The Commissioner of the Beer Batter League brings this claim in the COURT OF FANTASY BASEBALL to resolve a fantasy baseball dispute involving the proposed trade of Clinton Diplomats players Juan Pierre (OF, Chicago White Sox – 1st year of Contract at $25) and Brian Sweeney (RP, Seattle Mariners – 1st year of Contract at $1) to the Dome Dogs for players Rick Porcello (SP, Detroit Tigers – 2nd year of Contract at $7) and DeWayne Wise (OF, Toronto Blue Jays – 1st year of Contract at $1).This Court rejects 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.(SeePublic Opinion No. 101, Big Red Rockers v. Big City Bombers).A trade reasonably benefits both teams if it allows both teams a reasonable chance of moving up in the standings.(See Unpublished Opinion No. 468-T, Commissioner Gary B. v. Ever-Lastings and 2 Legit 2 Quit).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, the Court will also consider in evaluating the fantasy trade dispute a team’s likely performance in future years, especially with respect to the team currently ranked lower in the standings (See Unpublished Opinion No. 3704-T, Commissioner Paul S. v. Snakes & Blutos).This Court recognizes that fantasy team owners may have different strategies in terms of short-term and long-term goals; and that while one fantasy team may try to maximize its chances of winning prize money this year, another team may play for the future (See Unpublished Opinion No. 3731-T, Commissioner v. Muleskinners & Southsiders).As such any trade brought by the Beer Batter League will be approved as long as it reasonably benefits both teams either for the present season or for the future.(See Unpublished Opinion No. 3797-T, Beer Batter League v. Foo Dogs & Maulers).
The Proposed Trade
The disputed fantasy baseball trade is a 2-for-2 trade:
Clinton Diplomats proposes to send to Dome Dogs (current 2010 statistics in parentheses):
According to the Beer Batter League Constitution, any player with a salary of $25 or more is considered an “asterisk” player.By its nature the asterisk players are the most valuable in the league.When there is not another asterisk player on the other end of the deal, the value of one of the players on the other end must at least have the potential to earn the value of an asterisk player during the remainder of their current contract.If this does not occur, then the two players involved must at least have the potential of equaling the stats of the asterisk player.
In reviewing this trade, the Court will start with the two lesser players involved, Brian Sweeney and DeWayne Wise.Sweeney is a marginal player at best, while DeWayne Wise is nothing special.Even President Obama, a White Sox fan, could not remember DeWayne Wise’s name.In an AL-Only league, as is the case here, Wise does have some value as a bottom level OF, however, it is not enough value to help the Dome Dogs equal the value of an asterisk player when combined with another player.
With that understanding, the Court must look at the present and future values of Juan Pierre and Rick Porcello in evaluating the fantasy trade dispute.If each team can reasonably benefit from the fantasy trade either for the remainder of 2010 or in the future, then the trade can be accepted.For this season, there is no question that Pierre is of much greater value then Porcello.Pierre is a stolen base machine, while Porcello is marginal at best in all four pitching categories.
As such, in order to decide this trade the question becomes whether the Clinton Diplomats can reasonably improve their team in the future with Porcello.(See Unpublished Opinion No. 3731-T, Commissioner v. Muleskinners & Southsiders).Last month, this Court accepted a trade involving Porcello ruling that his performancelast year was enough to give the benefit of the doubt that this season has simply been a sophomore slump, and that he could provide good value next year for only $7.(See Public Opinion No.8007-T, Beer Batter League v. Mark’s Maulers & Dome Dogs).
While that is true, it is not enough projected value to equal the value of Pierre next season.Pierre gives any team that owns him one of the top if not the top base stealers in the AL.There is no sign that this will change in either 2011 or 2012.While Porcello has immense talent and is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, he does not project to be a league leader in any category during the life of his current contract, nor does he project to produce asterisk level statistics during the 2011 season.As such, this trade does not reasonably benefit both teams either in 2010 or in the future.Because of this fact that it will not benefit both teams, the trade must be rejected.
Holding
Based on the foregoing, this court rejects the proposed trade of Clinton Diplomats players Juan Pierre (OF, Chicago White Sox – 1st year of Contract at $25) and Brian Sweeney (RP, Seattle Mariners – 1st year of Contract at $1) to the Dome Dogs for players Rick Porcello (SP, Detroit Tigers – 2nd year of Contract at $7) and DeWayne Wise (OF, Toronto Blue Jays – 1st year of Contract at $1).
This case, however, tests the limits of how far this court may delve into the future when seeking to determine the benefit of a deal involving a non-dollar keeper league.The court ultimately rejects the notion that a team out of playoff contention in a non-dollar keeper league could incur a good-faith benefit by trading a healthy 31-year old player plus an additional "top 40" player for a healthy 25-year old player of equal statistical value.
While the court recognizes that under its default rules that age may constitute a factor in assessing the future benefit of a deal, the court concludes that age may not serve as the exclusive factor, especially where the team trading the older star also trades another player of substantial value.The court further explains that when a club makes a trade based on perceived future benefit, that future benefit has to be concrete, substantial and imminent, in light of the players traded.
Thus, the court rejects the proposed trade of Evan Longoria, Carlos Lee and Mark Buehrle for Ryan Howard, Aramis Ramirez and C.C. Sabathia.
Issue
The Commissioner of the EP Rules Baseball Keeper League brings this claim in the Court of Fantasy Baseball to determine the status of the proposed trade of Evan Longoria (3B, Tampa Bay), Carlos Lee (OF, Houston) and Mark Buehrle (P, Chicago White Sox) from Yoons Goons to McNack for Ryan Howard (1B, Philadelphia), Aramis Ramirez (3B, Chicago Cubs) and C.C. Sabathia (P, New York Yankees).
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 it adequately benefits both teams.(SeePublic Opinion No. 101, Big Red Rockers v. Big City Bombers).A trade reasonably benefits both teams if it allows both teams 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).In addition, where a league is a keeper league, a trade may reasonable benefit both teams if it is likely to improve the performance of a team in future years, especially with respect to a team that is currently ranked lower in the standings (See Unpublished Opinion No. 3704-T, Commissioner Paul Schultz v. Snakes & Blutos).
The Proposed Trade
The two lead players in this trade, Evan Longoria (2010: .302, 60 runs, 13 HR, 63 RBI, 14 SB) and Ryan Howard (2010: .299, 60 runs, 21 HR, 74 RBI, 0 SB), need no introduction.Both are among the best fantasy players at their position, as well as in the game overall.Their current values are nearly identical, with Howard providing more raw power and Longoria stealing more bases.In most leagues, it is a toss-up as to which player should be drafted first.Howard has a better track record, but Longoria is six years younger.Howard’s physical shape concerns some owners, but Longoria has more of experience on the DL with injuries. Howard plays in a better hitting ballpark, but Longoria enjoys the advantage of playing in the American League where he can occasionally serve as the DH.
Yahoo Rank Actual 2010
Yahoo Rank Actual 2009
Yahoo Rank Actual 2008
Yahoo Rank Projected for 2010
Ryan Howard
15
7
20
9
Evan Longoria
16
31
112
7
By contrast, the other players in the trade are nowhere close to equal.While not a keeper in the EP Rules league last season, C.C. Sabathia (2010: 12 wins, 3.13 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 110K) remains one of the better starting pitchers in baseball and certainly deserves mention in the same breadth as two of two starting pitchers that were keepers—Felix Hernandez and Johan Santana.While Sabathia would likely not be a keeper on either Yoons Goons or McNack, he is about as good of a player that does not fall within a team’s top three.In addition, Aramis Ramirez (2010: .226, 37 runs, 15 HR, 47 RBI, 0 SB), despite his awful first half while playing with a thumb injury, is one of the better non-keeper third baseman in the league.Even despite his horrid start to the season, some reasonable fantasy owners may currently prefer Ramirez to Mark Reynolds and Pablo Sandoval—both third-baseman keepers this season in the EP League.
By contrast, Mark Buehrle (2010: 8 wins, 4.14 E.R.A., 1.41 WHIP, 54 K) and Carlos Lee ( 2010: .240, 17 runs, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 1 SB) are generally perceived to be players of far less value—both statistically and in terms of future impressions.Mark Buerhle is a far worse fantasy pitcher than he is in real life given that he gives up many hits and strikes out few batters.Meanwhile, Carlos Lee’s numbers, while possibly impressive at other positions, are far less remarkable for an outfielder.
Yahoo Rank Actual 2010
Yahoo Rank Actual 2009
Yahoo Rank Actual 2008
Yahoo Rank Projected for 2010
C.C. Sabathia
37
36
6
40
Mark Buehrle
408
181
181
211
Yahoo Rank Actual 2010
Yahoo Rank Actual 2009
Yahoo Rank Actual 2008
Yahoo Rank Projected for 2010
Aramis Ramirez
295
249
47
48
Carlos Lee
310
80
63
65
Analysis
Upon first glance, this seems to be a deal of A-Ram and Carlos Lee for Sabathia and Buehrle—a trade that would never pass muster—disguised by the inclusion of two equal superstars that cancel each other out.
However, McNack, quite articulately, contends that the court is not seeing the full picture.According to McNack, this trade is actually to his long-term advantage because, among the star players in the deal, Longoria (born October 7, 1985) is six years longer than Howard (born October 19, 1979 ) and thus will serve as his star keeper for many years after Howard passes his prime.
While this court has looked at hundreds of cases involving the present for the future, it has never before needed to address an argument where the future is so far away.Indeed, even if you accept the McNack argument as true, Howard is healthy and just 31.Thus, is likely would not be for another 4-5 years until his numbers begin to decline.
Not many fantasy leagues make it 4-5 years, much less beyond.While the EP Rules League is impressively in year 10, our history has found that even many of the strongest fantasy leagues destabilize over that period of time.Thus, in allowing this trade, there is a real risk that McNack, Yoons Goons and others will be gone from the league far before the future value of this deal is felt.
Moreover, even if the EP Rules league does last another decade, if the court were willing under its default rules to give substantial weight to ephemeral possibilities, the court would still have to draw the line somewhere.Otherwise, one could argue that the trade of C.C. Sabathia for Bryce Harper reasonably benefits both teams.We presume that most leagues that come to SportsJudge.com and ask us to apply our default rules would not be pleased with such a result.
Thus, this case truly tests the limits of how far this court may delver into the future when seeking to determine the benefit of a deal involving a non-dollar keeper league, especially given our belief that McNack was genuinely interested in approving his team for the long haul. In addressing this issue, while we acknowledge that under our default rules age may constitute a factor in assessing the future benefit of a deal, the court concludes that age may not serve as the exclusive factor.That is especially true here, given the high level of players traded by McNack, and that currently, there are no signs that Ryan Howard’s skills are declining.
The court further finds that when a club makes a trade based on perceived future benefit, that future benefit has to be concrete, substantial and imminent, in light of the players traded.To the extent Evan Longoria actually is a better keeper than Ryan Howard, that conclusion is not clear based on past statistics nor indicative in any significant way, at least for the next several years.Thus, the court concludes there is insufficient benefit for McNack in the deal and thus rejects it.
As a final point of note, this conclusion is reached solely under our default rules.Should the EP Rules wish to allow fantasy owners to consider the very long-term future of their clubs, the league needs to change their league constitution to express as much.
Conclusion
Applying the SportsJudge.com Court of Fantasy Baseball default rules, theproposed trade of Evan Longoria, Carlos Lee and Mark Buehrle (P, Chicago White Sox) for Ryan Howard, Aramis Ramirez and C.C. Sabathia (P, New York Yankees) fails for not adequately benefiting both teams.
Petitioner, The Wicked Threadz Fantasy Football League, brings this claim in the Court of Fantasy Football, seeking to overturn the trade of Brian Westbrook (RB-Eagles) and the Tennessee Defense from Real Men of Genius to Express in exchange for Ryan Torain (RB-Broncos), Jonathan Stewart (RB-Panthers), Tory Holt (WR-Rams) and Mushin Muhammad (WR-Panthers).
This court fully overturns this trade.The court further rejects the commissioner’s proposed alterative trade.
The Law on Upholding a Trade
This question of when a fantasy sports arbitrator should intervene to overturn a trade is extremely tricky.On one hand, a major part of the fun of fantasy sports involves making trades and taking risks.The minute an outside party steps into the shoes and takes away the right of an individual fantasy team owner to make his own choices, a big part of the game’s fun is lost.However, on the other hand, if an arbitrator approved every single possible trade without regard to the ethical underpinnings of the deal or its impact on the integrity of the league overall, fantasy sports "would deteriorate into nothing more than a collection of near-Ponzi schemes of side dealing, trickery, and deceit."(See Commissioner v. Teams A, B. C & D, Docket No. 1443 (C) (Sept. 9, 2008)).If that were to happen, owners would also lose interest in fantasy sports.This result would be equally problematic.
To allow individual leagues the maximum deference in setting their own criteria for trade approval, SportsJudge.com maintains a policy of first turning to a given league’s constitution to provide guidance about when it should overturn a trade. (See Public Opinion No. 409-T, Commissioner P.K. v. Cartman).Leagues from around the country have adopted a wide range of different language to instruct our court.Some leagues request that SportsJudge.com uphold any trade so long as there is no actual finding of collusion (this standard has led to almost a 100% trade approval rate).Other leagues request that SportsJudge.com reject any trade where there even is the slightest argument of inequality (this leads has led to under a 30% trade approval rate).
Where a fantasy sports league fails to provide SportsJudge.com with a constitutional standard about when to overrule a trade, the SportsJudge.com court becomes forced to apply our default rule.This default rule states 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).
SportsJudge.com arbitrators have long interpreted this rule to mean that a trade shall be upheld as long as there is a reasonable basis that both teams would benefit.Historically, SportsJudge.com have upheld close to 90% of all submitted trades when using this standard.
The Proposed Trade
The proposed trade is a 4-for-2.Express proposes to send to Real Men of Genius:
Player
Preseason Rotowire.com Rank
Current Actual Yahoo! Rank
Wicked Threadz Draft Position
Ryan Torain – RB
Not in Top 150
1692
Not Drafted
Jonathan Stewart-- RB
55
68
47
Tory Holt -- WR
35
181
26
Muhsin Muhammad -- WR
Not in Top 150
72
175
Real Men of Genius proposes to send Express:
Player
Preseason Rotowire.com Rank
Current Actual Yahoo! Rank (based on averages)
Wicked Threadz Draft Position
Michael Westbrook – RB
6
1
3
Tennessee Defense
Not Ranked
63 (third amongst defenses)
Not Drafted
Trade Analysis
Applying the review standard that considers whether this trade adequately benefits both teams, this court does not require that a trade be even; merely that both teams have a reasonable chance of benefiting.Essentially, this requires a level of good faith by all parties involved.It does not come nearly as far as requiring equality.
There is no doubt that Real Men of Genius benefits immensely from acquiring statistically one of the best running backs (Westbrook) and best defenses (Tennessee) in fantasy football this season.
However, unless Westbrook gets injured (and there is no reason to presume that event), there is less than an angstrom of chance that Express would ultimately benefit.Without the proposed trade, Express logically would be expected to start the following players at the applicable for the remainder of the season (factoring in teams that have bye weeks to remainder of the way, and presuming that Larry Johnson misses the rest of the season with a suspension -- a presumption that looks at the trade in its most favorable light):
Position
Week 9
Week 10
Rest of the Way
WR – 1
Roddy White
Roddy White
Roddy White
WR –2
Santonio Holmes
Santonio Holmes
Santonio Holmes
RB – 1
Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis
RB – 2
Brian Westbrook
Brian Westbrook
Brian Westbrook
FLEX
Randle El
Henderson
Randle El or Henderson
Defense
Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee
After the trade, however, Express instead would start this team:
Position
Week 9
Week 10
Rest of the Way
WR – 1
White
White
White
WR –2
Holmes
Holmes
Holmes
RB – 1
Lewis
Lewis
Lewis
RB – 2
Torain
Stewart
Stewart
FLEX
Holt
Holt or Muhammad
Holt or Muhammad
Defense
WAIVER PICK
WAIVER PICK
WAIVER PICK
Stated otherwise, by making this trade, Express assumes a gaping hole at defense and a substantially weaker running back, while gaining little elsewhere.Even in terms of depth, any gains for Express are questionable.Two of the players that Express acquired are amongst the less than 33% of players in the league that still have their bye weeks lying ahead.
In addition, if you tabulate starting lineups based on average points per week thus far this season (and indeed, that is an imperfect method of projection), this trade will yield Express on average an astounding 15.54 point drop per week.
Old Player
Likely New Player
Average Difference Per Week
Westbrook (20.92)
Stewart (8.31)
Loss of 12.61 points/week
Tennessee (10.50)
Seattle (6.50)
Loss of 4.00 points/week
Holmes (8.59)
Muhammad (9.66)
Gain of 0.93 points/week
Loss of 15.54 points/week
With that said, there is absolutely no good faith argument that this trade could reasonably benefit Express.This trade is problematic from every possible angle.
The Commissioner’s Proposed Compromise
The second issue this court must discuss is the viability of the Wicked Threadz Fantasy League Commissioner’s good faith effort to produce a compromise solution that would allow for a more reasonable version of this trade. The Commissioner here has suggested removing the Tennessee Defense from the deal and approving this trade as a four-for-one.However, this compromise does not seem to solve the problem, nor is it permissible pursuant to the SportsJudge.com default rules.
While I commend the league commissioner for attempting to play Henry Clay, unless a league constitution explicitly gives a league commissioner power to involve himself in a trade, the commissioner does not have the right do so.While there is no doubt the commissioner had only the best intentions in mind, allowing him to intermingle himself in a trade produces too high risks that the commissioner will substitute his own self-interest for the needs of the respective teams.
In addition, allowing such a remedy encourages teams to propose the most uneven trades imaginable—knowing that if they are seen as too unfair the commissioner would just fix them.Ultimately, it could put the commissioner in the inevitable position of consistently needing to rework trades.
Final Thought
As a final thought, I wish to turn attention now to a comment on the message board from the owner of Real Men of Genius:
To [Another Team Owner]: I don't think its (sic) my responsibility not to [rip off] people. If they let it happen then its (sic) their fault not mine. You dont (sic) always have to give something good to get something better. The integrity of this league is still there.
Based upon the SportsJudge.com default rules, that statement is not accurate.While there is nothing wrong with a team making a trade that benefits them far more than their trade partner, our default rules will not allow a trade that does not even lead to a reasonable possibility that both parties would benefit.
If you wish if the future for SportsJudge.com to take a more hands-off approach to trades, you should write that standard directly into the league constitution for next season.That obviously, however, is an issue for you to discuss with your league mates.
Conclusion
For the foregoing reason, the commissioner rejects the proposed trade in its entirety.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this site is for informational or recreational purposes only. Nothing written is intended to serve as legal advice or legal counsel.
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