for ben sheets

cat for cliff lee

byrd for bj upton

bradley for george sherrill

jfwy :)

for someone.

Ambien is fun.

Anyhoo…I’ve always thought that the Brewers are a good trade partner so here’s one.

Brewers get:
- Gerald Laird
- Marlon Byrd
- Zach Phillips
- Michael Schlact

Rangers get:
- Cole Gillespie
- Zach Braddock
- Bobby Bramhall

I don’t know exactly what Braddock throws but I know that Brewers fans are pretty excited about him…and judging by his player page, I don’t blame them. A lefty starter with his size and those numbers? Sign me up. Look what he did last year. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Zach%20Braddock&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=488722

As for Bramhall, we could always use more young, lefty relievers and this kid’s been great this year. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Bobby%20Bramhall&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=518487

But maybe Gerald Laird to the Reds for LHP Matthew Maloney?

Let’s assume they lose Zambrano (maybe – MRI today?). I am in no way saying Padilla approaches Zambrano, but Padilla has been awfully good this year so far. What do the Cubs have to get Padilla, if anything?

I have said this before, and I am sticking to it. It is a great depth for depth/need for need scenario, and both teams benefit now and in the future. Bowden could join our rotation tomorrow, and coupled with Hurley and (dare I say) Feldman, would give us a nice group of young starters in the rotation.

Marlon Byrd is nice to have around, and he has been hot of late, but I want to see more of Nelson Cruz, and perhaps JMJ later on, so let’s send him to the Marlins (too perfect?) for Kyle Winters.

I still like the idea of sending Milton to the Rays for Desmond Jennings and Jeremy Hellickson, but we don’t really know if they will be buyers yet.

And finally, I still like the idea of trading one of Millwood or Padilla, and there are still a lot of teams looking for pitching these days. Perhaps we send Millwood off to the Braves or Phillies. For the sake of conversation, let’s send Millwood back to the Braves for Charlie Morton, who looked pretty good to me yesterday, and young LHP Jeffrey Locke and bullpen prospect Benino Pruneda.

Thing is if you trade MB, the other team gets 2 first rounders. It seems a bit lopsided the other way if it’s just Masteson or Bowden.

1.I’m not in on Sabathia because I don’t think he will resign here, and for the package that it will cost….I must have a multi-year deal from him.

2.I would look to add an arm to the bullpen….I would target only guys that we have control of for multiple years…I like the list that Jamey threw out: Scott Downs, Heath Bell, Damaso Marte, Jon Rauch. I would be willing to part with a few prospects for a solid reliever over the next few years

3.I would look to deal Laird or Salty in a package for a young starter with potential.

4.I only trade Bradley if we are overwhelmed with a deal….if no takers I offer arb. to either secure he services for next year (most likely) or get 2 picks.

5.I keep Millwood and Padilla….it is hard enough to find 5 pitchers that can eat innings and keep us in games, I would not mind having them back next year….maybe as our 32 and #3 starters.

the idea that we trade Salty to keep Laird is dumb. Honestly, you don’t sell the 23 year old in order to keep the 28 year old in his career year. We just got done with a series where the opposing backstop is Brian McCann, who is frankly one of the worst defenders at C in the league, but do you think the Braves are going to use someone else? No. That’s because defense at catcher is heavily overrated, especially when the said defense Gerald Laird provides is largely a product of his arm.

If Saltalamacchia can put up a .900 OPS behind the plate, he’ll have value as a player and as a trade bait. You don’t cut ties with a young player right now in order to keep your extremely inconsistent catcher from last year.

1. Max Ramirez to Minnesota for RHP Kevin Slowey and LHP Tyler Robertson

Minnesota, unlike Kansas City, has a lot of starting pitching depth and wants to get Liriano back into the rotation. Kevin Slowey is 24 years old and a lot like Greinke as a pitcher. Minnesota is also constructed to win soon since their main position players are hitting their prime and they’re 1 good bat and 1 good pitcher away from contention in the AL Central.

2. Gerald Laird to Philadelphia for LHP Antonio Bastardo

Bastardo is the type of high upside, many warts arm that we can expect for Laird. A 5’11” lefty, Bastardo throws well, but walks too many guys and is currently hurt, but is a good enough prospect and far enough along where we will see dividents soon. This trade might happen because this is Gillick’s last year, and he’s definately going to be trying to win and win now.

Other random targets

1. The young relievers division

Daniel Bard, RHP, Boston Red Sox – Bard is a guy with some injury history, but he keeps the ball on the ground and strikes out a ton of guys.

Jonathan Meloan, RHP, LA Dodgers – Meloan was dominant as a reliever last year before being converted to starter and consequently becoming boilerplate. He’s a good bet to help now if traded.

Jarrod Plummer, RHP, Kansas City Royals – Plummer is a guy with good control, and frankly, I think this bullpen needs someone who isn’t liable to come in and throw 4 straight balls any given appearance. He’s also capable of being a help-now guy.

Jose Ascaino, RHP, Chicago Cubs – Ascaino is your everyday middle relief guy. He’s closing for AAA Iowa, but I’m not sure if he’ll ever reach that height in the majors. He does have great stuff, though, and is an interesting arm to take a chance on

2. The all blocked division

Jed Lowrie, SS/3B/2B, Boston Red Sox – Not sure what to make of him, but he’s blocked at all three positions by veterans. Kind of like their German Duran, but more patient.

Ian Stewart, 3B, Colorado Rockies – Unlike other top prospect (Chris Nelson), Stewart can’t play 2nd and unless Garret Atkins is traded, he’ll have to be moved. Stewart has struggled big time in the majors so far this year, fanning at a 40% clip.

Andy LaRoche, 3B, LA Dodgers – It’d probably be smarter for the Dodgers to move Blake Dewitt, but Ned Colleti will never do that, so LaRoche is the guy on the market. He’s a very patient hitter with good power before a wrist injury.

3. The Future Mid-Rotation Division

Darryl Thompson, RHP, The Cincinnati Reds – Thompson has been fantastic this year, but the Reds have Volquez, Harrang, Bailey and Cueto. Either Bailey or Thompson could possibly be moved for another offensive piece, or whatever the heck it is Walt Jocketty deals for.

James McDonald, RHP, LA Dodgers – A pitcher converted to an outfielder converted back into a pitcher. McDonald has been eratic this year, but still has enough value to any team because of the lack of miledge on his arm and his potential.

with a package Starting with Padilla and Bradley? or Millwood and Bradley…...maybe all three lol maybe prospect that’ll be an ace?

I think we should capitalize on Padilla and Bradley and trade Millwood before he’s too old and we can get the best return….....Laird, Byrd and Cat too…..sounds like a lot but we got young guys who can step in and what’s missing we can get in return…....but if we can get the missing pieces with those chips without having to give up our farm, that’ll be great….