farmteam

Yup, that was me. I've been having internet problems, that's why I haven't been here. But, lucky me, I was able to find a computer to get some questions in at BA. All I did was at 2 EST, put in a bunch of questions. I thought I'd be lucky to have one of them answered!

Yeah, I've felt like doing this for awhile, and I finally got my internet connection, so here goes. Trade: Mike Sirotka for David Wells and Gary Glover Grade: B- Analysis: I have a feeling we gave up more than Sirotka, but I can't remember right now. Either way, Wells was a bum for us, but Glover did quite nice. Also, Sirotka has been bumming around the minors ever since his arm troubles. Plus, at the time, we were getting a big time starter in Wells...he just sucked for us. Trade: Josh Fogg and Kip Wells for Todd Ritchie Grade: D Analysis: In my opinion, this is the worst trade KW made. Two young promising pitchers for a guy who never really did much? Total crap. I can't remember if this was where we got Marte though, or if that was a separate trade. Someone help me with that. Trade: Ray Durham for Jon Adkins Grade: C- Analysis: I really felt we could have gotten more Durham, but so far, Adkins has been decent, and he's still young. But still, more could have been had. Trade: Chris Singleton for Willie Harris Grade: A- Analysis: Yes, I did just say A-. I never really liked Singelton, and he never did much, and in return, we got a speedy 2B who still has a chance (albeit a small one) to be our 2B and leadoff man of the future. He also put up really good numbers early this year. Trade: Royce Ring and Edwin Almonte for Roberto Alomar Grade: D- Analysis: We have up 2 relievers who still have a solid shot at being in a ML pen for a guy who did bascially nothing. Nuff said. Trade: Josh Rupe, Anthony Webster, Frank Francisco for Carl Everett Grade: C- Analysis: Everett did alright, but we gave up way too much for him. Also, until his chair throwing incident, Francisco was very good. Trade: Aaron Miles for Juan Uribe Grade: A Analysis: Miles was never really going to get a shot here, and we got a guy back who hit .283, and he's only 24. I like Uribe's upside, and while Miles did good this year, he's about 30, and I would take Willie over him anyway. Trade: Matt Ginter for Timo Perez Grade: A Analysis: Ginter had his chances and didn't use them well, but Timo played well for us, and was very good in the clutch. Trade: Jeremy Reed, Miguel Olivo, Mike Morse for Freddy Garcia and Ben Davis Grade: B Analysis: At the time, we only neeeded one more starter, but that was before Shoney went down. We gave up our top prospect, but we also have many more high OF prospects. Olivo was our C of the future, but he ended up doing terrible in Seattle. Mike Morse would have been only a year away from the majors at a position we really need. Also, Ben Davis played fairly well, and Garcia put up good numbers. Trade: Gary Majewski, Jon Rauch for Carl Everett Grade: C Analysis: I can see where KW was coming from, what with not knowing how long Maggs and Frank would be out, but Everett did very little. And while Rauch still was a bit promising, Majewski probably won't amount to much. Trade: Esteban Loaiza for Jose Contreras Grade: B+ Analysis: I think it's fairly obvious Loaiza's 2003 season was a fluke, and Contreras, although he's 32, still has a big upside. So, that's what I think. I think I missed a trade or two, but oh well.

I have to agree with qwerty on this one. If I'm Littlefield, Garland plus Honel or Munoz looks like a fairly attractive offer to me...if I don't have to pay for any of Kendall's salary. If I had to pay a third to a half of his salary, I'd probably look to also get someone like Cotts or Adkins out of the deal.

Are we gonna use the board knucklesox posted?

I'd rather have Polanco than Walker...JMHO. Renteria, yes, I'd take him. He'd improve our team greatly. I know maggsmaggs said he heard the Renteria thing on ESPN 1000, but can anyone find a websource to back it up?

Like DBAH0, this is my prediction of what BA will do, not my list. 1. Ryan Sweeney They always talk about how high his ceiling is, and as someone mentioned earlier, BA loves to rate ceilings 2. Brian Anderson They don't tal about his ceiling quite as much as they do with Sweeney, but whenever they talk about him, it's always solid stuff. 3. Brandon McCarthy 60:3 K:BB ratio in Carolina League + Breakout year + behind already highly regarded prospects = #3 rating. 4. Gio Gonzalez Came in as a young guy, who's future was a bit cloudy after a rough spring, but he delivered beyond all expecations 5. Chris Young I have a feeling they'll talk more about how Young will be a stud if he develops a high average, than that his power and speed are the only things that have kept him afloat. They're optimistic like that. 6. Josh Fields Started a bit slow, no doubt because of having gone year round with playing both football and baseball at OSU, but he really picked it up at the end. I could also see him and Young interchanged. 7. Wes Whisler Already jumped to High A. 8. Kris Honel May have been injured, but he was a first round pick, and he had done well up to this season. 9. Sean Tracey Did well, but he's 23 or 24 now, and BA pretty much frowns on the older guys...especially when they just finished up at only High A. 10. Pedro Lopez/ Antoin Gray/ Adam Ricks All performed pretty well, Lopez probably has the most upside.

Oh, and for the record...OOTP6 rocks. I didn't know anyone here played it. I was just thinking the other day we should have a sim league lol.

Yeah, host ultra provides space. I'll take the D-Rays. I wanna have the awesome farm system for once. I'll pm you my info.

Honestly, of the 207 FA's, haven't only 5 signed? I mean, I don't like our chances of having landed someone with those kinds of odds. We'll do something, we'll just have to wait.

I didn't realize that Cleveland had offered arbitration. I don't know if the sox will to anyone...we might not get any draft choices.

Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather have Garland than Contreras.

Touché, lol. Although, Young could be brought in as an outfielder, and Polanco as an infielder.

1) Placido Polanco 2) Odalis Perez 3) Eric Young

Yeah, I think he'd be a good 'under the radar' signing...the type where it's not very hyped, but nonetheless solid signing.

Interesting on the Beltran thing. What's a good site to stay on top of this stuff? Good old espn or rotoworld, or is there another place that updates constantly?

I'm talking about the trade 5 years ago. Jamie Navarro and John Snyder to the Breweers for Cal Eldred and Jose Valentin. How much did Navarro and Snyder do for Milwaukee? Jack squat. But Eldred and Valentin were both integral parts of the 2000 team, and Valentin has been a focal point until this season. As much as Valentin has tailed off, I think it's funny to look at this trade and see how much Schueler robbed the Brewers.

Let's make it a little more fun, shall we? What teams would you say are the best all around if you did football, basketball, and Baseball? I'd have to do: 1. Texas 2. Stanford 3. Miami

IMHO, Lowell will probably command at least 9, probably 10 million. I'd rather put that going after a pitcher, or parts of to Omar Vizquel and a bullpen guy or two.

Lowell would be nice, but I'd rather spend that money somewhere else.

All I know is that he had 38 saves, but for a closer, his ERA was a little to high. In the 3's. Also, he's 23.

Turning to Boras is baseballese for "I want money now, even if I'm a laughingstock in two years (let alone two weeks)."

With Brown and Williams being juniors, and Head and Powell being seniors, I'm hopign for big things from Illini basketball this year.

I don't want Johnson, not for what it would take to get him. I'd rather get a younger, but still has a lot of potential pitcher. Someone along the lines of Joel Pineiro, perhaps, or anyone else that fits that mold.

McCarthy, anyone?

Supposedly, he was a nice guy when he was free. He just got addicted. RIP Caminiti.