Q & A With Myself

Made up questions by made up people, all having to do with this year in fantasy baseball.

With his value at an all-time high, should I deal Ubaldo Jimenez? Even for a top of the line starter or hitter that has consistently been a top player? - Jay, N.C.
This is an intriguing question, and you're absolutely right, Jimenez's value is higher now than it will ever be. So should you trade him for say, a Tim Lincecum, or underperforming (by his standards) Albert Pujols? The answer is no. Breakout performances are not at all uncommon, especially for starting pitchers, and while they may last only a year (see Zack Greinke last year), they're worth hanging on to for that spectacular year. I would only recommend trading Jimenez if you could get two highly ranked players in return, especially if one plays a position you're weak in.
Is it worth it to own a set-up man, or any other relief pitcher who doesn't earn saves? - Desmond, Little Rock 
No. A good ERA, low WHIP and decent strikout numbers are not worth wasting a roster spot on a relief pitcher who won't help you in the saves category. My theory is that each pitcher needs to be able to help you in at least 3 pitching categories for them to be worthy of ownership. So for a starting pitcher, you'd hope they can help you with wins, strikeouts, WHIP, and ERA. Depending on which other pitchers you have, strikeouts may not be at a premium for lower-tier starting pitchers. Closers need to help in saves, WHIP, and ERA, but will rarely record wins, and don't pitch enough to provide much help with strikeout numbers. Remember, Rule of 3. And setup men only help with WHIP and ERA.
At what point in the season do I give up on a star player who isn't producing? - Erik, San Bernadino
Depends on the situation, but I would recommend never dropping a player you drafted in the first three rounds. They were ranked high for a reason, so while they may have gotten off to a slow start and won't end up with the yearly statistics that were expected of them, they can provide a much needed boost at the end of the year when they start to heat up. However, I would consider making an exception if a) said player's production has steadily been in decline the past couple of years or b) said player has a history of being injured and has been injured for the better part of the year.
How important are the late rounds of the draft? - Barry, Kalamazoo
The late rounds of the draft are what you make them. From personal experience, I normally end up dropping the last three or four players I draft anyway, so I would recommend taking a chance. Draft a longshot that has the potential to put up some big numbers. Drafting a proven mediocre player like J.D. Drew will get you nowhere, you'll end up dropping him anyway. Take some chances at the end of the draft, and if they don't work out, you can always drop them for the waiver wire. Every season there are at least five or six players who weren't drafted who end up being absolute fantasy studs.
What is your team's overall record? Are you even qualified to give fantasy baseball advice? - Cliff, New York
No comment.