Rate the Deal: Snider for Baker
As I continue to prepare for my keeper league this season, I’ve been making a few trades to get my keepers in order. Last season I traded a lot of my top keepers (McLouth, Scherzer, Volquez) in order to go for the win, which proved to be a successful strategy. It left things pretty barren heading into 2009, however, so I needed to make a flurry of trades to get ready for another run at a title.
One of those deals saw me trade Travis Snider in exchange for Scott Baker.
In analyzing this trade, you have to consider two things:
- Both players salaries are $2
- Both players are locked in at that price for 2009, then eligible to return to the auction pool in 2010
So, why did I make the trade? As I’ve said here before, I’m not incredibly high on Snider for this season (you can view my Quick Hit about him by clicking here). Come 2010 and beyond, he has the potential to be an absolute monster at the plate, but at just 21-years old, I’m expecting him to struggle this season. He strikes out a bunch (31.61% over the entire 2008 season) and I just don’t expect him to fully realize his power potential.
The truth of the matter is, just for 2009, I doubt I would have even kept him. He’s likely to be a fringe OF’er, and someone I could easily replace with Ryan Church or someone else similar to that.
As for Baker, he showed signs in 2008 that he could be fantasy gold. He barely walks anyone (2.19 BB/9 last season), meaning that he’s going to help you in WHIP barring a complete collapse. While I wouldn’t expect a number as low as 1.18 again, something in the 1.26-1.28 range is almost a given. He’s also improved his strikeout potential (7.36 K/9 last season) and does a very good job of keeping the ball in the ballpark (1.04 HR/9; 8.5% HR/FB). When you put it all together, you have the makings of a pitcher who should be a solid #3 or 4 pitcher on any fantasy rotation, with the potential to be better then that.
So, what do you think? Would you have made this trade? Why or why not?
Picture courtesy of Icon Sports Media, Inc.
I like the trade, but I’m a big Baker guy. I like the stuff and his moxie. Even before he got things figured out last year he went into Yankee Stadium and threw a gem.
I think I’m a bit more cautious about Baker than you, but I’d definitely still make this trade. I still think Snider is a bit undercooked for 2009. Let someone else gamble on his production. He’ll figure it out, but it’s asking a lot for it to be in the first half of 2009.
Baker can be relied on for a low 4s ERA and a WHIP safely below 1.30 with a solid strike out ratio and double digit wins. That’s not ace material in real or fantasy baseball, but it’s plenty valuable, and he has a good chance to do even better than that.