Jordan4life_2007

I do like Masterson. But if that's all the Tribe got, they got raped.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 01:30 PM) Their offense is vastly improved, no doubt. They still have serious issues with their starting pitching, IMO, despite all the BS talk of their so-called depth. They've got TWO legit starters right now, Beckett and Lester, and Lester isn't as good as advertised. Neither is Buccholz, who if it wasn't for his no-hitter, wouldn't be considered half the prospect that he is. He's no baby - he'll be 25 next week. Dice-K, Smoltz, Penny, etc. have given them nothing, and quite frankly, I think Dice-K was doing it with mirrors when he had success previously. The guy is the living definition of a nibbler. Wakefield is 42 with a bad back - who knows if he'll return to form? I actually have a small bit of concern that the idiots on ESPN actually help the PED Sox org. by constantly overrating them and their 'spects. All we heard in ST was how good Smoltz was going to be when he returned, for instance. BTW, we have 8 games with them not 7. This year, for some reason, we seem to play better against the better teams. Hopefully, that continues. Good points. I disagree on Lester. I think he's pretty damn good. The depth of quality SP they appeared to have going into the season has not come through to this point. However, other than maybe Tampa, I don't see anybody that can challenge them for the WC (assuming the Yankees win the East). And with Beckett (arguably the best postseason pitcher of this era), Lester, their bullpen and offense, they'd have as good a chance as anyone to win it all.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 01:28 PM) Nick Punto has played 75 games this year and is hitting .208. If you don't think its an upgrade, I think you need your eyes examined. Cabrera has had one hell of a July (.373/.400/.500/.900). Before that you couldn't really tell the difference between the two.

Fox Sports is reporting Buchholz nor Bard are involved. So that's an automatic win for them.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 01:09 PM) I will also throw up in your mouth if they got him. Jokes aside, that dude is my Clayton Kershaw when it comes to relievers. He's gonna be filthy f***in' good. He'd be their closer right now if that Papelbon dude wasn't there.

QUOTE (League @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 01:06 PM) No sources or anything, this is just a guess, but I'm going to say that the Indians get Lars, two of Bard/Masterson/Bowden and LaRoche. I'll throw up in my mouth if the Indians got Bard.

Ellsbury Pedroia Youkilis Bay Martinez Ortiz Lowell Drew Lowrie/Green Not fun for opposing pitchers.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 01:01 PM) Buccholz an Indian now? Seriously doubtful.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 12:58 PM) I love it because he is out of the division, but the Red Sox just keep getting better and better.... I hate to admit this, but the Red Sox are who I want us to be someday. That's one hell of an organization.

I assume he'll split time at catcher/1B/DH.

Wow!

I thought Washburn was due for a correction about two months ago. And yet here he is 3rd in the AL in ERA. This is obviously a fluke year for him. But that doesn't matter as long as he can keep it up another couple months. And I see no reason why he won't.

Don't make a deal just to make a deal. If there's nothing out there that makes sense beyond this year, so be it.

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 12:46 PM) How do you know JP won't soften his stance? What is he supposed to say, "yea...we're going for the moon and stars now, but around 4 today we'll take a little less." Of course he's going to come out asking for huge returns to begin with, maybe he can find someone to be foolish enough to do it. But I can't believe he isn't prepared to talk about a lesser bounty than what it is perceived. GM's lie all the time, they are playing poker. Hell yea, why not ask about Kershaw...what's the worst that will happen? Just a dial tone. His current demands are way out in the stratosphere, almost so ridiculous it's not even part of a credible negotiation...I just think he's trying to set the bar. Dude, the deadline is like 2 hours away. I understand that you start out shooting for the stars. But you don't soften your stance just a couple hours before the deadline.

Meh, I'd take Cabrera over Punto, obviously. But I don't see this as a difference making move (I.E. the Tigers getting Washburn).

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 12:36 PM) But GMs think that way ALL THE TIME. Unreal. There are bucketloads of examples of teams dealing tons of prospects for a single player to help them win now. At what cost? The offers speculated from the various teams have been VERY impressive. There is of course a limit on everything. I am not saying trade your 10 best prospects for Halladay, but the Phillies (or anyone) going after him and moving several prospects is a normal thing in baseball, not complicated at all...the only thing complicated is which prospects and how many you want to give up. If the Blue Jays would soften their stance from insane to marginally crazy Halladay would be on a new team today. But they're not going to do that. JP Riccardi has made it clear what type of package he wants for Roy. I mean c'mon. He wants Clayton Kershaw from the Dodgers. He wants Derek Holland AND Justin Smoak from the Rangers. So now that the deadline is just over two hours away he's going to ask for considerably less? He'd be fired on the spot.

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 12:33 PM) Halladay may not go anywhere because the Blue Jays asking price is ridiculous. I've even said that in this thread. However, if they decide to compromise a bit, then Halladay surely will go somewhere...and guess where he will go? To a team 'in position' to win the World Series BEFORE the trade. He's not going to Pittsburgh or Arizona...he's going to a team with a chance to win it all. WITH or WITHOUT HIM. With him means their (whoever gets him) chance just got a whole lot better. But aren't you implying that a team such as the Phillies should pay that ridiculous price no matter what?

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 12:22 PM) They were also in position before obtaining Lee. Adding Halladay means THEY GET BETTER. The better they are, the better chance they have to repeat. So you're saying 1+1=2? You're not getting what I'm saying. Of course adding Halladay would make them better. Just like it would make the Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, Angels, Dodgers, ect, ect,ect better. But at what cost? Short and long term? These are factors that can't just be brushed aside. Again, easy for a fan to say. A GM can't think that way.

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 12:20 PM) Which makes 5 years down the road even LESS relevant. Teams do whatever they can to 'be in the conversation' for a World Title. No, teams do whatever they can within reason. And yet the games "best righty" is more than likely not going anywhere. So I guess it's just a case of teams not wanting to get better? It's not nearly as simple as you make it out to be. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard for you. It wouldn't be hard for me either. It wouldn't be hard for any fan. Again, it's a whole lot more complicated when you're an actual GM for an ML club.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 12:16 PM) They also get 4 draft picks if they leave via FA. You can't guarantee anything, but they would have the best shot out of everybody. Yippie! Draft picks! Let's just go on ahead and agree to disagree on this subject. I can tell this is going nowhere.

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 12:14 PM) There are plenty of examples of teams with a 'going for it now' approach where they take on salary, add veterans, deal prospects if they think there is a chance to win a ring. And the Phillies just did that. They're already in position to do this.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 12:12 PM) To be instant WS favorites for this year and 2010 would be worth it. Being "instant" WS favorites means nothing. Now if you can guarantee a WS title (which nobody can ever do) then you might have a point.

Almost as ridiculous as the Kershaw for Lee 'proposed' deal. Never bought this crap for a second.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 31, 2009 -> 12:01 PM) Imagine if the Phillies go after Halladay as well. I think it'd be a smart idea if they just sold out the farm system and got Doc. Instant WS favorites with Doc and Lee in that rotation. That would be pretty stupid, IMO. Most fans don't seem to get this. But a GM has to look 3-5 years down the line as well as focusing on the present. To give up what it would take to get Halladay on top of what they just gave up for Lee would cripple them for years.

Excellent move by the Tigers. Verlander/Jackson/Washburn is a hell of a whole lot better than Verlander/Jackson/Porcello (I think Porcello will be a stud. But he's obviously hit the rookie wall). As Jason said, Washburn's stuff easily translates to Detroit's ballpark.