Best Keeper Core Possible?
Fantasy Baseball Questions: Ask the Staff
by KFL Staff posted 10/31/06
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Best Keeper Core Possible?
Question from: Jordan

     Question - Hey guys, I'm an ultra-competitive type, so I want to assemble the best keeper core possible for a fantasy team. Can you help me figure out what the ultimate 6 keepers would be for a standard 5x5 league?

     The specifics for the league I play in are 20 teams, 6 keepers, 21-player rosters of C-1B-2B-SS-3B-OF-OF-OF-Util, SP-SP-RP-RP-P-P-P, and 5 bench + DL. Also, I'm personally more interested in looking at competing with this core (or one based on it) the next 5-10 years rather than the next 3-5.

     I'll even share my preliminary thoughts on the matter, even though I'm much more interested in yours. I've figured 4 hitters (balancing power and speed) and 2 pitchers makes the most sense... no closers (too volatile for long-term value), and no more than one OF (although having one stud OF is probably a good idea, even with the depth at the position). I also would prefer to not have more than one player from the same team, although that's much less important. With that in mind, here's the list of positions and players I came up with:

     1B - Albert Pujols (1B - StL)
     3B - Miguel Cabrera (3B - Fla), or David Wright (3B, NYM)
     MI - Jose Reyes (SS, NYM), or Hanley Ramirez (SS, Fla)
     OF - Carl Crawford (OF, TB)
     SP - Johan Santana (SP, Min), or Daisuke Matsuzaka (SP, Sei)
     SP - Felix Hernandez (SP, Sea)

     Thanks in advance for your comments and opinions!

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     Jamie Mellor
     Answer - Keep Pujuols (simply one of the top 3 or 4 players around and still young enough for your purposes). Then keep Crawford since you want balance and speed. Since balance is important to you, Reyes seems like a good idea since Reyes and Crawford combined give you a heck of a start for steals and runs. Definitely keep Felix as your cornerstone for pitching.

     The tough choice is between Wright and Cabrera. Very hard to separate them since they share similar age and numbers. However, based on your writing, it seems like Cabrera is a slightly better fit for them since wright and reyes play for same team. Also, Cabrera has hit for a higher average last year (2nd in NL). Either is so great to have as a choice for keeper so either one you choose, I think you will be happy with. :) Santana rounds out the 6-player keepers to give you your 4 hitters/2 pitchers, power/speed balance."

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