Another week passes, another trade has been made. I announced to the league that I'm in full "fire sale" mode at 5-10 (I won last week during the short week with a 16th inning save by Jon Papelbon.) My goal is to improve my keepers as much as possible, which means everyone is expendable besides my top 5 guys (we get 6 keepers, so I'd obviously be willing to trade players 6 and 7 for a higher quality keeper.) This is the best aspect of being in a keeper fantasy baseball league because certain moves actually play out in a manner reminiscent of MLB trades. Consider me the Astros (it would be the Cubs because none of my players have no trade clauses.)
So I mentioned a trade, didn't I? Ok, here's what I gave up:
Jon Papelbon and Anibal Sanchez
FOR
Big Game James Shields!
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| "James Shields is pitching because he's a Jewish person." -- Crazy lady on Tampa talk radio, 2010 |
I agree this is not a great trade if my goal was to continue competing for a playoff spot. However, my goal is not to compete but to improve my keepers. Currently, my certain keepers are now: Jered Weaver, James Shields, Jose Reyes, Joe Mauer, and Chase Utley. My final decision leaves me with Paul Konerko or Daniel Hudson (who I'm liking more and more each week.) I also have Jose Valverde, but I've decided it is dumb to keep relief pitchers unless you have one of the top 2 or 3 relievers. This made Papelbon expendable AND how great is it that I no longer have to have his dumb face on my team?! What an ass clown.
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| GOOD RIDDANCE. |
James Shields, on the other hand, is almost 30, in the prime of his career, leads the majors in complete games, and has a savage ERA in the AL East. Quite impressive. I'm excited about acquiring such a quality pitcher and I've seen it is possible that he gets traded to another team. I could imagine this guy in the NL. He would crush bitches. I will also say that the best man from my wedding can expect texts saying "Big Game James!" about every 5 to 6 days. Enjoy buddy!
So what do you think? Is this a good strategy? Am I making the proper moves? Keep in mind I've acquired two of the top 5 pitchers (Weaver and Shields) in the past month or so AND the top offensive player this year (Reyes.) I feel like Billy Beane when he knew what he was doing and getting extremely lucky. Side note: Why the fuck didn't Art Howe pinch run Eric Byrnes for Jeremy Giambi against the Yankees in the ALCS?!
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| Byrnes beats this throw by literally 90 feet. Giambi would've beat it if he slid. |
I bet Phillip Seymour Hoffman could manage the A's better! Best Man (from the previous paragraph) believes that "Moneyball" looks like a Lifetime movie. LOL!
If nothing else, these trades have distracted me from the awfulness that is my team. Have a fun weekend, assholes- see you on Monday.
