Mastersball Fantasy Forum

Keeper list due, can keep only one...who would you keep...approx 30% inflation, NY guys a little more as a NY league.

W

Since your list is due and we can't wait until playing time flushes out, I'd go with Rivera. The Yankees situation is still very much up in the air as far as that goes. They have Nady, Damon, Swisher, Matsui, Melky and Gardner all looking for ABs. Cashman has said everyone will get some time. The rumors have it they're offering Swisher for trade but other teams would rather have Nady (with one rumor having him going back to the Bucs). Scioscia was interviewed on XM a couple weeks ago and he said Rivera was his LF going into spring. Aside from that, there's a little more profit in Rivera and not as much risk.

Damon is worth about $12 before inflation / Rivera about a buck, unless he gets 550 ABs, then he's Vernon Wells ($13?).

In AL only 4x4, Damon is still a $20 player, assuming health which cannot be assumed.

Rivera is projected to be the starting LF, which would put his value into the low teens.

So from a pure profit/risk view, Rivera is the clear play.

The ONLY reason for keeping Damon, and this is valid reason under the right circumstances is if you absolutely need his SB, base on your keepers and the anticipated keepers of others. In a league with "dump trading", I am less inclined to worry about this at the draft. Actually, another reason for keeping Rivera is at $5, he could be an attractive trade chit, depending on your rules.

ayebatter wrote:Damon is worth about $12 before inflation / Rivera about a buck, unless he gets 550 ABs, then he's Vernon Wells ($13?).

Missed the 'AL' part of this - in which, yes Damon is worth $20-21, and yes with 550 ABs Rivera is still Vernon Wells and about $20.

Keep Rivera @ $5.

I'm a little less profit oriented here - but the real issue is you lose Damon's R ability in a 4X4 league, to me this is a tough call. Damon will get plenty of AB and will probably earn his salary, Rivera will hit for some power but his AVG is certainly in question, and right now they have Anderson/Hunter/Matthews/Willits/Vlad/Morales also in the mix before adding another bat, you have to assume you get say teens out of Rivera and 20 out of Damon, it's a pretty tight decision. Probably depends how well you think you can spend the $15, because in some situations, I just want to roster the talent and deal with everything else later.

Id probably keep Rivera, thinking you could probably get Damon back for about the same amount.