No Shame in Only Keeping Hitters

Guys,

Big fan of the show…first time e-mailer!!  Need your feedback on a trade.  I’m in a 6×6 mixed keeper league (OBP + K/9 are the extras) where I am struggling in Runs, Hits, and SBs.  I want to give up Peavy for Crawford straight up to meet some of my needs.  However, Peavy was going to be 1 of my 5 keepers and giving him up would mean not having any of my 5 keepers be pitchers.  I am worried because last year 10 SPs were on the keeper list for teams in this league and I don’t want to be stuck with Chuck James as my #1 next year ( I also can’t use pitch or ditch due to our transaction limit of 35 per season).

What do you think of getting Crawford and giving up Peavy?

Dave from Pinehurst, NC

Dave,

I like it!  Whenever you have a chance to get a fantasy stud who fits your needs perfectly, make the deal.  Even though Peavy is clearly keeper worthy, Crawford’s clearly a first rounder.  And don’t worry about not keeping a pitcher.  Entering 2007, guys like Chris Young, Josh Beckett, Erik Bedard, Cole Hamels, and Kelvim Escobar were not considered top 10 pitchers.  Four months into the season, they all boast ace-like numbers.  You should have no problem building a quality pitching staff via the draft.  Plenty of bargains can still be found.  As for Chuck James potentially being your #1 starter, I think you’d have to take about 10 straight hitters to open the draft for that to happen!

Zach Steinhorn, MLB.com