8 Players swapped, 2 teams, a couple tears and a younger team July 13, 2006
Major League Baseball : News : Major League Baseball News
The Nationals began what could be an eventful run-up to the July 31 trade deadline with an eight-player deal on Thursday, acquiring outfielder Austin Kearns, shortstop Felipe Lopez and right-hander Ryan Wagner from the Reds in exchange for relievers Gary Majewski, Bill Bray and Daryl Thompson, infielder Brendan Harris and shortstop Royce Clayton.
I have spent the last hour looking over my shoulder, hoping to find a clue sneaking up on me. I really thought the plan going forward was to build up the farm system. Instead, we got 2 proven starters that are 26 years old–something that could help us soon instead of the later that the farm system approach would give us. And we still have players to move to help the minor leagues.
We lost a lot of promise. Gary Majewski, even though he had his problems this year, felt like a Nat. Bill Bray was a lefty who could have been solid out of the pen for years to come.
What does it mean to the Nats of tomorrow (and I mean tomorrow, versus the Pirates)? I hope it means Jose Guillen is gone–maybe for a young middle-of-the-road pitcher and a prospect. It should mean the end of Guzman at SS. We still need to eat two more years of big dollars, but worth it to be beyond all the drama.
Nick at 1st, Vidro at 2nd, Lopez at SS, Zimmerman at 3rd. Vidro is the old man out but the rest could be around for 6-8 years easily.
Soriano (for now) in left, Escobar in center and Kearns in right. I think the addition of two proven starters gives Bowden the flexibility to hold on to Soriano in a pinch. It probably would be foolish not to trade him, but really it has to be for something with some punch to it. Otherwise, re-sign him. With the new youngsters, we can be competitive sooner than later. If we had been going strictly for improving the farm system, there should be no reason Alfonso should stick around. Now, there is hope for him to be on a good team without moving.
We still need to do something about pitching. Livan should go, the Hill/O’Conner novelty has worn off. Armas Jr Jr might have something left.
I guess it doesn’t matter any way. Tomorrow Jim might trade everybody away.
- Posted in : Uncategorized
- Author : Jol
Comments»
Such an interesting trade. The players acquired make it seem like the plan is to compete sooner than most were imagining (’07/’08 instead of ‘09+). Maybe the owners will loosen the purse strings earlier than expected?
Guillen should be packed already. Packing at the last minute is no fun, even when you can afford to pay somebody else to do it. Seriously, though, what kind of returns do you think Guillen would get? Pitching is expensive, so I think he’d be worth a B/B+ prospect, but not one proven above AA, if even that high. If you don’t trade him, you pay 1/2 of his salary but get a chance to draft your own talent. I’d trade him (unless Soriano nets a really high return).
Soriano is interesting, as he’s become the face of the team and it would go a long way in the fans minds to see him locked up for a few years. Who knows what’ll happen there. Of course, he’s easily the most valuable guy on the trading block, so it would be hard to not listen to options. Since pitching is expensive, trading him for Hughes (and more?) and signing Guillen might be a better option. Though not a popular one, especially given Guillen’s attitude.
Ah, trade speculation. Good times.
I must also recant calling Bowden “Blowden”, at least for a day. This was a great move.
By “draft your own talent”, I mean with the compensation picks after he bolts in FA. Will he be a Type A? I don’t quite understand those classifications.