It’s been too long since my last post. When I did, I was “taking stock” of my team, with the hopes of remaking my team for a run at the money spots. Well, life got in the way; some good (weekend in Atlantic City) and some bad (death in the family).

Fortuitously, in my NL only league, an owner decided to dump, and posted a “fire sale” type email last Friday. I had responded that while I don’t have the kind of keepers to net me a Ryan Howard, I did have three “B” list keepers in John Maine (at $6), Chris Duncan (at $3) and Alex Gonzalez at ($5).

The email was ignored for a week, but the owner responded today by listing his remaining non-keeper players. Turns out, he had just completed a blockbuster-type deal in which he obtained an $8 Hanley Ramirez.

My situation: I’m 6th in a tightly bunched race from 3rd to 8th in my 11 team NL only league. I’m solid in pitching, first in saves and near the top in whip/era. While I could use some wins, I really need hitting. I’m in the bottom 3rd in every category except home runs.

The best remaining non keeper hitter on the other owner’s roster is Ryan Church. So far, his line is a respectable 29 runs, 7 hr’s and 33 rbi’s. His batting average is in the .260’s. However, his xba is .297, and he’s among the league leaders with 21 doubles thus far. Shandler’s comment before the year stated that if he ever got a full time job, the upside was 25 home runs. He also can steal a few bases, 3 thus far.

After “taking stock” of my hitting, I determined that I cannot afford to give up Duncan (who’s on fire) or AGone. I focused on trading John Maine, whom has been described by the folks at BaseballHQ as living on “luck” thus far this year. Coming off a stellar outing, I’d be “selling high.”

My trade partner has a slew of starters: Freddy Garcia (frayed labrum, opting against surgery for now), the “D-Train” (declining skills and recent early exit a big concern), Chris Capuano (DL with strained groin) and Chuck James (been hammered lately).

I opted for Capuano and James. Capuano has been somewhat “unlucky” this year; his K rate and control are in line with career norms, and all indications are that he will return soon from the injury. James has hit a rough stretch, and as a fly ball pitcher, will be prone to serving up dingers. However, as a 25 year old lefty, there’s room for growth.

To “even out” the deal, I offered Kevin Mench $11 and Kyle Davies, who I faabed 2 weeks ago for $8 (yes I bid $8 on Kyle Davies). There was no hard sell on these points when I made the trade offer; they were candidates to be dropped in a lopsided deal. Basically the deal was Maine for Church, Capuano and James.

When I ran the numbers from the “projected balance” on BaseballHQ, the trade would net me approximately 20 runs/RBI, 4 home runs and 3 stolen bases on offense, and 3 wins 34 k’s pitching, likely with a slightly better, if not the same, whip and era.

While this does not look like a whole lot, our stats categories are still pretty bunched; by merely plugging in the higher numbers, I gain 8 points in the standings, which puts me solidly in 3rd, and within striking distance of 2nd place.

The other owner tried to get me to add Duncan for some additional players that I had already discounted. I gave him a good reason why his counter does not work for me, and he relented.

I can’t be done if I’m going to make a run. As I was typing this post, a competitor obtained J Pierre and J. Bay for Adrian Gonzalez and T Gwynn Jr. I just offered Duncan to the same owner for a $54 A Pujols. Wish me luck!