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QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 11, 2017 -> 10:42 AM) Again, after hearing the lefts positions on places like NK and Cuba, it amazes me to see them take the exact opposite tact with Russia, and publicly pushing us towards war with the absolute most dangerous country on earth. Your position is that your sense of right/wrong is centered on the actions of some unnamed political commentors you disagree with?

Even if Giants trade a bunch of pieces I find it impossible they play as poorly in 2nd half. I know it would be some crazy team ending up with worst record even though Padres looked like they were destined. I would have never guessed Giants thou.

For instance, imagine if instead of Bobby Kennedy going after Organized Crime in the 60s, they openly embraced them and started attacking verbally all criticism and efforts to reign them in. How would history look instead? Kennedy certainly benefited from illegal influence which deserved to be punished had they proven it. But just because it happened then doesn't mean if it happened again it should be accepted.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 11, 2017 -> 10:24 AM) Somehow I pretty well doubt that this was the first time, nor the last. Ok. But just because corruption may sometimes go uncaught doesn't mean we let a congressman go who has a million dollars in his freezer. Especially when this specific act has potential to continuously undermine the legitimacy of our elections. Trump could have legitimately owned the Russian issue by doing something responsible and actually pursuing action against Russia for the attacks on US elections. Other world leaders in similar spots have created legitimacy in heel turning against what was supposedly helping them. But Trump team didn't do that, they've lied about it repeatedly and sometimes illegally, they've denied it, and they fired the head of the investigation into it as well as floated out firing the independent council.

Michael Hickman has been playing pretty well so far in AZ. Unsure what his C profile still looks like but his stats are nice. He's been playing some DH too.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 11, 2017 -> 09:37 AM) Especially since we know Gary Hart was negotiating nuclear arms with the Soviets in the 80's as a Presidential candidate, and nothing came of it. But Russia helped by performing a cyber attack on an american political party and some aim around voter registrations, not helping with a foreign policy achievement. In general, I think it's a pretty good norm to not openly accept foreign attacks on your domestic political opponents.

I don't think Albies was moved for any reason other than Swanson appeared to lockdown SS so they moved him to 2b to take advantage of his range. His 55 arm should be able to play any infield position. From callis: " Able to play an excellent defensive shortstop, he moved over to second fairly seamlessly to play alongside Dansby Swanson. His plus arm isn't as necessary there, but his range should allow him to be a very good defender on the right side of second. "

QUOTE (Buehrlesque @ Jul 11, 2017 -> 09:50 AM) Ironically I agree with you guys. I like Albies and think he is underrated. But the Sox would have to show me they're willing to move Moncada off second base for Albies to make sense. If htey trade for Albies today and move Moncada to CF (or 3B I Guess), I'm all for it. (or anderson from SS)

QUOTE (FT35 @ Jul 11, 2017 -> 09:34 AM) I get it...but when negotiating you need to understand your bargaining position and not underestimate that bargaining position. If a team approaches you for something, you hold the cards. You're not going to over-value your player, but you're not going to be quick to just dump them--or teams will just wait you out to get what you have for nothing. We're going to lose some guys regardless of whether another team inquires. So just send a subtle message that waiting us out till we dump players isn't a good idea if you truly want someone. But this relies on basically creating a facade of being irrational.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Jul 11, 2017 -> 09:31 AM) I would really like to land a player like Albies, as I also feel he is very underrated. He is the sort of player that really can help a championship caliber roster with his bat, speed and defense. The Braves could definitely swing a Q trade, but have yet to show the willingness to part with top prospects. Exactly Albies stats as a 20 year old in AAA (only a few months older than Blake Rutherford) .292/.336/.451 with 7 hrs, 17 doubles and 8 triples. his walk rate declined and k rate increased (6% walk rate, 19.5% k rate), but I would expect that to improve with time. He's a plus defender with plus speed. He has 21 SB with only 2 CS in AAA. Consistently described as plus baseball intelligence (same with Robles). I'll bet on that player.

QUOTE (FT35 @ Jul 11, 2017 -> 09:12 AM) Something else to think about is the perception the league has of Hahn. In the same way we know of everyone else's needs they are looking to acquire, everyone knows of the players that we "need" to move and will be looking to exploit that by getting them cheap...as they should. I almost look at this and think that with the stakes being low on the season, guys like Frazier or Melky--choosing NOT to trade a guy away for nothing can send a more effective message to the GM's than being willing to heavily discount someone. You want Frazier or Melky for your stretch run, all you have to do is offer something of value or we will keep him--which really only hurts YOU because you've determined him to be an upgrade over what you have and we weren't going to get anything of much value anyway. So we eat one bad contract and miss out on a junk prospect...the message will be more clear to teams in the future--"Hey...when they say they'll just keep someone, they aren't bluffing." We might get more from future trades because of a move we DON'T make. I am deeply skeptical of this point.

I find Albies so underrated here and it's entirely due to comps.

Looks like it. 1-1 with a walk and a run. Logan Taylor playing too. Michael Hickman playing well in AZ.

Is this Skougs first game?

A really nice offensive night. I find it a wee bit interesting Collins did this as DH.

QUOTE (kwill @ Jul 10, 2017 -> 06:41 PM) My Plan. Trade Avi Garcia, Tommy Kahlne for Adrian Gonzalez, Alex Verdugo, Willie Callhoun, Will Smith and Starling Heredia. Dodgers Do It: They get to add depth to their pen which is good but struggled last year in the playoffs. Garcia would provide them with average to above average play in left field with cheap cost. Both Garcia and Kahlne are cost controlled for 2 more years. They get Adrian Gonazalez and his 22 million dollars off of there books for next year and drops them below the luxury tax. Bellinger can stay at his natural position of first base. White Sox Do It: They get 2 Top 100 players in Verdugo and Callhoun. Smith probably projects as a decent backup catcher in the future. Heredia is the flyer of the group at 18 years old you really don't know what he will end up being. White Sox have very little committed to 2018 so they could afford to have Gonzalez eating up a good portion of the team salary. Why It Wont Happen: JR is not paying that dough for a guy to sit on the bench and drink martinis. Trade David Robertson for Carter Keiboom and Jesus Luzardo. Nationals Do It: Because the Nationals need a closer and he is the best one on the market. The White Sox don't touch any of their untouchables in Robles, Soto or Fedde. White Sox Do It: Both players are a ways off from contributing but could be starters in the future. Beyond Moncada the White Sox are pretty bare when it comes to athletic infielders. Why It Won't Happen: Because people are idiots. I have seen this proposal from multiple Sox Talkers and yes this should be the price. Kieboom is not even a top 100 prospect yet. This price is more than fare. Trade Jose Quintana and Todd Frazier plus Cash to Astros for Kyle Tucker, Forest Whitley, Feudis Nova and Frambar Perez. Astros Do It: If there is one thing the Astros are lacking it would be another starter for them in the playoffs. Quintana could offer them a starter with cost control for the next 3 years after this one. Frazier makes sense as he could be an alternate to Gurriel, Bregman and Beltran. All three have underperformed this year. White Sox Do It: The White Sox get a top 15 prospect in Kyle Tucker and intriguing pitching prospect in Whitley. The other two guys are lottery tickets. Why It Won't Happen: The Astros will turn to A's for Gray that will have a lesser asking price even though it will hurt them in the playoffs. Great post, great format. I just don't think the Astros like Quintana. The Dodgers one is interesting but I'm skeptical sox would ever eat money like that. If sox got a return like that for Avi though that would be amazing.

I like Adams but I would not say he is the safest pitching prospect in minors. He is a recently converted reliever that has taken to starting really well, but there is still questions if he will have the stuff/stamina for 3rd time through the order. I like him a lot and would be happy to get him, but there is risk with him - as all pitching prospects.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 10, 2017 -> 03:13 PM) He had a smart agent (or doctor) advising him to take that team-friendly contract extension. Yeah so long as this doesn't require TJ.

Burger 3-4 with a HR and 4 RBIs. That's a day. Collins as DH gets 2 hits, been a while since I remember a multi hit game for him (I'm sure someone will say he had one like last friday but we're working off MY memory)

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Jul 10, 2017 -> 06:04 PM) Great. All players have weaknesses. I don't know what to tell you if you think Moncada didn't have any risk.

To me, the Eaton trade was more representative of don't follow the rankings than the Moncada/Kopech. Kopech at the time was thought to be a top 60 pitching prospect, but he had an unbelievable ceiling and fastball. I wouldn't trade Moncada or Kopech straight up for any of the Eaton trade pieces.

good lord I forgot it was Manic Monday

I don't know, I think I'd read opposite. You now know that Moncada's trade value is very high because he was used for one of the top 2 pitchers in baseball this year on an affordable contract. He seems to be implying that real proof for high rankings is the absence of getting traded, not getting traded for a huge haul.

Good to know, I wasn't even sure it had happened (him being pulled for injury) until you said something. That sucks. Not often you hear that and it turns out to be nothing.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jul 10, 2017 -> 01:20 PM) I just don't see a fit with the Dodgers, or why they would need another SP. Kershaw and Wood are the best 1-2 punch in the game, Hill/McCarthy can be a suitable #3 for the playoffs and they can piggyback their other guys for the 4th playoff spot. Their rotation leads all of baseball in ERA, FIP and WAR. I think my case if I was Friedman would be with the new baseballs it is very likely Hill will get another blister and you don't know when. McCarthy has been completely undependable for health. They have a glut of guys behind but none with the dependency of Quintana. That said, I don't think that's a particularly strong case, but of all orgs I think LAD would value Quintana fairly high (strictly as a player). But, not the same need level to add a pitcher as places like Cubs/Yankees.