Fantasy Keeper League Trading Advice

Keeper League Trading Advice

One of the biggest differences in a standard fantasy football league versus a keeper league is the trading  of draft picks. If your league is stable, and the same people are in it year after year, it might allow for owners who are out of contention to trade off veterans players for future draft picks. Like the NFL, teams are able to stockpile multiple picks and build for the future. It really allows owners to maintain an active interest in their teams where they might normally give up while suffering through a disappointing season.

Injuries, suspensions, under performance …many things can combine to kill your fantasy football year. Sometimes just plain bad luck happens, and your team gets off to a 3-7 start. Normally you just shrug it off, and have to wait 9 long months for the next draft. Unless you’re in a keeper league that allows you to ship off veterans for extra picks for that upcoming season. If you are the beneficiary of some extra selections, what kind of strategy can you use to get the most return on your investment?

Approach everyone- Even if other owners have no players to trade you, or are seemingly uninterested in sending you a bargain, it can’t hurt to explore all options. Maybe they aren’t at all interested in a player that’s looked good in mini camp, and they don’t know…you can get a bargain. Also, by contacting everyone, you can:

Play owners against each other- If you aren’t getting anywhere negotiating a deal, make sure you remind that owner that you have “other deals on the table”, and “need to contact Owner B before I make any commitments”. By reminding everyone that there is competition for your extra draft picks, you might get them to desperately lower their price to eliminate the competition.

Wait ‘em out- By waiting as late as possible, owners wishing to trade may get more and more desperate, lowering their price, or even giving you a “throw in”.

Ask for the “throw in”- Maybe you have a deal on the table that you’re happy with. It can’t hurt to ask him to throw in another young player, or a late round pick. Nothing wrong with asking; just don’t demand so much you ruin the original deal.

Strike while the iron’s hot- The exact opposite of “play the waiting game”. Often a proactive owner wants to eliminate the competitors by moving fast and early..and when you get offered a deal too good to refuse, sometimes you have to act fast.

Draft positioning- If you have multiple picks, sometimes you can acquire a keeper player and not lose one; maybe another owner really wants to move up to your spot. You might be able to swap picks, move down a few spots, and still keep your extra selections.

Study, then study some more- This always applies in fantasy football, but particularly through out mini camp and the summer months. Staying abreast of news, off season performances, and trends can give you the edge on trading for an unheralded player who looks to be in prime position to capitalize on an opportunity. Willie Parker’s 2006 season is a great example of this.

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