my keeper league recently turned in its picks and I knew from the beginning that jake peavy was gunna be available, but now felix hernandez is available. with the first overall pick I'm looking to take pitching. who should I take?

Peavy.

yea thats who i was leaning towards. i like hernandez but i dont feel i can rely on him

I like Peavy more than "King" Felix. How big is the league? I ask because, if a guy like Peavy wasn't kept, what kind of bats are now available?

its a 7x7 keeper leauge and i finished last with the worst ERA and WHIP. my keeper picks are Albert Pujols, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Alex Rios, Nick Markakis, John Lackey, and Yovani Gallardo

Not sure why you are keeping Lackey with the free agent pool there...

is there something wrong with lackey. sure he was hindered by injuries last year but i think hes still solid. also pitching has been a weak spot for me for the past seasons and im trying to shore up on it

Nothing wrong with keeping Lackey, unless I missed something and you give up your first rounder to keep him.

no i dont sacrafice the round i picked him in or anything. i might trade him at some point during the season depending on how he is doing

I was just saying that with the free agents that you listed below, I'm not sure I'd be all that inclined to waste a sweet pick or a bunch of dough on keeping Lackey... Is he solid? Yes, but I think you can upgrade to a player who is just as solid and younger -- a push for the present and a gain for the future...