Fantasy Baseball 2012: Paul Konerko Takes the Reins in Latest Twitter Q&A

Here are a few baseball-related fantasy questions from the Twitter masses:
 

Dave Fuqua (@DaveFuqua) wonders: Would you send Paul Konerko/Drew Stubbs/Colby Rasmus for Aaron Hill/James McDonald/Josh Reddick/Corey Hart?

Answer

In convoluted deals like this—where there is only true fantasy star amongst the group—I would want the Konerko end, especially if there are plenty of attractive options on waivers to fill the void of the fourth player.

Sure, McDonald (5-2, 2.14 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 71/20 K-BB) and Reddick (14 HR, 29 RBI, 35 runs, .270 batting) have had solid seasons to date, but I'd be willing to take the risk they'll taper off after the All-Star break.

Of course, you're asking if it's OK to want the Hill/Hart end of this seven-player swap. If so, my answer would be "no."

Joe Nunez Cartagena (@taas74nunez) asks: I just traded David Price/Buster Posey/Fernando Rodney/Drew Stubbs for Zack Greinke/Carlos Santana/Rafael Soriano/Jacoby Ellsbury. I'm in first place and stacked. Is this a good deal?

Answer

Joe, there's a definite advantage to being comfortably in first place in early June. You have the freedom to execute a bold trade that involves an injured player (like Boston's Ellsbury), who likely won't be back until after the Fourth of July holiday.

Obviously, also-ran teams don't have that luxury of time; they need help in their lineup right now, or risk playing out the string by mid-July.

With that said, I would probably want the Greinke/Santana end of the deal anyway. The closers are essentially a wash, and Greinke (7-2, 3.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 81/18 K-BB) should be a top-10 starting pitcher down the stretch.

Carlos Santana (five homers, .232 batting) already had his bouts of underachievement in April and May. Ellsbury, by all accounts, should be 100 percent recovered from his shoulder injury after the rehab starts in the minor leagues.

At face value, the upside of that deal is fractionally better, in my opinion. Once again, you have the desirable margin of error to make such a big move.

Pete Smick (@petesmick) asks: You are offered Roy Halladay/Anibal Sanchez for Cliff Lee/Angel Pagan. Take it or pass?

Answer

On the whole, I would have preferred the high-end pitching side of Halladay and Sanchez (3-4, 3.19 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 72/18 K-BB). But with Halladay's shoulder injury consuming at least another five or six weeks, this swap's a slam dunk for Lee (0-3, 2.92 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 66/11 K-BB) and Pagan.

I've been impressed with the fantasy superiority of the Giants outfield this season, and Pagan (4 HR, 19 RBI, 27 runs, 11 steals, .320 batting) has been absolute godsend for fantasy owners who waited until Round 22 to fill the No. 5 or 6 outfield slot.

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