One CF option off the board

Deserves some attention due to the above thread on CF talent. Oakland trades Ryan Webb, Craig Italiano, and a PTBNL for Scott Hairston. It depends on the PTBNL, but as of now, I really like this deal for Oakland. Hairston's an average-slighty above average defender in CF. He'll probably move to a corner spot in Oakland (likely RF). He's been swinging a good bat this year. Is he overachieving a tad? Perhaps, but it's a solid gamble.

Webb/Italiano are semi-intriguing arms, but both seem more as middle-relief, borderline setup pen types. In this market, to get a controlled OF (Hairston's under control until 2011, I think) for 2 potential pen arms and a PTBNL sounds good - depending on the PTBNL.

4 months ago toonsterwu 10 comments 0 recs |

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mlbtr says

Corey Brock of MLB.com tells us that Padres GM Kevin Towers “sounded excited” about the player to be named later, who will be one of two pitchers in the A’s organization. One of these unnamed players reportedly has Major League service time.

Haven’t seen a Brock article saying that, so copying from mlbtr. If so, this makes it sound like Gallagher is a possibility, and if that’s the case, the trade makes much more sense for San Diego. Will be curious who the two options they have are. That said, while giving up 3 decent to above average arms is a lot for any system, Oakland has enough young arms that are promising that if it is something like Gallagher/Webb/Italiano, it’s something that they can take, and the trade still makes sense for them, imo.

by toonsterwu on Jul 5, 2009 10:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

we don't need another centerfielder

Dome is playing just fine, and Reed should be back healthy with us tomorrow.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 5, 2009 10:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I didn't really think we were in the market for a center fielder...

…if anything, we need a lumberjack, an actually GOOD SS or 2B, or some spotty bullpen help. I simply don’t see many options out there and a big move on the horizon. I think we have the team we are essentially see for the rest of 2009. Dome & Reed can roam CF, Fox/Hauffpauir will play spotty coverage in the corners, and between Fox, Blanco, and the regulars, I think our middle infield is set.

Someone mentioned the other day that if we wanted to make a trade with Lee, now would be the time, considering he is playing hotter than ever. This is a valid point, IMO, but once we consider Lee’s full NTC and that he essentially carried us through the last month, I really don’t think it would be wise to gamble on another player at this point.

Dan

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 5, 2009 10:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Assuming Rami

can come back even 80% on the field, it’s time to stand pat. Stinks that we had to play till July to have all the pieces in place, but I think we finally do, even if Soriano does go on the DL tomorrow.

Just think, tho — if Sori goes on the DL, Lou STILL won’t have his #1 lineup in place.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 5, 2009 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm quite unclear as to how a DL stint for Alfonso Soriano would benefit this team, or him, for that matter.

We are a week from the all-star game, and that’s a solid three days of rest. If Lou decides to rest him on Sunday (the Cardinals DH), he would have nearly five full days of rest (Sat night – Thurs night), with travel included to Washington next Thursday.

Contrary to what Al posted in the review, I thought Soriano looked like complete rubbish today. His two “hits” were initially scored an error in CF (which it correctly was not), and a blooper-almost-fly-out over 1B/2B. He was booed, I thought, appropriately. If the guy is hurt, then YES, a resounding YES, he needs to go on the DL. But we have not seen Lou or Alfonso announce or accept that he is hurt, and Lou continues to plug him in the lineup.

I’d like to think Lou wants to play the hot hand in Jake Fox, who next to Derrek Lee, is the hottest player on this team, but frankly, Lou’s propensity to play the “regulars” every day doesn’t make me think he would use such common sense.

And right now, Soriano out of the lineup is our #1 lineup. He should not be playing.

Dan

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 5, 2009 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Completely. And if I’m trying to think along the lines of making sense, perhaps that is why Fukudome was inserted into the leadoff spot to begin with. Add Ramirez back into the lineup and move Fox to LF for Soriano in the sixth spot. Makes perfect sense.

Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?

by krummy12 on Jul 6, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sort of answering both comments in 1 response

I was pointing it out more because of the above thread from if we only had Hubbs.

That said, few comments.

a) With the Jeff Baker trade and Ryan Theriot’s production, trading for a MI in the forseeable future seems unlikely. I agree that our MI is pretty much set.

b) We’ll have to wait and see if Fukudome can keep it up.

c) I’m not really advocating a trade for a CF anyways. As I’ve said, I would much rather see Sam Fuld get a look, if we have to look at CF, before trading because there are few guys that fit.

d) Do I expect a semi-big deal (obviously, the chances of us being in on a really big deal are unlikely – also defining semi-big as a quality pen arm or a useful bench asset)? I’m not sure – it sounds like Hendry is turning the stones. Add in that he’s under pressure a bit, and if a top LOOGY/late inning pen arm comes on the market, I could see a deal coming together.

by toonsterwu on Jul 5, 2009 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea who we would trade.

Blano and Fox clearly have value on this team. Hoffpauir does, too, but I’m unclear if it’s on a major league level this year or only if/when RF/1B gets injured. Harden HAD value, but at this point, there is very little point in trading him.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 5, 2009 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

For my "semi-big" comment?

We can land a 2nd tier guy with prospects. There’s enough in our system to swing a decent deal. If we loaded up, we could probably get ourselves in on a big deal.

by toonsterwu on Jul 5, 2009 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We don't need this kind of trade

We have to concentrate on what we can do. Hendry has boxed himself in with lots of big contracts. He isn’t moving Soriano, Bradley, or anyone that matters money wise. A dependable lefty is the only siginificant move I can see him making. Something more than taking a chance on Casey Fossum.
As far as Soriano, I have heard multiple people say he looks hurt. He can’t go after balls in the outfield, and it affects his balance in the batter’s box. If he is gimpy, force him to rest by going on the DL for 15 days. It will not hurt the offense anymore than his lack of production already has. And, with the All-Star break coming up he’d get four days off without missing a game if rest is truly what he needs.

by Nibbles on Jul 6, 2009 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs