If Doug Melvin called the Atlanta Braves and said he'd like to trade Jean Segura for Andrelton Simmons straight up he'd get laughter and then a dial tone. I love Jean Segura but Andrelton Simmons' defense puts him on another planet.
Not having top draft picks is no excuse. The highest pick the Red Sox have had in the last 10 years is 7 (last year). Most all of their top picks in that time have been in the 20's, and they have top prospects coming out of their ears. Edit - Keith Law has the Red Sox ranked at 5 in his survey.
I think Lepay will be too over the top for baseball. Maybe he'll tone it down. But I have a feeling he's going to be like Tom Hamilton who does radio for the Indians. (who is from Wisconsin I just read). Just way, way over the top.
Two thoughts: 1) I 100% think this is medically related in some way. 2) What rational insurance company would insure Garza's contract even without a labrum tear? Given his medical history he's already a very high candidate for a catastrophic injury. What would the premium be? Insurance companies are not in the business of losing money. Edit - I'm more and more thinking the Brewers were satisfied with the medicals but they can't find someone to insure the contract--or at least insure it for a premium the Brewers can live with.
To start with I would not have been outbid for Corey Hart. I'm pretty certain I'd be getting an OPS+ of about 120 right there with quality defense. But now he's gone.
Only Doug Melvin could fail to find someone who can put up an OPS+ of greater than 100 at the easiest position on the field to find decent hitting. This is just completely inept after the 2013 disaster at 1B.
Are front office execs in MLB drug tested? Yuni being considered for a starting position? Some execs are clearly on drugs. I mean, that's the worst idea since showing up to a party with a boner in sweatpants.
I think this was a big mistake by Hart. Seattle is where bats go to die. This will not help his value for a multi-year deal after 2014. He should have had a good talk with Adrian Beltre before agreeing to this contract. I really thought he would be back because it made so much sense for him to stay in Milwaukee given that it's a place he has had success and it's a hitter friendly park.
I wouldn't write Will Smith off as a SP just yet. A poor age 22 rookie season in MLB as a starting pitcher is fairly common, even among starters who go on to be pretty darn good.
If Tony LaRussa managed the Dodgers there would be some Cardinals getting hit today due to Hanley sitting on the bench with sore ribs from a HBP compliments of Joe Kelly.