NL-Only Keeper League Trade: Clayton Kershaw For Kyle Blanks

I have been trying to deal Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw for a few weeks now, and I finally dealt him for Padres outfielder Kyle Blanks in the UBA League. This league is a 12 team, NL-Only, keeper league that I have participated in for the last three years.

Kershaw has to be raised to $15 this year of the new owner will lose him after the 2010 season, while Blanks has a $5 S1 contract, meaning I can keep him for two years at $5, then lose him after the 2011 season, or raise him after the 2010 season.

I have written before that I have completely cleaned house after yet another failed title run, and Kershaw was the last of my keepers from last year. As a Dodgers fan, it was not easy dealing him, but I was presented with a player I have coveted since the offseason began in Blanks.

I was also offered a $5 S1 Mat Gamel and a $2 S1 Martin Prado for Kershaw, which was a very nice offer, but I liked Blanks more. I was offered the # 3 pick in the minor league draft for Kershaw as well, but felt that was not enough for the Dodgers ace. I had a 3rd offer which was made a few weeks ago of the #4 pick in the minor league draft and a $5 S1 Fernando Martinez for Kershaw.

Some experts project Blanks to hit anywhere from 20-25 HRs in 2010, and I couldn't pass that up. Since I am rebuilding, I felt the hitter was less risky than the pitcher, but as a Dodgers fan, I hope we are both winners in this deal.

Here is what ESPN's Eric Karabell wrote about Blanks in yesterday's fantasy chat:

Steve (AK)

What are the Padres plans for Blanks? Does he start in the outfield? Worth a a flier in a 16 team league or do I look elsewhere?

Eric Karabell

  (3:35 PM)

He's the left fielder, because Adrian Gonzalez is the first baseman. Pretty simple. And really, from a fantasy sense, you'd prefer Blanks to have outfield eligibility. It's a weaker spot than first base. Blanks has 30-homer potential for sure, even in San Diego. We project 23 homers, which is about right for 2010.

I will be perfectly happy with 23 HRs from Blanks in 2010.