Fantasy Baseball 2012: 5 Post-Draft Trade Rules to Live by

We've got four months to explore the nuances of serious trade negotiations in fantasy. For now, though, here are some easy tenets to follow immediately after the draft but before the rush of Opening Day sweeps North America. 

1. Don't approve same-position deals (3B for 3B, 2B for 2B) unless it's a blowout in your favor.

Rationale: Unless two assets of comparable value bring completely different things to the table, there's no reason to jump the gun on a late March/early April trade. If you crave positional versatility and more steals, perhaps it's worth owning Ben Zobrist instead of Rickie Weeks, but generally, when considering similar players with similar skill sets, it's probably too early to shake things up. 

2. Admirable bench depth can always be compromised in April.

Rationale: This one's rather self-explanatory, but always be willing to throw in a few established non-starters in fantasyland (Mark Reynolds, Corey Hart, Jason Kubel, Chipper Jones, Kelly Johnson, Rafael Furcal, Placido Polanco, Josh Willingham, etc.) to push a 3-for-1 or 4-for-2 blockbuster through. After that, you'll be amazed at how many undrafted free agents can be sufficient one- or two-category contributors on the bench.

3. Give super-hyped newcomers their fantasy due...but not too much.

Rationale: Chances are that Jesus Montero, Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Matt Moore, Drew Pomeranz won't perform like Albert Pujols (circa 2001), Ryan Braun (2007) or Dwight Gooden (1984) this season. Yet some fantasy owners will disrupt their boards to draft or trade for these supposed once-in-a-generation prospects. Whenever possible, always acquire a young, established veteran with upside in favor of Montero, Harper or Pomeranz (keeper leagues excluded).  

4. Don't sweat trading a top-flight closer or Tier II starting pitcher for an underrated five-category factor.

Rationale: Unless you need a specific closer to avoid finishing dead last in saves, most relievers shouldn't have "untouchable" status during trade talks. The same holds true for less-than-elite starting pitchers during trade negotiations.

Bottom line: Fantasy owners should heed every opportunity to keep building on offense at this stage. As stated many times in this blog, it's easier to patch together a good pitching roster via free-agent waivers—think long-relievers/set-up men—than it is to acquire dynamic hitters in free agency.  

5. Don't be afraid to cut obnoxious, unfamiliar owners out of the loop.

Rationale: This one is quite simple: Upon receiving three lopsided offers from a stranger owner in a relatively short period of time (none in your favor), secretly bar him/her from all future deals. Being disrespected by another GM is a big no-no in fantasy...and is a white-collar crime worthy of incommunicable banishment (Or something like that).

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