How to compete with the Tigers(es)

by SittinByTheFoulPole on Dec 10, 2007 11:51 AM EST

You play the GM...

Okay, word on the web is the Dbacks have an offer on the table for Dan Haren. Now, this is just a rumor and could certainly include other players, but here's the rumor... http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/dbacks-put-offe.html

We know the Dbacks are offering a 21 year old OF w/ some pop. He's only played 10 games at AAA; a 21 year old decent average no power 2B who I can only assume is a defensive whiz; and a 19 year old 2nd round pitcher with good strike out numbers in A ball. Umm, there's got to be something else, right? Anyway, as armchair GM, I'm determined to get in on this. I want a rotation of Haren, Meche, Grienke, Bannister, and Hochevar (et al). I've deemed Hoch and Greinke untouchable. Billy Bean needs a CF and loves high OBP guys...

We offer: Joey Gathright OF, ML ready, coming off best year, respectable OBP, base stealing potential, solid CF defense.

Daniel Cortes P, 20 year old pitcher who struck out 120 in A+ last year with a 3.07 ERA

Sam Runion P, 6'4", 220lb, 18 year old right-hander who struck out a batter an inning in rookie ball. A 2nd round pick.

Justin Huber C,1B,OF... still only 25 and ready to break out offensively. Just needs the right opportunity.

Would that offer be laughed at? Quite possibly (although I don't think it's significantly worse than the supposed DBacks offer). Instead I'm substituting DJ and his contract (Billy would salivate over it) for Gathright. I'm admittedly DJ biased, but realistically what would it cost the Royals to start Gathright in Center instead of DJ? 2 wins? I think Haren (or Bedard) would mroe than make up the difference. I don't see why we're just automatically out of any of these considerations...

So my initial offer is DJ, Hubes, Cortes and Runion. I'm prepared to throw in Blake Wood too. 81 wins in the AL Central is going to get you 3rd or 4th. GMDM wants to win now. I'm just saying...

Thoughts?

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Comments

That would be nice...

but realistically an average center fielder, a AAAA DH and two A ball pitchers probably won't get it done for a top tier starting pitcher signed to a cheap contract.

by djk royal on Dec 10, 2007 11:58 AM EST reply actions

Agreed

But I'm just looking at the Diamond Backs offer and I'm not impressed. I'm sure there's something missing, but Gonzalez is supposed to be the centerpiece of the deal.

Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by SittinByTheFoulPole on Dec 10, 2007 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

The A's

I doubt they are impressed by the D-Backs offer either. The A's are willing to trade Haren, but only for a really good package, including some good young players and/or top prospects. DeJesus plus some decent prospects isn't enough. And, this is not the time for the Royals to be giving up multiple pieces of our best young talent in exchange for one player.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 10, 2007 12:21 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah...

that seems a little light. I bet when it's all said and done the A's will do much better.

by djk royal on Dec 10, 2007 12:21 PM EST reply actions

Just cause it's offered

doesn't mean it will be taken. D'backs will have to up the prospects in order to get Haren. Beane acts as if he is in no hurry to trade him, he's just testing the waters.

by lordbyronk on Dec 10, 2007 12:55 PM EST reply actions

after seeing...

what tha astros are offering for tejada, nothingh would surprise me

by Freneau on Dec 10, 2007 1:09 PM EST reply actions

There's a reason that deal hasn't happened

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 10, 2007 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, uh,

I really hope the Orioles do better than that.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Dec 10, 2007 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

I think they can

And if they can't, they won't trade him. It's not like he's got the ebola virus and they have to get him out of town as soon as possible.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 10, 2007 11:13 PM EST up reply actions

I'd really love to have Haren...

how about this deal?

The A's give us Haren and we agree to lose every game that we play against them next year.

"I DARE you to make less sense."

by dejackso on Dec 10, 2007 4:48 PM EST reply actions

Haren for Meche straight up

would you make that deal?

by Freneau on Dec 10, 2007 5:02 PM EST reply actions

In a heartbeat...

For one thing Haren is cheaper (albeit under contract for one less year). Plus I think Haren is a better long term bet to succeed. I can't help but feel that Buddy, in his quest for the 2007 penant, overworked Meche last year and this year he may break down. I hope not.

by djk royal on Dec 10, 2007 5:10 PM EST up reply actions

i love how trading meche

has become this like unspeakable idea amongst royals fans (we all hammered Silver when he suggested it) when a year ago everyone hated that contract

Hillman, you're on notice.

by FireBell on Dec 10, 2007 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

I loved the contract

And I bet there's many more here who did too.

by doublestix on Dec 10, 2007 5:32 PM EST up reply actions

I'm with you.

In 2006, Meche was a fantasy jewel that I picked up off the scrapheap. He is a good power pitcher and I thought that he would be a good foundation for us to rebuild our pitching staff around. That turned out to be right. I hope he doesn't have any ill effects from his slight overuse last year, but injuries happen all the time. I'd rather have Meche than Haren though because there are whispers that Haren has peaked and he didn't look unbeatable last year. His control was quite suspect according to some A's fans that I know.

by royaldaddy on Dec 10, 2007 7:35 PM EST up reply actions