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New Fantasy Judgment decision – fantasy baseball trade (Bastardo/Motte)
SUPREME COURT OF FANTASY JUDGMENT
Road Runners v. Urban Achievers
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI FROM THE ANGERTHAL LEAGUE
Decided June 28, 2011
Cite as 3 F.J. 47 (June 2011)
Factual Background
A rotisserie fantasy baseball league (hereinafter referred to as “Roto league” or “The Angerthal League”) that was formed in 1988 and utilized an auction-style draft seeks an evaluation of a trade made between two teams within the Roto league. This is a twelve-team NL-only keeper league where each team has a $260.00 salary cap to draft 23 players. During the season, there is no limitation on players’ salaries. Teams are permitted to retain between 7-15 players during each off-season with each individual player allowed to be kept for three years before they must either be signed to a long-term contract (“LTC”), play, or be returned to the free agent pool.
Players with a LTC have a progressive salary structure of (Base Salary + ((N-1) * 5)) where N = the number of years a team wants to sign the player. Once a player is signed to a LTC, there is a real monetary penalty (which depends on the structure of the salary of the player – if the salary is less than $10, then there is a penalty of $20; or there is a penalty of two times the player’s salary if he is released early from a LTC). All money collected for penalties is placed into the pool for prize money. After a LTC is completed, the player is not eligible to be signed again and must be placed back into the free agent pool for the next season’s draft. Teams that finish in 1st through 4th place in the Roto League will win money prizes at the end of each season.
As with many rotisserie leagues, the Angerthal 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 Road Runners have made a trade with the Urban Achievers. The Road Runners traded Jason Motte (RP-STL) to the Urban Achievers in exchange for Antonio Bastardo (RP-PHI).
According to the Angerthal League’s Commissioner, several other members of the league have challenged this trade alleging there is a significant disparity in the value of a potential closer in exchange for a middle reliever with no distinct inherent value. Members of the league also argue that the Urban Achievers failed to explore other trade options that would have arguably netted them better compensation than Jason Motte.
Issue Presented
(1) Should the trade between the Road Runners and Urban Achievers 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. According to the league Commissioner, the league members involved in the subject trade are very close friends. While several members of the league have challenged the trade, no one has outwardly accused the teams of colluding. However, the general consensus of the league is that this is an instance of one friend helping another based on the impression that the Urban Achievers, currently in 11th place, did not receive commensurate value for Bastardo from the Road Runners, currently in first place. While that is a subjective point of view in determining the value exchanged in the trade, the fact remains that there is inconclusive evidence of any collusion that would warrant immediate denial of the deal. The fact that the league members are close friends is not demonstrative in and of itself of collusion. See Jetnuts v. Joker’s Wild, 2 F.J. 15, 16 (September 2010) (holding that family members should not be held under any additional scrutiny when making trades outside of evidence supporting a collusive effort). The Court is not aware of any prior complaints or allegations of collusive conduct between these league members. Based on the foregoing, the Court concludes that there is no collusion in place or tacit agreements to share potential winnings between the team owners.
At first glance, the trade of Jason Motte in exchange for Antonio Bastardo looks fair and even. The only reason there is potential inequity between the relief pitchers is the fact that Bastardo will be the Phillies’ closer while Ryan Madson is on the disabled list. Both pitchers have had success this season as setup relievers, posting very similar numbers. Another similarity between them is that their respective teams have had multiple pitchers serve as closer. In St. Louis, incumbent closer Ryan Franklin blew several saves at the beginning of the season before he was replaced by Mitchell Boggs. Boggs then struggled and was replaced by a committee until Fernando Salas emerged as the best option over Eduardo Sanchez. Motte has remained in a setup role, although he does have the ability to close games if needed. In Philadelphia, incumbent closer Brad Lidge began the season on the disabled list and still has not returned. Jose Contreras was then given the chance to close games and was successful until he succumbed to injury as well. Following Contreras, Ryan Madson was anointed the team’s closer and has been dominant. However, he was placed on the disabled list and the role is now likely to be assumed by Bastardo.
The following chart represents a statistical comparison between the two players in the relevant roto categories as of June 28, 2011:
|
Player |
Wins |
ERA |
K’s |
WHIP |
Saves |
|
Antonio Bastardo |
3 |
0.96 |
33 |
0.85 |
2 |
|
Jason Motte |
3 |
2.81 |
30 |
1.09 |
0 |
As can be seen from this comparison, both Motte and Bastardo have very similar numbers. The difference is that Bastardo will now have save chances for a very successful Phillies team whereas Motte does not currently have such opportunities. While this gives Bastardo additional inherent value, there is no guarantee that his success as a setup reliever will transfer to his new role as closer. With few exceptions (i.e., Neftali Feliz), it is rare for a pitcher with such little experience as Bastardo to step in and immediately succeed as a closer.
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 involves two relief pitchers. The Urban Achievers did not have any other closers on their roster – only mediocre middle relievers including Bobby Parnell and Brian Sanches. It was apparent that he has “punted” the saves category, which is not an uncommon strategy in roto leagues. Acquiring Jason Motte fits the pattern that the Urban Achievers had created. The Road Runners already had Drew Storen and Mark Melancon as closers. Neither is considered a high-end closer, but they are closers nonetheless. The acquisition of Bastardo will help in the saves category assuming he is successful. Based on the foregoing analysis, the needs of each team were clearly delineated and equally met with this trade.
In terms of keeper league status and salary cap value, this trade is almost equivocal. Motte is an owned player with a salary of $2.00 and is eligible to be signed to a LTC. Bastardo was not drafted. He was added through the league’s free agent auction bidding process and his rights through the remainder of the season are controlled by the owning team. The salaries and contractual status of both players are not significant enough to factor into the evaluation given the equality of the players involved. See Smittydogs v. Stud Muffins, 3 F.J. 10, 11 (April 2011) (holding that a $0.10 differential amongst the players salaries in a league where each team has a $36.00 budget was not enough to factor into the Court’s evaluation).
As referenced in Smittydogs v. Moneyball, 1 F.J. 32, 34 (June 2010), the dichotomy between the Road Runners and Urban Achievers’ motivations is precisely why the Court must look at trades in keeper leagues differently than non-keeper leagues. However, had this trade been made in a non-keeper league, the Court would still likely approve it.
While this trade may not be the most intelligent deal that could have been made by the Urban Achievers, it is certainly not unfair. It is not up to the Court to make a determination on what is considered intelligent. Rather, the Court’s role in this jurisdiction is to evaluate the objective merits of a deal and ensure that the integrity of the league is maintained. See Victoria’s Secret v. C-Train, 2 F.J. 32, 35 (October 2010). Here, a trade was proposed and agreed to between two teams on the opposite ends of the standings. While the potential value of the two players may not be exactly commensurate given Bastardo’s upcoming opportunities to gain saves, the trade is not lopsided enough to warrant an intervention. Unwise decisions should not be scrutinized or vetoed merely because they are unwise. See Id. at 35 (upholding the May 2010 trade of Justin Upton and Zack Duke in exchange for Raul Ibanez and Josh Johnson). Additionally, the claim by the amicus plaintiffs that Urban Achievers should have solicited better trade offers for Bastardo is vehemently rejected. Teams are not obligated to shop players around to appease skeptical league members. Based on the foregoing reasons, the Court hereby decides that the subject trade should be approved.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
New Fantasy Judgment decision – fantasy baseball trade (Carlos Pena/Geovany Soto)
SUPREME COURT OF FANTASY JUDGMENT
Carson City Cocks v. Moneyball
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI FROM THE INCONTINENT LEAGUE
Decided June 27, 2011
Cite as 3 F.J. 41 (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 Carson City Cocks have made a trade with Moneyball. The Carson City Cocks traded Geovany Soto (C-CHC) to Moneyball in exchange for Carlos Pena (1B-CHC).
Issue Presented
(1) Should the trade between the Carson City Cocks and Moneyball 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.
At first glance, the trade of Geovany Soto in exchange for Carlos Pena looks fair and even. Both players have had success in the past and have fallen on hard times over the last couple seasons. Soto had emerged as a top fantasy option at the vacuous catcher’s position only a few years ago. However, injuries and lack of production have relegated him to merely a second or third tier option in terms of fantasy value. However, in a roto format, he still does possess the potential to contribute in power categories. Carlos Pena is coming off of one of the worst seasons an everyday player can have when he failed to hit .200 during the 2010 season. He still produces 25+ homeruns and will drive in 80-90 runs, but he is a death wish for the batting average category. That being said, his value as a first baseman is commensurate with Soto’s value as a catcher. They both play every day for the Chicago Cubs and have the ability to capitalize on the friendly confines of Wrigley Field during the summer months. Neither player will hit for a high batting average, score a lot of runs, or steal many (if any) bases. Their value lies in the homerun and RBI categories.
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 involves one catcher and one first baseman. Prior to the trade, the Carson City Cocks lost Albert Pujols (1B-STL) to injury for four to six weeks due to suffering a fractured wrist. Clearly this left a void at first base or corner infielder, so it is obvious why the Carson City Cocks sought to acquire Pena. Trading Soto does not leave them without viable catching options as they also have Jonathan Lucroy (C-MIL) and Josh Thole (C-NYM). Conversely, Moneyball had depth at first base with Lance Berkman (1B/OF-STL), Freddie Freeman (1B-ATL) and Ty Wigginton (1B/2B/3B-COL). This depth made Pena expendable. Moneyball’s catchers were Miguel Montero (C-ARZ) and Eli Whiteside (C-SF), so acquiring Soto made sense as an upgrade for his second catcher. The combination of Montero and Soto has the potential to be one of the most productive duos at that position. Based on the foregoing analysis, the needs of each team were clearly delineated and equally met with this trade.
In terms of keeper league status and salary cap value, this trade is almost equivocal. Both Soto and Pena are in their first year under contract with their respective teams. Soto is worth $1.20 while Pena is worth $2.00. Moneyball, currently in sixth place, will gain $0.80 in salary cap space which is not significant enough to factor into the evaluation given the equality of the players involved. See Smittydogs v. Stud Muffins, 3 F.J. 10, 11 (April 2011) (holding that a $0.10 differential amongst the players salaries was not enough to factor into the Court’s evaluation).
As referenced in Smittydogs v. Moneyball, 1 F.J. 32, 34 (June 2010), the dichotomy between the Carson City Cocks and Moneyball’s motivations is precisely why the Court must look at trades in keeper leagues differently than non-keeper leagues. However, had this trade been made in a non-keeper league, the Court would still likely approve it.
Based on the foregoing reasons, the Court hereby decides that the subject trade is fair, equal, and free of collusion. 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, again)
SUPREME COURT OF FANTASY JUDGMENT
4 Ponies v. Beaver Hunters
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI FROM THE INCONTINENT LEAGUE
Decided June 15, 2011
Cite as 3 F.J. 37 (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), Jordan Lyles (SP-HOU), and Randy Wolf (SP-MIL) to the Beaver Hunters in exchange for Cole Hamels (SP-PHI) and Leo Nunez (RP-FLA).
Previously, the Court rejected a trade between these two teams for the same players minus Randy Wolf. See 4 Ponies v. Beaver Hunters, 3 F.J. 26 (June 2011) (holding that the package of Jhoulys Chacin and Jordan Lyles was not sufficient compensation for Cole Hamels and Leo Nunez, thus undermining the best interests of the league due to the inequity of the trade). Now, the Court is being asked to consider this trade with Wolf being added to balance out the equitability of the deal. The Court was made aware that several members of The Incontinent League challenged that trade as being too lopsided, and the Court subsequently agreed.
Issue Presented
(1) Should the modified 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, Randy Wolf and Jordan Lyles in exchange for Cole Hamels and Leo Nunez does not look even. The reason for initial pause is identical to the rationale from the previous incarnation of this trade. See 4 Ponies v. Beaver Hunters, 3 F.J. 26, 27 (June 2011) (holding that the trade did not appear even on its face 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). Additionally, Nunez is one of the top closers in the National League which makes him anything but a throw-in in the deal. The package in return includes three starting pitchers with varying degrees of success and consistency. As stated in the previous case, Chacin is the best pitcher in the package and he has only had a modicum of success in his brief professional career. He is certainly worthy of being designated an up and coming prospect, but hardly worth a player of Hamels’ stature alone. Lyles has impressed the Astros enough to remain in their starting rotation, even after Wandy Rodriguez was activated. This was not anticipated when the Court previously denied this trade, so the Court recognizes that Lyles’ value is marginally greater than before due to his remainder on the big league roster. The addition of Randy Wolf is what the Court is being asked to consider as the balancing factor in the deal. In general, Wolf has never been more than an average pitcher in both real and fantasy baseball. He is a crafty veteran that is neither a short-term solution or part of the long-term plan on a keeper league fantasy baseball team. The Court now provides a statistical comparison amongst the players:
|
Player |
Wins |
ERA |
Strikeouts |
WHIP |
Saves |
|
Cole Hamels |
9 |
2.49 |
97 |
0.92 |
0 |
|
Leo Nunez |
0 |
3.30 |
32 |
1.20 |
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jhoulys Chacin |
7 |
2.90 |
74 |
1.09 |
0 |
|
Randy Wolf |
4 |
3.20 |
65 |
1.23 |
0 |
|
Jordan Lyles |
0 |
4.15 |
12 |
1.21 |
0 |
From looking at these players’ current statistics, it can be argued that the numbers amongst the starting pitchers is equivalent because their totals are not far apart. In fact, the Beaver Hunters would be getting back more wins (13) collectively than Hamels has attained on his own (9). But that cannot be the lens in which this trade is viewed. Hamels currently leads the National League in both wins and WHIP. As stated earlier, Nunez leads the National League in saves with 19. In this NL-only fantasy baseball league, they are arguably two of the most valuable players in the entire league. Loading up multiple players whose cumulative statistics equal or surpass one individual’s superstar statistics does not necessarily make a trade fair or even. Granted, Chacin has been impressive and looks to be a legitimate pitching prospect. But he is hardly a sure thing and cannot be considered equivalent value for Hamels.
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). Since this incarnation of the trade only includes an additional mediocre starting pitcher, the Court will adopt its prior reasoning in terms of the needs of each team and their respective rosters. See 4 Ponies v. Beaver Hunters, 3 F.J. 26, 28 (June 2011) (holding that no reasonable inference can be made as to how the Beaver Hunters benefit at all from the trade given how their current roster is construed).
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 $1.60 in net salary cap space by making this trade (Wolf only costs $0.10 and still has two years left on his contract). 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. Even adding Randy Wolf to the trade does not even out the trade enough to prevent it from unjustly throwing off the competitive balance of the league. The Court must consider the impact and effect on the overall league when determining whether a trade should be accepted or rejected. Based on the foregoing reasons, the Court hereby decides that the subject trade, in this current incarnation is unfair, uneven, and should be modified again before being granted approval. The trade should be rejected as it still fails to comport with the best interests of the league.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
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.
Fantasy Baseball Headlines – May 17, 2011
It was a busy and eventful day in baseball, both real and fantasy. Every Tuesday night, I write a column for Fantasy Alarm (www.fantasyalarm.com) doing a Top Ten list of newsworthy events happening in baseball and analyzing any potential fantasy impact. You can view the full article at http://www.fantasyalarm.com/may-17-2011-fantasy-baseball-tuesday-top-ten/. Here are some of the headlines that I selected with my writeups:
Jose, Can You See? – I am man enough to admit when I am wrong. I have been dead wrong about Jose Bautista since the 2010 All-Star Game. At that time, I bet my father that Bautista wouldn’t even end up the season with 30 homeruns because I felt he was a fluke and the law of averages would catch up. I ended up taking my father for a nice dinner because Bautista would go on to hit 54 homeruns. Coming into 2011, I didn’t even put Bautista on any of my draft lists, scout teams, or draft room queues. I figured he had a Brady Anderson-type season and would revert back to being the pedestrian hitter he always was. But I was wrong again. Bautista is coming off a weekend where he hit five more homeruns, including three in one game. He currently leads all of baseball with 16 homeruns and is on pace to shatter his record from last year. Whether it’s steroids, human growth hormone, maturity, or even just natural talent, Bautista is a fantasy stud and can be relied upon for maximum production across the board.
Vin-dictive – Royals pitcher Vin Mazzaro redefined what it means to take one for the team. On Monday, Mazzaro entered the game against the Indians in the first inning after Kyle Davies was removed due to injury. Mazzaro proceeded to give up 14 runs in two and a third innings. According to STATS LLC, he has the distinction of being only the third pitcher since 1947 to allow that many runs in a game. As a result of this historic performance, Mazzaro’s ERA ballooned to 22.47. To reward him for his efforts, the Royals promptly demoted him to Triple-A following the game. If Mazzaro was on your fantasy team in the first place, then you probably have many other problems to worry about. Just remember, the next time a pitcher has to take a beating for the good of the team, you can say he is taking a “Mazzaro.”
There’s Something About A-Rod – When he is not having popcorn shoved down his throat by Cameron Diaz, Alex Rodriguez moonlights as the third baseman for the New York Yankees. A-Rod has been struggling since he returned from his oblique injury a few weeks ago, and as A-Rod goes, so go the Yankees. On Tuesday night, A-Rod slugged two solo homeruns in helping the Yankees end their six-game losing streak. Could this be the beginning of a hot streak for A-Rod? He is certainly due, and if he is feeling more comfortable at the plate, then he could be on the brink of a major tear. Buy low on A-Rod and expect first class results.
Hanley’s Horrors – The proverbial god of roto baseball players, Hanley Ramirez is consistently one of the top five fantasy players drafted due to his unique combination of high average, power, and speed. However, none of that is working for him in 2011. He is currently hitting .204 with two homeruns, fourteen RBI, twenty runs scored, and eight stolen bases. This is not the production anticipated with such a high draft pick. He looks lost at the plate and is letting his emotions get the best of him at times. Fantasy owners should start inquiring with fellow league members what trade possibilities may exist for Hanley. Granted, he is slumping mightily, but just mentioning his name in trade talks should elicit some real offers. It is surprising that he has struggled so much given the firepower in the Marlins’ lineup, including Chris Coghlan, Gaby Sanchez, Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton.
Save the Drama for Posada – They don’t call baseball players the “boys of summer” for no reason. Yankees’ designated hitter Jorge Posada pulled a cardinal no-no in baseball acumen by asking out of the lineup on Saturday when he was scheduled to bat ninth in Joe Girardi’s lineup. Posada, a 16-year veteran, came into that game batting .165 and without any indications of being able to find his stroke. Posada apologized to Girardi the next day, but the damage was done as the Yankee veteran suffered from some impulsive and momentary Little League-like tantrum. Posada was viewed as a steal in fantasy drafts this year because he was eligible at catcher but would be a full-time DH in a powerful lineup. Things haven’t worked out that way thus far. Girardi has demonstrated his loyalty to the man who ironically took Girardi’s starting catcher job in 1998. Posada was used as a pinch hitter on Sunday, and then he was back in the lineup on Tuesday night where he collected two hits. Maybe he needed to hit rock bottom before getting back to the Mendoza Line. Buy low on Posada and bank on some of that Yankee magic.
We’ll be Wright Back – As if things couldn’t get any worse for the New York Mets, it was revealed on Monday that all-star third baseman David Wright has a stress fracture in his lower back. It does make sense considering how poorly Wright has performed thus far in 2011. While he refuses to use the diagnosis as an excuse for his lack of production, the reality is that it likely affected every facet of his game. Wright’s batting average has been uncharacteristically low and he has struck out at an alarming rate (even compared to his strikeout totals from 2009 and 2010). He will spend some time on the disabled list doing absolutely nothing, so at a minimum he will be out for a month, and maybe longer. This does not bode well for fantasy owners who spent a lot of auction dollars or a high draft pick on the second best third baseman on the board. Stash Wright on your disabled list and start looking for a replacement because it is possible you aren’t going to get much out of Wright the rest of the year.
Remembering a Legend – This isn’t relevant to fantasy baseball, but I would be remiss as a baseball fan if I didn’t acknowledge the unfortunate passing of Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. “The Killer” lost his battle with cancer today just days after he announced he was stopping treatment for his esophageal cancer. The former Minnesota Twin was always one of the most popular players of his time and all future generations. He was a great ambassador for the game of baseball and will be greatly missed. In his career, he produced statistics commensurate with a first round pick in any fantasy baseball draft format. RIP Harmon Killebrew.
New Fantasy Judgment decision – fantasy baseball trade (Josh Johnson)
SUPREME COURT OF FANTASY JUDGMENT
Carson City Cocks v. Stud Muffins
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI FROM
THE INCONTINENT LEAGUE
Decided May 16, 2011
Cite as 3 F.J. 23 (May 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 Carson City Cocks have made a trade with the Stud Muffins. The Carson City Cocks traded J.J. Putz (RP-ARZ) and Kyle McClellan (SP-STL) to the Stud Muffins in exchange for Josh Johnson (SP-FLA).
Issue Presented
(1) Should the trade between the Carson City Cocks and the Stud Muffins 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.
At first glance, the trade of J.J. Putz and Kyle McClellan in exchange for Josh Johnson looks peculiar. The reason for initial pause is because Johnson is unequivocally one of the top pitchers in both real and fantasy baseball, and Putz and McClellan are not household names. It is rare to see a superstar of this caliber involved in a trade that does not include either another top superstar or prime prospects for the future in keeper leagues. However, the Court has always held that its 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. Clearly this trade will raise some eyebrows by other members of the league, but the virtue of the trade is measured in both quantifiable criteria and subjective needs of the teams involved.
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 involved two starting pitchers and one closer. Prior to the trade, the Stud Muffins did not have any closers on their roster. The relief pitchers they had were all set-up relievers, including Kerry Wood, Sergio Romo and Matt Lindstrom. Presumably, the Stud Muffins were near the bottom of the rankings in saves since these relief pitchers have not had, nor will they have, many opportunities to close games for their respective teams. In fact, they are set-up men for three of the best closers in baseball (Carlos Marmol, Brian Wilson and Huston Street, respectively). It is clear that the Stud Muffins were in need of a closer. They also had Matt Cain, Chris Carpenter, and Clayton Richard as starting pitchers, so dealing Johnson was not going to leave them completely empty. With respect to the Carson City Cocks, they could afford to trade Putz because they also have Joel Hanrahan and Vicente Padilla as closers. The addition of Johnson was more crucial to improve the Carson City Cocks’ starting pitching which only consisted of Jorge de la Rosa, Wandy Rodriguez, and Jordan Zimmermann.
The wild card in this trade is Kyle McClellan. He is a converted relief pitcher thrust into the Cardinals’ rotation due to the loss of Adam Wainwright before spring training. McClellan has been impressive thus far, despite losing his last start. The Cardinals have played better than was expected of them, thanks in large part to McClellan’s emergence as a reliable starter.
Here is a statistical comparison of all players involved through May 15, 2011:
|
Player |
Wins |
Strikeouts |
ERA |
WHIP |
Saves |
|
Josh Johnson |
3 |
53 |
1.63 |
0.90 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kyle McClellan |
5 |
23 |
3.62 |
1.39 |
0 |
|
J.J. Putz |
0 |
14 |
2.40 |
1.13 |
9 |
As good as Josh Johnson is, he simply does not win a lot of games. This is not his fault, but rather as a result of poor run support or an inefficient bullpen. Johnson’s career high in wins is 15 back in 2009. In 2010, when he clearly had a better season all around, he only won 11 games and also suffered from some injuries. Currently, Johnson leads the National League in both ERA and WHIP. While his production in those categories is unparalleled, he is not a reliable source for wins for the aforementioned reasons. McClellan, still not completely proven, has at least demonstrated he will keep his team in games and last long enough to win. It would not be all that surprising if McClellan actually wins more games than Johnson in 2011. As we know, win totals do not measure the quality of a pitcher in real baseball. But in fantasy baseball, numbers and statistics are gospel (most times).
In terms of keeper league status and salary cap value, this trade is almost equivocal. All players involved are in their first year under contract with their respective teams. Johnson is worth $3.40 while McClellan is worth $0.90 and Putz is worth $2.30. The Stud Muffins, currently in seventh place, will gain $0.20 in salary cap space which is not significant enough to factor into the evaluation given the equality of the players involved. See Smittydogs v. Stud Muffins, 3 F.J. 10, 11 (April 2011) (holding that a $0.10 differential amongst the players salaries was not enough to factor into the Court’s evaluation).
As referenced in Smittydogs v. Moneyball, 1 F.J. 32, 34 (June 2010), the dichotomy between the Carson City Cocks and the Stud Muffins’ motivations is precisely why the Court must look at trades in keeper leagues differently than non-keeper leagues. However, had this trade been made in a non-keeper league, the Court would still likely approve it.
Based on the foregoing reasons, the Court hereby decides that the subject trade is fair, equal, and free of collusion. The trade should be approved as it comports with the best interests of the league.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
The Art of Making a Fantasy Baseball Trade
Today I made a significant trade in one of my fantasy baseball leagues. This is the league where I am the commissioner of an 18-team, head to head, mixed, points league where pitching is the key to success. Thus far, my staff has not performed up to standards that are even below my mediocre expectations. I have Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez, Aaron Harang, Ted Lilly, Jhoulys Chacin, Javier Vazquez, Heath Bell, Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg. We start any six pitchers, and wins and saves are both worth ten points. Additionally, quality starts are worth five, strikeouts are worth two each, and there are negative points for losses, blown saves, walks, and earned runs allowed. I have suffered from poor production and some poor decision-making as I had Chacin on the bench for one of his big starts, and my unwarranted faith in Vazquez has led me to mock his being on the bereavement list.
Every year I tend to make at least one blockbuster acquisition, so I began thinking big in order to improve my pitching. I knew I would have to make an enticing offer to someone who needed some offense, so I decided to reap the benefits of Lance Berkman’s insane start to the season. I recently sang the praises of the Big Puma (see http://fantasyjudgment.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/passing-judgment-the-resurgence-of-lance-berkman/) as he has enjoyed a renaissance thus far in 2011. But the reality is that he cannot maintain this pace over the course of the season. He is very likely going to miss some time at some point due to injuries, and his 35-year old body cannot sustain playing everyday in the outfield. So I offered Berkman and Kevin Gregg for Cliff Lee figuring it would be rejected but hopeful there would be a counteroffer. Sure enough, my fellow league member preferred a starter and asked for Harang. It was a done deal for me.
Cliff Lee addresses the media at the press conference announcing that he has been traded to my fantasy team.
Cliff Lee is also a topic I have written about before (see http://fantasyjudgment.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/cliffs-notes-my-thoughts-on-the-cliff-lee-signing/). I made the arguments that Lee is a good pitcher, but his mediocre regular seasons in 2009 and 2010 seem to be forgotten due to his dominant playoff performances the last couple years. And for the purposes of fantasy baseball, the regular season is all that counts. While my thoughts on Lee remain the same, he is still a tremendous upgrade for me. He has been victimized by poor run support, but that should change going forward because Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz, and Domonic Brown are not far away from joining the already respectable lineup. Even in a loss, Lee will still throw a quality start with a lot of strikeouts and few walks.
As I stated before, pitching is what wins championships in the OBFBL. I have won the league three times (1999, 2002, and 2007), and each time was because I had multiple dominant pitchers. This year is one of the only years I have ever gone with the multiple stud closer route (Bell and Marmom). With saves being worth as much as wins, they ranked near the top of all pitchers in 2010, so it was a relative no-brainer to draft them given who was available. Now adding Lee into the mix should give me a more formidable staff.
The beauty of making fantasy baseball trades is that there is always a nervous sensation you get because you wonder whether you are getting screwed or whether you will come to regret your decision. I have never regretted any trade I have ever made, even if things just didn’t work out. I don’t trade out of desperation or from a position of weakness. I target what my specific needs are and figure out the least I can give up to acquire that need. That is what I did here. Sure I will miss Berkman’s bat in my lineup, but I am counting on him tailing off at some point. Now I need to acquire another hitter, and with the pitching excess I have, that is the direction I will go.
The other key to making effective fantasy baseball trades is to be patient and have some self-restraint. I previously wrote about not over-reacting so early in the season (see http://fantasyjudgment.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/passing-judgment-dont-overreact-after-one-week/), and it directly applies to making smart trades and decisions. I was not happy with how my team performed after five weeks and seven games (we play divisional doubleheaders every few weeks), but I waited until the right opportunity presented itself to get the best deal possible. If I made this offer a few weeks ago, it likely would have been rejected because my fellow league owner would have wanted to wait and see how Lee would continue to do, and he may not have believed in Berkman after such a small sample. But now 20% into the season, there was a large enough body of work to convince him that Berkman was worth acquiring for a #1 fantasy starting pitcher. It also helped that Harang has been so good thus far because he would have had no value earlier in the year. So, in the words of the great Jedi master, Yoda, “Patient must you be.”
New Fantasy Judgment decision – Miguel’s Mashers v. Detroit’s Finest (how to handle an abandoned fantasy baseball team)
SUPREME COURT OF FANTASY JUDGMENT
Miguel’s Mashers, et al. v. Detroit’s Finest
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI FROM
THE MOTOR CITY FANTASY BASEBALL LEAGUE
Decided May 6, 2011
Cite as 3 F.J. 19 (May 2011)
Factual Background
A rotisserie fantasy baseball league (hereinafter referred to as “Roto league” or “The Motor City Fantasy Baseball League”) seeks a determination whether the Commissioner can cede control of a team that has been allegedly abandoned. The Motor City Fantasy Baseball League (“MCFBL”) also seeks guidance on what to do with the abandoned team and its players. This is a twelve team, mixed AL/NL keeper league where each team is permitted to maintain up to five (5) 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 three minor league players which are in addition to the five players kept. The MCFBL utilized a snake draft and permits transactions through the free agent auction bidding process.
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.
Detroit’s Finest appears to have abandoned his team or at least has not made any attempts to make improvements through transactions, trades or lineup changes.
Procedural History
The MCFBL was formed in 2004 amongst friends from college. Of the twelve teams currently in the league, only two were not original members from 2004. One of these newer teams is Detroit’s Finest who joined the league in 2009 when an opening was created due to the departure of a league member who recently had a baby. Detroit’s Finest was brought into the league by the Commissioner whom he knew personally for several years. In 2009 and 2010, Detroit’s Finest finished near the bottom of the standings and typically did not make many transactions or engage in trade discussions. He made his league entry fee payments of an undisclosed amount in a timely manner, as did all other members of the league.
Entering the 2011 season, Detroit’s Finest elected to keep Tim Lincecum and Ryan Howard as his only keepers. He participated in the draft and acquired such players as Brandon Belt, Josh Hamilton, and Mariano Rivera. However, after Hamilton was injured earlier in the season, he never made any effort to replace him on his roster and in fact left Hamilton in his starting lineup every week accumulating no statistics as he is on the disabled list. Three separate teams in the league made trade proposals to Detroit’s Finest offering various outfielders to compensate for the loss of Hamilton, but no response was given to any of the proposals. Calls and emails from the league’s Commissioner went unanswered and unresponded to. Additionally, Belt was sent down to the minors yet Detroit’s Finest has not removed him from his starting lineup. The league Commissioner saw Detroit’s Finest in person recently and he evaded questions about his fantasy team.
Detroit’s Finest currently is in last place in the MCFBL’s standings, 18 points behind the next highest team. Several members of the league have complained to the Commissioner to do something about this. Some suggested solutions have been to abandon the team and redistribute the players in a supplemental draft, as well as to find a replacement owner to take over control.
The Commissioner has elected to do nothing at this point. Members of the league, on behalf of the Commissioner, now seek guidance in how to handle the situation going forward. The MCFBL does have a written Constitution, but it does not contain any provisions for dealing with this specific occurrence.
Issue Presented
(1) What should be done to handle an allegedly abandoned team?
Decision
The Supreme Court of Fantasy Judgment is a strong advocate for having written Constitutions that govern fantasy sports leagues. See John Doe v. Fantasy Football League Commissioner, 2 F.J. 21, 22 (October 2010). One of the primary reasons behind having a written Constitution is so that all league members are aware of the rules and guidelines in place that govern the administration and function of the fantasy league. See Shawn Kemp is My Daddy v. Fantasy Basketball League Commissioner, 2 F.J. 24, 25 (October 2010). When a league Commissioner writes out the rules and distributes them to the league, it shifts the burden onto the league members to read, understand, and adhere to the rules that are delineated. If a league member has an issue, question or challenge to one of the rules in the Constitution, they are welcome to raise this with the Commissioner before signing it or agreeing to its codification.
First, the Court recognizes the courage of the Commissioner to not make any rash decisions that could potentially call into question his integrity. The Commissioner very easily could have made a decision that somehow benefited him personally, but instead he has patiently sought the advice of the Court for guidance. The Court strongly frowns upon league Commissioners arbitrarily making decisions that do not benefit the league as a whole. See Flemish USA v. League Commissioner, 2 F.J. 35, 37 (October 2010).
On top of the fact that there is no language in the league’s Constitution dealing with this particular issue, there is also no language within the Constitution that discusses what the procedure is to handle an issue of first impression such as this. When a league Constitution is silent, the Court will defer to the default premise that a league Commissioner has the authority and discretion to handle an issue of first impression within the best interests of the league. See George v. LOEG Commissioner, 2 F.J. 42, 44 (October 2010). Normally, the Court does not advocate creating or amending rules in the middle of a season unless there are extraordinary circumstances involved, such as preventing a complete mutiny and subsequent meltdown of the league. See John Doe v. Fantasy Football League Commissioner, 2 F.J. 21, 22 (October 2010). Here, it is clear that several members of the league have requested the Commissioner take action in handling this situation. However, the record is devoid of any references to threats to quit the league or disband.
While it is never a positive scenario when a fantasy owner has purportedly stopped paying attention and managing his team. This leads to an unbalance in the standings because that abandoned team essentially guarantees a floor in a roto league or a bye in a head to head league. This obviously affects the standings and potential prize winnings down the road. However, Detroit’s Finest had already paid his league entry fee which will in turn be distributed to the league winners at the end of the season. It is well-established law that teams that pay to participate in fantasy leagues should be given the freedom to manage their teams accordingly. See 4 Ponies v. Carson City Cocks, 3 F.J. 13 (May 2011). Here, while it is unfortunate that Detroit’s Finest has inexplicably elected not to effectively manage his team, the fact remains that he paid for the ability to do what he pleases with his team, even at his own detriment. It is understood that this methodology does not necessarily comport with basic standards of competition and good faith. However, electing another option poses greater danger to the league in terms of overall fairness.
To cede control over Detroit’s Finest through fantasy eminent domain is not an ideal option. Giving control of the team to the Commissioner, another team, or the league overall simply creates more controversy than what already exists. Everyone’s own self-serving motivations would go into whatever decisions had to be made for that team. Disbanding the team and redistributing the players in a supplemental draft is not a good choice either because of the myriad of questions that are created in determining the draft order and comporting with everyone’s already existing roster requirements and limitations. The most ideal scenario is to find someone else outside the league to take over control of the team as it currently stands. Assuming this cannot be done, the Court rules that the status quo is what is best for the league. If Detroit’s Finest is destined to remain at the bottom of the standings, then that is not problematic. No matter what, one team will have to be at the bottom of the standings at the end of the year. In this case, the only difference is that it is likely a foregone conclusion which team that will be.
Based on the foregoing reasons, the Court hereby decides that the Commissioner should not do anything in terms of taking control of Detroit’s Finest. Electing to maintain the status quo eliminates any potential impropriety or the advancement of further issues. It also leaves the door open for the owner of Detroit’s Finest to come back and take over control of his team again at a later date. In the best interests of the league, as well as comporting with the duties and responsibilities of being Commissioner, the Court concludes that nothing should be done in response to the alleged abandonment of the fantasy baseball team in the MCFBL.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
