Trading With The Pros

"That's where the money is."

That's a quote from a colleague who used to write for Baseball Prospectus regarding Fantasy Baseball. Now, here at Game Four, we haven't spent too much time diving into the intricacies of fantasy numbers or the such, beyond the announcement of our two fantasy teams (Baseballgeeks.com and SportsBlah.com teams). I'd like to change that a bit. There are a lot of websites out there that try to place a value on certain players, that try to predict what a player is going to do, and what players you should try to pick up and/or avoid. I'd like to offer a different service. I'd like to help your team get better through negotiations, rather than watching the waiver wire. Namely, I'd like to help you trade your players for others that will help you win. This offer may not be for everyone, but I think it will help more than a handful. There are a few simple things I ask of you and you can view them after the jump...

First off, I need to know what your roster looks like. Who's on it? What positions are available for each player? How many positions you are allowed to have/start.
Secondly, I need to know if it's a head-to-head or roto style league.
Thirdly, I need to know how many teams are in the league.
Fourthly, is it a so-called "expert league"? Private league made up of your friends? Public league? Amateur/first-timer league?
Lastly, is it a keeper or one-year league.

Pretty simple stuff. I may ask you little things once you inquire for my help, but it will only help me better aid you in your quest for the best possible fantasy team you can field.

Now, what makes me credible. Here are a few of the trades I have pulled off in the past 6 months in various leagues, some public, some private leagues.

Aaron Harang + Jerome Williams + Todd Helton + Brandon Inge + Derrick Turnbow
for
Ben Sheets + Barry Bonds + Jose Reyes
(I then turned Barry Bonds and a draft pick for David Wright in a keeper, head-to-head league)

Justin Verlander + Jeremy Bonderman + Willy Tavarez
for
Tadahito Iguchi + Lance Berkman + Joe Blanton
(in this case I had NO 2nd baseman and a plethora of SP, including Zito, Kazmir, Pettitte, Liriano, Baker, Harden...and it was a 20-team, one year, roto league...if moved from 15th to 5th in less than 2 weeks)

I find trading to be the best part of fantasy baseball. It brings you the closest almost anyone will ever get to being an actual general manager. It shows of negotiation skills and an eye for good talent. I've pretty much traded my way to the best team I feel i can field at this time so I'd like to help others do the same. If you're interested simply e-mail me and I'll get back to you ASAP with my thoughts. All you need to do is e-mail me your roster and I'll tell you some simple things you can do to better your team. If you have a trade in mind, send the proposal to me, along with your roster and the other team's roster and I'll dissect it. If it's a good one I'll post it on Game Four for others to use as precedent.

(Baseball prospectus may have started targeting Fantasy baseball fans for more money, but I'm doing it because, well, I am a Fantasy Baseball fan. As you may have noticed, there are no advertisements on this blog. In other words, I don't make any money from this thing. It's just something I like to do.)

I find trading to be easy to be honest. It's a simple act of finding out what you need, what you have, and where you can exploit others. Is that so wrong?

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Game Notes

According to the Boston Globe, high school football teams in Connecticut aren't going to be allowed to win by more than 50 points in any given game. It's considered unsportsman-like. Yet in the college ranks it's practically encouraged to rout your opponents.

I think the Royals are finally looking for new personnel for their front office.

The Knicks would have received the #2 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft if they hadn't traded it to the Bulls. What are they going to do with it?

Edmonton is doing it for Edmonton ...not for Canada.

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Hermida Tossed in Rehab Game

DUNEDIN, FL - Jeremy Hermida, while on a rehab stint with the Marlins' single A advanced squad, the Jupiter Hammerheads, was ejected in the 9th inning of the match up against the Dunedin Blue Jays in Dunedin. Hermida was seen yelling at the home plate umpire from the dugout after teammate Brad McCann, younger brother of Atlanta's Brian McCann, was called out on strikes and dropped his bat in front of the home plate umpire with 1 out remaining in the inning.

Hermida was also seen exchanging words with catcher Robinzon Diaz before leading off the ninth inning. Coaches separated the two before anything physical could become of the altercation. Hermida struck out looking during that at bat.

Both manager Tim Cossins and Hitting Coach Darin Everson were ejected from the game as well for arguing with the home plate umpire after Hermida's ejection. Everson could be seen covering home plate with dirt using his feet as some sort of statement toward the umpire. Cossins tossed his hat over the pitchers mound once he was ejected.

Hermida has gone 3 for 15 with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks in his rehab stint with Jupiter, 1 for 7 against Dunedin. Dunedin won the game 7-1.

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For the Record

I just wanted to point out, because it needs to be said, that Steve Nash has now officially won more MVP awards than Shaquille O'Neal. I think the MVP voters in the NBA need to take a long, hard look in the mirror.

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