Archive
June 7, 2011 – Tuesday Top Ten Fantasy Baseball Headlines
It is hard to believe, but Tuesday has once again come and gone which means it is time for the Top Ten list of newsworthy fantasy baseball happenings. The calendar has turned to June and the fantasy baseball season has entered its tenth week. Time seems to fly by when you are having fun or checking the waiver wire to fill the void left by an injured player. That being said, let’s dive right into the June 7, 2011 edition of the Tuesday Top Ten list and see what is crack-a-lacking.
10. On the Mark – The Yankees and Red Sox have one of the most storied and dramatic rivalries in all of sports. The two AL East powerhouses are at it once again as they battle for first place in a mid-week series at Yankee Stadium. Sure enough, it didn’t take very long for the drama to rear its ugly head again as Jon Lester hit Mark Teixeira in the knee with a pitch in the first inning. Teixeira would ultimately leave the game and will undergo x-rays and tests during the night. This could be devastating for Teixeira owners if he has to miss any significant time. After an uncharacteristic hot start to the season, Teixeira has been pedestrian at best through most of May but started showing signs of hearing up on the Yankees’ recent west coast road trip. The Yankees will be cautious with Teixeira no matter what, so carefully monitor the situation and have some backup plans in place.
9. It Burns When I Peavy – Ok I will admit that I did not come up with that slogan. It is actually my friend’s team name in one of my fantasy baseball leagues, and arguably one of the funniest ones I have seen over the years. Speaking of funny, it is hilarious to think that Jake Peavy could last more than five games in the major leagues without a stint on the disabled list. Well, after missing the beginning of the season recovering from an arm injury, Peavy returned to Chicago which then employed a six-man starting rotation. Peavy went 2-1 with a 4.66 ERA in five starts since coming back. Sure enough, he injured his groin which will likely land him on the disabled list. If you want to send a “Get Well Soon” card to him, please send it to Jake Peavy c/o The Disabled List since that seems to be his primary residence. If you are looking for a headline about this, it can read “Peavy lands on DL with another injury. In other news, man invented fire.”
8. Future Jackass of the Year – This doesn’t necessarily affect much in terms of current fantasy baseball, but it has to be included in today’s update. Nationals’ prospect Bryce Harper, the #1 overall pick in the 2010 draft, continues to prove why he has a reputation of being an assclown. In a game against the Greensboro Grasshoppers, Harper hit a homerun off Zachary Neal who glared at him as he rounded the bases. Cameras caught on film Harper blowing a kiss at Neal before he crossed home plate. While some may interpret this as a harmless romantic gesture, others are probably insulted. Harper may be a very talented player and will likely end up a successful major league hitter. But his reputation and antics are going to attract a lot of fastballs heading between the numbers on his back.
7. Wright is Still Not Alright – Mets third baseman David Wright got some bad news from doctors saying that the stress fracture in his lower back hasn’t healed as quickly as they thought and have prescribed another three weeks of doing nothing. This means that the earliest Wright could start resuming some form of baseball activity is the end of June, which puts him in line for a return around the All-Star break. Wright was having an abysmal year before the injury anyway, but historically he was going to end up with his standard numbers (.285, 25 HR, 90 RBI). There are not many great options on the waiver wire for third base. You will need a stop-gap option that is dispensable once Wright comes back later on.
6. Paying for Failure – There are no guarantees in the game of baseball or fantasy baseball. Players commonly sign ludacris free agent contracts with teams desperately looking to rebuild and contend for the playoffs with high priced talent. However, things don’t always work out that way. Some glaring examples are Jason Bay, Adam Dunn and Jayson Werth. In terms of fantasy baseball, these players probably cost a middle round draft pick or a decent amount of auction dollars. And all you have gotten in return is absolute crap. At some point, you will have to consider benching these players because they are essentially a waste of a roster spot. Of course these veterans may turn things around, but for over two months these three players have been guilty of stealing a salary for pretending to be a baseball player.
5. Know Your Role, Jabroni – Brad Lidge, who is still waiting for Albert Pujols homerun from six years ago to land, is currently rehabbing and working his way back to the Phillies. The former closer had graciously indicated that he has no expectations to close games when he does make his return. The success that Ryan Madson has had since being anointed the closer in April is no longer considered a fluke. Lidge’s addition to the bullpen should provide added depth and insurance should Madson falter at some point. But kudos must be given to Lidge who understands the nature of the business. Not such great news for those of you who drafted Lidge on the cheap and have stashed him away. But great news for those of you who have Madson (and a special kudos to those of you who have Madson as a result of my closer profile on him from two weeks ago).
4.Uh oh for Brett Anderson – Not that many people have a burning desire to go to Birmingham, Alabama, but there is especially one reason why Major League Baseball pitchers do not enjoy going there. Of course, that would be Dr. James Andrews, the noted surgeon who specializes in performing Tommy John surgery. A’s young pitcher Brett Anderson will be visiting with Dr. Andrews to get an opinion on his elbow, which has currently landed him on the disabled list. If you can stash him on the DL, do it in case he doesn’t need surgery. If he does have to go under the knife, he will be gone the rest of this year and likely most of next season as well.
3. Edinson’s Light Bulb Went On – Reds starting pitcher Edinson Volquez made his return from the minor leagues to defeat the Cubs 8-2. He threw seven innings and allowed only one run on seven hits while walking two and striking out seven. This is a step in the right direction for the former ace of the staff who was sent to the minors to work on the command of his pitches. He may be available in some leagues, so grab him if he is. Rumor has it that Tigers’ legend Billy Chapel taught Volquez how to “clear the mechanism.” Get the reference???
2. Summer Lovin’ in San Diego – Padres prospect Anthony Rizzo is expected to be recalled very shortly once he receives a clean bill of health on this thumb. Rizzo is a strong first baseman who will be immediately be relied upon to inject some power in the middle of San Diego’s lineup. He is one of the top prospects in baseball and should be added if he is available.
1. Flash 2.0 – Dee Gordon, the son of former major league pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon, made his big league debut on Monday night as a pinch runner. On Tuesday, he made his first start and proceeded to go 3-5 with a run scored and a stolen base. With Rafael Furcal back on the DL and likely out a month, Gordon should get plenty of playing time to show off his skills. He could be a big boost to your roto team if you need stolen bases from the weak middle infield position. If he plays especially well and doesn’t seem overmatched, it would not be surprising to see Gordon supplant Furcal as the starter when he comes back. For now, keep an eye on his playing time and definitely add him if available.
New Fantasy Judgment decision – fantasy baseball trade (Castro/Desmond)
SUPREME COURT OF FANTASY JUDGMENT
Stud Muffins v. Nub Vader
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI FROM THE INCONTINENT LEAGUE
Decided June 8, 2011
Cite as 3 F.J. 34 (June 2011)
Factual Background
A rotisserie fantasy baseball league (hereinafter referred to as “Roto league” or “The Incontinent League”) utilizing an auction-style draft and transaction platform seeks an evaluation of a trade made between two teams within the Roto league. This is an NL-only keeper league where each team is permitted to maintain up to ten (10) players during each off-season with each individual player allowed to be kept for a maximum of three (3) years. Each team is also permitted to keep two minor league players which are in addition to the ten players kept. This Roto league also has a $36.00 in-season salary cap that is applicable for all teams.
As with many rotisserie leagues, the subject Roto league uses the standard 5×5 scoring categories to determine the standings and prize money. For offensive players, the five categories are: (1) batting average; (2) homeruns; (3) runs batted in; (4) runs scored; and (5) stolen bases. For pitchers, the five categories are: (1) wins; (2) earned run average; (3) WHIP (walks+hits/innings pitched); (4) strikeouts; and (5) saves. Statistics are cumulative throughout the course of the season and there are no head to head games contained within the Roto league.
Procedural History
The Stud Muffins have made a trade with Nub Vader. The Stud Muffins traded Starlin Castro (SS-CHC), Matt Lindstrom (RP-COL), and Wilson Ramos (C-WAS) to Nub Vader in exchange for Ian Desmond (SS-WAS), Koyie Hill (C-CHC), and Ricky Nolasco (SP-FLA).
Issue Presented
(1) Should the trade between the Stud Muffins and Nub Vader be upheld and approved?
Decision
The Supreme Court of Fantasy Judgment typically favors individual fantasy sports participants and teams’ ability to make moves, transactions, and trades. The standard of review has been that people pay money to purchase a team in a league, draft their team, and manage it accordingly. Whether success is bred from that individual’s decision-making is purely left to some skill, luck, dedication, and savviness. The Court also acknowledges that the analysis for evaluating trades is much different in a keeper league than a non-keeper league. A trade that may look uneven or lopsided on its face may receive a different opinion when it is involved in a keeper league. The reasons for this are obvious, but must be restated. In a keeper league, teams that are having unsuccessful seasons are more likely to continue to pay attention and make moves that will set themselves up for better success in the following season. They can do this by acquiring young talent that is not under contract within the league, or by dumping salary (assuming it is an auction league) and allowing greater financial flexibility to sign key players in the next season’s draft. In non-keeper leagues, there is no rationale for thinking ahead, nor is there any need to stockpile young, inexpensive talent.
Another factor that the Court must always consider is whether there is any collusion or under-the-table dealings going on between teams. The Court has not been presented with any evidence of such malfeasance, so assumptions will be made that this is not an issue.
The Court has always held that the approval or rejection of a trade is based purely on its fairness, free from collusion, and in the best interests of the league. Whether a trade is intelligent or popular will not be part of the analysis. The virtue of a trade is measured in both quantifiable criteria and subjective needs of the teams involved. See Carson City Cocks v. Stud Muffins, 3 F.J. 23, 24 (May 2011).
At first glance, the trade of Starlin Castro, Matt Lindstrom, and Wilson Ramos in exchange for Ian Desmond, Koyie Hill and Ricky Nolasco looks fair. None of the players involved can objectively be considered stars, so there is no need to analyze whether the trade “shocks the conscience” as it would have had the trade included a player such as Albert Pujols or Roy Halladay. None of the offensive players in the trade will contribute much in terms of homeruns and RBI. Castro and Desmond are respectable options at shortstop and each will contribute in terms of runs and stolen bases. Ramos is by far a better hitter than Hill, who is a career backup and has only received playing time with the Cubs due to Geovany Soto’s struggles. Ramos is the primary catcher in Washington and has shown some ability to handle the bat. He was a highly touted prospect with the Twins and was acquired in 2010 in exchange for Matt Capps. Ramos will get every opportunity to play and learn from his backup, Ivan Rodriguez. Nolasco has never fulfilled his potential since a breakout season a couple years ago when he nearly struck out 200 batters. He is still a solid starting pitcher to round out a staff. Lindstrom is a setup relief pitcher and will only get saves when Rockies’ closer Huston Street needs a rest or is injured. His ERA and WHIP have been impressive as he looks like he finally learned how to pitch instead of just throwing 100 mph fastballs.
When analyzing the fairness and equity of a trade, the Court will consider each team’s individual needs to assess whether the trade subjectively made sense from each team’s perspective. See Cajon Crawdads vs. Carson City Cocks, 1 F.J. 41, 42 (June 2010) (upholding a trade for Jason Bay because of the Carson City Cocks’ desperate need for a starting outfielder due to the demotion of Cameron Maybin). This trade at issue involves a pitcher, catcher and shortstop on both sides. As a result, there is no need to do a positional analysis of either team because the exchange is exact (except for the fact Lindstrom is a relief pitcher and Nolasco is a starting pitcher). The Court does note that it is peculiar as to why Nub Vader, the 11th place team, would trade off Nolasco in exchange for Lindstrom when starting pitching is clearly a weakness of his. The exchange is fair, but the Court recognizes the disconnect between the trade and the more prevailing needs of a team at the bottom of the standings.
Statistically, the trade favors Nub Vader on offense. In contrast, the Stud Muffins are getting the better pitcher in Nolasco who will contribute wins and strikeouts where Lindstrom cannot. The statistical comparison of the players is provided below:
|
Player |
AVG. |
HR |
RBI |
Runs |
SB |
|
Starlin Castro |
.301 |
1 |
26 |
31 |
5 |
|
Wilson Ramos |
.254 |
4 |
17 |
19 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian Desmond |
.229 |
3 |
17 |
26 |
18 |
|
Koyie Hill |
.215 |
1 |
7 |
11 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Player |
Wins |
ERA |
K’s |
WHIP |
Saves |
|
Matt Lindstrom |
0 |
1.48 |
17 |
1.02 |
2 |
|
Ricky Nolasco |
4 |
3.99 |
65 |
1.30 |
0 |
Based on the statistical comparison of the players involved, the numbers are close enough to preclude the need for any deeper performance analysis.
In terms of keeper league status and salary cap value, this trade does not raise any red flags regarding a large disparity in salary cap value or keeper league contract status. Nub Vader will acquire $1.00 in salary cap room by making the trade and will have Ramos for two more years and Castro for one more. In contrast, the Stud Muffins will have the rights to Nolasco for another two years.
As referenced in Smittydogs v. Moneyball, 1 F.J. 32, 34 (June 2010), the dichotomy between the Stud Muffins and Nub Vader’s motivations is precisely why the Court must look at trades in keeper leagues differently than non-keeper leagues. If this trade had been made in a non-keeper league, the Court would still likely approve it.
It should be reiterated that the Court typically favors a league owner’s ability to make trades and manager the roster according to his/her own preferences and judgments. When a person pays money to participate in a fantasy league, the presumption is that he/she is permitted to make whatever decisions they feel are best for their team. Based on the foregoing reasons, the Court hereby decides that the subject trade is fair and even. The trade should be approved as it comports with the best interests of the league.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
New Fantasy Judgment decision – fantasy baseball trade (Justin Upton)
SUPREME COURT OF FANTASY JUDGMENT
4 Ponies v. Nub Vader
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI FROM THE INCONTINENT LEAGUE
Decided June 8, 2011
Cite as 3 F.J. 30 (June 2011)
Factual Background
A rotisserie fantasy baseball league (hereinafter referred to as “Roto league” or “The Incontinent League”) utilizing an auction-style draft and transaction platform seeks an evaluation of a trade made between two teams within the Roto league. This is an NL-only keeper league where each team is permitted to maintain up to ten (10) players during each off-season with each individual player allowed to be kept for a maximum of three (3) years. Each team is also permitted to keep two minor league players which are in addition to the ten players kept. This Roto league also has a $36.00 in-season salary cap that is applicable for all teams.
As with many rotisserie leagues, the subject Roto league uses the standard 5×5 scoring categories to determine the standings and prize money. For offensive players, the five categories are: (1) batting average; (2) homeruns; (3) runs batted in; (4) runs scored; and (5) stolen bases. For pitchers, the five categories are: (1) wins; (2) earned run average; (3) WHIP (walks+hits/innings pitched); (4) strikeouts; and (5) saves. Statistics are cumulative throughout the course of the season and there are no head to head games contained within the Roto league.
Procedural History
The 4 Ponies have made a trade with Nub Vader. The 4 Ponies traded Brandon Beachy (SP-ATL), Domonic Brown (OF-PHI), and Logan Morrison (OF-FLA) to Nub Vader in exchange for Cameron Maybin (OF-SD) and Justin Upton (OF-ARZ).
Issue Presented
(1) Should the trade between the 4 Ponies and Nub Vader be upheld and approved?
Decision
The Supreme Court of Fantasy Judgment typically favors individual fantasy sports participants and teams’ ability to make moves, transactions, and trades. The standard of review has been that people pay money to purchase a team in a league, draft their team, and manage it accordingly. Whether success is bred from that individual’s decision-making is purely left to some skill, luck, dedication, and savviness. The Court also acknowledges that the analysis for evaluating trades is much different in a keeper league than a non-keeper league. A trade that may look uneven or lopsided on its face may receive a different opinion when it is involved in a keeper league. The reasons for this are obvious, but must be restated. In a keeper league, teams that are having unsuccessful seasons are more likely to continue to pay attention and make moves that will set themselves up for better success in the following season. They can do this by acquiring young talent that is not under contract within the league, or by dumping salary (assuming it is an auction league) and allowing greater financial flexibility to sign key players in the next season’s draft. In non-keeper leagues, there is no rationale for thinking ahead, nor is there any need to stockpile young, inexpensive talent.
Another factor that the Court must always consider is whether there is any collusion or under-the-table dealings going on between teams. The Court has not been presented with any evidence of such malfeasance, so assumptions will be made that this is not an issue.
The Court has always held that the approval or rejection of a trade is based purely on its fairness, free from collusion, and in the best interests of the league. Whether a trade is intelligent or popular will not be part of the analysis. The virtue of a trade is measured in both quantifiable criteria and subjective needs of the teams involved. See Carson City Cocks v. Stud Muffins, 3 F.J. 23, 24 (May 2011).
At first glance, the trade of Brandon Beachy, Domonic Brown and Logan Morrison in exchange for Cameron Maybin and Justin Upton looks fair. Justin Upton is the best player involved in this trade so the equitability of the deal will focus on him and what was given in return. Uptonhas emerged as one of the best all-around players in both real and fantasy baseball. What makes him so appealing in roto leagues is his power and speed combination that only a handful of players possess. Maybin was projected to be the same type of player but has yet to really put it all together in his young career. Clearly the 4 Ponies, currently in 2nd place, are looking to add more power and speed to their roster. In exchange, they have traded two other young outfielders in Brown and Morrison. Both of them are highly touted as well and have performed well in their brief careers. However, neither possesses the same power/speed combination that Maybin and Upton have. Despite that, Morrison has been entrenched as the Marlins everyday left fielder and is right in the middle of their lineup. Brown was only recently called up to the Phillies due to injuries and ineffectiveness of their current crop of outfielders. He has not played much against lefties, but it is expected that he will be worked into an everyday position as the season goes on. In addition to Morrison and Brown, Nub Vader is acquiring Braves’ starting pitcher Brandon Beachy. Beachy is currently on the disabled list with an oblique injury but is projected to come back within the next couple weeks. He had pitched well before the injury and will be a solid addition to Nub Vader’s staff which is sorely in need of help.
Statistically, the trade favors 4 Ponies by virtue of Upton and Maybin’s collective performance. However, it must be taken into consideration that Brown was only recalled a couple weeks ago and Morrison missed several weeks due to injury earlier in the season. This partially explains why their statistics are not nearly as close, which is demonstrated in the table below:
|
Player |
AVG. |
HR |
RBI |
Runs |
SB |
|
Justin Upton |
.272 |
11 |
30 |
36 |
11 |
|
Cameron Maybin |
.254 |
5 |
15 |
24 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domonic Brown |
.283 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
1 |
|
Logan Morrison |
.295 |
7 |
21 |
19 |
1 |
Over the course of a full season with full playing time and no injuries, all players involved in the trade are projected to have more equivalent statistics. The evaluation must take into account why there is such a discrepancy at the time the trade is made. As previously stated, Brown was in the minor leagues and Morrison was injured. Now that all players are active and healthy, the trade can be viewed through an appropriate lens which shows it is equitable.
When analyzing the fairness and equity of a trade, the Court will consider each team’s individual needs to assess whether the trade subjectively made sense from each team’s perspective. See Cajon Crawdads vs. Carson City Cocks, 1 F.J. 41, 42 (June 2010) (upholding a trade for Jason Bay because of the Carson City Cocks’ desperate need for a starting outfielder due to the demotion of Cameron Maybin). This trade at issue involves four outfielders and one starting pitcher. The exchange of two outfielders for two outfielders essentially cancels each other out in terms of specific needs for each team. The fact thatUpton is in the trade and is the best player involved necessitated the inclusion of Beachy. Despite being injured, Beachy will be a welcome addition to Nub Vader’s pitching staff which is severely lacking in quality starters (he currently has J.A. Happ, Jeff Karstens, Jake Westbrook, Mike Leake and Joe Blanton).
In terms of keeper league status and salary cap value, this trade includes a large disparity in monetary value. Beachy,. Brown and Morrison cost $0.50 each. Maybin also costs $0.50 andUptoncosts $4.20. This means that Nub Vader is gaining $3.20 in salary cap space which represents almost 10% of the Incontinent League’s $36.00 salary cap for each team. In terms of contract status,Uptonis in the first year of his contract so the 4 Ponies will have him for another two years after this. On the other hand, both Brown and Morrison only have one year left on their contracts. Presumably, Nub Vader will be able to use his newly-acquired salary cap space to replenish his team in the 2012 draft. Beachy is in the first year of his contract, and given his youth and initial success with the Braves, Nub Vader will certainly benefit from having him locked up for another two years.
As referenced in Smittydogs v. Moneyball, 1 F.J. 32, 34 (June 2010), the dichotomy between the 4 Ponies and Nub Vader’s motivations is precisely why the Court must look at trades in keeper leagues differently than non-keeper leagues. If this trade had been made in a non-keeper league, the Court would still likely approve it.
It should be reiterated that the Court typically favors a league owner’s ability to make trades and manager the roster according to his/her own preferences and judgments. When a person pays money to participate in a fantasy league, the presumption is that he/she is permitted to make whatever decisions they feel are best for their team. Based on the foregoing reasons, the Court hereby decides that the subject trade is fair and even. The trade should be approved as it comports with the best interests of the league.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
New Fantasy Judgment decision – fantasy baseball trade rejected (Cole Hamels)
SUPREME COURT OF FANTASY JUDGMENT
4 Ponies v. Beaver Hunters
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI FROM THE INCONTINENT LEAGUE
Decided June 8, 2011
Cite as 3 F.J. 26 (June 2011)
Factual Background
A rotisserie fantasy baseball league (hereinafter referred to as “Roto league” or “The Incontinent League”) utilizing an auction-style draft and transaction platform seeks an evaluation of a trade made between two teams within the Roto league. This is an NL-only keeper league where each team is permitted to maintain up to ten (10) players during each off-season with each individual player allowed to be kept for a maximum of three (3) years. Each team is also permitted to keep two minor league players which are in addition to the ten players kept. This Roto league also has a $36.00 in-season salary cap that is applicable for all teams.
As with many rotisserie leagues, the subject Roto league uses the standard 5×5 scoring categories to determine the standings and prize money. For offensive players, the five categories are: (1) batting average; (2) homeruns; (3) runs batted in; (4) runs scored; and (5) stolen bases. For pitchers, the five categories are: (1) wins; (2) earned run average; (3) WHIP (walks+hits/innings pitched); (4) strikeouts; and (5) saves. Statistics are cumulative throughout the course of the season and there are no head to head games contained within the Roto league.
Procedural History
The 4 Ponies have made a trade with the Beaver Hunters. The 4 Ponies traded Jhoulys Chacin (SP-COL) and Jordan Lyles (SP-HOU) to the Beaver Hunters in exchange for Cole Hamels (SP-PHI) and Leo Nunez (RP-FLA).
According to the Commissioner of the Incontinent League, several members of the league have challenged this trade as being too lopsided. There are no known issues between the two teams involved in the trade, or with other teams that have challenged the validity of the trade.
Issue Presented
(1) Should the trade between the 4 Ponies and the Beaver Hunters be upheld and approved?
Decision
The Supreme Court of Fantasy Judgment typically favors individual fantasy sports participants and teams’ ability to make moves, transactions, and trades. The standard of review has been that people pay money to purchase a team in a league, draft their team, and manage it accordingly. Whether success is bred from that individual’s decision-making is purely left to some skill, luck, dedication, and savviness. The Court also acknowledges that the analysis for evaluating trades is much different in a keeper league than a non-keeper league. A trade that may look uneven or lopsided on its face may receive a different opinion when it is involved in a keeper league. The reasons for this are obvious, but must be restated. In a keeper league, teams that are having unsuccessful seasons are more likely to continue to pay attention and make moves that will set themselves up for better success in the following season. They can do this by acquiring young talent that is not under contract within the league, or by dumping salary (assuming it is an auction league) and allowing greater financial flexibility to sign key players in the next season’s draft. In non-keeper leagues, there is no rationale for thinking ahead, nor is there any need to stockpile young, inexpensive talent.
Another factor that the Court must always consider is whether there is any collusion or under-the-table dealings going on between teams. The Court has not been presented with any evidence of such malfeasance, so assumptions will be made that this is not an issue.
The Court has always held that the approval or rejection of a trade is based purely on its fairness, free from collusion, and in the best interests of the league. Whether a trade is intelligent or popular will not be part of the analysis. The virtue of a trade is measured in both quantifiable criteria and subjective needs of the teams involved. See Carson City Cocks v. Stud Muffins, 3 F.J. 23, 24 (May 2011).
At first glance, the trade of Jhoulys Chacin and Jordan Lyles in exchange for Cole Hamels and Leo Nunez does not look even. The reason for initial pause is because Hamels is unequivocally one of the top pitchers in both real and fantasy baseball, and any trade he is involved in should likely have a player of equal or approximate value on the other side. One exception to this is in a keeper league where teams out of playoff contention are looking to build for the future by trading expensive, star players in exchange for cheaper prospects. It should be noted that this trade was made for Week 10 of the fantasy baseball season and no team in the Incontinent League has been mathematically eliminated from a playoff spot or precluded from a monetary prize. Another reason to question the trade on its face is the inclusion of Nunez WITH Hamels in the deal. Nunez does not possess the same name recognition as Hamels, but all he has done is lead the National League in saves thus far in 2011. Given the Incontinent League is NL-only, Nunez has considerable value now as the best closer in the league. On the contrary, both Chacin and Lyles are prospects in theRockiesand Astros organizations respectively. Chacin has almost a year’s worth of big league experience and has had some moderate success thus far. Lyles only recently made his debut and will likely be sent back down to the minors. Neither of them elicits the same projected value to warrant comparison to Hamels and Nunez collectively.
When analyzing the fairness and equity of a trade, the Court will consider each team’s individual needs to assess whether the trade subjectively made sense from each team’s perspective. See Cajon Crawdads vs. Carson City Cocks, 1 F.J. 41, 42 (June 2010) (upholding a trade for Jason Bay because of the Carson City Cocks’ desperate need for a starting outfielder due to the demotion of Cameron Maybin). This trade at issue involves three starting pitchers and one closer. Prior to the trade, the Beaver Hunters (in 10th place at the time) had a pitching staff that consisted of Hamels, Yovani Gallardo and Johnny Cueto as its best starting pitchers. They also had Nunez, Carlos Marmol and Craig Kimbrel as closers. Based on this, it can be justified why the Beaver Hunters would trade Nunez because they are still left with two top closers and can compete for points in the saves, ERA, and WHIP categories. However, removing Hamels from their staff significantly weakened their starting pitching. Additionally, the Beaver Hunters current offensive roster consists of Ryan Braun and a plethora of average platoon players. Granted, they have Ryan Zimmerman and Buster Posey on the disabled list which has affected their team. But the overarching commentary on the Beaver Hunters’ roster is that they are in desperate need of offensive help. Trading Hamels and Nunez would make more sense if the Beaver Hunters were acquiring commensurate players to improve their offense. Chacin is a young and rising pitcher who has shown flashes of brilliance early in his career. But he is hardly as productive or consistent as Hamels. Lyles is another young prospect with the Astros who recently made his major league debut due to injuries inHouston’s rotation. However, with Wandy Rodriguez set to be activated from the disable list this week, it is likely that Lyles will be sent back down to the minors as the corresponding move. Based on the aforementioned reasons, the Court cannot reasonably infer how the Beaver Hunters are benefiting from acquiring Chacin and Lyles.
In terms of keeper league status and salary cap value, this trade doesn’t make sense either. Nunez only costs $0.10 and is in his final year under contract, which means he will be available in the 2012 draft. However, Hamels is only in his first year under contract and can still be kept for an additional two years at $3.10. It must be considered where these players are in terms of their career which is helpful in analyzing possible motivation to perform. Hamels is arbitration-eligible after the season when his current contract expires with the Phillies. He is clearly motivated to justify seeking an arbitration award comparable to Tim Lincecum’s record-setting deal. After he likely agrees to a one-year contract with the Phillies, he will be pitching in 2012 as a pending free agent. This should serve as an extra motivating factor for him to succeed as he will likely be seeking Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee type years and dollars on the open market. The Beaver Hunters have him locked up under contract for these important seasons. To trade him away for unequivocal value in return is incomprehensible. Even assuming arguendo that Jhoulys Chacin’s potential is equivalent for Hamels’ current value, Chacin is only signed for one more year before he re-enters the Incontinent League’s draft. So the Beaver Hunters are missing out on one whole year of productivity in this exchange. From a financial standpoint, the Beaver Hunters are only gaining $1.70 in net salary cap space by making this trade. In a league with a $36.00 salary cap, that does not represent a significant enough amount when dealing with a players of Hamels’ magnitude.
As referenced in Smittydogs v. Moneyball, 1 F.J. 32, 34 (June 2010), the dichotomy between the 4 Ponies and the Beaver Hunters’ motivations is precisely why the Court must look at trades in keeper leagues differently than non-keeper leagues. If this trade had been made in a non-keeper league, the Court would vehemently reject it.
It should be reiterated that the Court typically favors a league owner’s ability to make trades and manager the roster according to his/her own preferences and judgments. When a person pays money to participate in a fantasy league, the presumption is that he/she is permitted to make whatever decisions they feel are best for their team. However, when a trade such as this is proposed, it throws off the competitive balance of the league and creates a slippery slope for future trades. The Court has no issues with the idea of trading Cole Hamels and/or Leo Nunez. However, given what the Beaver Hunters were receiving in return, the Court cannot endorse such a maneuver due to the inequity of the return package. Based on the foregoing reasons, the Court hereby decides that the subject trade is unfair, uneven, and should be modified before being granted approval. The trade should be rejected as it fails to comport with the best interests of the league.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
