In the last log, we discussed the basics of freeze lists for keeper leagues. Today I want to look at some specific players and strategies that were used in AL and NL keeper leagues and how they might help you with your keeper leagues either drafting this week or to store for incorporating in your leagues next year.
When you have a great freeze list you want to eliminate players that would weaken your attempt to win your league.
- Example 1 – Trying too hard to save money: cheap catchers
I know some of you hate drafting catchers at all, but in two catcher leagues, you are giving your opponents a huge advantage if your catchers are negatively affecting your stats. In this particular case, with an excellent freeze list a team decided since they had a $1 George Kottaras on their team from last season they would just freeze him. Kottaras is not a bad hitter, but he is not a starter in fact the reason he and Wil Nieves (who is a better hitter) are getting as many at bats as they have to date is because the Brewers starter, Jonathan Lucroy, broke a finger in spring training and is just now starting a rehab assignment. So Kottaras will soon get even fewer at bats and what will this team be able to get from the free agent list?
- Example 2 – Managing your minor leaguers
I know we all fall in love with the players WE picked for our Farm rosters, hoping these cheaper players would become All-Stars by the time they found their way on to our rosters. I really like Hank Conger who has been a minor league standout. But just because Conger made the Angels opening day roster, should I really keep him at $5 and take up my second catcher spot? In a normal year I might be tempted to keep him, but aside from the fact that the Angels have to make an upcoming roster change and the third catcher is likely to be the one heading to the minors, the fact that MLB started the season on a Thursday, together with the fact that cbs.sportsline and most other stat providers lumped those weekend series with the first full week into “Period 1” means you may have to be wary of lineup problems you might have for that first week. I thought of keeping him at catcher two (behind VMart) and then adding an everyday catcher at UT, but I may need the extra roster spot to deal with DL or bad performance issues for “Period 1”. Best to just swallow my pride and cut him – if I can’t get a catcher who will actually help my team maybe I can get Conger back for a couple of bucks and at least have a better keeper.
- Example 3 – Long term contracts
This of course is dependent on your view of your chances for this year. In general I strongly subscribe to the mantra of “Win this year” whenever possible. So unless you have a slam dunk player – read STUD that you need to extend (and in that case they will still give you a profit at their new price), extending a “nice” player for an extra year hurts you two ways. First, it takes a valuable five dollars out of your auction budget. Money you are definitely going to need to complete your roster. Secondly should tragedy beset your wonderful team, you have ruined a valuable trade chip because now you are not only emotionally and financially invested in the player, but if you do trade him you are giving the other team the advantage of having him as a keeper for next year when you really want him to be in the player pool for next year. Obviously if you are rebuilding or taking a two year plan for your team this would not apply.
Finally, tying all these things together, try and step back and take an impartial view of your players. You may love Daniel Bard – and have thought he would be the closer when/if Jonathan Papelbon imploded this year or signed a free agent contract with another team next year. BUT did you forget that the Red Sox signed Bobby Jenks to a TWO year contract? Bard’s chances of closing this year (or likely even next) now depend on BOTH Papelbon and Jenks failing…….I don’t like your chances and that might have been a very valuable roster spot you froze Bard into.
They ARE your players. They are NOT your children.
View the stats and fight the emotional attachment but more importantly don’t make mistakes in the financial commitment.
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