Fantasy Baseball Trading Tips
Ramirez's stock is falling; time to buy.
It’s the time of year when teams are starting to get locked into positions at the top of the league, middle of the pack, or the cellar dwellers. Now is the time to start making trade offers while managers still have hope to improve their teams.
Here are some fantasy baseball trading tips to consider.
- TRADE WITH A TEAM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE — A team at the bottom of the league is more desperate whereas one at the top is going to ride things out unless he gets an offer he can’t refuse.
- TRADE HIGH, BUY LOW — Sounds simple, but it’s just like making an investment. There is probably no better time to buy real estate than now, but still nobody is buying it. Notice how everybody wants to buy stocks when the market is at an all-time high. Look now to trade for a guy like Hanley Ramirez who is having an awful year; he will likely be de-valued by his frustrated owner.
- TRADE EARLY FOR QUALITY STATS; TRADE LATE FOR QUANTITY STATS — Up until the All Star Break, it’s best to trade for quality stats like ERA, WHIP, and Batting Average. Late in the year, a trade for a strong quality guy won’t payoff as much.
- TRY TO MOVE UP IN CATEGORIES WHERE YOU CAN BUMP DOWN THE TEAM AHEAD OF YOU — Sounds simple right, but its like a 2 point gain if you can trade for a player who will help you both gain a point and knock the guy ahead of you down a point. Its the NHL version of a “4 point game.”
- LOOK FOR PRAISE IN THE DRAFT — During the draft, inevitably some manager will say “good pick” after a selection. This likely means that this player was who he had his eye on for the next round. Take note of this and offer this player to the manager during the season.
- OFFER LOCAL PLAYER AND FAVORITE PLAYERS — In most leagues, local players are over-valued. Managers like to have their favorite players on their fantasy teams so offer those players in a trade and you are likely to get increased value.
- USE THE PHONE — I know this tip is counter-intuitive to teens and 20-somethings, but you can always negotiate better in person or on the phone than on an email or text message. Only then, can you read a person’s emotion when considering a trade.
- IMPROVE ANOTHER TEAM — Fantasy managers are not idiots and they won’t make a stupid deal. You need to offer them value that will help that team. Just don’t offer value to the team that is right behind you in the standings.
- GET A SECOND OPINION — If your doctor recommended you get surgery, you’d likely get a second opinion. Use the experts. Drop us an email and we’ll give you our advice.
- CHECK ON THE HEALTH OF THE PLAYER — Even minor injuries put players on the DL today. Check all of the available injury sites and check Twitter to see if there is a recent or nagging injury that may put your player on the DL.
- MAKE A COUNTER OFFER — If you get a trade offer that doesn’t appeal to you, don’t just say “no thanks.” A first offer is just that; its an interest feeler. Make a counter-offer.
- YOU WILL GET MORE IN SEVERAL SMALL TRADES THAN ONE BIG ONE — Pulling off the blockbuster deal is tough. Consider making several smaller trades instead of one big one.
- PLAY THE TRADE IN KEEPER LEAGUES — If you are competing for the title this year, consider trading the rights to Stephen Strasburg to the team at the bottom of the league who is already looking to next season.
June 21st, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Hey Bob, I'm looking for a second opinion on my lineup. Check it out…
C – Joe Mauer
1B – Ryan Howard, Mark Teixeira
2B – Dan Uggla, Neil Walker
3B – Alex Rodriquez
SS – Alcides Escobar, Alexi Casilla
OF – Lance Berkman, BJ Upton, Dustin Ackley, Andrew McCutchen
Util – David Ortiz
DL – Darwin Barney
Bullpen-
Josh Beckett
Jonathan Papelbon
CJ Wilson
Dillon Gee
Philip Humber
Ryan Vogelsong
Daniel Hudson
Jaime Garcia
I've offered some trades to other managers in my league (BJ Upton/Justin Upton, Lance Berkman/Hanley Ramirez, Lance Berkman/Matt Kemp). I only offer Berkman since I feel that 1B is covered well with Howard and Teixeira. Also, I'm trying to make my bullpen solid (I just dropped Mike Leake for Humber). This is my first year of fantasy baseball and I have found the Fantasy Baseball Dugout to be VERY helpful. I thought it would be cool to hear from what the site thinks about my team, aptly named The Baseball Furies. I appreciate any advice/criticism/insults/compliments, etc. I end with this; David Ortiz, MVP?
-Phillip T.
June 21st, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Phil: It looks like you spent most of your top draft picks or money on hitters, not pitchers (not a bad thing). I am surprised that you have Ackley listed as an outfielder, as he's just played 2B to date. I definitely think you are on the right track by looking for a trade for Berkman. He has over-produced to date and has trade value to the right manager. Another closer would help. Take a look at Mark Melancon of Houston; he may still be available.
June 21st, 2011 at 12:54 pm
I am a 8-6 office guy who is also a die-hard fantasy baseball fan. I'm only 31 but I have plenty of references and just started my own site this year which is fantasybabseballscholars.com. I'm in a competitive rotisserie league and I'm the two time defending champion, looking for a third. My success is attributed to keeping a loaded minor league roster at all times and knowing when to sell high and buy low.
I don't know what I could do to be of any assistance but take a loof at the site and let me what you think. I just want to spread my wings and do something I love.
July 1st, 2011 at 11:45 pm
I have a trade proposed to me, clayton Kershaw, david ortiz, mike leake. For michael penida, ricky Romero and matt joyce? Im at the bottom of my leuage shoudl i take it?
Carlos Ruiz
(Phi – C)
^
1B
Paul Konerko
(CWS – 1B)
^
Jeff Keppinger
(Hou – 2B,SS)
x BosL, 7-56%-/——–
3B
José Bautista
(Tor – 3B,OF)
SS
Starlin Castro
(ChC – SS)
Melky Cabrera
(KC – OF)
OF
Josh Reddick
(Bos – OF)
OF
Jon Jay
(StL – OF)
Util
David Ortiz
BN
Jason Bourgeois
(Hou – OF)DL
Desmond Jennings
(TB – OF)N
Allen Craig
(StL – 2B,OF)DL
My SP has alexi ogando, josh beckett, clayton kershaw, and kevin koria
July 24th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Im in a 5×5 league and was offered the following trade proposal:
I GET:
Lucroy
D.Wright
Quentin
Greinke
Guerra (LA Dodger closer)
I GIVE:
Napoli
Crawford
McCutchen
M. Rivera
Pull the trigger? Or is this a bad trade for me? Im 1 point outta 1st, the guy offering this trade is near the bottom. Thanks!!!!
July 25th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
You say that you are 1 point out of first place so good job on your season thus far. I also like the idea that you are trading with a last place team as they tend to need to go for broke at this point.
I wouldn’t call the trade lopsided, but Greinke and Wright have both been injured and have been disappointments this year. McCutcheon, on the other hand, has emerged as a 5 tool fantasy player so if you play in a keeper league, I would never part with him!
At this point in time, it’s all about picking up the stat categories that will get you to the promised land. Making a deal to help you in your weaker categories would get you there, but I recommend making several smaller deals rather than one blockbuster 9 player deal like this one.
July 27th, 2011 at 8:42 am
Yeah, you're giving up a HR-hitting catcher, the most dependable closer out there, a 5-tool player, and a talented OFer. I say hold on this one.