Who to keep, who to trade?

[Lucky]

15-team mixed 5x5 keeper league. I went all in last year (finishing a miserable third place), but I managed to wind up with a few keepers.

I'd like to trade some guys to improve my final list of ten or fewer. Who of this group would you put in the keep pile and who would you put in the trade pile? (Contract status is 2012, age one year for 2013)

Yadier Molina 14A
Miguel Montero 19A
Eric Hosmer 10B
Yonder Alonso 5A
Manny Machado 10A
Brandon Phillips 29A
Alcides Escobar 7A
Ben Zobrist 27A
Rajai Davis 5A
Carlos Gonzalez 20Y
Nick Markakis 19A
Andy Dirks 8A

Dan Haren 27B
Ian Kennedy 7Y
Max Scherzer 16B
James Shields 12B
Jason Motte 7B

[Gregg]

I will take a deeper look later tonight. I like the list. The two that I would want to trade at first blush are Phillips and Zorbist.

I would not trade Motte at $7.

[revo]

I assume this is a one-catcher league

Keep
Eric Hosmer 10B
Yonder Alonso 5A
Manny Machado 10A
Carlos Gonzalez 20Y
Ian Kennedy 7Y
Max Scherzer 16B
James Shields 12B
Jason Motte 7B

Trade/Dump
Yadier Molina 14A
Miguel Montero 19A
Brandon Phillips 29A
Alcides Escobar 7A
Ben Zobrist 27A
Rajai Davis 5A
Nick Markakis 19A
Andy Dirks 8A
Dan Haren 27B

[Lucky]

Sorry, two catcher league.

[revo]

Then add Molina to the keep list and trade Montero.

[Lucky]

Any other thoughts? I've had some interest from other owners in Shields, but I think he's a top 20 starting pitcher, even in his new home. He's only $12 and should be worth close to $20 IMO.


As an aside, what do you think about Dexter Fowler? His skill set seems a little weak, but he is still young enough to solidify his basic offensive skills.

Two more questions...is there any love for Alcides Escobar? He's seriously fast and hits a decent average.

And my nephew, Eric Hosmer...does he come back big this year? He's had time to rest and rehab from the injury which ended his 2012 a little early (and mercifully).

[Erik]

IMO the only untouchables on that list are CarGo, Motte and maybe Shields. See what you can get for everyone else. Don't trade them all, of course, but don't be afraid to part with them if the deal is right.