Yes this is dredging the bottom of the barrel, but in an NL Only 5x5 roto league, who do y'all like the best for this year? for long term?

Felipe Paulino, Kyle McClellan, Jaime Garcia

-Felipe has talent, but needs work on control. May or may not have a rotation spot.  I read that he got serious with training and preparations in the off-season, but it looks like he hasn't pitched in a game yet this spring.

-McClellan has broke into the majors as a decent reliever and is transitioning to SP.

-Garcia is battling McClellan for the 5th SP in StL.  Has talent, but recovering from TJS.  Both Garcia and McClellan looked good Sunday.

Based on talent/potential I like Paulino and Garcia's long term potential the best, but I'm also looking at contribution this year.

thanks

   I have Jeremy Hermida since he was in the minors, who has been frustrating to own the past couple of years.  If I continue to keep him, it'll be for $10 this year and next year would be the final year to keep him (next year salary $13).  If he's exposed to the auction, the contract starts over and whoever buys him can keep him up to 4 years with 30% inflation each year.

   I had such high hopes and he's dashed them on and off (mostly off in 2008).  Through the offseason I've planned to not keep him, but now he's teasing in spring training.

   Thoughts on what to do?   Keep him this year, make him a restricted free agent and try to get him cheap in the auction, or cut bait totally and let someone else deal with it?   League details:  NL only, auction, keeper.  15 keepers, 5 restricted FAs, max roster 40 for majors and minors.  If I don't protect him as a keeper or RFA, I'll probably just protect a prospect this year instead (i.e. replacement won't provide significant MLB help this year).

  FishStripes and rotoworld both have blurbs that Julio has been demoted as the closer for the Marlins.  From rotoworld:
---
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Jorge Julio has been told he is no longer the Marlins' closer.
Julio, who blew two saves in the past week, was told by manager Fredi Gonzalez on Wednesday that he will now work in the sixth or seventh innings. "It is best for me right now," said Julio. "I need to work on my game, especially my command. I like this team, and I want to help it, not hurt it." Gonzalez says he hasn't decided on a replacement, but Henry Owens, Lee Gardner and Matt Lindstrom are candidates.
---

  Although I think Gardner was optioned to AAA to make room for Tankersly, so Lee wouldn't be an option for the closer role.  I'm surprised Gregg doesn't get more consideration, he's the most experienced of the crew.

From Rotoworld...
Diamondbacks acquired RHP Yusmeiro Petit from the Marlins for RHP Jorge Julio and cash.
The Diamondbacks did pretty well here if they managed to dump most of Julio's $3.6 million salary, but as a flyball pitcher, Petit had a better chance of making it as a fourth or fifth starter in Florida than he does in Arizona. He'll almost certainly begin the season in Triple-A Tucson's rotation.

I'm not the biggest Petit fan, but I like this trade for the Dbacks.

  Long time reader, first time poster.  I live in Texas and will be visiting the Cactus league for the first time.  I'd love to hear any tips about places to visit in Phx and Tuscon, how accessible the players are for autographs/etc before games (if at all), how bad is the traffic to get to the games (for example, going from near the airport to Scottsdale, Mesa, etc), and anything else that might be helpful.
  Thanks!

  So what does everyone think Huff is worth in a 10 team, NL-only salary cap keeper league?
  We don't use FAAB, so I'd have to drop someone or make a trade to free up salary.  Right now just about everyone is at/near the cap except for a team that has about 20% available.

  Thanks in advance...

  I'd be interested in people's feedback on my team.  I'm in a 5x5 NL-only, keeper-salary cap league.  I'm currently in 2nd place.  Saves is my worst category, but my bigger concern is the OF.  To help the OF I'm hoping to trade away excess pitching, particularly the likes of Duke, Bush, etc.  I am hoping the likes of Julio, Duaner, Kensing, Oscar V, or Joey Devine will help with saves later in the year.
  What would you consider to be reasonable OF trade targets for the starting pitching I have to trade?  Other thoughts?

  Here's my current roster:

Player |  Position | Salary | Contract Remaining
[ACTIVE]
Paulino, Ronny C  1   4
Saltalamacchia, Jarrod C  2   4
Pujols, Albert 1B  41   4
Carroll, Jamey 2B  1   4
Wright, David 3B  8   2
Ramirez, Hanley SS  6   4
Freel, Ryan P. 2B  8  2
Ensberg, Morgan 3B  13   0
Bay, Jason LF  8   2
Diaz, Matt OF  2   4
Edmonds, Jim CF  25  4
Hermida, Jeremy RF  2   4
Nady, Xavier RF  6   3
Jacobs, Mike 1B  1   4

Peavy, Jake SP  13   0
Webb, Brandon SP  10   1
Wood, Kerry SP  10   4
Reyes, Anthony SP  1   4
Duke, Zach SP PIT  6   3
Soler, Alay SP  1   4
Hoffman, Trevor RP  21   4
Julio, Jorge RP  1   4
Sanchez, Duaner RP 1   4

[BENCH]
Hardy, J.J. SS  6   3
Young, Chris B. OF  2   4
Stewart, Ian 3B  2   4
Upton, Justin SS  5   4
Cruz, Nelson R. OF  1   4
Denorfia, Chris RF  1   4
Gonzalez, Carlos OF  1   4
Stokes, Jason F. 1B  1  4
Dewitt, Blake 2B  1   4

Bush, Dave SP MIL  6   4
Hamels, Cole SP PHI  1   4
Billingsley, Chad SP  2   4
Gorzelanny, Tom S. SP  1   4
Carrillo, Cesar SP  4   4
Devine, Joey N. RP 1   4
Kensing, Logan RP FLA 1   4
Villarreal, Oscar RP 1   4

  Alay Soler is supposed to be called up by the Mets this week to pitch against PHI (I believe against Hamels) and a 2nd start against ARI.  He had a lot of buzz around him coming out of Cuba, didn't look that great in spring training, but has very impressive numbers in A and AA ball this year.
  What's your take on how he'll do this week against these 2 teams, and in general for the season?  He's gotta be better than Lima and the other guy the Mets have been throwing out there, but I'm wondering if I should start him in my fantasy league or hold out and see how he does...

  I could use some thoughts/input on a trade idea.  NL only, keeper/auction league with contracts.  Other team has Holliday but also good outfield depth and possibly some open keeper slots.  His needs include pitching, CI, and possibly MI.  I'm weak in the OF, but have good pitching, and excess CI/MI depth.

Holliday ($9, 2 years left)
 for
Zach Duke ($7, 3 years left)
Mike Jacobs ($2, 4 years left)
Ronny Cedeno ($1, 4 years left)

  Is this a bad trade?  Is either side giving up too much?  What would be fair value for Holliday? I'd keep Holliday of course, but was planning on keeping Duke and Jacobs, maybe Cedeno also.  

  Thanks in advance for analysis and input!