gianmarco
Footballguy
So, many of us are in multiple leagues and will run trade offers or ideas by other FF'ers. It seems lately I've been hearing quite a few where owners are already looking to trade depth on an already strong team to make them unstoppable. I started thinking about this and wondered if this is really wise. I think a large part of these is boredom and anxiousness to get started as I really don't think now is the right time for a few reasons.
It's one thing if you have a borderline team right now and want to put together a contender. It's another thing when your team is already strong and likely playoff-bound (I know it's early to sometimes tell and things change and change quickly, but you know what I mean).
1. Trading away solid depth too early (like now) on a strong team that has a good chance to make a playoff run is a recipe for disaster. A couple of ACL's and a hammy later and you're really wishing you had that depth to ride you through the storm. Ask owners who had S. Jackson and A. Johnson last year. EVERYONE gets hit by the injury bug sooner or later in FF. And there is just no way to predict it no matter how much we like to throw around the injury-prone label. Just because you have a set of guys that has missed relatively no time is not a guarantee for anything. Not to mention underproduction. Depth is what will carry you through so that you can still make the playoffs.
2. Yes, having a monster lineup and being feared by others in your league is fun and exciting, I guess. However, with the exception of seeding and a possible bye, it doesn't matter if you make the playoffs scoring 150/week or 100/week. Those of you who are in pursuit of that monster team, if your team is likely to make the playoffs anyway, you're almost trading for only 2-3 weeks of this year. I know this is in terms of a dynasty and you have to look long term as well, but in regards to "going for it all this year", this is a point that I think many overlook. Sure it's nice to upgrade your #3 WR from J. Cotchery to S. Smith, but in the end, during the 2-3 weeks you're fighting for the championship, Cotchery can just as easily put up a big game as Smith can. Over the course of a season, my money is definitely on Smith, but on a particular 2-3 week stretch, is it really worth the smaller % of difference to give up valuable depth?
3. Depth has different value now than mid-season. I know it's nice to look at your huge stable of RB's and know that you've got some great trade bait and want to upgrade that WR. What some forget is that that same stable of RB's will have much more value midseason when teams have lost their RB's and are in dire need of one. Those same RB's have now gained even more value simply by waiting. Not to mention that you are keeping other teams from getting stronger and challenging you. Or worst of all, when YOU'RE the one that is now in need and you're paying a higher price than what you sold a few months earlier.
None of this is meant to say not to trade or improve your lineup or pass up good value. Dynasty teams are improved oftentimes by making small moves to gain value one step at a time. But, at the same time, I think it's wise to consider if now is the right time to make certain moves when it involves using your depth to bolster an already strong lineup.
It's one thing if you have a borderline team right now and want to put together a contender. It's another thing when your team is already strong and likely playoff-bound (I know it's early to sometimes tell and things change and change quickly, but you know what I mean).
1. Trading away solid depth too early (like now) on a strong team that has a good chance to make a playoff run is a recipe for disaster. A couple of ACL's and a hammy later and you're really wishing you had that depth to ride you through the storm. Ask owners who had S. Jackson and A. Johnson last year. EVERYONE gets hit by the injury bug sooner or later in FF. And there is just no way to predict it no matter how much we like to throw around the injury-prone label. Just because you have a set of guys that has missed relatively no time is not a guarantee for anything. Not to mention underproduction. Depth is what will carry you through so that you can still make the playoffs.
2. Yes, having a monster lineup and being feared by others in your league is fun and exciting, I guess. However, with the exception of seeding and a possible bye, it doesn't matter if you make the playoffs scoring 150/week or 100/week. Those of you who are in pursuit of that monster team, if your team is likely to make the playoffs anyway, you're almost trading for only 2-3 weeks of this year. I know this is in terms of a dynasty and you have to look long term as well, but in regards to "going for it all this year", this is a point that I think many overlook. Sure it's nice to upgrade your #3 WR from J. Cotchery to S. Smith, but in the end, during the 2-3 weeks you're fighting for the championship, Cotchery can just as easily put up a big game as Smith can. Over the course of a season, my money is definitely on Smith, but on a particular 2-3 week stretch, is it really worth the smaller % of difference to give up valuable depth?
3. Depth has different value now than mid-season. I know it's nice to look at your huge stable of RB's and know that you've got some great trade bait and want to upgrade that WR. What some forget is that that same stable of RB's will have much more value midseason when teams have lost their RB's and are in dire need of one. Those same RB's have now gained even more value simply by waiting. Not to mention that you are keeping other teams from getting stronger and challenging you. Or worst of all, when YOU'RE the one that is now in need and you're paying a higher price than what you sold a few months earlier.
None of this is meant to say not to trade or improve your lineup or pass up good value. Dynasty teams are improved oftentimes by making small moves to gain value one step at a time. But, at the same time, I think it's wise to consider if now is the right time to make certain moves when it involves using your depth to bolster an already strong lineup.
