My Team

[camisadelgolf]

C Kenji Johjima
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Chase Utley
3B Hank Blalock
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Aubrey Huff
OF Pat Burrell
OF Ichiro Suzuki
UT Dave Roberts
BN Brad Hawpe
SP Felix Hernandez
SP Cole Hamels
RP Takashi Saito
RP Jose Valverde
P Javier Vazquez
P Chris Young
P Scott Kazmir
BN Jorge Julio
BN Joe Borowski

I have two un-used bench positions since I just traded Ryan Zimmerman, Wilson Betemit, Robinson Cano, and Rafael Furcal for Jimmy Rollins and Ichiro Suzuki. Anyway, here are my questions:

1. Did I overpay for Rollins and Suzuki?
2. How does my team look?
3. How should I fill my two un-used bench positions?

[Johnny Footstool]

1. While Rollins had a great season last year, I don't think he's that much of an upgrade over Furcal. I prefer Furcal's batting eye. Still, you only gave up Zimmerman (sophomore slump), Cano (you don't need him), and Betemit (spare part) for Suzuki, so that's a fine deal.

2. Your team looks pretty strong. You've got some young SPs with huge upside, but they could battle inconsistency. Your only weakness might be a lack of HR power.

3. I'd add a couple of OFers. Look for guys who hit high in the lineup, like Chris Duncan. David DeJesus just might break out this season. You should also consider 1B Mike Jacobs, who bats behind Miguel Cabrera in the Florida lineup.

[camisadelgolf]

I went for Rollins over Furcal because Furcal's game relies on speed, and his ankle's been bother him. I was okay with having Blalock (or Huff) at third instead of Zimmerman because I'm predicting a sophomore slump, too. I like Cano, but you're right-- I shouldn't need him when I have Utley. However, I'm worried about Utley having a down year, so I don't know.

I think HR power is definitely a weakness. I'm trying like crazy to trade for Adam Dunn. So far, I've been making a lot of feeler offers like Brad Hawpe, Dave Roberts, Javier Vazquez, and Jorge Julio for an Adam Dunn-type.

Mike Jacobs is taken, but I like the idea of adding outfielders. I added Chris Duncan and Brad Wilkerson. Thank you very much for the input.

[Johnny Footstool]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

I went for Rollins over Furcal because Furcal's game relies on speed, and his ankle's been bother him. I was okay with having Blalock (or Huff) at third instead of Zimmerman because I'm predicting a sophomore slump, too. I like Cano, but you're right-- I shouldn't need him when I have Utley. However, I'm worried about Utley having a down year, so I don't know.

I think HR power is definitely a weakness. I'm trying like crazy to trade for Adam Dunn. So far, I've been making a lot of feeler offers like Brad Hawpe, Dave Roberts, Javier Vazquez, and Jorge Julio for an Adam Dunn-type.

Mike Jacobs is taken, but I like the idea of adding outfielders. I added Chris Duncan and Brad Wilkerson. Thank you very much for the input.

If David DeJesus is still available, you should probably dump Wilkerson and pick him up. I know it's hard to own a KC Royal, but I think DeJesus is worth it this year.

[camisadelgolf]

Okay, here's an update on my team. On paper, I think my team is a bit improved, but I think the new guys are going to be better for trade bait than actually helping me win. If I could trade Bedard, Jones, Young, Hawpe, and Julio for Adam Dunn or better in the outfield, I would.

Out: Dave Roberts, Joe Borowski
In: Chipper Jones, Michael Young, Erik Bedard, Dan Wheeler

My team:

C Kenji Johjima
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Chase Utley
3B Hank Blalock
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Pat Burrell
OF Aubrey Huff
UT Chipper Jones
BN Michael Young
BN Brad Hawpe
DL Ramon Hernandez
SP Felix Hernandez
SP Cole Hamels
RP Takashi Saito
RP Jose Valverde
P Dan Wheeler
P Jorge Julio
P Chris Young
BN Erik Bedard
BN Javier Vazquez
BN Scott Kazmir

[camisadelgolf]

Here's another update.

Out: Javier Vazquez, Michael Young, Brad Hawpe
In: Matt Holliday, Josh Barfield, and Al Reyes

My team:

C Kenji Johjima
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Chase Utley
3B Hank Blalock
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Pat Burrell
OF Matt Holliday
UT Chipper Jones
BN Aubrey Huff
BN Josh Barfield
DL Ramon Hernandez
SP Felix Hernandez
SP Cole Hamels
RP Takashi Saito
RP Jose Valverde
P Dan Wheeler
P Jorge Julio
P Al Reyes
BN Chris Young
BN Erik Bedard
BN Scott Kazmir

It's a couple of the same questions. Did I over-pay for Holliday, Barfield, and Reyes? Where does my team need improvement?

[camisadelgolf]

Okay, here's my real team:

C Kenji Johjima
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Chase Utley
3B Chipper Jones
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Pat Burrell
OF Matt Holliday
UT Aubrey Huff (soon to be Richie Sexson?)
BN Josh Barfield
BN Adrian Beltre (soon to be Juan Pierre?)
DL Ramon Hernandez
SP Felix Hernandez
SP Cole Hamels
RP Takashi Saito
RP Jose Valverde
P Dan Wheeler
P Joe Borowski
P Chris Young
BN Erik Bedard
BN Scott Kazmir
BN Tim Lincecum (NA)

Two things make me nervous: I have no backup options at shortstop, and I wish I were to have more lights-out, dominant pitching.

[Johnny Footstool]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

Okay, here's my real team:

C Kenji Johjima
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Chase Utley
3B Chipper Jones
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Pat Burrell
OF Matt Holliday
UT Aubrey Huff (soon to be Richie Sexson?)
BN Josh Barfield
BN Adrian Beltre (soon to be Juan Pierre?)
DL Ramon Hernandez
SP Felix Hernandez
SP Cole Hamels
RP Takashi Saito
RP Jose Valverde
P Dan Wheeler
P Joe Borowski
P Chris Young
BN Erik Bedard
BN Scott Kazmir
BN Tim Lincecum (NA)

Two things make me nervous: I have no backup options at shortstop, and I wish I were to have more lights-out, dominant pitching.

You're backup SS will be someone on waivers. Third-tier shortstops aren't really worth carrying on your roster. Don't worry about it.

You've got Hernandez as your ace, plus Bedard, Hamels, Kazmir, and Young. I'd say you've got a great rotation.

[Johnny Footstool]

Holliday is almost a blue-chip outfielder, and you got him for spare parts, plus you got another closer. It's a good deal.

Dump Jorge Julio, though. You don't want any part of that mess.

[camisadelgolf]

He's not on my team anymore. I forgot to take him off. I'll constantly be updating with changes my team--sometimes I make trade offers just to offer a trade. It's a good thing I'm not the Reds' GM. Anyway, thank you again for the help.

[camisadelgolf]

An update: I traded Felix Henandez for Carlos Zambrano. I decided not to use a roster spot on Lincecum and put in a waiver request for Hughes (I think I'll get him, but I'm not sure).

As far as my bench goes, I feel very good: If Johjima goes on the DL, I have Hernandez. If Delgado is hurt, I have Gonzalez. If Utley, Jones, or an outfielder is hurt, I have Freel. If Rollins is hurt, I have Michael Young.

I think Saito is hot and will cool down reasonably soon. The Dodgers have a prospect they're grooming for the closer's role, too. I might've been overly-active, but I made a trades for Chris Ray and J.J. Putz.

I wish Delgado would finally heat up, though. He's killing me.

C Kenji Johjima
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Chase Utley
3B Chipper Jones
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Pat Burrell
OF Matt Holliday
UT Michael Young
BN Ryan Freel
BN Adrian Gonzalez
DL Ramon Hernandez
SP Carlos Zambrano
SP Cole Hamels
RP J.J. Putz
RP Jose Valverde
P Dan Wheeler
P Chris Ray
P Chris Young
BN Erik Bedard
BN Scott Kazmir
BN Phil Hughes

[camisadelgolf]

This is a head-to-head league, and I'm in fourth place. If it were rotisserie, I'd be in first place. So far, I've had the best pitching in the league, but I think that's where I need the most improvement. I just offered Brian Roberts, Michael Young, and Carlos Delgado for Albert Pujols, but I'd rather offer Roberts and Young for one of the better pitchers (but it seems no one is ever willing to trade pitching). What d'y'all think?

C Victor Martinez
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Chase Utley
3B Chipper Jones
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Chone Figgins
OF Matt Holliday
UT Adrian Gonzalez
BN Brian Roberts
BN Michael Young
BN Ramon Hernandez
SP Carlos Zambrano
SP Cole Hamels
RP J.J. Putz
RP Jose Valverde
P Joe Borowski
P Chris Ray
P John Maine
BN Erik Bedard
BN Scott Kazmir
DL Bob Wickman

[camisadelgolf]

I don't know what to do. Someone please tell me. I've dropped to fifth place. I guess I'll just wait it out. This is now how my team looks:

C Victor Martinez
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Chase Utley
3B Chipper Jones
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Jason Bay
OF Matt Holliday
UT Chone Figgins
BN Aubrey Huff
BN Felipe Lopez
DL Mike Piazza
SP Carlos Zambrano
SP Cole Hamels
RP J.J. Putz
RP Jose Valverde
P Joe Borowski
P Chris Ray
P Brandon Webb
BN Tim Lincecum
BN Rich Harden
BN Scott Kazmir

[camisadelgolf]

C Victor Martinez
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Chase Utley
3B Bill Hall
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Matt Holliday
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Jason Bay
UT Jim Thome (starting Monday--he's on my bench until then)
BN Paul Lo Duca
BN Chone Figgins
SP Cole Hamels
SP Carlos Zambrano
RP J.J. Putz
RP Chris Ray
P Jose Valverde
P Joe Borowski
P Brandon Webb
BN Tim Lincecum
BN Scott Kazmir
BN Rich Harden (on the DL)
DL Huston Street

I'm 23 games out of first place. Does anyone see any weaknesses or have any advice on how to improve my team? Was I an idiot for trading Chipper Jones?

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

C Victor Martinez
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Chase Utley
3B Bill Hall
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Matt Holliday
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Jason Bay
UT Jim Thome (starting Monday--he's on my bench until then)
BN Paul Lo Duca
BN Chone Figgins
SP Cole Hamels
SP Carlos Zambrano
RP J.J. Putz
RP Chris Ray
P Jose Valverde
P Joe Borowski
P Brandon Webb
BN Tim Lincecum
BN Scott Kazmir
BN Rich Harden (on the DL)
DL Huston Street

I'm 23 games out of first place. Does anyone see any weaknesses or have any advice on how to improve my team? Was I an idiot for trading Chipper Jones?

That team is pretty damn strong. My guess is you'll be near the top of the standings by the AS break. I think your team compares favorably to mine (and I'm in 1st place in a 12 team league by 11 points):

C McCann v. Martinez (Edge: EVEN)
1B Teixeira v. Delgado (Me)
2B Figgins v. Utley (You)
SS Furcal v. Rollins (You)
3B Wright v. Hall (Me)
OF Vlad v. Bay (Me)
OF Duncan v. Holliday (You)
OF Teahen v. Ichiro (You)
DH Ad.Gonz v. Thome (EVEN)

BN Hamilton and Kendrick v. LoDuca and Figgins (Even)

SP Hill v. Hamels (Even)
SP Peavy v. Zambrano (Me)
SP Hernandez v. Webb (Even)
SP Lincecum v. Lincecum (Even)
SP Hughes v. Kazmir (You)
SP Harden v. Harden (Even)
RP Hoffman v. Putz (Me)
RP Jenks v. Ray (Me)
RP Wheeler v. Valverde (Me)
RP Calero v. Ray (You)
RP Guardado v. Street (You)

Our teams are almost identical (it was a 6-6-6 tie!), and like I said, I'm in 1st by a comfortable margin. Stick to your guns I think you'll like the end result.