RealGM

I'm in a keeper league, can keep any two guys from last year.
These are my best players:
Evan Longoria
B.J. Upton
Johan Santana
Ervin Santana
Geovany Soto
Jay Bruce
Prince Fielder

Who do I keep? Longoria's a given, Soto vs. Upton vs. Johan Santana is my tough choice.
Thanks for any opinions.

What are the league settings?

Basketball Jesus wrote:What are the league settings?

Sorry,

14 teams
Scoring Type: Head-to-Head
Player Universe: All baseball
New Players Become Available: As soon as Yahoo! adds them
Max Moves: 20
Max Trades: 10
Trade Reject Time: 2
Trade End Date: August 2, 2009
Waiver Time: 1 day
Can't Cut List Provider: None
Trade Review: League Votes
Post Draft Players: Follow Waiver Rules
Max Acquisitions per Week: 2
Min Innings Pitched: 7
Weekly Deadline: Weekly on Monday
Start Scoring on: Week 1
Playoffs: Week 22, 23 and 24 (8 teams)
Roster Positions: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF, Util, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, DL
Stat Categories: R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, XBH, W, CG, SV, K, ERA, WHIP

Approach this like it were a draft; which players can you see going in the first two rounds of a non-keeper league draft?

The first two cuts are pretty easy: you can say goodbye to Ervin Santana and Jay Bruce. Ervin’s already injured and Jay Bruce is no second-round pick.

You can probably forget BJ Upton; last season will scare off some people so you could probably end up with him again later in the draft.

Even though Soto’s a top catcher, I think he doesn’t make the cut. Plus he caught a lot of innings last season, so there’s a good chance for fatigue/injury.

It’s between Longoria, Fielder, and Johan. Johan’s probably the safest bet of the three and I think it might be easier for you to find an elite 1B out of the non-keepers than it would be to find an elite 3B.

Johan and Longoria.

Thanks, that's what I'm leaning towards, but Upton found his power stroke in the playoffs and is a five tool guy who has the talent to be an absolute beast. I'd have 2nd and 3rd locked down. But you're right, Upton might slip, Santana will not. If Fielder was coming off his 50 HR season, I'd probably lean towards him, but he's not.

I’m iffy on keeping second-tier outfielders in non-specific leagues (i.e. no LF/CF/RF) designations, especially in leagues where you’re only allowed two keepers. You’ll probably be able to find comparable talent to Upton in the first five or so rounds. Hell, you could probably even land him yourself after the third round or so.

I concur. Keep Johan and Longoria