Fantasy trades are never as simple as they seem at the outset. Sure, your buddy offered Chase Utley for Hanley Ramirez, but even a deal that fair is hard to do as a straight-up swap.
Whether itâs a matter of who will fill those empty positions, or if one owner feels slightly slighted and needs a throw-in to help him sleep at night, a wrinkle always seems to arise. And to iron out these wrinkles, owners often turn to âthrow-inâ players.
These throw-ins can net worthwhile returns if you land the right guy, and you can shed some dead weight from your roster if you can unload a useless sap. Here are some players to keep in mind when youâre filling those final gaps before closing a deal: Ryan Ludwick, OF, Cardinals â His numbers far exceed âthrow-inâ status, but heâs a part of the Cardsâ outfield platoon, so his playing time is limited, and he is just one slump away from landing on the bench for an extended period. Besides, heâs 30 years old come July and never has come close to posting numbers reflective of his current pace. Toss him in to close a deal and donât look back.
Ryan Theriot, 2B/SS, Cubs â This guyâs stock is rising. Like Ludwick, he is on the old side for a new name (28), but we like his staying power better than Ludwickâs. His power numbers arenât huge, but heâll rack up stolen bases and has a better chance of maintaining his .300-plus average than does Ludwig. Besides, we like players who are eligible at multiple positions. Get your trade partner to include this guy.
Mark DeRosa, 1B/2B/3B/OF, Cubs â DeRosa has performed above expectations, but thatâs not why we really like him. We like the fact he can play all over the place.
Eric Hinske, 1B/OF, Blue Jays â Heâs no spring chicken (heâll be 32 in August) and in seven previous season has never hit .300 (.288 in 31 games in 2006). Can you remember a 30-something do-nothing who remarkably morphed into a player who consistently yields productive fantasy marks? Neither do we.
