Fantasy Questions: Ask the Staff
Converting To A Keeper League?
by Bob Lane posted 03/01/06
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Converting To A Keeper League?
Question from: Greg Yungner

Question - My league is interested in possibly converting to a "keeper" league. Can you tell me the pros and cons of a keeper league, and how a draft can be fairly executed if the top teams are keeping the top players each year? Right now we draft with empty slates, with the last place team from the previous year drafting 1st. Is it fair that the top team get to keep the potential top pick overall for the next 3-5 years, or until the guy gets injured?

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     Bob Lane

     Answer - I have a couple articles that will address the first part of your question on pros and cons of a keeper league and converting to a keeper league.

     - Article: Converting to a Keeper League
     - Article: Keeper Formats & Strategies

     Great question Greg. In Keeper Leagues commishes will have a big challenge keeping the draft and league fair while trying to keep the league competitive. Below are some more tips to help you in your possible conversion to a keeper league.

     Like you said above, the worst team will always draft first in next years draft. Our first year leagues use a serpentine order, then a repeating order for all drafts after. The reasoning is this. I will use a 12 team league for an example. The worst team will draft the 1st, 13th and 25th players in the draft (3 in the top 25). The best ranked team will draft the 12th, 24th and 36th players (3 from players in the 12th to 36th range). The numbers here do reflect the worst team getting the best selection of players and the best team getting the lesser selection.

     Some leagues draft with empty slates or draft spots as you said you do in your drafts. I am not familiar with your system, but the leagues that I now that did that usually say that if a team keeps 2 players they get skipped the first and second round. Regardless, if all teams keep the same amount of players, the above format helps the most to keep things on a more fairer level.

     You go on to further ask if its fair for the top team to keep their top pick for the next few seasons. I think it would be more "unfair" to not let any team keep any player they choose on their roster. The top team obviously won the league being a good manager, they may not have drafted first, but still won. They should not be penalized for this. The above draft format will help the lesser ranked teams get the best selections in the first couple rounds.

     All the above is meaningless though if teams do not draft well or keeper decent keepers for next season. I just further suggest that you finalize your league format and have all league members read and confirm the keeper rules. This will keep teams from playing the "I didn't know game". Also, things can be amended and changed in the future after your first season. For the next season ask your league members what they would like to see changed or improved. As the season goes on you may all ready have some ideas. Before the next season starts you can adjust your rules. Keeping your league intact, competitive and having all members have more of a feeling of being a league member.

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