Seeking fantasy baseball advice regarding Cole Hamels

I'm trying to gather some advice from those I know that might offer some insight on a trade idea. Yes, I know, this comes at probably the strangest time as this pitcher is coming off a masterful performance and that an article was just written about it.

In making an early season attempt to acquire Cole Hamels, I want to trade at least two but no more than three players from my fantasy team. Here's the problem. It's only the first few weeks of the season. Plus, Hamels is coming off seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball on Saturday. His ERA is a miniscule 0.82.

So I have a major challenge ahead of me given my doubts the guy who has him will give up Hamels. I'm trying to solidify my starting rotation as my fantasy league is just pitchers.

Here's Hamels' profile at Yahoo! Sports. And now take a look at my fantasy team as of now:

Starters:
Dan Haren (Arizona)
A.J. Burnett (Toronto)
Tom Gorzelanny (Pittsburgh)
Ricky Nolasco (Florida)
Nelson Figueroa (New York Mets)

Middle relievers:
Jon Lieber (Chicago Cubs)
Leo Nunez (Kansas City)
Doug Brocail (Houston)
David Aardsma (Boston)
Royce Ring (Atlanta)
Hideki Okajima (Boston)

Closers:
Keith Foulke (Oakland)
Jose Valerde (Houston)
Anthony Reyes (St. Louis)

Disabled List:
Jeff Karstens (New York Yankees)
Bobby Livingston (Cincinnati)
Rafael Soriano (Atlanta)

I currently have 760 points and in 4th place among 20 teams, exactly 120 behind the leader. So I'm doing surprisingly well so far in my first fantasy baseball league. I picked up Aardsma, Foulke, Reyes, Brocail and Figureoa off the free agent list since the autopick draft.

Haren and Burnett are obviously my top two starters and really want to get a third. I've built up enough pitchers on my roster that have worked out well so far, but I'm walking on a thin line of not disrupting my good fortunes by trading away too much. But I might have to pay a serious price for Hamels.

I have this in mind so far to offer as a first proposal. All three are doing really well:
Jon Lieber - currently pitching as a long reliever, but likely to become a starter soon
David Aardsma
Anthony Reyes

Right now, Haren, Burnett and Okajima are my untouchables. I also want to keep Foulke. I have a feeling that even what I proposed isn't enough, but it's a good start.

Let me know what you think after talking a look at some of the pitchers I have. Thanks for any advice.

Pas493JV Squad

623 days ago

Score 2

I think your gonna have to send one of your starters over if you even want a chance at getting Hamels. Who knows how good Lieber will be, I can guess not very good and Aardsma is not as valuable any more sense B.J. Ryan is back. If I had Hamels and looked at your staff there is no way I would trade in any 3 for 1 deal.

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CrackajgDraft Pick

623 days ago

Score 1

I'd say take a look at the weakness of who has Hamels. Is it starting pitching, middle relief or saves? If his weakness is starting pitching, don't expect him to even entertain your offer. If it's saves, offer two closers and a middle relief etc. etc.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

623 days ago

Score 0

The other GM has Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, Ted Lilly, Bronson Arroyo and Jason Jennings as his starters. His relief pitchers are Pat Neshek, Ramon Martinez, Cha Seung Baek, Julian Tavarez, Dana Eveland, Aaron Heilman, Justin Germano, Yovani Gallardo (on DL) and Anibal Sanchez (on DL, about to be activated). This guy's team is in last place out of 20 teams.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

623 days ago

Score 0

I might have to lift the untouchable status on Hideki Okajima. This is tough because I'm doing well right now with what I have, but I really want that third starter. I know Tom Gorzelanny had his best outing of the season yesterday and he's recovering from two ailments that won't keep him from missing any time, but I would consider making a Gorzelanny, Lieber and Okajima offer. Adding a fourth player would be ridiculous on my part and at the same time not looking like I'm dealing from strength. I would rather stay put than give up either Haren or Burnett. The only way I would part with either of my top two is trading Burnett and maybe one other quality pitcher.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

623 days ago

Score 0

And if I have absolutely no choice but to offer Burnett, I could also offer Jose Valerde, Aardsma and/or Keith Foulke. But again, I don't want to deal away too much or it will weaken my team.

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KelsdadAll-Star

622 days ago

Score 1

Go into his profile and see where his weaknesses are. He's in last place for a reason, likely more than one. His pitching is pretty bad, so he's likely to not accept an offer unless he gets something back he needs, and it may not be a pitcher. In lieu of him being unwilling to trade a pitcher for a position player, I would offer Burnett, (he's been on the DL in each of the last 3 seasons, there's a pattern there), and Valverde, (last year was a fluke, plus he's now pitching in Homer Heaven).

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

622 days ago

Score 0

My fantasy league features only pitchers. I'll take another look at his profile, etc. I'm trying to keep Burnett if possible as at first he had been a no-trade player of mine, but if Hamels is any possibility, I may not have a choice but to include Burnett in an offer.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

622 days ago

Score 0

Okay, I decided to make my first offer be A.J. Burnett and Keith Foulke in exchange for Cole Hamels. The odds are, he won't accept, but this is a good first offer.

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KelsdadAll-Star

622 days ago

Score 0

Good offer, leave yourself some negotiating room.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

622 days ago

Score 0

Thanks, Kelsdad. I believe it should leave some room for negotiation. The earliest this deal could happen is Friday according to Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball.

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KelsdadAll-Star

622 days ago

Score 1

If you feel starting pitching is a weakness, and you can't pull the deal, depending on how many guys are in your league, there should still be some quality guys on the free agent list. I picked up Johnny Cueto the other day, and Zach Greinke a couple weeks ago. Look around, you may get lucky.

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Bobbyjim45Draft Pick

622 days ago

Score 1

Dude, I gotta tell you, I'd go for someone else to solidify the rotation. Hamels is red-hot right now and you're going to have to give up more than he's worth no matter what.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

622 days ago

Score 0

Well, I know that I have zero shot at any of the elite pitchers in baseball such as Johan Santana or Josh Beckett, so I thought Hamels might be slightly more of a shot despite how hot he is right now. I added a second reliever to the mix, so I'll have to see. If he wants Okajima in the deal in addition to Burnett and Foulke, I'm not doing it as that is too much to give up. I'm doing surprisingly well to date with what I have, so it won't be a major loss if I cannot make this deal happen.. I may take your advice if Hamels isn't in the cards.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

622 days ago

Score 0

My initial offer just to feel things out was turned down... he has made a counteroffer. It is A.J. Burnett, Keith Foulke and Leo Nunez for Cole Hamels and Aaron Heilman. I find this an interesting offer, yet Heilman is doing okay so far in 2008, but not great. His ERA is a bit high for me to be comfortable and has allowed two homers and yielded six walks. But he's struck out nine so far. On my side, Nunez is 1-0 in five appearances, two hits allowed and 7 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings with opponents batting just .111 against him. I might subtitute Doug Brocail for Nunez, not sure.

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KelsdadAll-Star

621 days ago

Score 0

See if he'll substitute Justin Germano for Heilman.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

621 days ago

Score 0

I kind of like that... Germano might be of better help, so I'll see what if he accepts that. Good suggestion. :)

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

621 days ago

Score 0

The other GM is either getting a little stupid, but I intend to get what I want... after being turned down with my request for Justin Germano and then Yovani Gallardo, now this guy is asking for a blockbuster trade. Here's what makes me laugh... He wants A.J. Burnett AND Dan Haren along with Leo Nunez and Keith Foulke for Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, Bronson Arroyo, Germano and Gallardo. What is he kidding me?! That's basically me trading half my team away that has put me currently in 5th place out of 20 teams. He's in last place. First of all, Dan Haren is more valuable than Cole Hamels right now, that's why I know I can get Hamels without losing Haren. I'm barely willing to give up Burnett in the deal... I'm just going to settle for Hamels and Aaron Heilman for Burnett, Nunez and Foulke. If he doesn't take what he originally counteroffered me yesterday before I asked for Germano, then I won't be pleased with where this is going.

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KelsdadAll-Star

621 days ago

Score 1

I'd actually consider a smaller offer but with most of the same players, and here's why.

Hate to say, but your staff is a bit lacking. You have three guys on the DL who won't help at all.

You have one starter, (Nolasco) who's only in the majors because his team sucks, and another, (Figueroa) because the Mets have two starters on the DL.

You have two closers, (Foulke and Reyes) who are actually set up guys forced into the closer's role because their team's guy (Street and Isringhausen) are also hurt. When they come back, you'll lose their save opps.

Basically, in this deal you're now trading Haren for Oswalt, which I would do in a heartbeat. Haren went from a pitcher's park to a hitters park, and Haren's a flyball pitcher. He may have a decent W/L record, but I'd be shocked if his ERA isn't over 4.

Gallardo is pitching for the Brewers over the weekend, by the way. I heard Sunday, although Saturday is his rotation day.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

621 days ago

Score 0

After taking a step back, reviewing the other GM's last trade proposal long and hard, I decided to take your advice Kelsdad and accept the trade. Now it is a matter of if the commissioner and the rest of the league gives the green light with the approval. Here's what I wrote to the other GM when I accepted his offer:

"Normally I stick to keeping Dan Haren, but that's too hard to turn down. Very hard. But getting two legit #1 starters helps without a doubt... My goal was to be 100% sure such a trade helps both of us here and I think we've achieved that. You should be real happy with what you're getting from me and I believe you'll be able to move up in the standings as a result. Great negotiating a deal with you. I felt it was the right time to make a splash where it's early enough for each of us to see some results from what we worked out."

I will let you guys know if this trade is finalized.

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KelsdadAll-Star

621 days ago

Score 0

nicely done. In the long run, you will come out way ahead.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

618 days ago

Score 0

The trade has been finalized as of this morning (three days... took long enough to get approved, geez!):

I got: Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, Bronson Arroyo, Justin Germano and Yovani Gallardo

He got: Dan Haren, A.J. Burnett, Leo Nunez and Keith Foulke

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