midseason trade

[TommyJohn]

I know it's really early, but where do you think can improve and who's a realistic upgrade?

 

I don't think the Cubs will be as bad as everyone says and will still be in this year during trading time. And if that's the case, don't you see a big trade coming?

[Cubswin11]

Well 2B is the most likely spot where there are guys available and we have a clear need. I would think Brian Roberts, Michael Young, Chone Figgins, Jose Reyes, and Aaron Hill will all be available to some extent. I'd only take Young or Figgins if a significant portion of their contracts were paid for by their respective teams Then there are always a good amount of SP and RP available if we would be needing to upgrade at one or both of those spots. I think a RH power bat off the bench who could play some OF/1B would be a nice addition as well.

[davearm2]

The Orioles are in first place and Brian Roberts is an MVP candidate

[questionmarkgrace]

The Orioles are in first place and Brian Roberts is an MVP candidate

 

hahaha! yeah 4 days in. I hope that wasn't serious.

[Bote McBoteface]

I can understand a sarcasm detector being broken, things happen. However, it seems you never had one to begin with.

[AllStarMe]

Figgins played 2B last year, but this year he's back at 3B where he's most comfortable and played the bulk of his career. I think depending on where the D'backs are in the standings Kelly Johnson could be a nice trade target. Also, the Rockies have several options at 2B in Jose Lopez, Ty Wigginton, Eric Young Jr. Those three also can play other positions, and maybe one could be an upgrade for us if the conditions were right. Ideally though one of our guys will have a breakout year and eliminate the need to look elsewhere.

[Backtobanks]

Kelly Johnson would probably be the most available/affordable because the DBacks won't be contending. Also, he's LH. Reyes and Hill might be other possibilities.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I know our team is choc full o' outfielders, but if I thought there was an outside chance that Carlos Beltran could stay healthy, hed be my top target. However, what we really need is a 2B, and since it doesn't appear as though Blake DeWitt will be given a chance, Johnson or Hill would be the best options. Hill probably has the higher upside, but Johnson is probably the safer bet.

[inari]

I know our team is choc full o' outfielders, but if I thought there was an outside chance that Carlos Beltran could stay healthy, hed be my top target. However, what we really need is a 2B, and since it doesn't appear as though Blake DeWitt will be given a chance, Johnson or Hill would be the best options. Hill probably has the higher upside, but Johnson is probably the safer bet.

 

Where in the world is Carlos Beltran going to play on this team?

[Sammy Sofa]

Beltran? That is some Backtobanks-type isht right there.

[Little Slide Rooter]

If we are looking for a solid upgrade, what are our main trade chips at this point? Castillo? Carpenter? J Jackson? Coleman? Barney? Wells? Do we move Vitters or B Jackson for the rigtt price? Do guys like Ryan Flaherty, Logan Watkins, Michael Burgess, and Kyler Burke have anu value as throw ins?

[Little Slide Rooter]

I know our team is choc full o' outfielders, but if I thought there was an outside chance that Carlos Beltran could stay healthy, hed be my top target. However, what we really need is a 2B, and since it doesn't appear as though Blake DeWitt will be given a chance, Johnson or Hill would be the best options. Hill probably has the higher upside, but Johnson is probably the safer bet.

 

Where in the world is Carlos Beltran going to play on this team?

If we could find a way to move Byrd, CF.

 

Beltran? That is some Backtobanks-type isht right there.

No, that would be

Cubs get

Beltran

Aaron Hill

 

Mets get

Thomas Diamond

Scott Moore

Justin Berg

 

Jays get

Jeff Samardjzia

Darwin Barney

[Sammy Sofa]

Don't give him any ideas.

[mookie]

Beltran? Lets get Sizemore and Santana too!

 

Come on guys, outfield is fine and dandy. I think it is way too early to tell what is going to be needed on this squad and what will be available. First things first, come up with a solid 1 thru 7, and leave that pesky second baseman in the 8 hole.

[davearm2]

Interesting responses to the Beltran idea. Personally I think it makes a ton of sense, if...

 

* Beltran is healthy and outperforming Byrd, and

* The Cubs are in contention, and

* Brett Jackson continues to look like he's ready to take over CF in 2012.

... all of which I would expect to be true.

 

Beyond that, with the ownership mess the Mets are a team that needs as many budget-friendly regulars as they can get their hands on. They'd probably love to have ~1.5 years of Byrd in CF.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Beltran? Lets get Sizemore and Santana too!

 

Come on guys, outfield is fine and dandy. I think it is way too early to tell what is going to be needed on this squad and what will be available. First things first, come up with a solid 1 thru 7, and leave that pesky second baseman in the 8 hole.

 

Fukudome

Castro

Ramirez

Soto

Pena

Soriano/Byrd

Soriano/Byrd

 

Done and done. And a Baker/Dewitt platoon would more than likely be as good as any 8 hitter in the NL, better than most, but if the opportunity for a serious upgrade for the heart of the lineup was available, and were in contention, make it happen. Im not talking about a Matt Lawton/Craig Monroe trade for the sake of making a trade.

[Guest]

Aaron Hill and Kelly Johnson seem like the best fits. Hill is only making 5m this year and then has 3 club option years remaining on his contract, meaning the club can just let him walk after any of those years where he isn't performing. They are probably modest enough for the production he provides. I think it was 8m, 8m and then 10m. Toronto isn't going anywhere and they would probably have just as much interest in moving Hill as the Cubs would have interest in Hill.

 

And as someone has already mentioned, Arizona isn't going anywhere, so Johnson is a guy who could be available.

[TommyJohn]

Interesting responses to the Beltran idea. Personally I think it makes a ton of sense, if...

 

* Beltran is healthy and outperforming Byrd, and

* The Cubs are in contention, and

* Brett Jackson continues to look like he's ready to take over CF in 2012.

... all of which I would expect to be true.

 

Beyond that, with the ownership mess the Mets are a team that needs as many budget-friendly regulars as they can get their hands on. They'd probably love to have ~1.5 years of Byrd in CF.

 

Is Beltran a RF now? I know they moved him over to keep him healthy, but are his days over in CF? Even still, shifting Fukudome over to center and calling up Jackson late in the season to split time and ease him in would make this club better. But are the Mets really interested in letting Beltran go?

 

And Reyes has no interest in moving to 2B, does he? I know Alderson isn't pleased with his OBP, but do you really seem them parting ways?

[Rob]

Interesting responses to the Beltran idea. Personally I think it makes a ton of sense, if...

 

* Beltran is healthy and outperforming Byrd, and

* The Cubs are in contention, and

* Brett Jackson continues to look like he's ready to take over CF in 2012.

... all of which I would expect to be true.

 

Beyond that, with the ownership mess the Mets are a team that needs as many budget-friendly regulars as they can get their hands on. They'd probably love to have ~1.5 years of Byrd in CF.

 

Is Beltran a RF now? I know they moved him over to keep him healthy, but are his days over in CF? Even still, shifting Fukudome over to center and calling up Jackson late in the season to split time and ease him in would make this club better. But are the Mets really interested in letting Beltran go?

 

And Reyes has no interest in moving to 2B, does he? I know Alderson isn't pleased with his OBP, but do you really seem them parting ways?

 

Reyes is a FA after the season. If the Mets are out of it (and they will be), he should be available.

 

Whether he'd be willing to play 2B is another question. He did it earlier in his career, but I don't know how he feels about it now.

[TommyJohn]

Yes, but he's 27. I think they could do a lot worse than Reyes at SS. Or 2B.

 

Unless he's asking for a jazillion dollars. But surprising they don't take this opportunity of having a few down years and sign him to a reasonable contract now.

[Cubswin11]

Aaron Hill and Kelly Johnson seem like the best fits. Hill is only making 5m this year and then has 3 club option years remaining on his contract, meaning the club can just let him walk after any of those years where he isn't performing. They are probably modest enough for the production he provides. I think it was 8m, 8m and then 10m. Toronto isn't going anywhere and they would probably have just as much interest in moving Hill as the Cubs would have interest in Hill.

 

And as someone has already mentioned, Arizona isn't going anywhere, so Johnson is a guy who could be available.

I'd also like to see how open they are to trading Stephen Drew. He'd be a fantastic option at 2B. Probably would cost quite a bit though....

[Post Count Padder]

Wouldn't mind Aaron Hill if he can start hitting again. I didn't realize how good defensively he is. He's had only one season of a negative dWAR in his career. Kelly Johnson might come cheaper though.

 

And regarding Hill's options, didn't the Jays just decline all of them?

[Rob]

Wouldn't mind Aaron Hill if he can start hitting again. I didn't realize how good defensively he is. He's had only one season of a negative dWAR in his career. Kelly Johnson might come cheaper though.

 

And regarding Hill's options, didn't the Jays just decline all of them?

 

.196 BABIP last year. He's about the easiest candidate for a bounceback in the entire league.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Wouldn't mind Aaron Hill if he can start hitting again. I didn't realize how good defensively he is. He's had only one season of a negative dWAR in his career. Kelly Johnson might come cheaper though.

 

And regarding Hill's options, didn't the Jays just decline all of them?

 

.196 BABIP last year. He's about the easiest candidate for a bounceback in the entire league.

 

Which is why if the Jays do trade him, they'll want to wait until the trade deadline if not the offseason and hope he can get his stock up.

[TruffleShuffle]

Wouldn't mind Aaron Hill if he can start hitting again. I didn't realize how good defensively he is. He's had only one season of a negative dWAR in his career. Kelly Johnson might come cheaper though.

 

And regarding Hill's options, didn't the Jays just decline all of them?

 

.196 BABIP last year. He's about the easiest candidate for a bounceback in the entire league.

 

he was a little unlucky, but his LD% cratered and he hit a ton of fly balls. the babip should have been pretty low.

 

that being said, he's not likely to keep up with the 10% LD%.