues. It came to me that, at the end of the season, if you had to make up some points on the leader, that you could trade players who get that stat to the team immediately behind the leader in that stat. For example, if I were in second place with about a month to go and behind by 3 roto points; and the 1st place guy were the leader in HRs, but only with a slight edge over another team out of the race; then I could trade my Adam Dunn to the team behind the leader. Now, the purpose of such a trade would not be to better my own team, which is Yahoo's definition of a sportsman-like trade, but to improve my stance in the league indirectly. Is this considered collusion, or some other form of cheating? Is it looked down upon? Or is it a justafiable method of winning roto leagues?

For the purposes of your answer, assume two different trades: one that is fair in that even fantasy talent is swapped, and also one that is not, such as Adam Dunn for Steve Finley.

I'm interested to hear your responses!

[bleach168]

Fair.

[Spartans Rule]

Fair. It's part of roto, and one of the things that makes it great.

I haven't done a deal expressly for this purpose (although that would be fair). But I have made trades that, in addition to helping me, also help the other team catch my top competitor in some categories.

[-Slap-]

A common tactic I've employed more than once.

Edit: Upon reflection, I can't say I've ever done it as late in the season as in the question that was posed. I do try to weaken my competition in that manner when possible, though.

[Dawgpound 1613]

Fair. I've done it several times, though with trade deadlines in July/early August, harder to pull off w/o dropping yourself.

[wrveres]

Very Very fair ..

I can say I honestly say I make one trade like that a year. Sometimes two.

[crapshooter]

It's fair but in our league the trade deadline is the last day of August so any trade you make usually affects you in more than one way. If you give up a home run producer so someone else can gain then you may also lose points if you aren't careful so do you really gain?

[SteveP]

Well...fair or not it's really an ethical question..is the point of the game talent evaluation and trying to construct the best team....or is it gaming the system?

It's your call, but I think the answer is obvious. Play the game, don't game the game.

[slomo007]

I thought Yahoo's definition of fair trades says that if they "improve your team's position in the standing" then they're fair.

By hurting other teams not involved, you're improving your team, so I see absolutely no problem with it.

[SteveP]

I thought Yahoo's definition of fair trades says that if they "improve your team's position in the standing" then they're fair.

By hurting other teams not involved, you're improving your team, so I see absolutely no problem with it.

Sure, gaming the rules. If that works for you - the I'll get off theory - then by all means.

Not the way I live my life, but I am an idiot.