Trade deadline fantasy

[Eaglealum]

It pains me to even type this, but our Bucs had scouts at AJ Burnett s last start they also inquired about relievers Benoit and Soria, ... Sadly Burnett makes more sense than other 2 in GM language anyway ... They are not going to pay mr 8th inning as much as Cutch so that (inquiry with SD)was either a ploy for somebody else's benefit or Neil had a few drinks and was hoping the Friars would eat half of Benoits 16 mil contract.

[abpk2903]

I am so glad I am not a Phillies fan. I mean seriously what is their front office doing???? Byrd, Utley, Rollins, Hamels, Lee, Burnett, Howard, and Ruiz should all be gone by now. If nothing else, to let some young guys get some playing time. The mismanagement of this roster since 2008 is sinful. $20+ million contracts per year to Utley, Rollins, Howard, Lee, Hamels who were all in or quickly approaching their 30s???? Heck, they are lucky Halliday retired or that's another. Thank goodness the Dodgers had the checkbook to take over some of their crazy contracts (Victorino mainly).

They got rid of Pench and Werth and they are still producing at a high level.

I just don't understand what they are doing. Why aren't they trading anyone?

[Crimson's Ghost]

The Phillies may have to do what the Astros did, and unload everybody. The Bucs did that with LaRoche, Sanchez, Wilson, Bay, McLouth a few years ago. Sometimes it's just time to clear house. Utley would get the biggest return of all those names mentioned, but if I am them, he's the only one I keep. He's a fan favorite, and Utley sells tickets and merchandise, even on a rebuilding team the next few years. Everyone else should be out the door and they should be loading up on prospects.


Right now, If we can land both Jaquin Benoit AND Ian Kennedy from San Diego, the Bucs should do it. And if that were to happen, I like the pitching staff as a whole moving forward.

1. Morton
2. Cole
3. Liriano
4. Kennedy
5. Locke

1. Melancon
2. Watson
3. Benoit
4. Wilson
5. Hughes
6. Volquez
7. Worley

If you acquire both a reliever and a starter, the odd men out would be Pimentel, Gomez,and Frieri, at least that's how I would draw it up.

[dadw/2sons]

who do you give up? if you are dealing with SD why not inquire about Headley (3B) and see if they would take Tabata and Davis and maybe a mid-level prospect instead of a stud prospect. Do think that is possible?

[Crimson's Ghost]

Right now if I'm the Pirates, it sounds more and more like Alen Hanson is becoming the most expendable top prospect. He's been benched for lack of hustle and other misconducts, he's ultra talented but seems a bit troubled. A team like the Padres would probably welcome a top tier prospect despite some troubles. So in a deal to bring in anything from San Diego, I would make him the center piece.

Here's the situation with acquiring a guy like Chase Headley

Headley is batting .229 with 7 Home Runs and 32 RBI. He only has been walked 22 times and has struck out 73 times. He's a free agent after this year and he's 30 years old.

Right now Ike Davis is batting .233 5 home runes and 28 RBI. He's only struck out 49 times and has walked 44 times. He's 27 years old, and under team control for 2 more seasons. His OBP .352 vs. .296 of Chase Headley.

So, I'm not sure how much he would help. And in all fairness the Pirates offense is pretty good, not in much need of a huge upgrade

As a team the Pirates rank
1st in On Base Percentage
8th in batting average
12th in Runs
12th in Slugging


For what its worth, Tabata is batting .220 in AAA right now. He's a corner outfield that doesn't really hit for power and isn't very fast, and makes more money than he's worth. The Pirates are probably going to be stuck with him until his contract runs out or if they release him. I just don't see him as a commodity in a trade at all.



I still think adding an extra bench player would help, but the biggest need right now is definitely pitching.

[Eaglealum]

The thing with Headley, he's playing 1/2 his games in the leagues most unfriendly hitters park with no protection from a horrible lineup. I believe those numbers come up with cutch and company around him. He ended kershaws scoreless streak, he can hit quality pitching. An area that could use help with the disparity between obp and runs scored.

For what it's worth I think Ghost is spot on on all his other assessments
I wouldn't have a problem leaving Volquez in rotation if he continues to be a lil more consistent .

[voncap]

Crimson- I think you are 100% correct on Hanson. I appears management is growing tired of Hanson's attitude. Article in the Altoona Mirror quoted Curve Manager Garcia has stating' it was time for him to grow up". Hanson was pulled from Friday's game for lack of effort. The second time in a little less than two months this has happened.

The fact that you are a young talented baseball player trying to make it to the big leagues where you can possibly make millions of dollars and you have to be benched twice for lack of effort tells me about all I need to know about his attitude.

If the Buc's do make a move that requires a top prospect, I would not be shocked to see Hanson as part of the deal.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Yeah, all things are pointing to Hanson, and I'm not even sure how big of a loss that truly will be. The Pirates spent the first round pick on a shortstop, they have a promising shortstop in Jacoby Jones in class A, and Jordy Mercer is just an up and down player, but he's not a liability.

The Pirates have room to give up on Hanson, and with his talent of being a top 100 prospect, he can lead to a big name trade.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Yankees get Chase Headley.



AJ Burnett prefers the Pirates, and some rumor the Pirates players want him back. I really - reeeeeeaaaallllllyyyyy don't want anything to do with AJ Burnett.

[Eaglealum]

Dittoe.... I've been hoping for Kennedy since may, they could do a Benoit/ Kennedy super deal but it would take way more than Hansen, plus the Padres would have to eat some of Benoits deal. Not likely

The best deal with San Diego would get Tyson Ross or Jesse Hahn, but they'll never part with either( unless Littlefield gets their GM job lol)