Shortstops available

[DHonks]

What about the Rays? Both Zobrist and Lopez can either be starting shortstops or utility players. Both are switch hitters with good OBP skills. They're both better roster options than Kotsay (soon to be our 6th OF) and Almonte (7th OF and 2nd utility IF).

[brettac1]

I'm a big fan of Zobrist. Watched him here with the Chucks and thought he was great then, even.

[DHonks]

Zobrist was a very good guy to work with/for in the AFL. He's a holy roller, which I normally support. But the holy rollers I was around in baseball tended to be all talk, little action. However, he and Stephen Drew were the two that were truly genuine. I'd love to add Zobrist, and think his best years are ahead of him.

[brettac1]

He has really dropped off since his All-Star year, but if he came cheap I would be all over it.

[Blancofan1]

I'd love to see them get Zobrist as well. I think it would be a considerable upgrade to the team overall. Don't know how much it would take to get him, but I'd be on board.

[endaround]

Zobrist is basically the Rays starting 2B, why would they trade him?

[ilikewisco]

Gamel and Farris. I don't know if he's worth it, I don't think so myself (Gamel and 1B next year). But his biggest attribute is his versatility, which is great, but not very valuable. He's solid, but I don't think the Rays would turn that down and it wouldn't hurt this year's team. Definitely a downgrade this year for the Rays, but if they struggle in June/July I could see them doing it. When is Zobrist a free agent?

 

Of course if Gamel's value is really as low as some say, then I wouldn't trade him for anybody this year. If Gamel can't get a Zobrist type player, then why bother trading him.

[DHonks]

end, most expect the Rays to be bigtime sellers at the deadline. Given the presence of Elliot Johnson (another AFL alum, and the oh-so-rare non-drafted signee out of HS) and the overall strength of their system, I would imagine they have other options. Perhaps a deal of Farris and a reliever (since they purged their pen this offseason). Who knows, they might find someone like Katin valuable due to their overall lack of power.

[endaround]

And I expect the Rays to be right there in the WC hunt. And that still ignores the fact that Zorbrist hasn't played SS since 2009 which was only for emergency reasons.

[brettac1]

Well, I think it's mostly hypothetical since no one is going to trade guys on their big league roster until June at the earliest.

[endaround]

Well I could see Seattle shipping off Jack Wilson

[brettac1]

I'm pretty sure Wilson can still field pretty well, so I suppose he'd be an upgrade. Not really a fan, though.

[TooLiveBrew]

Wilson's the guy I've been sort of expecting to get targeted, with Jack Z GMing Seattle. The M's aren't really contenders right now, so moving a piece like Wilson for youth makes sense for them (imo).

[brettac1]

He would make more sense than what they have. If you're going to have guys who can't hit, they have to at least be able to field.

[Hate those Rodents]

I don't think we've done one deal with Seattle since Jack Z has been there. Nothing of consequence anyway. I am not sure we are crazy about trading with Seattle, or vice versa, even though many of us thought there naturally would be a couple of deals of consequence by now.

[Invader3K]

I don't think we've done one deal with Seattle since Jack Z has been there. Nothing of consequence anyway. I am not sure we are crazy about trading with Seattle, or vice versa, even though many of us thought there naturally would be a couple of deals of consequence by now.

There was that blockbuster Bill Hall for Ruben Flores swap. That's it though, I think.

[pingman]

from this entire thread, Jack Wilson makes the most sense as far as availability goes....probably wouldn't cost much either

[Invader3K]

He makes $5 million this year, and I'm not sure the Brewers would be willing to take on all of that (especialy for a guy hitting below .200 currently). Maybe Seattle could eat around $1 million of his salary in exchange for a lower level player?

[Hate those Rodents]

Many of the names being bandied about since YuBet has been obtained (O Cabrera, Wilson, Scutaro, etc) are not guys I see us going after. We will stick with YuBet or get someone at the deadline that is more of a name and obvious upgrade imho. I don't think we go after another lesser SS......we'll just stick with what we have.

[RockCoCougars]

Jack Wilson absolutely killed the Brewers.... 10 years ago or so. I wouldn't be too upset if they traded for him, but does he really do anything that Counsell can't at this point? My guess is that a 'bigger name' guy will be brought in if the Brewers are in contention and Yuni is tanking.

[greeg35]

does he really do anything that Counsell can't at this point?

 

 

No; but he can be a solid defensive right handed time-splitter with counsell...which is more than Betancourt can do.

[JohnBriggs12]

Wilson and Counsell are a combined 7 for 46 (.152) with one extra base hit and 1 RBI. Wilson's OBP is .188. The past two years it was .292 and .282. What power he once had has disappeared. Counsell looks done to me. His bat has slowed since last year which is not surprising as he's nearly 41. You think Betancourt is a liability on offense? He's better than the combination of those two.

 

The marginal difference defensively, and at this stage of those guys careers, it's marginal, is certainly not worth paying Wilson's contract.

 

Hate those Rodents is right. Wait to see what the market is for Reyes. Mets appear headed nowhere.

[greeg35]

none of the three can hit; but two of the three can play defense.

[Baldkin]

Wilson and Counsell are a combined 7 for 46 (.152) with one extra base hit and 1 RBI. Wilson's OBP is .188. The past two years it was .292 and .282. What power he once had has disappeared. Counsell looks done to me. His bat has slowed since last year which is not surprising as he's nearly 41. You think Betancourt is a liability on offense? He's better than the combination of those two.

 

The marginal difference defensively, and at this stage of those guys careers, it's marginal, is certainly not worth paying Wilson's contract.

 

Hate those Rodents is right. Wait to see what the market is for Reyes. Mets appear headed nowhere.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/580415/Wilson_DP2.gif

Yep. Marginal difference defensively. I don't think Yuni has moved that many steps total to field a ball and make a throw this year.

[Hate those Rodents]

I think Yuni's must've shot and killed a lot pf people's mothers on this board.