Dynasty Trades: The Gift of Giving
Many of us have spent the past few days scrambling to buy gifts for friends or family, or stressing over food for the big day. In fact, a large number of people don’t even enjoy Christmas due to the pressure of hosting and organizing. You could argue that all the hard work is rewarded by the feeling of opening the present you’ve hoped and wished for, but often that isn’t enough. For me, the best feeling is seeing the face and reaction of someone who doesn’t know what’s coming. Puppy surprise videos aside, I’d like to think many of us have given great joy to others over this Christmas Championship season without even realizing it.
Were you unable to squeeze Danny Woodhead into your lineup last week? Then you probably made an opponent very happy. Did you throw Devonta Freeman into a deal before the season began? Guess what: you gifted your trade partner a bunch of wins earlier in the year. Whether it’s in a trade, on waivers or in your lineup, we have all been givers this year. Rather than moping and feeling sorry for myself with losses or regrettable moves, I prefer to look on the bright side of things.
Last week, I posed a question on Twitter:
Would love to hear some good/bad moves that you guys made to get to where you are this season.
— James Simpson (@JS_Football) December 19, 2015
Many of you replied with good moves you have made, but there were also a lot that were considered bad. In dynasty fantasy football, we can’t be put off by moves that didn’t pan out, as activity is hugely important so to avoid it would be detrimental. Sometimes you just have to admit your mistakes, learn from them and move on. This piece is giving a shoutout (and a warm embrace) to those who shared their ‘bad’ deals. It happens. We have to suck it up. But at a time like this, just remember you made someone else very happy.
@JS_Football got J.Matthews, CJA, D.Martin, C.Hyde and 16rd. 3 underachievers in 15. — stephen fuller (@fulst_rosto) December 19, 2015
Stephen moved Gurley earlier in the year. Most dynasty players would also argue that Evans was the second most valuable piece in the whole deal, so this will be bringing great joy to his trade partner. This is an example of believing in the players you’re going after, and not being afraid to pay up for them. To be fair, as I mentioned to Stephen, the players he received were all ones who I also targeted at the beginning of the season and still have high hopes for. Anderson and Hyde definitely disappointed, but I wouldn’t count either of them out yet as they will return from injury next year. Martin had an extremely productive year, and re-discovered his dynasty value, and Matthews had a good enough year to maintain decent value. However, good isn’t Gurley.
@JS_Football Like Brady for Bradford. :puke emoji:
— Brian Malone (@julesdynasty) December 19, 2015
This trade is painful to reflect on, but considering Brian still managed to take his team to the playoffs, he can’t feel too distraught. There were many owners who expected a strong comeback from Sam Bradford after his trade to Philadelphia, or at least for him to be a usable fantasy starter considering even Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez played well in the offense. But Brian gave up the most ridiculously consistent fantasy quarterback this season, and his trade partner will have benefited all year. [inlinead] While Brady will always be the better player, I do expect Chip Kelly to invest in Bradford again next year, hopefully with a re-vamped offensive line and surrounding cast. On the subject of owners who expected a lot from Bradford – I made a bold (/stupid) move in a 2QB league I’d just joined by spending all $1,000 of my blind bidding money on him before the 2015 season began. Considering the value of quarterbacks in these leagues, I don’t deeply regret the premise, but obviously it hasn’t panned out how I hoped it would so far. This blind bidding talk leads me to the next reply:
@JS_Football I spent my whole bb $ on josh hill… — Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) December 19, 2015
Now Nick didn’t exactly gift a player to any particular owner, but what he did do was take a shark out of the tank. Did he want to pick up Charcandrick West when Jamaal Charles went down? Probably. Did he instead allow another team the chance to strengthen this week and all year? Yes, because Nick is a generous man. Hill was supposed to be the Jimmy Graham replacement in New Orleans and built up a lot of off-season steam, but so far this season he’s only managed to muster up 13 catches, 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
@JS_Football @FugaziLifeFB the worst move I made was trading my 1st(1.09-1.12) for Chris Johnson and 2 2nds both (2.09-2.12)
— Craig Gerein (@Craig_P_G) December 19, 2015
Without injuries, this would be considered a closer deal. But even if Johnson stayed healthy, Craig gave his trade partner a better future. Sometimes, when you see a veteran revival, like with CJ2k or Darren McFadden this year; you just have to go and get the guy who you think will lead you to a championship. Hell, remember that time I gave Keenan Allen, Lamar Miller and a second for Arian Foster? I knew I was going for a short term gain, and I got exactly that; but my trade partner will benefit for years to come. Injuries sway trades in ways we can’t predict, so don’t ever beat yourself up if one comes back to bite you.
@JS_Football In KS1, I overpaid, sending DGB, Marvin Jones, and 2016 1st for Jimmy Graham and Woodhead. I was bounced in the first round. — Joshua (@LakeTwoQBs) December 19, 2015
Did Josh overpay? Maybe. But as I mentioned, sometimes we have to; especially if we want immediate production. Making a deal like this usually means you believe your first round pick will be a late one, which has to be taken into consideration when evaluating whether or not it was the right move. Building for the future is one thing, but at some point we have to focus on now. Mr. Lake also brought up a deal him and I made earlier in the year:
@JS_Football In Groundhogs, I consider our Palmer/Bridgewater trade a fair part of why I’m in the championship.
— Joshua (@LakeTwoQBs) December 19, 2015
Although I’ve regretted it at times since making the move with Palmer’s great performances, I know I’ve gotten younger and have a better future, but I also like to think I made my good friend Josh happy with a trade we made earlier in the year. This straight swap of young and old quarterbacks shows how differently players can be valued depending on team needs and setup: he wanted the points right now, and I invested in a young player I believe will grow.
@JS_Football BAD: Bet against the Jags preseason. Traded ARob+Tevin+Agholor for AJG. :-/ — Justin Bates (@averyhappyfello) December 19, 2015
Justin calls this a bad trade because right now it feels like an overpay. I would argue that while Robinson has burst onto the scene in a spectacular way, receiving Green in return can at least make up for some of the sadness. This is the kind of price we have to pay for sure studs like AJG, so giving up bundles of potential in preseason isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s so hard to know what that potential will get you, but you know what Green will give you. It feels bad now Justin, but I can’t criticize the move.
@JS_Football bad: gave OBJ for j Matthews, McCoy and Yeldon. Good: gave Cooper and L Miller for ARob and L Bell
— Mike Faiella (@mfaiella2001) December 19, 2015
Anytime Beckham is given away, it can be considered as a bad move. Even though the other three parts have been pretty good, the player who is considered by many to be the top overall dynasty asset is worth more. I feel for Mike, because this is the kind of deal that would look good if he was ‘selling high’ on OBJ. But last season wasn’t high for Beckham – he’s only scratched the surface of what he can do. If you do ever feel the need to cash out on a stud, make sure you’re at least getting one in return. Thankfully for Mike, he did exactly that in the second deal he mentioned.
@JS_Football bad: Eifert for ASJ + 3rd after week 1 — HornFF (@horn_ff) December 19, 2015
Young breakout tight ends are almost impossible to identify. Eifert has had supporters since he was drafted despite not fulfilling his potential before this year, so I’m sure Horn saw Eifert’s week one performance as a chance to move him while he’s hot. However, he stayed hot, and ASJ has been cold with a shoulder injury that has kept him out for most of 2015. But if you thought that move brought joy to his opponent, Horn is the owner that just keeps giving:
@JS_Football bad: ARob for Kevin White + 2nd in the preseason — HornFF (@horn_ff) December 19, 2015
I don’t know how White will turn out, but moving any superstar just before they break out is heart-breaking. Stay strong, HornFF.
All of these moves seemed reasonable at the time they were made. Similarly, many moves are made in dynasty leagues that seem illogical, but eventually seem to balance out. There are no perfect traders or owners that can predict the future, and while we strive to get better at doing those things; we must accept the moves we’ve made and deal with them. I’ve learned my lesson, my trade partner is happy, and I can move on to the next deal. Let’s get it done.
In part two, I’ll shower some praise on owners who made ‘good’ deals this year.
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As well as editing for DLF, James writes for Sky Sports and can be found on Twitter at @JS_Football
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