Fantasy Baseball 2012: The Derek Jeter Trade-Value Conundrum

Derek Jeter may be a five-time world champion, future Hall of Famer and corporate America's most eligible sports bachelor, but it's still very hard to make sense of his blazing .397 start to the season.

And yet, that hasn't stopped fantasy owners from scheming to move heaven and earth to land him in trade talks.

In the last five full seasons (2007-11), Jeter averaged 11.2 homers, 67.2 RBI, 98.4 runs, 18 steals and a .305 batting average. Compared to this year's numbers (5/15/22/1/.397), Jeter is on pace for 28 homers, 79 RBI, 118 runs and six steals.

Do you really think he'll eclipse his all-time personal best in homers by four (24 in 1999)? Do you really think Jeter will finish 20 runs above his five-year average, in a season when the Yankees are not a lead-pipe cinch for 90 victories? Bottom line: Players who turn 38 on June 26 don't just dramatically alter their career trajectories on a whim—at least no one from the post-steroid era.

At this point, the most prudent pair of Jeter-themed words in the fantasy realm are "sell" and "high."

(For the record, AccuScore has Jeter pegged for 8.9 homers, 57.5 RBI, 88.2 runs, 14 steals and .307 average from this point forward.)

Skepticism aside, here's a balanced, five-tiered speculation of Jeter's trade value in 12-team roto leagues:

1-for-1
Jay Bruce, Desmond Jennings, Paul Konerko, Lance Lynn or Michael Bourn

1-for-2
Jeter for Dee Gordon/Ian Kennedy
Jeter for Wandy Rodriguez/Josh Willingham
Jeter for Tommy Hanson/Nick Markakis
Jeter for Shane Victorino/Ricky Nolasco

2-for-2
Jeter/David Price for C.J. Wilson/Adam Jones
Jeter/Derek Holland for Johnny Cueto/Jason Heyward
Jeter/Craig Kimbrel for Matt Holliday/Brandon League

2-for-3
Jeter/Brandon Phillips for Jose Reyes/Colby Lewis/Mike Trout
Jeter/Mat Latos for Freddie Freeman/Brandon Morrow/Denard Span
Jeter/Max Scherzer for Austin Jackson/Andre Ethier/Vance Worley
Jeter/Yu Darvish for Jose Bautista/Adam Wainwright/David Robertson

2-for-4
Jeter/Yovani Gallardo for Michael Cuddyer/Shin-Soo Choo/Anibal Sanchez/Brandon Beachy

Jeter/Andrew McCutchen for James Shields/Eric Hosmer/Ben Zobrist/Jordan Zimmermann

Jeter/Billy Butler for Matt Cain/Jason Kipnis/Alexei Ramirez/Anthony Bass

Jeter/Mike Moustakas for Rickie Weeks/Cody Ross/Kyle Lohse/Michael Young

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.