Fantasy Baseball Dispute No. 8169-T: SportsJudge.com Court Approves Trade of McCutchen, Niese & B. Anderson for Cuddyer and Hanson

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COURT OF FANTASY BASEBALL

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	x	Index No. 8169-T Date Rendered: July 30, 2010 Date Issued: July 30, 2010 League Type: Rotisserie, 5x5 Dispute: TRADE REVIEW Authoring Judge: Ed Gefen TRADE BETWEEN PiNsTrIpErS & THE SONS OF PITCHES IS ACCEPTED.
COMMISSIONER OF EP RULES BASEBALL KEEPER LEAGUE Petitioner, - against - PiNsTrIpErS and THE SONS OF PITCHES Respondent	: : : : : : : : : :
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The EP Leagues brings this claim in the COURT OF FANTASY BASEBALL to determine the status of a fantasy baseball dispute involving the proposed trade of PiNsTrIpErS players Andrew McCutchen (OF Pittsburgh Pirates), Jonathon Niese (P, New York Mets) and Brett Anderson (P, Oakland Athletics) for The Sons of Pitches players Michael Cuddyer (OF-1B, Minnesota Twins) and Tommy Hanson (P, Atlanta Braves).

This court ACCEPTS the proposed trade.

The Law on Upholding a Trade

In this court, it is the general rule that any fantasy baseball trade shall be upheld as long as the trade adequately benefits both teams. (See Public Opinion No. 101, Big Red Rockers v. Big City Bombers). A fantasy trade reasonably benefits both teams if it allows both teams to have a reasonable chance of moving up in the standings. (See Unpublished Opinion No. 468-T, Commissioner Gary B. v. Ever-Lastings and 2 Legit 2 Quit). If the league is a keeper league, as is the case here, this Court will also consider a team’s likely performance in future seasons, especially with respect to the team currently ranked lower in the standings (See Unpublished Opinion No. 3704-T, Commissioner Paul Schultz v. Snakes & Blutos).

This Court recognizes that team owners may have different strategies in terms of short-term and long-term goals; and that while one team may try to maximize its chances of winning prize money this year, another team may play for the future (See Unpublished Opinion No. 3731-T, Commissioner v. Muleskinners & Southsiders; see also Unpublished Opinion No. 3797, Commissioner v. Foo Dogs & Maulers).

The Proposed Trade

PiNsTrIpErS proposes to trade:

· Andrew McCutchen (OF Pittsburgh Pirates, .293, 57 R, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 21 SB)

· Jonathon Niese (P, New York Mets, 7 W, 84 K, 3.43 ERA, 1.37 WHIP)

· Brett Anderson (P, Oakland Athletics, 2 W, 22 K, 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, activated from DL for July 30 game)

The Sons of Pitches Propose to trade:

· Michael Cuddyer (OF-1B, Minnesota Twins, .278, 62 R, 10 HR, 48 RBI, 2 SB)

· Tommy Hanson (P, Atlanta Braves, 8 W, 122 K, 3.99 ERA, 1.35 WHIP).

The Analysis

Four of the five players in this fantasy trade dispute are age 23 or younger, so the key to this trade is primarily about potential, and there is a lot of uncertainty on both sides.

The PiNsTrIpErS are currently in second place, and have acquired the trade’s lone veteran, Michael Cuddyer. With Cuddyer, who is batting in the middle of the order for Minnesota, the PiNsTrIpErS could be expected to improve in HR (a bit) and RBI (more than a bit). In addition, with Hanson, the PiNsTrIpErs look to enjoy an upgrade in wins and strikeouts.

The Sons of Pitches, sitting in eighth place and without the benefit of three clear keepers for next season, get at least one potential keeper for their roster in McCutchen. McCutchen has dealt with shoulder issues this month, but can boost almost any team’s stolen bases and batting average. The Sons of Pitches do lose HR potential, but they are already at the bottom of the league in those categories – with 124 HR, trailing the next-lowest team by 19 (15.3 percent).

In pitching, the ceiling is high on Niese – 6-2 with a 2.58 ERA and 1.10 WHIP since coming back from the DL on June 5 – and Anderson, a projected ace who plays in a pitching-friendly stadium for a team that is on the upswing. One, if not both, a these pitchers could prove important to the PiNsTrIpErS run at “a money finish” down the stretch.

Holding

The Court approves the trade of PiNsTrIpErS players Andrew McCutchen (OF Pittsburgh Pirates), Jonathon Niese (P, New York Mets) and Brett Anderson (P, Oakland Athletics) to The Sons of Pitches players Michael Cuddyer (OF-1B, Minnesota Twins) and Tommy Hanson (P, Atlanta Braves).

Fenst's Farm Report: International League

Welcome back to the second edition of SportsJudge.com's Fenst's Farm Report. Baseball is nearly a month into its season and some prospects are heating up all over the minor leagues before the weather even has a chance. This edition will take a look at some of the top prospects in the International League (AAA) that are off to a hot start. Many of these players you may see on your favorite major league team in the upcoming months.

Matt LaPorta (OF-CLE)

LaPorta was Milwaukee's top pick in the 2007 First Year Player Draft. The power hitter was the 7th overall selection in the draft and was a centerpiece in the CC Sabathia deal last summer. The power hitting prospect has shined in the first month of this short season for Cleveland's AAA affiliate, Columbus. For the Clippers, LaPorta has 11 extra base hits in 68 AB's, 5 of which are home runs. The righty's .368 average is tied for 7th in the international league and his whopping 1.142 OPS is fourth. If he continues and builds on his strong performance Cleveland will be forced to call him up to the majors and find him some regular playing time. LaPorta is able to play both corner outfield positions and first base as well. With LaPorta being one injury away from a call up he could see regular time at DH as well. If he does get the call up expect solid power numbers in Cleveland's lineup, but I wouldn't expect him to be a .300 hitter. Cleveland looks as if they may have received a middle of the order guy for many years from the deal of the galaxy known only as CC Sabathia.

Austin Jackson (OF- NYY)

The young speedster Austin Jackson is off to a great start for Scranton Wilkes-Barre hitting .357 with 10 RBI so far. Where Jackson's true value comes in is his speed and he has not disappointed so far this season. Jackson has 5 steals so far this young season and added two triples as well. With the health/age concerns in the Yankees outfield, as with many prospects, Jackson is a play away from the major leagues. Jackson is striking out at a regular basis, but that is expected from a player that raw and that young. Jackson has the potential to be a 30+ base stealer once he arrives in the majors. He will need to work on his strikeout count for him to sit atop a lineup like the Yankees.

Michael Bowden (RHP- BOS)

Michael Bowden seems to be the next in line of young Red Sox pitchers ready to make an import for the big league club. Bowden is leading the International League in ERA for the Paw Sox with a 0.64 ERA in 3 starts. He is striking out more than a batter per inning and has shown good control with just 5 walks in his first three outings. Drafted in the first round out of high school back in 2005, Bowden is cruising through the competition and looks ready for the next level. The biggest problem for him is the logjam of pitchers ahead of him. Even with injuries already in the rotation he is still stuck with the Paw Sox waiting for his shot. Clay Buchholz is also pitching well and would probably be considered before Bowden as well. If your league has a minor league system, don't let this kid slip under the radar and someoen else get rewarded in the future. On a side note, if Bowden was on the Pittsburgh Pirates he probably would have already been called up, had a dominant rookie season, and then fizzled out already by this point in his career. (Yes, I know the Pirates staff has been amazing this year, but look at the past with these kids.)

Phil Hughes (RHP- NYY)

The injured Wang has vaulted Phil Hughes up into the Yankees rotation. He shined in his first opportunity this year with the parent club, winning his first game for the Yanks since 2007 (he had no wins in his brief stint last season). Hughes didn't allow a run and struck out six through six innings. If Hughes continues to pitch well he might be able to solidify himself as a full-time starter for the big league Yankees. It is always nice to see a highly touted prospect seemingly right the ship after such an awful, injury plagued season (even if he is a Yankee and for the first time in three years not on my fantasy squad...). During his time in the minors he had a 1.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP ((walks + hits) / innings pitched).

Tommy Hanson (RHP- ATL)

Baseball America top 5 prospect Tommy Hanson has been spectacular thus far for the Gwinnett Braves. His K/9 has been incredible as he has 29 strikeouts through just 20.2 innings pitched.
I wrote two weeks ago to keep an eye on Hanson in my first installment of the Farm Report and nothing has changed. If you have a deep roster or a minor league system he is a must on your fantasy team. When Hanson comes up to the majors he will make an immediate impact for the Braves and your roster. Strikeouts will come in bunches and I don't think he will hurt your ERA, in fact he might improve it. Like I have said before, a mid 3 ERA is a good estimate for where he will be after he arrives with Atlanta.

Fenst's Farm Report

Welcome to the first installment of SportsJudge.com’s newest article, Fenst's Farm Report. Here, you’ll uncover the action that is taking place in the minor leagues; the hitting, the pitching, and the top prospects to watch carefully, because these are the guys that you will count on to shape your fantasy squad in the future.

There are already many top prospects starting up in the majors that you should keep an eye on, such as Oakland pitchers Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill. Young studs Colby Rasmus, Elvis Andrus, Travis Snider, Rick Porcello, Cameron Maybin and Dexter Fowler are all on major league rosters as well. Even with all of these young players already up in the majors, though, there remains plenty to pay attention to down on the farm. With the season just getting underway, I will highlight some of the top prospects that are waiting for their chance to impact their major league organization as well as your fantasy team.

David Price (SP- Tampa Bay)

Price has been on the radar ever since he was drafted first overall in the ’07 draft out of Vanderbilt. He proved during his September call-up at the end of last season and throughout the ’08 playoffs that he is the real deal. He had a 1.93 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 14 innings in September, and was just as dominant in the post-season. Look for Price to get the call-up very soon after receiving the Longoria treatment this year starting in the minors. He has already demonstrated that he is major league ready and should supplant Jeff Niemann in the Rays rotation in the near future. Price was a mid-round draft pick, but may be undervalued with his start in the minors. Jump on him quick if possible, and expect to reap the rewards for the remainder of the season.

Matt Wieters (C- Baltimore)

Wieters is a rare talent in what is considered by far the weakest position in fantasy baseball. After his call-up – which will be sooner rather than later – he will already be considered to be in the upper echelon of catchers. I am already on the bandwagon, as I have stashed him away in every league I could. You may think it is crazy to value a player this much before a major league at bat, but look at Longoria last season. Expect a .280+ avg. and 15+ homers even though he will be getting a late start to the season. Wieters hit .355 with 27 home runs in 2 leagues in the minors last season. He also shows great plate discipline and has a fantastic approach at the plate for such a young player (more walks than strikeouts last year).

Gordon Beckham (SS/2B- Chicago {AL})

Beckham was the 8^th pick in the 2008 First Year Player Draft by the Chicago White Sox. It is very rare that a player makes it on an opening day roster the year following their draft (which is what Beckham was trying to do this year) but he came extremely close. Even with Chris Getz winning the starting job in Chicago, it is hardly locked in and Beckham could see a lot of time up in the majors this season. If he, does expect solid numbers from him including some decent pop from the second base position (tied for the DIV-1 NCAA lead with 28 homers during his last year at Georgia). He will also have shortstop eligibility, which is a huge bonus considering both positions are quite weak this season. In just 22 at-bats, Beckham is tearing the cover off the ball in AA after a very good campaign in the South Atlantic League (Low A) last season. He might not have the impact of Wieters or Price, but make sure he is on your radar if he does get the call.

Tommy Hanson (SP- Atlanta)

This young strikeout machine is waiting in the wings to take over a rotation spot in Atlanta. In two starts so far this young season, he has 17 strikeouts and an ERA under 1 for Atlanta’s AAA affiliate- Gwinnett. Hanson had over 160 K’s in 138 innings between two levels last year (high-A and AA). With Glavine also contemplating retirement, the move to Hanson could be right around the corner. If Hanson can use his tools effectively at the next level, he is a future ace. As for this season I could easily see him posting a mid 3 ERA and close to a strikeout per inning. Keep an eye on this situation as it could change quickly. If he is sitting in free agency in deep leagues he makes a better option to fill out your roster than a back-end-of-the-rotation starter without much upside. Keep him on your watch list.

Justin Smoak (1B- Rangers)

Smoak was the Rangers’ first round pick in the ’08 First Year Player Draft (11^th overall). He has drawn many comparisons to former Rangers slugger Mark Teixeira and had 63 home runs in his three-year career at South Carolina. Just like Teixeira, Smoak is a switch-hitter with power to all fields and the first baseman of the future for the Rangers. The issue he is dealing with now is the logjam of infielders in front of him in the Rangers organization. They have Hank Blalock and young slugger Chris Davis that both will spend some time at first base this year. Both players can play third base, but longtime shortstop Michael Young has slid over to third this year to make room for prospect Elvis Andrus. If Smoak does get some time up in the majors this year expect plus power numbers, especially in that lineup and the “Bandbox in Arlington.”

As with all SportsJudge articles, feel free to comment with any opinions or questions and stay tuned for the next installment of the new and improved Down on the Farm!