I find myself thinking about this as I try to think up trade proposals lately. I'm looking at other teams and seeing how I can address their needs while improving my team - but then I start to think "why would I want to help them?" The way the teams stack up now, I like my roster against the rest of the league. If some teams have glaring problems do you really want to help them win?

This is the time of the year when that kind of question becomes easier. I look at the teams at the bottom of the standings. Hopefully teams that I've already played and not going to play again. Teams that most likely will not make the playoffs. Trade with them. They'll help beat the teams you're fighting for playoff seeding and you probably won't meet up with them until next season. If you have a surplus of something that will help a league mate beat your competition while giving you something that will make your team's starting line-up stronger, that's a win-win.

Im 8-0 in one league and lots of the bottom teams who have an outside chance of making the playoffs are eager to makes trades. IMO i willt rade with those who cant make the playoffs, rather than those I can potentially face because I dont want to risk screwing myself over.

yea that's basically my strategy as well. I only trade with the teams at the bottom and I try to improve their team. typically i try to do 2 for 1 deals. I rarely try to trade to teams fighting for playoff spots be cause these are potential match ups in the playoffs.

Using a 12 team league as an example:

If a trade improves both teams, then you get better vs. 10 other teams and stay about the same vs 1 team (the team you traded with).

As long as the improvement for your team is a little significant, you should do it.

I agree 100%.  This is usually my strategy in fantasy football.  I was working on a trade to get Fitz from one of the bottom teams in one of my leagues and finally got him this week.  My Deshaun Jackson and Mendenhall for his Fitz  .  

i did the same thing for my 8-0 team (team 2 in sig). sent DeSean Jax+Kev Smith+P.Thomas for Michael Turner and Reggie Wayne. The other team is fighting to make the playoffs and had no depth at RB.

Now my team is stacked and looking to make a strong push to the championship.

TEAM 2 (non-keeper | standard 10-team roto)
QB: T.Brady | M.Ryan /// WR: A.Johnson | R.Wayne | W.Welker | S.Smith (NYG) | M.Sims-Walker
RB: M.Turner | M.Forte | R.Rice | R.Mendenhall /// TE: T.Gonzo /// K: J.Carney /// DEF: ARI | SEA

I'd put my money on your team.

It really depends. If a team has a player that I really want then it doesn't matter what their record is.

I have 4 of the top 6 scoring RB's (on a per week basis) so far this year. I know this means 2 will rot on my bench, but unless I get a WR1 for one of them, they are going to.

The nice thing about Benson and Gore rotting on my bench is that they aren't in anyone's starting lineup.

If a team is desperate, I will never do them a favor. The two teams that made the championship in my league last year drafted the biggest steampile of QBs, and eventually traded for Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. If a team is desperate I expect them to pay a serious premium to get the piece they are looking for. Any fair deal, is one that is to their advantage. They know this too, but there is always a sucker that gives them what they are looking for.

Last year, before the playoffs (no trade deadline as long as neither team is eliminated), I 2-for-1'd MBIII and Chris Johnson for Peterson and sent Cutler and JStew for Peyton. My round 1 playoff team was Peyton, AP, Forte, Wayne, Marshall, Winslow. Lost in round 1. Probably the best on paper team I've ever seen in my 12-teamer. The guy I sent MBIII and CJ to won it all.