Trade Advice

[Krusty]

I have two trades on the table involving keepers (we can keep up to six) and the year next to the player is when their contracts expire at the end of the season. Two deals I proposed involve catcher Russell Martin and I wonder which one do you think is better:

Catcher Martin, $15, (2009), second baseman Kelly Johnson, $6 (2009) and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, $10, (2009) for second baseman Brandon Phillips, $15 (2009), Troy Tulowitzki, $10, (2009) and Yadier Molina, $5 (2009).

Second deal:
Martin, Mark Reynolds, $10, (2009) and Brad Lidge, $19, (2009) for catcher Benji Molina, $9, (2009), outfielder Justin Upton, $10, (2009) and pitcher Chad Billingsley, $6, (2009).

Thanks for the input.

[mlbfan30]

In trade 1, I take Tulo/BP/Molina over the others.
Molina might hurt more than help, and is easily replaceable. However he will be entering his prime soon. Johnson is someone who has good overall stats last year, but is deceptive due to his great start. I also think he is easily replaceable. Martin/BP is basically a wash.
I like Tulo a lot more than Kouz., and that isn't even close. Not only is Tulo a SS, but he will probably put up better stats due to ballpark effects. For this simple reason alone the trade is worth it.

In the second trade, Martin/Reynolds/Lidge win easily
Upton might eventally be really good, but you have him for only 2 years. By the time he leaves he'll be 22. It is very hard to assume he'll be worth 10, and he'll have negative value next year. Molina will be the #4 hitter, but there is so much risk involved. He's old (for a catcher) and overweight. Also his Runs are always low to the point it hurts. Billingsly is decent value.
On the other side Martin is a top 3 catcher. Reynolds is not reliable and will have negative value. Lidge is probably going to be a top closer. People look at his demotion last year and think he sucked but his peripherals are still great. I expect him to thrive in Philly with all the addition save chances. You know he's staying at closer no matter what. If it's a salary dump then i can see doing this trade, but its not worth it.

[Stephenk29]

I would do the first trade in a second. BP and Tulo are going to be fantasy giants. Nuff said.

[Krusty]

I have been offered Tulowitzki, $10, (2009) for Martin, $15 (2009) even up.

Do I do the deal despite position scarcity at the catching position? Would a Geovanny Soto or Justin Towles help offset the loss at the catching position without Martin?

[Stephenk29]

Depends on who you have at short at the moment. Martin is a top 2 fantasy catcher.

[REDblooded]

Keep Martin.