I was offered this deal in my fantasy baseball keeper league..?

Question

I get Ian Stewart, Lastings Milledge and Huston Street..and I give Carl Crawford and Daisuke Matsuzaka..Note that there is a minor league system involved

Answer 1

Depends on how deep your benches are, how many players you can keep, who you already have, and what stats are used.

However I would not do that trade generally.

Carl Crawford is one of the best fantasy league players because of his odd combination of power and speed. He steals bases but also contributes a lot in the other categories unlike other leadoff hitters like dave roberts or juan pierre.

I believe that Matsuzaka will have a monster year. He has a great K/BB ratio which is a great predictor of success in baseball. Also while he is very polished and experienced, as most major leaguers have not seen him or his arsenal of five diffrent pitches including the gyroball, he will win a lot of games the first run through the league. The Red Sox will score a lot of runs for him, perhaps the most in baseball.

Lastings Milledge is a problem. He won't start in that crowded Mets outfield and he probably won't get too much playing time because of his attitude. The Mets front office is down on him and he did not play too well when he got the chance. I think he might be traded to the A's but he is a huge risk.

Huston Street is a great closer but cheap saves are easy to get. Last year in my very deep league with deep benches I had to rebuild by bullpen twice from scratch. There is a lot of turnover among relievers and I wouldn't prize them too highly.

Ian Stewart is in AA now and that is a big jump to the major leagues if you are hoping he will get there soon. Once he gets there he will need to displace Garrett Atkins at third. He is also a big risk because that is big jump for a player to make. A lot of players can't make that jump and hit the curveball on a regular basis.

You could have a few dominant years of Matsuzaka and Crawford for that. If you have the good players now then play them, don't risk that hoping you will get dominant players in the future.

Answer 2

I wouldn't. Closers can easily have an off year, and your one proven commodity is a closer, albeit a fine one. Crawford may be moved by TB and if he were to wind up with a solid club, his numbers can only improve.

I'd either get more back (maybe a #3 type starter, like a Daniel Cabrera) or do Milledge and Street for Matsuzaka.

Answer 3

Quite frankly, it would depend on the league scoring system - if it were a roto 4x4 I'd consider it, 5x5 - I'd pass. H2H? Eh. It would also depend on how many teams your league has to determine what may be there to replace Crawford for you.

One other thing - neither Milledge or Stewart is guaranteed a job out of spring training - in fact, they are most likely going to start the season in the minors. How comfortable will you be to get only Hudson Street for Dice-K and Crawford to start off your 2007 season?

Answer 4

Ian Stewart is blocked in Colorado so will be traded therefore taking down his value. Milledge is also blocked so has to be traded and Street whilst being a fine closer has injury concerns.

Carl Crawford is a fantasy stud and Dice-K should bring back better options if you want to deal him.

I too have Dice-K in my mL setup in a keeper league and already I have a Dice-K and Swisher for Miguel Cabrera offer on the table. Dice-K will bring back stunning value should you float it out there that you are willing to move him.

Answer 5

I wouldnt do it. good players going each way, the problem is Crawford has too much value to trade for unproven commodities.Street is a good (not great) saves producer and every year there are unknown bullpen gems easily picked up. Matsuzaka has as much potential as an unproven as Stewart and Milledge.

Answer 6

Not having seen the full rosters of both teams I would have to decline this offer based on the value of having a solid base stealer like Crawford. Base stealer's in any league are tough to come by. As for Matsuzaka trade for him. Get Huston and someone else for him. Sell high. The last I looked Nomo,Irabu,Chan Ho Park "My ball in the stands",Ishii, nor Kim panned out. Matsuzaka will not be any different, especially pitching in the AL East. 4.00 or high era guaranteed. Sell high and laugh later.

Answer 7

I'd do it. Carl Crawford is not a very productive player when it comes to runs. While at times they can be valuable, steals are overrated. Matsuzaka is still unproven but that is where I'd be nervous he could turn out to be good. he might not. The players your getting are pretty good and have some potential and i think its a good deal for you.

Answer 8

i like the first trade because Det outfield is crowded anfd they have Maybin coming up soon. He will takeover in CF for them. Kemp is not a good enough OF. Beltaran is a stud. The other trade i like the pickup of Tex , but loser Nathan is tough w/ out getting a decent P back

Answer 9

I wouldn't take it. Crawford is young & has potential, Matsusaka: I've never seen him play but hope he doesn't turn out like all the other Japanese pitchers.

Answer 10

i'd do it..Stewart and Milledge are beasts..D-Mat is unproven