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Hi all,

Some of you may remember me from a couple of weeks ago where I posted my first 2009 team and got some excellent feedback from Visick, AeroDave and apolivka among others. Anyway, I broke from the gate with a 15-6 and all was right in my world.

And then I came up against my nemesis and he destroyed me in a 3 game sweep and I panicked. Background: We essentially play our leagues with the same 12-14 guys and this guy is the dominant team. Never mind that "I don't like this guy, he's a complainer, I'd play on one leg against him and most of the league thinks he's a b*tch." (Sorry, couldn't resist -- none of that's really true other than him being dominant.)

So after the sweep -- Ben Zobrist becomes available in a deal -- so naturally I would blow up my team to acquire Zobrist (Who wouldn't? - rational owners). So I deal: Cano, Prado, Holliday and E Jackson for Zobrist, Beckham, Byrd and Buehrle. Fast forward another few days and my 15-6 team is now 17-16 and only Zobrist is left from the deal. I won't even mention that the 4 guys dealt away are thriving.

We play in a graduated haircut league where the penalty is only 5% for cutting a guy but only before game 41 (so two days away). Now I know the veterans/MVPs don't like to cut players during the season because of the budget loss but cutting a guy at 5% is better than cutting a guy at 10 or 20%. And if you haven't noticed by now, my personality is such that I cannot just sit idly by while my team drifts into mediocrity or worse.

I have been quite pleased with my bullpen and a few select position players - Choo and Butler. Mauer has been overall a disappointment but there is really no one worthy to replace him -- Tulo is most expensive hitter on market and is not a great fit for my park.

Beyond Halladay and Blackburn my rotation has been awful. Is Cliff Lee really this bad? I had high hopes for Anderson and he laid an egg (I know small sample size).

So my question is a simple one -- How do I fix this team?

Thank you in advance for any insight.
TVF (BeltranFebles)

That was a real bad trade on your part. The other guy must have turned a few back flips when he saw you accepted.

[quote:827a5e15e2="durantjerry"]That was a real bad trade on your part. The other guy must have turned a few back flips when he saw you accepted.[/quote:827a5e15e2]

I completely agree with this. I also think that you need to be more patient and have more confidence in the players you selected, in essence "sit idlly by". The rolls that didn't go your way the first 1/4 of the season may go your way the remaining 3/4, so next time, just relax. Prado, Holliday, and Cano are all great players and good fits for your park.

Not to beat a dead horse, but the trade kinda boiled down to you giving up Cano, Prado, and Holliday in return for Zobrist. The others were filler, and unfortunately you got 3/4 of filler on your side.

Not only do you need the patience mentioned, but you were already doing so well pre-trade...why'd you pull the trigger? I guess like you say, it was a panic reaction to that 3 game sweep.

Hope your fortune turns!

Thanks guys. To make matters even worse -- I proposed the deal! It was a total overreaction to the sweep.

Lesson learned -- unfortunately, it will be a painful season.

Ahhh, I remember the good ole days back in 2002 when I would have done a deal like that out of emotion. Now my teams lose 100 games per season without the mistake of trading my guys away.

Kev

Even though you may have made a bad trade (I do not claim to know this year's set nearly as well as the experts that have commented on your trade. And I am not being a smart arse, these guys really are experts.) the most important advise is;.. do not freak out, or drastically change your team. I see a team that can still compete. You have to ride it out. Do not drop a bunch of players, or make a bunch of changes.I see no reason why you can't still make the playoffs. Good luck!

The only major problem I see, (upon closer review), who is at 3rd base? If it is Zobrist that is kind of a problem. You always want to have a player at his best possible position, otherwise you are overpaying for him. Not to pile on you.

I am trying to make you feel better. You made a mistake, it happens, it does not mean you are automatically eliminated. You do need a 3B men though...

I'm going to guess Chase Headley is his 3B. Still a poor choice, and a change there is recommended.

As a rule of thumb you should really think long and hard about changing something successful. It has to be a really obvious "No Brainer" move for you to make it when you are winning IMO.

v. RHP

1- Schumaker LF
2- Coghlan DH
3- Mauer C
4- Butler 1B
5- Choo RF
6- McCutchen CF
7- Zobrist 2B
8- Headley 3B
9- Andrus SS

V. LHP

1- Choo RF
2- Coghlan LF (he's a 5 but only plays LF v. LHP -- Gerut - D Rep)
3- Butler 1B
4- Mauer C
5- McCutchen CF
6- Zobrist 2B
7- Weeks DH
8- Headley 3B
9- Andrus SS

Zobrist has been dropped in my order because he has been so bad.

New look rotation:
Halladay, Hanson, Harden, de la Rosa, Blackburn
Pen:
Miller, Bard, League, Lyon, Cordero (12-12 in saves -- when I used to get save chances)