Keeper League Advice

[ConstantColorUpor]

Have taken over someones team in a keeper league, that first draft took place last year. This is the first time I have done a keeper league and now I have less than a week to decide who I am going to keep. Max 5 players, if 5 2 must be pitchers. Whoever you keep, you will lose the prior rounds pick from where he was drafted last year (i.e if you keep last years 3rd round pick, this year you lose your 2nd round pick). 3 year max on a keeper, and to keep a player you had to have drafted him and maintained him on your roster the entire season. Here are my options: (the number denotes the round they were drafted last year, the * is who I am leaning towards thus far with Hamilton being a lock).

1. Chase Utley
2. Victor Martinez
3. Kevin Youkillis
4. Curtis Granderson
5. Josh Hamilton *
6. Shane Victorino
8. Brian Wilson *
9. Elvis Andrus *
14. JA Happ
16. Dice-K
19. Edison Volquez *

Any opinions I would greatly appreciate and any explanations would help as well, thanks in advance.

[Quiksilver]

Interesting set up as far as the keeper rules and drafting are concerned. Personally I would keep the following-

Utley
Hamilton
Wilson
Youkilis

Not sure what happens if you keep your first rd pick (Utley) seeing how there is no previous rd. But if it doesn't affect you then I'd go with Utley who is a top 2 or 3 2B.

I'd also go with Youkilis as I think he'll be having a monster season especially with that lineup. Plus, he'll be eligible 3B and 1B which is huge for flexibility.

Personally, asides from Wilson I don't think any ofthose pitchers is anything special and if anything I think you'll have to target them during the draft.

I'm also not that high on Andrus but that's just my opinion.

Good luck either way ConstantColor...love the avatar and can't wait to see the Sox this season!

[ConstantColorUpor]

If I keep Utley I lose my first round pick. I have the 8th pick this year (14 teams). My rationale for not keeping Utley is that with the 8th pick, and others ahead of me potentially keeping their 1st and 2nd round picks from last year (thus 8th potentially becoming a better pick), worst case scenario I get Utley back and dont lose the year of keeper eligibility. As for the 2nd pitcher, I need to keep 2 because I want to keep 3 position players. I figure Volquez is on the best team, and has the most upside coming back healthy this year, and its really low risk high reward since I only lose a 18th round pick. Ahhhh man this keeper league shit really gets you thinking, I like it but I am driving myself crazy. Be nice to see the list of players declared as keepers on Friday.

Thanks for the reply Quick, I appreciate it. If you have anymore insight please I am all ears I need it because this is keeper stuff is so new to me. Also cant wait to see the Sox crush this year!