http://www.philly.com/dailynews/spo...ontrary__Phils_dont_appear_ready_to_deal.html Says that the Phils are looking at Qualls and Lidge and could offer Michael Bourn. Lidge isn't going anywhere, and with the way he's pitching, he shouldn't go anywhere. Qualls...meh. I think Wheeler at his best is better than Qualls at his best, and neither has been as good as they should be this season. Personally, I still wouldn't do Qualls for Bourn straight up. Bourn does fit a need for us. He's got insane speed and a willingness to take walks. His defense is top notch and he's got a good arm. He made the greatest catch I've ever seen at a LSU vs UH game, so I can personally vouch for his defense. He's got leadoff ability and has major league experience, exactly what we need. We could move Pence to RF. The Philly minor league system is not so good, but one player that may help even the deal is Jason Jaramillo, a switch hitting catcher who played at Ok St. He's agile and quick and was rated the best defensive catcher in the SAL in 2005. Currently batting .280 with 6 homers and 44 RBI at AAA. He's still a 7-8 hitter in the majors, but he should be a starter in the majors. I'd do Qualls for Bourn and Jaramillo, but I know Tim wouldn't.
NY Mets are also looking at Mark Loretta since they lost Valentin to a broken leg. Seattle is actually interested in Wandy, according to jim hickey of the seattle post. If Seattle is interested, why not the Mets? Wandy and Loretta for either Heilmann, Pelfrey, or Humber. I'm just throwing out ideas.
Another reason to go after Bourn is because we still have an OF spot to fill, and I don't want to spend a 2nd rounder to sign a FA since we'll have a high pick. CF Bourn RF Pence 1B Berkman LF Lee 3B Lamb 2B Burke C Jaramillo SS Everett SP Oswalt SP Jennings (we'll resign him to save face) SP Sampson SP Woody (yucky, I know) SP Humber/Pelfrey/Gutierrez/Patton/Backe RP Estrada RP Wheeler RP Lidge
Very interesting. Loretta would offer them the stop gap the need for the rest of the season. We might be able to get a nice deal out of them.
I don't see why we need to get a catching prospect. True we need a replacement for Ausmus, but why not just get a stopgap til Towles is ready. Towles is a better prospect than Jason Jaramillo, judging by their stats at each level. Plus behind him is Max Sapp. Both Towles and Sapp are highly rated catching prospects. http://www.projectprospect.com/in-season-top-10-catching-pros/ We should go after some young bullpen or rotation arms to shore up the upper levels of the minors.
I don't think they'd dismiss it laughing. Their bullpen blows, and if they can overcome that they have a really good shot at the division.
Keep in mind they are getting Myers back in the next week or so. They are 5 games back from two teams, with Utley out for a month. I'm not sure how much they'd be willing to give up. My suspicion is with both Gagne and Dotel available, they might have some leverage and it won't be as much a seller's market for guy like Qualls. But who knows - apparently, Linebrink fetched three decent prospects.
i thought about qualls and loretta for bourn, jaramillo, and someone, but the phils really don't have alot to offer. i actually typed up quite a bit with loretta to philly, but deleted it because they didn't have much to offer. maybe mike costanzo, but he looks to be a bust. you know...if they gave up Joe Savery...id do that in a heartbeat, but only because he's been my hero since highschool jason donald adrian cardenas andrew carpenter those are probably the guys theyd be willing to give up, but none are in AA yet. the mets have pelfrey, heilmann, and humber, but theyd probably only give up humber. fernando martinez? the 18 year old in AA.
cleveland could use a 2B and a reliever as well. other than NYM, Phil, and Cleveland, not a whole lotta teams need Loretta or have anything to give up for him. If Cleveland offered Trevor Crowe, Aaron Laffey, and Kelly Shoppach for Qualls/Wheeler, Loretta, Quintero, and maybe a mid level prospect, I'd do that deal. Crowe could be a future leadoff guy. He's struggled this year, but is starting to heat up. Shoppach has power and a cannon for an arm. Strikeouts are a problem though. Laffer is an extreme groundball lefty. Good numbers this year and has a very good track record.
Every reliever gives up runs and every Astro but Brandon Backe played poorly in the World Series. Any actual evidence?
Linebrink just fetched 3 top pitching prospects, including the best one the Brewers had. Imagine what someone like Lidge would get in this market, if we could send him to a contender. I'm thinking at least 3 prospects, 2 of which could be major league ready within the next 2 seasons. Also, remember that Lidge would making MUCH more than whoever we would have closing next season. If you keep Lidge, you're basically saying that the Astros are just a piece or two away from being contenders again, and I just don't think that's the case.....not even close. I'm all for seeing what we can get for just Qualls, but if I'm Purpura, I'm dangling Lidge out there to see what kind of deals we could get.
actually, linebrink didnt fetch all that much. will inman is the gem of the deal, but he's a solid 3 starter at best. plus command of a fastball 88-92, not much secondary stuff. the other 2 guys were mid level prospects. but lidge is pretty much back and should get at least 2 top 10 organizational prospects.
I would do this deal just to get bourn, it doesnt really matter who else. If we include loretta in the deal maybe we can get another good prospect. I know that loretta is coming back next year anyways, he loves it in houston. Anyone hear any other rumors other than lidge to boston or detroit?
Exactly, which is why in my opinion, you HAVE to deal Lidge this season. I would almost make it a mandate with every GM I'm dealing with if I'm Purpura. Lidge has to be included in any deal, and he has to fetch market value + 20%. Name me one contending team this season who couldn't use Lidge? I can't think of a single one, and that's why right now, his value is at a complete premium. You package Lidge, Qualls, and Loretta, and you should be able to get 2 pitchers, a center fielder, and maybe even a catcher. At this point in time, not only should you be thinking about getting better for the future, but also cutting costs at the same time. We aren't the Red Sox or the Yankees, where we can basically use the rest of the MLB as our farm system. We need to restock our minor league system desperately, and this is the perfect opportunity.
He's a poor man's Willie Taveras. I've gotta say I'm more of a Morey guy than a Purpura man. Timmy P? Who in all honesty is gonna cave in to one of his trade demands? Sorry for the rant. Just a disgruntled Willie T. fan who thinks Jason Jennings is a lardass who needs to suck it up and get on a good workout program.
