I doubt you could get skaggs either but one of their high A 3B would get a good/reasonable package imo. package Barmes if you need to.
Sounds like Beltran doesn't want to go to the AL which would elimanate the RSox and Rangers but could open the door for the Stros and two talent rich farm systems. Also note, Pence is from Arlington and while it would suck to him in a Rangers uniform they have great talent in their system. Mike Olt - 3B stud who can hit for power and has an excellent glove...basically what Chris Johnson wishes he could be. He will be blocked by Beltre and his LONG term deal. Jurickson Profar - SS who could be their best prospect but has Elvis Andrus blocking him. Dude is a magician with the glove and can hit the ball out of the ballpark. Robbie Erlin - Nasty LH pitcher who is stuck behind Martin Perez as the club's top lefty prospect. Not saying we would get all three but a combo of those three and another pitcher like Neil Ramirez would be the type of HR Wade is looking for. They could also throw in Chris Davis who is a stud at AAA but hasn't been able to put it together at the big league level. JimBowdenESPN
Per Jon Heyman: Astros telling teams they dont intend to trade Pence, and he is the face of the franchise, a fine example for young players. Astros felt obligated to listen since they need to rebuild/cut but they consider Pence the best player. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlanta have shown interest
That's fine, don't agree with it but certainly defensible. Now focus on Wandy who has been getting action from Cleveland, DBacks and Pirates, Myers as a salary dump and make Bourn your crown jewel on the trade front. Stros can still come out of this with 2-3 good prospects and maybe more.
Its just painful when even the Philly news writers are saying "look, Pence is worth Brown, Singleton, and Worley, its a fair trade, it will make both GMs look good - do it" - that would be a nice infusion of young talent into our system. Then we trade Wandy to the DBacks for a 3b prospect, Bourn to the suddenly desparate Braves for one of their minor league pitchers, and Myers to the Yankees for a bucket of balls.
Just been doing some reading about Arizona's Collin Cowgill. Another short guy who's hit well throughout the minors, albeit at a more advanced age than Altuve. He's in AAA, has some speed and some pop, and is reportedly above average in CF. Wouldn't mind picking him up in a Wandy and/or Barmes deal, especially if Bourn winds up traded.
Not fine for me. Don't trade him because the offers aren't there, not because he's the face of the by far worst team in the league. I'm ready for August 1st, just so we know who is gone. Myers/Lee can make it through waivers, but we'll know if Bourn/Pence/Wandy/Barmes will be gone.
If such a deal is actually offered, and refused, I will go Shawn Chacon on Wade and Jim Crane. I doubt Mclane is making that decision.
"But my kids really like him!" Agreed. But I think they're going about it the right away -- he's not 'available', but we'll listen. Otherwise, you might open yourself to low ball offers if you aggressively shop him.
Honestly, I think the face of the franchise thing is crap and I doubt the Phillies were prepared to give up Dom Brown, Singleton and Worley. I am not convinced he is off the market but if the right deal doesn't come along just wait until a new GM and staff is in place. I think it's still 60/40 Pence stays but once the new org takes over in October, it's 50/50 he is on the opening day lineup in 2012. Just to important a decision to screw up so if Wade doesn't think he can get what he wants then just hold on to him.
My kids love him...and I'd be disappointed in one sense if they traded him. But I think it's the right move, nonetheless.
They need to learn that our favorite players come and go. Some retire, some leave you, others get injured, and the rest get traded.
Unless you're spoiled by Biggio and Bagwell...those guys retired, but Biggio's 20 or so years here was remarkable.
au contraire, my friend: biggio and bagwell were the "face of the franchise" that did not freaking suck. David Carr, in this case, is a much better comparison: decent production (4,000+ yards) that meant all of... nothing.
