What to do with Bell in a keeper league...

[femurov]

So, I hate to bore you guys to death with another one of my main league cries for advice, but this situation just came up and after smoking a couple bowls, I had this crazy idea that I figured I would run by you guys.

Recap the basics of the league with the pertinent information... 12 teams, start 2/2 and a flex, PPR, bonus points for long TDs. We ultimately keep 3 players (2 offensive and 1 IDP). We carry a 5 man roster during the offseason and we are allowed to trade players for draft picks off that 5 man roster until cutdown day.

I am 5-4 in this league, but I have a very solid team and feel like I am a contender. A guy who is 3-6 approached me today about trading a player or 2 for a draft pick. I told him the deadline for trades involving draft picks has passed, but we can still trade players for players. Long story short, I mentioned if Bell were to end up missing the season, I would be looking to unload him for something that could help me. Then, I was thinking out loud and mentioned that his keepers were probably set since he has Gurley and Julio and he was quick to shoot that down and say he would definitely be interested in Bell. We ended there, but then I got to thinking... is there a way I can get Gurley? I mean, you never know if you don't go. So here are the skill position players...

My awesome team...

QB - Brees, Wentz
RB - Bell, Conner, Ingram, Collins, Royce
WR - OBJ, Hill, Baldwin, Corey Davis, Courtland Sutton
TE - Burton


His team...

QB - Stafford, Carr
RB - Gurley, McCoy, Tevin, Murray, Riddick
WR - Julio, Shepard, Cobb, Dotson
TE - Ebron, Hooper


So, if he gives up Gurley, it will have to be for Bell and someone else. And I doubt that someone else would be anyone not named Conner, OBJ, or Hill. You think he would be into one of my QBs? Is there a way to get both Julio and Gurley? Would that be worth losing Bell and one of those 3?

I think my main worry which I have been having well before this came up, is that Bell comes back and him and Conner become a committee. This puts a real damper on my team coming down the stretch. I'm thinking that if I make Conner that someone else in the deal, I can wash my hands of the whole Pittsburgh situation. I give up 2 keepers for next year, but if I can get Gurley and Julio, I feel like I gain 2 keepers.

In our brief conversation he did mention he wanted someone who had potential to blow up for next year. Would Corey Davis and/or Courtland Sutton fit that role? What about Royce or even Mark Ingram, since he will be a FA and could sign somewhere as a featured back?

For those of you still reading this, I thank you very much for not skimming past all this. I guess the main things that I am asking are as follows...

1) Probably the most important that hasn't really been alluded to until now... when should I strike? Should I push it now before Bell signs and, as I mentioned get rid of the whole Pittsburgh backfield before it fucks me over? I could offer Bell, Conner, Davis and/or Sutton for Julio and Gurley. Is that enough? Would I have to include one of my WRs to get it done? If I got back Tevin Coleman or Shady in the deal, would that be worth it giving up that extra keeper?

Should I wait to see what happens with Bell? If Bell does sign and my worst nightmares come true, neither Bell nor Conner would lose any value for next year, which this guy has made clear is his main focus at this point. He may even be more inclined to make that deal, then.

2) Do I not even try for Gurley and take the glaring trade that pops off the table of Bell for Julio. This is great value for Bell at this point in regards to this season. It still gives me 3 stud WRs and the potential for a stud RB in Conner. The Steelers have come this far with him and they won't abandon him completely. There is a good chance this backfield looks more like the New Orleans backfield last season where both guys are solid plays every week and one has breakout potential.

3) If all else fails, Davis or Sutton for Tevin Coleman or McCoy would help me out, right? I lean Coleman between the two backs, right?

 

[femurov]

So, after smoking another bowl, I have decided to go big, then work my way down. I will start with Bell and Conner and change for Julio and Gurley and see where it leads. Still need to figure out when to strike, though? Go now or see how this drama ends, since I've ridden it this far?

 

[SmokingMonkey]

I like this process, go big or go home

I think the timing is right to move pitt RBs if the return is Gurley+Julio, there is no bad timing for that

Any wiggle room for a "gentleman's" agreement on you sending a pick his way to seal this up?

 

[femurov]

I like this process, go big or go home

I think the timing is right to move pitt RBs if the return is Gurley+Julio, there is no bad timing for that

Any wiggle room for a "gentleman's" agreement on you sending a pick his way to seal this up?

As the commish, there is no wiggle room there. That is something I would see and question, so there's no way I can be a part of it.

 

[broncosmitty]

I wouldn't trade Gurley for ODB, Connor nd Bell if I owned Gurley. But that's just me.



I might try to if I didn't though.


Wentz and Bell might get him interested. His QBs are holding his team back. And neither have much hope of turning it around this year. Their GMs have both stripped weapons.

 

[broncosmitty]

But Bress-Bell is better to start with.

 

[TKOSpikes]

Go big. Get Gurley. The cost is irrelevant. He is the new Marshall. I don't see how the next five years aren't the same as what we've seen the last 25 games.

 

[TKOSpikes]

Gurley has outscored a combined OBJ and Hill in 5 of 9 weeks I believe.

 

[TKOSpikes]

Four of eight, Gurley has outscored them.

(I know Conner and/or Bell is the bait here, I'm just putting Gurley in perspective.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

if you only keep 3(2 offense and one IDP), why would someone trade the best player in football?? You are going to have to make the trade very one-sided for him... but to do that, you will be giving up on this season... I would not be expecting to make a trade...

Sure, you should try... how does that hurt?? But if I was the other owner I would be looking for a massive fantasy trade r*pe...

 

[TKOSpikes]

Well shit... PPR...oh well, still.

 

[broncosmitty]

Well shit... PPR...oh well, still.

Gurley is still the 4th highest scorer in PPR.

Mahomes
Goff
Ryan


Crazy.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

So, after smoking another bowl, I have decided to go big, then work my way down. I will start with Bell and Conner and change for Julio and Gurley and see where it leads. Still need to figure out when to strike, though? Go now or see how this drama ends, since I've ridden it this far?

I would think just going after Gurley would be going big. Adding Julio just muddles things, you can bet his counter will include Julio but not Gurley. Or he loses interest as it's most likely bigger then he had in mind.

 

[averagejoe]

Surprised you're still functioning and coherent after 3 or 4 bowls. Pot head.

 

[femurov]

Surprised you're still functioning and coherent after 3 or 4 bowls. Pot head.

I'm a trained professional, sir.

 

[molsaniceman]

sounds to me like the other guy is doing all the pot smoking
why trade gurley for a big time question mark in bell?

 

[averagejoe]

I'm a trained professional, sir.

All kidding aside, I think a point that may be overblown is that Gurley is putting up tremendous numbers THIS YEAR. There is no guarantee he is as productive next year or beyond.

I'm not trying to minimize his value. I too believe he will be a top 5 RB for years. But he's what, 50 fantasy points better than the #2 ranked RB? You could be taking a massive leap in what could be a career season.

Rams might invest in WR or a TE that helps Goff even more so as to become less dependant on Gurley. IDK.

Making sense?

 

[averagejoe]

The other point I wanted to make is that when the Steelers part ways with Bell, you will have 2 very good RB in Bell and Connor.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

The other point I wanted to make is that when the Steelers part ways with Bell, you will have 2 very good RB in Bell and Connor.

but this is only a keep 2(offensive player) league... and ODB is a definite keep over both Bell and Connor...

Problem with Bell and Connor, if Bell leaves, new offense, new scheme... Might not be as good of a fit for Bell... so he might not be as good... Probably wont be...

and connor, are you keeping him after a career year??

 

[femurov]

If I don't make any trades, I will still have a very tough decision to make on cut day. I will be trying to make some trades off the 5 man squad as it sits. I may be reaching for the stars here with dreams of Gurley, but there is definitely something here. I think Bell for Julio is very possible. That would give him Gurley and Bell to build around next year.