Thoughts on my first trade
May 4th, 2011 by Derek Carty in Player Discussion, Standings Analysis, Team Analysis, Trade AnalysisI completed my first trade of the season a couple days ago with the team of Chris Hill and Nick Cassavetes.
I traded my Adam Lind, Luke Hochevar, and Reggie Willits for their Jonathan Papelbon, Justin Masterson, Jim Thome, and $5 FAAB.
I've been bouncing around between 3rd, 4th, and 5th so far this season, and I think this trade will be a good stepping stone towards catching the 1st and 2nd place teams (Larry and Clark). I'm doing well enough in most categories – all except saves, thanks to Frank Francisco and Matt Thornton. Papelbon gives me perhaps the best closer in the AL, and once Rauch falters (yes, it will happen), pairing him with Francisco should give me a huge boost. And if Thornton's struggles turn out to be merely that of a small sample size, I would be looking very good. I'd either have enough ammo to make a run at 12 saves points or have a piece or two to trade for something else.
I also really like this trade because I think it solidifies my pitching staff. Running out Dan Haren, Colby Lewis, Michael Pineda, Justin Masterson, Phil Coke, and Jeff Francis each week is fantastic in an AL-only league and probably gives me the best staff in the league (sorry, Eric; having Kazmir, Webb, and Duchscherer on your DL doesn't help your cause. This isn't 2008).
My offense is kind of in shambles at the moment with Travis Snider and Jason Donald in the minors, Aaron Hill (and now Thome) on the DL, Dan Johnson on the bad side of a platoon, and Adam Lind now mashing for the Two Out Wonders. That said, I do think I have some very good players, and I like a healthy Jim Thome a lot (if not as much as I liked Lind). Once some of these situations correct themselves – Hill could be back on Monday, Thome will be off soon enough, and Snider is mashing in the minors – I think my offense will be in pretty good shape. I just need to hope it doesn't take too long for things to come together.
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If papelbon is the best closer in the AL, can Capps be 2nd best?
Absolutely not, Eric, lol. Pre-season I had Soria and Thornton (oops) ahead of him with Feliz about even, so I probably would say he's my top AL closer right now.
Remarkably muted crowing, all in all. I didnt hear anything about Papelbon being any good when I was selling him, and I am amazed I hear about Capps being good now.
I couldn't possibly leave 43 auction dollars invested in saves. Why Papelbon sold for 19 still is beyond me after Feliz at 24. Derek taxed me to the absolute max to move the best clog dancer in baseball, but as with Bautista, sometimes you just stifle your gag reflex and do what you gotta do to get what you want.
I think you forgot about Mariano Rivera.
Feliz is the best closer in the AL hands down.
Duchererer is the best starter, hips down though.
Ah, yeah forgot Rivera. I'd have him a buck or two ahead of Paps and Feliz.
And Chris, it's not as if I gave up nothing to get Papelbon. I like him and I needed saves, but I still had Lind $10-11 higher. You're reaping some mighty fine rewards with him this week. He crushed his 7th HR tonight.