A New Era

I'm not confused. It's either Appel or Bryant. The only thing to wonder about is, how much each would sign for.

Someone posted a list of College 3B that were picked over the last 12(ish?) years. And the list looks very positive for Bryant's future. Which is why I totally support him as a fallback to Appel. But I just made up my mind, I'm about to vote for Appel.

I can't answer the poll yet, funny considering how close the draft is. But I think Appel just slightly edges Bryant here. But I really do like Bryant.

So...They know who they want at #2. ABTY did just say this on PSD Maybe those 2 thoughts go together? Anyway I'm happy they are spending alot of time on picks 2 and 3. And I'm glad they are going for more impact types. So maybe Duane Underwood high upside highschool types?

Right, it's all about prediction. And I guess our FO can't magically predict everything. Hard lesson for me. It's not ENTIRELY lost though. As we still have Jackson and Soriano so it's not like we can't trade them later. It won't be for Headley and Brown though. :)

One of the PSD insiders. I remember that, and I didn't know much about Brown but I knew enough I was really interested to trade Soriano for a younger guy with risks but great upside. So file that under "missed trade opportunity # 2" for this FO? (#1 being Chase Headley for cheap)

If guys like Garza hitting the FA market are more rare, then the hope is it's gonna cost alot in prospects for some team in the playoff hunt desperate for a guy like him. If you are clearly out of contention you have to think hard and make a few of your guys available to take advantage of that situation. We just happen to have a few short term guys that we can part with, with each his own expected level of return.

Selling high on Garza and Feldman and getting some quality young guys is not a firesale. It's improving your farm even more than it already is (and it's tons better in just one years time). A firesale is telling teams Castro, Rizzo, Shark, Garza, Wood, Russel, etc. etc. etc. are all for sale. I think you're over reacting a bit to trading 2 or 3 short term guys for more long term assets. Firesale is what that Marlins and Astro's have been doing. The Cubs do sort of half assed firesales, only trading somewhat older, short term guys away to build up the farm. I think it's been working out so far, because our farm is gonna have a [expletive] of talent to trade from, on top of the elite guys that actually make it to our team.

You can almost pin it down to who we may actually be able to swing a trade with and who would be involved on our end. The teams with picks 34-39 are the Royals, Marlins, Diamondbacks, Orioles, Reds, and Tigers. The teams with picks 69-74 are the Padres, Indians,Rockies, A's, Brewers, and Marlins. Feldman can't even be dealt before the draft, Garza hasn't built up enough value to even consider dealing him right now, Soriano hasn't played all that well as of yet, so it leaves DeJesus basically. Then, you can eliminate the Marlins, Padres, and Brewers since they aren't contending. You may even be able to throw the Royals in that group, but they have a shot at bouncing back in. Then eliminate the Diamondbacks,Tigers, Reds, Rockies, and A's because they aren't in need of OF help. That leaves the Orioles, Indians, and maybe the Royals as the only landing spots for DeJesus within the next 10 days. I can't see the Indians going that direction, since they more or less just need a DH. The Royals could panic and they liked him a bunch while he was there, so I guess thats possible. But not likely since they're really floundering currently. Leaves the O's, with an OF of Reimold, Jones, Markakis, and McLouth......Just not a great match there either. Basically, I've given up on getting a comp pick. When I said one in the top 50 and one in the top 100 I meant MLB top 100 current prospects, not draft #. And I forgot to add Dejesus. With Dejesus, Soriano, Garza, and Feldman I think we should reasonable expect to net ONE comp pick (the one first round) and TWO current MLB top 100 prospect types, one of them that's just on the edge of the top 100 and one legit right in the middle of the top 100. If we can't get that for Dejesus, Sori, Garz and Feld then I say we should keep Dejesus and Garza and just try to net prospet"y" guys for whoever else isn't in the long term picture.

Unless he's going to maintain comical, high school-like stats, Almora will probably be there for a while. Maybe early August like Baez last year? His name is Albert, and he kinda looks like a young Jeter. Just sayin.

I think we would trade Soriano, Garza, Feldman. Those will be the big 3. And maybe a couple others as fill-ins. With that, I think we will go after a competitive balance pick, and net 2 top 100 prospects. Maybe one in the 50's and one that's just on the tail end of the top 100.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/five-prospects-linked-to-the-astros-for-july-2/ I like the straightfowardness of our FO when it comes to the theme of getting top guys. I remember one of the first things the trio of new guys were toting in interviews was "impact talent". It's so nice to see them go after those type of guys with resolve. Soler, Almora (totally fine with overslot), Panniagua, these 2 boys that are considered the top 2, rumors linked to Appel (also no problem for overslot for what they consider top talent).

We were linked to Mannea in early rumors and comparing the situation to Pierce Johnson who Hoyer had said was a first round talent that fell. IF Mannea is there at our second pick, I have no doubt we will take him. So the question is not will we take him it's will he fall enough.

If you're looking to trade Garza, Villanueva, and Feldman, best to keep them as SP through the deadline.

No clue who that is or whats going on, but the dude beside her and the lady to her right's reaction is understatedly awesome. That's what's her name, ms. hunger games/mystique/bipolar oscar lady, during the oscars (before she won) doing a pre-scripted pre-planned camera shot of her in the audience. The others around her knew of the upcoming facetime aswell. And they are actors also, so. .

holy [expletive] Brett had an article about Alcantara moving to 2b and speculated what that could mean for Torreyes. Could Torreyes move to AAA? If so that would be insane considering his age.

I'm starting to get a feeling the Astros take Appel. If it turns out we land Gray, where do you think he sits in our top 3? Where is he draft day on mlb's top 100?

Is that because McCleod has already seen enough? I'm not sure where McLeod was on Friday. But he's gotta scout other guys. If the Astros take Appel, it's McLeod's job to find that can't miss future all-star at #2.

I'd been leaning Gray recently but that changes fast when you get to see the other guy live in HD. Is it just me or does Appel have the body of a greek god? Very tall and slender but still muscular. He just looks like he belongs in Olympus. If you had the talent to carve a statue of a greek god out of stone or clay, your work would be praised as capturing the true essence if it turned out like Appel.

Yeah I side more on the 34th pick side. Look what they got for their first sandwich round pick last year. We have a great FO and great scouts. I think something along the lines of the 34th pick + a couple lottery tickets (legit young prospects like Erik Leal and that other guy) would be ok with me. Ofcourse I'd want more too, but I think this is a realistic floor.

Yeah Appel/Okey would be a really good first two rounds no doubt. We need a good solid C prospect in this system.

:P yeah I'm screwed. Cause I bought tickets to Kane County instead.

Yes me also. I know I'm not with the majority but I still want to see Stewart get well and be given a good long look at 3rd base.

oops. scratch my pitchers thing, didn't realize. But I now change Stewart to not making the team. Vitters flames out and Valbuena sucks. Yay for a 3B black hole, still.