jay87shot

Chourio has LF, as I mentioned I think Lara will be the CF come mid-June, that leaves Vaughn, Bauers, Mitchell, Frelick, and eventually Lockridge for 1B and RF. I am not for trading away one of our better bats but with potential shrinking playing time and no control beyond this year I think he would make the most sense. I would be looking to get a SS/3B not just unloading him for a prospect. I think Vaughn is the better bat long term and with the year of control a better fit. 3B/SS have been so bad getting an average player at one of those spots would be a bigger improvement. If we do have a roster crunch I would be OK with trading Vaughn, Mitchell, or Frelick for the right 3B/SS, I would just lean towards trying to trade Bauers because he doesn't have control after this year.

Any chance the Dbacks would trade high on Nolan Arenado? They have Lawlar (on rehab) and LuJames Grover as long term options who are ready. They also could use an OF or DH, since they are in contention and would want mlb players. What about one of Bauers, Vaughn, Mitchell, or Frelick for Arenado. With Lara soon to claim CF that will put a stranglehold on playtime for more than 1 of those 4. Arenado as a vet would give our young guys some time, fix 3B, and we wouldnt have to pay him alot. We haven't discussed Isaac Paredes, Brett Baty, or Alec Bohm (playing better in May) in a while.

I would think 4/18 is very light. He is at .281/.353/.480 with a 133 ops+. His defense hasn't been as good as the past couple years but I would guess we could call him average. If you look at the free agent class this year it is exceedingly weak. I would guess a contract might be more like 3/24 at this point. I wouldnt mind extending him but dont forget we control Vaughn next year. To be honest I still like some combination of Burke, Adams, Fischer, or Bitonti long Iong term so 4 year seems to unnecessary. I wouldnt be against trading one of Vauhhn or Bauers at the deadline if it means getting a meaningful peice back. I am sold on Lara taking over at CF and being a dude. In that case, Bauers doesnt get OF playing time (especially when Lockridge is back). Since Vaughn has control next year, I would lean towards trading Bauers.

Last year Sal had a bad stretch and didnt hustle on a ball and got benched. It seemed to stoke his fire, I do think Lara should get an everyday chance in the bigs, probably when super 2 passes at this point. At that point it will be interesting to see what happens with Bauers earning some OF PT, Mitchell, Frelick, Lara, and possibly Lockridge getting close to return. Maybe trade one for a IF?

I would love Clement, however I think he is kind of a fan favorite and cheap with a couple years of control. One of the Rangers would work possibly as well. I wonder if the O's would consider Jackson Holiday. He has been hurt most of the year and hasn't played much SS the past couple years. Maybe he could play 3B, his youth would probably make Pratt or Jett part of the trade package. My guess would be no with Westburg injured and Mayo and Henderson having below par seasons.

Byron Buxton, I would love a SS/3B but I dont see a difference maker really being available. I will give a shout out to Reid Detmers, I think he is a guy like Harrison that has the tools to be a top line guy but needs to get out of LA. I think he is a cheaper under the radar Brewers style addition that makes sense. 4.57 ERA, 2.81 FIP, 10.7 k/9, 2.7 bb/9, 2 plus years of control, and cheaper arby years. Everything is there for a big turn around and a relative cheap price.

I would very seriously doubt they would trade him. He is 25 with a very reasonable contract through 2037 potentially. He is likely a 7-10 WAR player for a long time. After Shohei and Judge he is the best player in the league, with his age probably the most valuable long term. I would do terrible things to get him outside of Made and Chourio. It would take more than the Juan Soto deal in my opinion. Pena, Pratt, Fischer, Josh A, Henderson, Sproat, and Yoho would be close off the top of my head. To be honest I would let them take 2 pitching prospects with that offer and let them swap out Quero, Dinges, Burke, or Payne for any of the position guys.

I would love Jung but with the minor league IF depth getting close I would probably wait. Jung is hitting over .300 and with the control will cost a pretty penny. Now if we get to the deadline and Jett or Pratt arent ready than I can could be persuade to cough up the necessary price.

Great time for Bitonti to get hot, crazy that he is still 20. Oh yeah, Lara had another multi-hit game today.

It is nice to tie it up, however the Astos threw 2 legit strikes that inning. That had a chance to be a big one.

What do we like as our rotation going forward for the next couple weeks? Patrick today and going forward makes sense, I like the idea of Drohan piggybacking with either Patrick or Crow for at least a couple starts and then being a 6th starter (i think we play 13 in a row coming up). Sproat probably keeps going but is maybe looking like a good option as a 2/3 inning reliever if he can't get the big inning out of his system. Misi, Harrison, Patick, Crow, Drohan, Sproat ??? If Woody get healthy/right in a couple weeks he could slide into any of the 3-6 spots.

As everyday players start approaching 200 plate appearances for the season and starting pitchers are in the 40-50 innings range I think we are officially in group promotions season. One thing to keep in mind is that last year the organization waited to promote Misi until June 12th to hopefully meet the super 2 qualificiation, it changes year to year and with the upcoming bargaining/lockout who knows what will happen. I just think it will be a good thread to keep ideas for promotions. My thoughts Wait until the super 2 cutoff for the IF and OF promotions and send the pitchers up ASAP. I would be fine with just a straight Perkins for Leonard swap ASAP as long as there is a roster spot. IF= mlb Jett, AAA Luke Adams reinstated (Made if plays well for 2 weeks), AA Fischer, A+ Ebel, Ortuno, Lameda A Hughes or Polanco With a couple weeks there could be alot of change here, if Made gets hot he is in the area of a potential promotion. However I don't have an issue with him just staying in AAA and getting more SS playing time. Ebel and Ortuno have been hot but if they cool of Lameda has been more consistent but is in a minor slump. With the ACL just starting who know who will be the best in 2 weeks, Hughes looks like the most talented. OF= mlb Lara, AAA O'Rae (Keith would be fine as well), AA Josh A, A+ Ibarguen/Tyler Rodriguez, A Frias P= MLB 2 of Fitz/Yoho/Rob Z (for Woodford, CarRod), AAA Wagoner, Cruz, or Gerabito (inj) (DeBerry maybe with a couple more good starts), AA Yerlin, Fowler , Welch (??? not any really deserving), A+ Morrison and 1 of Hodges, Meneses, Reyes, Niksch, Perry, A ??? it's early I will say Broughton and Holden for now.

How about a trade for a closer/late reliever. I have a lot of faith that Uribe and Megill will get it together but I would consider trading for Aroldis Chapman. He has been dominant and probably wouldn't cost a huge amount (it would take a strong offer). Having Mis and Harrison give the ball over to Chapman, Ashby, Megill, and Uribe would be amazing.

I don't think the Red Sox will consider trading with us again while the current gm is there. If we take advantage of them again there might be a full on mutiny.

We gave up LaPorta, Brantley, and 2 lower level prospects for Sabathia. Laporta was a top 50 prospect probably top 25. Brantley was top 10 in the system but hitting .319 in AA at 21 so he was likely a borderline top 100. My guess is that Skubal will cost more than CC so my guesstimate would be Pena, Fischer, and any 2 pitching prospects not named Henderson. I would love to go for it but that seems to rich for my blood. I would consider trading a similar package for Hunter Brown knowing we would get 1.5 seasons and then re-coup some of the prospect value back by trading him with 1 year of control left.