Would you do this trade?

[UMFan83]

My current rotation:

 

C Zambrano

J Santana

L Hernandez

B Radke

Z Duke

 

My current bullpen (4 relievers needed)

Papelbon

Valverde

Miceli

BJ Ryan

Dempster

 

Trade offered:

 

Receive - Erik Bedard

Trade - Papelbon

 

Seems like a no brainer since I need an extra starter and I have a surplus of relievers. But as it stands right now, Valverde is getting maybe 1 save attempt a week, Miceli is getting 1-2 but on a very short leash, Dempster and Ryan are pretty solid. I know saves are just one stat, but its a stat I am dominating in. Plus Papelbon has the ability to post a low WHIP and high K rate and the possibility of being a starter later in the season.

 

So opinions are greatly appreciated, because the other team wants to get this trade done today!

[sherwood921]

I wouldn't. Pap has looked great thus far. Bedard hasn't been bad, but I think with all the publicity Pap has been getting, you can probably get a better starter for him.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm not a fan of your bullpen as Valverde and Miceli seem shaky at best. That said, I'd still make the trade. As you mention, Papelbon has the chance of being a starter later in the year, which is going to hurt your saves total eventually anyways. And I love Bedard. A good starter > A good reliever and I think that's what it boils down to.

[Mark_R]

My expectations in dealing Papelbon are much higher than that.

[nilodnayr]

My expectations in dealing Papelbon are much higher than that.

 

I am in concurrance, what other starters does this guy have to offer? I like Bedard and enjoyed his hot streak last year, but with all the pub (and performance to back it up) that Pap is receiving, you should be looking to get a #2 starter for him. Maybe package one of your starters with Pap to maximize your ability to upgrade starters.

[SouthSideRyan]

I got offered Weeks for Conor Jackson.

 

Keeper league (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, BB, K, TB, OPS)

 

Jackson's on my bench(along with Prince Fielder) for Delgado and Giambi.(1B/Util

 

I have Kinsler, Kent, and Peralta as my guys for 2B and SS. I need steals pretty badly, but I'm already pretty horrible at Ks.

[Diffusion]

I got offered Weeks for Conor Jackson.

 

Keeper league (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, BB, K, TB, OPS)

 

Jackson's on my bench(along with Prince Fielder) for Delgado and Giambi.(1B/Util

 

I have Kinsler, Kent, and Peralta as my guys for 2B and SS. I need steals pretty badly, but I'm already pretty horrible at Ks.

 

Extremely easy call. Do it. Leaving aside that Weeks is just flat out a better prospect, there's also the fact that Weeks is one of only four second basemen in the game that can relied upon in the long term to do something more for your team than just not hurt you: Utley, Giles, Weeks and Kendrick. Jackson meanwhile plays first, a position where offence is extremely easy to come by (I mean, come on, you've already got Delgado, Giambi and Fielder), and he doesn't project to be much more than just an above-average regular. Yes, he has insanely good plate discipline, but he's not shown any signs of much more than doubles power. There's no superstar potential here. Can't say the same about Weeks. He could be the 2002-03 version of Alfonso Soriano, only with walks too.

 

I wouldn't do Papelbon for Bedard. I wouldn't even think about it. I like Bedard, and who knows which of the two will have more value in the long-term, but as long as Papelbon's the closer in Boston, he'll be a lot, lot more valuable short-term. Right now he has to be treated as one of the most valuable closers in baseball, slotting in just after the top six of Lidge, Rivera, Rodriguez, Nathan, Ryan and Wagner, somewhere around Huston Street and Chad Cordero. And you wouldn't trade any of those guys for Bedard.