Now, maybe I am the only one that thinks this is a good idea, but here goes:
I propose we offer Luis Valbuena and another player from the minor leagues (nothing sizable) to the Washington Nationals for Ross Detwiler.
Here's my thoughts on it.
Luis is a great piece and I'd hate to see him go...but if it improves the team, everything must go. Luis has shown an ability to (when he is on) get on base. He has a great eye and is solid in the field. But, his power this season isn't what it looked like last season. However, he is definitely an upgrade over the Nats current 2nd baseman, Danny Espinosa.
Espinosa has slashed .214/.281/.351 with 19 RBI in 262 ab vs Luis' .246/.329/.414 with 29 RBI in 280 ab
That is a pretty sizable upgrade offensively. And the downgrade, if any, isn't much. Plus, Luis can spell Rendon at 3rd. That way, Zimmerman can shut up and stay in left and the Nats won't have to worry about him uncorking throws into the 2nd deck behind first.
Not to mention that Valbuena is cheaper and left-handed.
No matter how you slice it, Valbuena is a definite upgrade for the Nats, and it looks like his future with the Cubs is in doubt with the plethora of young Infielders coming up in the near future.
As for Detwiler:
He is younge (28)
He is left-handed
He is an experienced starter who has been pushed out of a VERY good rotation in Washington
He won't be a free agent until 2016
He has had pretty solid numbers throughout his career with a 3.77 ERA.
Now, his peripherals are a little scary with only 5.4 K/9 vs 3BB/9.
But, taking good starters who have haven't been able to quite put it all together is something this coaching staff has proven to be VERY good at doing (Arrieta, Feldman, Hammel, Wood, etc).
All in all, I think this would be a hell of a pick up and a real boon for the future of the rotation and the team.
Thoughts?