With Kinsler going down and my pitchers not getting me the wins I need and the trade deadline coming up on the 31st, I was thinking about giving up on trying to capture 3rd as I really don't think I can get 1st or 2nd.

I have one offer that I would send Verlander (keeper eligible for one more year but at LABR price) and Ludwick (not keepable) for a $1 Markakis for one more year and a $1 Brandon Wood for three more years. He wants Liriano too but I'm thinking Liriano will be stronger next year and at $28 in my league could be a bargain.

I've also contacted the teams that have Rasmus, David Price and Andy LaRoche to see what it would take to get them.

Should I play for third and get whatever money for my league costs or retool and reload for next year and possibly beyond?

Thanks.

If I can't win, I play for next year. Others in my league like to finish in the money and will play for this year if they have a chance at the top 4 spots. It's really a personal preference as to which which tactic you will enjoy more. That said, I love the Markakis/Wood deal, particularly if you can keep Liriano. I think Liriano returns to ace status next year. Price would be great too. Rasmus really struggled this year so I expect him to start at AAA next season again, but he's young and talented and could turn things around quickly.

I always like to play for now. How much does 3rd pay? If it's $1000, dude, I'm trying to cash!

I'm kinda in the same sport - we pay top 5 (11 teams), and I'm in 5th. If everything breaks right, I could sneak into 4th (maybe $100). So I break even for the year.

But I'm still doing everything I can (within reason) to get 4th.

With all that being said - Daver is right, and I also LOVE the Markakis/Wood deal, but try to keep Liriano.

yeah, I wish $1000, only a couple of hundred so I break even or not

A couple of hundred would suit me just fine.

Couple hundred - dayum - that's the pot in our pools haha

Canada doesn't draw many baseball fans, let alone fantasy baseball fans

Either way, I'm pulling that deal (sans Liriano)

got an open spot?

Ok, Markakis owner has countered that "he can't give up a solid keeper unless something undoubtedly puts him over the top" which means he wants Liriano. He countered with sending me Markakis, Brandon Wood, Cano and Joey Devine for Liriano, Verlander and Ludwick.

I should give up a $27 possible keeper in Liriano for two years for 1 more year of Markakis at $1?

No way, Jose.

BTW, Verlander and Ludwick aren't keepable.

Oh, nevermind.

But go for the couple of hundred pay-off if you can. Take whatever money is out there this year if possible. You may get run over by a bus on New Years Eve.

I think Markakis at $1 for one year is better than Liriano at $27 for two years so I'd probably pull the trigger.

I tend to think so as well - you have other pitchers you could keep at bargain prices that may pitch as well as Liriano next year

like who?

My guess is that silver is referencing Danks and/or Scherzer but it doesn't look like either can be kept. I would still take a $1 Markakis over a $27 Liriano. There are never any guarantees with a pitcher, especially one that also has an injury history. $27 is a decent price but not a $1 steal like Markakis is.

Sorry, wasn't reading his keepers correctly, but I'd still take Markakis over Liriano

What other pitchers does he have that you might be able to switch Wood or Cano for - how much are they valued at?

Liriano at $28 is iffy - he's been injured once, and there's no telling if he can perform at that value, so I'd rather have the sure thing in Markakis at a buck