In regards to Victor Martinez and Ryan Garko
by Scott Coleman on Jul 2, 2009 1:25 AM EDT
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PrintHey guys, im a lifelong Braves fan (ha, yell at me if you wish) and i was wondering about V-Mart and Garko. I've heard from places like MLB network, ESPN, etc. that its been a long season for you. I've also heard of a possible fire-sale from the Tribe or at least a trade or two of your ML players. I have a few questions about the 2 guys mentioned above. I think the Bravos and Indians could match up nicely in a trade. Here are few questions:
1. Can V-Mart play 1st base? I know he came up as a catcher, but we're pretty set with McCann. If he can indeed play 1st, the Braves would have a ton of interest.
2. What positions can Garko play? I've heard his defense isn't all that great, but is he at least a serviceable 1st baseman? We could use his decent power.
3. What are the Tribe's biggest needs? Im not on terms with your top prospects, but i noticed you could use a starter or two, along with a SS or 2nd baseman. The Bravos have oodles of pitchers and 2nd basemen, along with Yunel Escobar at SS, who would require a pretty nice return.
The Braves have a decent 1st baseman in Kotchman, but we're starved for power. This is all speculation on my part, but if the Tribe is looking to deal a player or two, i think they match up nicely with Atlanta.
Along with Kotchman and Escobar, Kelly Johnson (who is in a miserable slump, but could bust out of it anyday) is most likely available. In regards to pitchers, Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens are pretty much untouchable, but it's been rumored when Tim Hudson comes back from injury, Javy Vazquez will be on the block. The guy is 2nd in strikeouts with a current record of 5-7, but could easily be 10-3 if his offense scored him some damn runs. He's been our best pitcher this year and could really help you guys out in 2010. We also have some younger, ML ready pitchers in JoJo Reyes and Kris Medlen.
Like i said earlier, this is total speculation by my part, but this discussion could be fun.
Good luck to the Tribe in '09.
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1) Victor can indeed play first. he’s played there a lot this year actually. Every time Cliff lee pitches Vic plays first.
2) Garko can play first fairly well and for some reason Eric Wedge thinks he can play left field. He cannot play left field though so Tribe fans have endured a first baseman in the outfield a few times. Now we just laugh (or at least I do).
3) Pitching.
You won’t get Martinez unless you’re giving away someone amazing. If they trade Martinez I will also probably cry. Y’all can have Garko though. He is probably a good fit for what Atlanta needs it sounds like. Just hope Boby Cox doesn’t play him in left.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I agree with all this.
I have no idea off the top of my head what you would be willing to part with, or even have for that matter, but I’m assuming you won’t want to meet the asking price that Martinez would garner. And if you feel you have something for Garko to do in ATL, by all means, let him do it.
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
I disagree that Garko plays first fairly well.
Oh, wait. We’re trying to trade him. Strike all that, he’s awesome. Fleet as a gazelle. Hands as soft as a baby’s butt.
He’s clearly not the best first baseman ever but I think the question was is he passable and the answer to that is yes, he’s passable.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
Yeah but I was trying but I was lying to make him sound better. And if their standards are just passable fairly well may be an okay assessment.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I don’t know. He sounds like he may be pretty influential in the Braves decision making. Plus you never know who’s reading this. And I am clearly the definitive answer on Ryan Garko so I should be careful.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
That’s true.
My God people, we could change EVERYTHING if we just put our minds to it.
Ben Francisco reminds me of Willy Mays.
Ben Francisco reminds me of Willy Mays.
Steel Nick
Ben Francisco reminds me of Billy Mays.
Lifeless?
"Some days are better than others, but it's a long season."
— The Inestimable Eric Wedge
by emd2k3 on Jul 2, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
I just watched a Dr. Who episode that was like this …
Trade Cliff.
by Gradyforpresident on Jul 2, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
The Last Of The Time Lords
Trade Cliff.
by Gradyforpresident on Jul 2, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it was also the plot of Sphere.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jul 2, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
if you’re looking for a power bat at 1st/OF I don’t think Garko is your solution. I like Garko and think he’d fit well with a lot of NL teams, but a power bat he is not. He usually has enough power to keep people honest though 15-20 HR ability.
And yes, we need and want pitching. Our INF is pretty set, unless the front office sours on Peralta, which is unlikely in my opinion even with Wedge frustrations.
so yes, pitching prospects that are AA or higher
by world dictator on Jul 2, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Hello mvhsbball,
To acquire Martinez, you’d have to give up someone like Hanson. From what I have heard and read about Medlen, his ceiling seems comparable, but he’s a little small, I believe (5’10 or 5’11, I think), but he’d have to be included if Hanson isn’t part of the package. I could go for that, though certainly, more would have to be included (probably 2 other prospects with solid to above-average ceilings, with both either being pitchers or one pitcher and maybe one position player, such as either Schaefer or Heyward). Some type of deal on that order.
As mentioned by ClemsonGirl and others, Victor can play 1B and so can Garko, so if you need a 1B, they would both be viable. Victor’s bat would very much be an upgrade over Kotchman’s; Garko, with regular playing time and keeping a good approach, would be comparable to Kotchman’s, maybe a bit more power and a little less BA (I haven’t seen Kotchman’s stats recently, so I can’t say for sure).
Just my 2 cents.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Hanson isn’t going anywhere, especially not for Victor. Its not a knock on victor, its just a trade that doesnt make sense. They’re not going to move arguably their best/2nd best pitcher, who’s just a rookie, for a 1.5 years of a catcher who’s almost 30.
Hanson has FOUR plus pitches.
by world dictator on Jul 4, 2009 6:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Andy Marte was the BEST PROSPECT IN THE WORLD.
Look, I agree Hanson isn’t getting moved but we’d all do well to turn down the hype. This happens every single year with a handful of guys and many of them go on to have great careers but there’s no reason to hyperbolize him. He doesn’t have four plus pitches at the major league level. CC Sabathia doesn’t have four plus pitches. Cliff Lee doesn’t have three plus pitches.
No one is overhyping Hanson on here. He’s one of the most highly ranked pitching prospects in baseball, He’s 22, and performing at the major league level right now. These are all facts.
You might disagree with ESPN’ and Baseball America’s scouting report of Hanson, that state he has four potential plus pitches, but I doubt either of us is in a position to scout him. But regardless the only thing we’re saying is that Victor doesn’t net Hanson TINSTAAPP or no TINSTAAPP
by world dictator on Jul 4, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Scouts are incredibly guilty of this. That’s what I’m saying. There is not a single major league pitcher I can think of who legitimately has four plus pitches.
Go read the Matsuzaka scouting reports, or the Jered Weaver scouting reports, or anybody else of that level of hype and realize how asinine they sound. Then quit taking this kind of overhype seriously, at all.
if you watch a start made by Hanson, say the one he made saturday with 7IP, 3 hits, 1 walk and only 1ER, you’ll see each of these 4 pitches and they were all nasty.
2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP.
by Scott Coleman on Jul 6, 2009 2:38 AM EDT up reply actions
No one has four plus pitches. No one. Please, name one major league pitcher who has ever been possessed of four plus pitches.
I become an expert simply by doing something.
Hanson.
Also, the band Hanson. Four plus pitches. Very toolsy.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 6, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I had an old friend who might as well have been the fourth Hanson brother, or actually, the first one, since he’d have been the oldest. Looked just like them and could sing his ass off.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
could sing his ass off.
So he clearly wasn’t one of them.
I become an expert simply by doing something.
by Brad D on Jul 6, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Over hyped scouting reports. Why is that so hard to understand? Scouts generate and then buy into their own hype.
I become an expert simply by doing something.
This is a lot of arguing over something that likely has a vague definition. What is a plus pitch? Better than average I suppose but I’m not really sure. I’ve seen plus-plus before, too. I guess that means really awesome.
Kevin Goldstein’s scouting report from the offseason states that he has four plus pitches, but that he has problems with his command of them some time. The importance of this, I think, is that it seems when a scout refers to something as a “plus” pitch, they are just referring to “stuff”, whatever that means. Action, movement, speed? Whether a pitcher can command and control that pitch is another question, I believe.
He also intimates that his fastball might not be that “great” of a pitch and his reliance on his two breaking pitches might not translate as well to the majors.
I think you’ve summed it up well my friend
by world dictator on Jul 7, 2009 6:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I also think that this discussion is focusing too much on how many plus pitches Hanson has and not enough on the original question of is he overrated.
In the original discussion people weren’t raving over Hanson’s worth because he allegedly has four plus pitches. The simple fact is that Hanson almost universally is considered one of the top prospects in baseball. And not solely because of some overhyped scouting report.
by world dictator on Jul 7, 2009 6:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Interestingly, Fangraphs pitch values charts has Hanson with 3 plus value pitches thus far in his major league career and his fourth pitch, the change up, isn’t far off. One might assume he’ll see improvement as he matures, making it possible that from a run prevention stand point he may have four plus pitches.
by NickFantana on Jul 10, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Christ, what happened to Kotchman? He’s supposed to be a solid on-base guy. Whoof.
You can’t have both because I don’t think the Tribe want LaPorta to be permanently stuck at 1B with so much talent looking like it may end up at that position in the minors.
If the Braves FO want Garko, by all means, take him off our hands.
Steel Nick
Disagree that LaPorta’s future would play into this, or even be affected by it. He’s a serviceable outfielder — even plays a little right.
by fleerdon on Jul 2, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Wegz and Mills play into a lot more. LaPorta probably plays into it a bit
by world dictator on Jul 2, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I think nickjs21 was pointing to the fact that if you trade both Martinez and Garko, you’d have no one else to play 1B besides LaPorta (you would have Brown, so I don’t think that’s entirely true), but I think that’s what nickjs21 meant by his comment (could be wrong).
As you and fleerdon both mention, LaPorta is a serviceable OF who can play both OF corners (though mostly in LF) – I think that’s why trading both Martinez and Garko is probably unlikely, unless they are really convinced about Brown playing regularly, and that’s probably not likely (they’d rather mix in Brown here and there, whether it’s for future lineup considerations or future trade considerations).
Just my 2 cents.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Marte or Brown could fill in at first.
by world dictator on Jul 4, 2009 7:06 AM EDT up reply actions
C’mon now, Doc. Crasnick just wrote a comprehensive, fair piece on the Tribe’s woes over the last two years.
by JulioBernazard on Jul 2, 2009 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I have a feeling if Atlanta calls about Victor, they better be ready to say “Yes, Hanson’s available” unless they want to hear a quick dial tone.
You know Selig? Ombudsman.
no chance
we would even think about dealing Hanson. Unless you guys get Albert Pujols, its hard to fathom him being dealt.
Any 22 year old pitcher who’s had 5 decent starts (meaning, he hasnt even came close to his potential) is 4-0 with a 2.51 era would require a bit more than V-Mart.
2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP.
by Scott Coleman on Jul 2, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you’re underestimating Victor Martinez. And there are teams who would give up similar players to Hanson so that’s the main point. Also Martinez is probably considered untouchable unless someone offers something really good.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I wouldn’t trade Hanson for Martinez if I belonged in the Braves FO. You’re overvaluing Victor a little bit. This isn’t even a case of sacrificing the future to win now, because Hanson is already contributing to the big league club.
Steel Nick
I might not either I’m just saying I don’t think the Braves have a piece that would get them Victor. I’m certainly not meaining to imply the Braves should trade Hanson, I just don’t know anything about their prospects and he didn’t mention any I don’t think, so from what he mentioned if they weren’t trading Hanson, they wouldn’t have much of a chance.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I understand what you’re saying. And I see Jay’s point as well regarding Victor’s value, but Atlanta certainly is within reason to prefer to hold on to Hanson.
Steel Nick
Of course they are and the Indians are certainly within reason to hold onto Victor unless someone amazing is offered. And Javier Vazquez is not what I would call Victor Trade worthy.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
Is someone pitching Javier Vazquez?
He makes sense in a Bartolo-Colon-for-Lee-Stevens kind of way.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 3, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks, I missed it when I looked the first time.
Now let’s think about this for a moment. Vazquez is a good pitcher — occasionally mediocre but excellent just as often. He’s under contract for 2010 — and no further — for not much more than Cliff Lee will be making.
I’m not saying you trade Victor for Vazquez, but Vazquez could be a significant piece. He really bolsters the rotation for 2010 if we keep Lee … and he makes trading Cliff Lee for another giant return more realistic.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 3, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s not a bad idea. But I wonder how much we lower the value of the other prospects by including Vazquez. I’d hate to see us get Vazquez and junk/filler/“decent” reliever prospect for Victor
by world dictator on Jul 4, 2009 7:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with this. While Vazquez may be okay to get, I know absolutely nothing about the Braves Farm System and I have no idea what kind of prospects they could give us for Victor. If there aren’t any outstanding prospects included I don’t see Sahpiro making this deal.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
Wait, Vazquez? To me, he’s the face of the AL/NL talent disparity.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jul 4, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
In three years with the White Sox his FIP improved every year going 3.86, 3.80, and 3.74. I agree he’s unlikely to post the 2.55 FIP he’s has this year but he’d still be a welcome addition to our rotation.
by world dictator on Jul 4, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I looked at his career numbers after I posted this and was surprised to find he’s been basically the same pitcher in the NL as in the AL. I either succumbed to the NY hype machine or just overexaggerated his Expos years. But he’s a credible 2/3 in either league.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jul 5, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions
I think I read something about Vazquez being a pitcher that constantly under performs his FIP for whatever reason.
I just looked it up. He’s underperformed (sometimes by significant margins) every year of his career except 2007, when he was within 0.18. Curious.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/thtstats/main/player/801/javier-vazquez
I am not denying Hanson’s talent, but his first 4 starts are not going to be what makes or breaks a deal.
Dont get me wrong
V-Mart is a really good hitter. We would take the NL east easily with him. But its hard to believe we trade a 22 year old ace in the making for a guy who has a history of injury and is only under contract another year or two.
2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP.
by Scott Coleman on Jul 2, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
A history of injury?
Victor only missed significant time in one season, last year, and otherwise has been a very durable catcher.
If he’s a catcher, you have to rate him relative to other catchers.
If he’s not a catcher, you have to realize that he won’t be as injury-prone at another position.
A lot of “ace in the makings” come and go. Victor isn’t about upside, he’s real present-day value. That’s the deal.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 2, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
"Victor isn’t about upside, he’s real present-day value. That’s the deal."
Im agreeing with you my man. Martinez is a very good hitter and has some nice pop in his bat. But my point is: If Hanson, like nearly every scout has projected the last 6 months or so, turns into an ace at the age of 24 or 25 and is traded for a year or two of V-Mart, a bomb will be placed in the Braves’ front office.
2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP.
by Scott Coleman on Jul 2, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, that would be a fairly typical vet-for-prospects deadline deal.
Victor is an All-Star, a switch-hitting catcher with enough ability to contend for a batting title and maybe hit 20 bombs. That is the kind of player you trade a potential ace for, and this is the time of year you do it.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 2, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
And Tommy Hanson could just as easily become the next Jaret Wright. Imagine what the Indians of the late 90s could have been if the Tribe had traded Jaret Wright for Pedro Martinez.
that’s a pitcher for a pitcher though.
there’s no real reason to discuss it. Hanson won’t be dealt for Victor Martinez so we can stop talking about potential deals 10 years ago.
2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP.
by Scott Coleman on Jul 2, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I can understand your point, though what Jay says is accurate.
The main point is that you’re going to have deal a potential ace to get Victor, even with just over a year left on his contract. Either Hanson or Medlen (who I believe is pretty highly thought of) WILL have to be included if you want V-Mart. I’m not as high on Jurrjens in terms of ceiling, though if it’s Medlen and not Hanson, you may have to throw Jurrjens in to convince the Indians to part with V-Mart, since they aren’t inclined to do it unless they are bowled over with an offer (I.e. how badly do you want Victor?) Certainly, a potential ace has to be included, and probably another prospect or two (not of the same ceiling, but still solid to above-average prospects) – that’s the price a team will have to pay, as Victor is an established All-Star ML player; Hanson still has to prove that over the course of a full year, and over several years in fact to reach Victor’s level, not to mention have to adjust to the league after they have seen him a few times. Certainly, he has the stuff to project to be a frontline ace, but the point is that he still has to go out and do it, and there are no guarantees on that (see the aforementioned Jaret Wright, our own Adam Miller, even Phil Hughes and Homer Bailey haven’t reached their ace potential either, and they were talked about being potential aces four years ago!)
Just my 2 cents.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
There’s a difference between trading a future ace in the minors and a future ace who’s an integral part of the rotation right now. Not to mention a future ace that was/is considered one of the best prospects in all of baseball.(#4 on the BA’s top 100 list).
We’re of course also overlooking the new premium pricetag that’s being placed on young pitchers with under a year of experience because of the economy. To small market teams like the indians these players have always had a premium value but other teams are beginning to value these players more.
I think the overall gist of your and Jay’s point is correct, but a general defense of the vet for young player deal is far from enough proof that victor is worth the such a high quality arm. The Indians can say they’d have to be overwhelmed all they want, but they still have to deal with the market. Maybe this means they don’t trade victor. Maybe not.
by world dictator on Jul 4, 2009 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I read on a Giants site recently that somebody compared Victor’s price to Teixeira’s in the Rangers-to-Braves deal, and I think that’s not unreasonable. I don’t want to say we’re set for position players, but I could live with the current set-up. So think upper-level arms, quality over quantity. Whatever Victor would end up costing you, it would hurt.
Garko might cost a decent prospect, though probably a younger one.
by fleerdon on Jul 2, 2009 8:49 AM EDT reply actions
I still want one more bat, especially if we’re trading Victor. Which is why I like the idea of trading Victor for best pitching available and trading Lee for Holland or Feliz and Smoak.
/nods, scratches chin, wonders who those people are
by fleerdon on Jul 2, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Holland or Feliz and Smoak
As part of the Indians move into the Lord of the Rings fan/fiction world.
We think it is an under-utilized market," says Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro. "I know these guys are all imaginary, but you should see Smoak swing a bat, " adding, “it’s extraordinary.”
by APV on Jul 2, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I’m glad we have an anthropologist on hand to translate the Elfish.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jul 2, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If we get anything for Garko my optimism will magically reappear
by Roger Dorn on Jul 2, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Okay, well, I completely forgot who Javier Vasquez was, but as it turns out, he’s 32. So, mvhs, my answer is that, by virtue of his age, he’s not a compelling enough talent for the Indians to move Martinez. I have a feeling, like Rolub, that this would come down to the price being something the Braves wouldn’t want to pay.
by fleerdon on Jul 2, 2009 9:05 AM EDT reply actions
One thing that I will give to Garko is that I think he would do a lot better in the NL. I would like to trade him to an NL team as soon as now
I think you meant to say “Good Luck to the Tribe in ’10”
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Jul 2, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks for all the info guys
Sounds like the city of cleveland hates Ryan Garko. Am i right?
2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP.
There are some here that think we are too harsh on Garko. He has had some nice big league stretches. I actually think he would be all right in the National League.
Thanks again.
2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP.
by Scott Coleman on Jul 2, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
He is loved by people who love scrappy white-guy contact hitters and think RBI is a meaningful stat to compare hitters.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 2, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone should tell Garko’s gals that he isn’t very good with his hands, he isn’t very patient, and his power stroke lacks, um, girth.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 2, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Every now and then he will run into one
by Roger Dorn on Jul 2, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Could we keep Wedge around just to hear him say people are going to run into one? Or could that be a clause in the manager’s contract: You must use Wedgisms especially “Run into one.”
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I’ll rec it because you can’t.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jul 2, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
This turned into a nice thread.
Very impressed. The people on the Phillies, Mets, Yankees, etc. are ALL convinced they have the greatest minor leaguers in the world and ALL of them are the next Pujols and Holiday.
IMO, world dictator had the best point of anyone on my side regarding how valuable Hanson is and why he wouldn’t be dealt for V-Mart. Tommy ISNT a prospect anymore. He’s 4-0 in the majors (should be 5-0 but the bullpen blew it Saturday) with a 2.50 era against the Brewers, Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox and Nationals. All of those teams can really hit with the exception of the Nats.
Again, thanks for the input.
2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP.
The nationals are a pretty good offensive team this year.
by I'd give my legs for Wegz on Jul 6, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
21st in MLB in runs scored is “pretty good”?
by JulioBernazard on Jul 7, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Have there been any of these top level pitching prospects/young pitchers traded in the last few years? Off of the top of my head, I cannot think of any. The Red Sox and Yankees have held onto their young pitchers. The Rays had a chance to add a bat by trading away their young pitchers, but didn’t. The Dodgers could have moved their young pitchers, but didn’t. I do not remember a “can’t miss” pitcher like Hanson being traded lately.
On the other hand, comparable position prospects have been moved in trades. So regardless of the relative values, borne out by projections, it seems like in today’s marketplace, young, cheap, potential front of the rotation starters are valued more highly than just about anything.
Garza was my first thought, but prior to the trade he did have 20+ starts over two years for the Twins. I didn’t quite consider him at the prospect level that Hanson is/was.
You know Selig? Ombudsman.
Four plus pitches, and plus hair, too.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 8, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Volquez.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 8, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought that the Rangers were cutting their losses with Volquez. They didn’t know if his control would ever come around, and they were tired of waiting. Kazmir fits, of course. I suppose Garza does to, although I didn’t think that the Twins thought his ceiling was quite so high.
Still, there have been a lot of chances for teams to trade away top end pitching prospects, and most of the teams have declined to do so. I don’t know if this is right or wrong, but it is what’s going on now.
It’s a double-edged TINSTAAPP sword. On one hand you’d be foolish to give away young cost-controlled high-ceilinged pitching depth considering the cost on the open market (and through trade). On the other hand you’d be foolish to pass up a sure thing for someone that is a long shot to become what you expect.
If I’m a GM I err on the side of the former, and it appears most GMs see it this way.
Steel Nick
Kazmir of course.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 8, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know if Lee was an elite prospect, exactly. He was one of the top prospects in the minors, but he was more akin to a David Huff than Phil Hughes. He wasn’t a super-young can’t-miss fireballer. He was a guy who was proceeding very well on a good pace to the majors.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jul 8, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait, did you just add a hidden contraction?
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jul 8, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Delmon Young has 3 plus swings.
You know Selig? Ombudsman.
by rolub on Jul 9, 2009 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
As a 19 year old Young was almost OPSing 1.000 in AA, and was very much holding his own as a 20-year old in AAA. I think it was more than the scouting reports that hyped Delmon, it was the actual results up to that point. I think he got called up too early.
Steel Nick
“Delmon Young has 3 plus swings.” LOL! +1
by kershaw_equals_stud on Jul 11, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
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