DailyHalo

Something similar is the ideal version: 1. Zobrist 2. Trout 3. Pujols/Gordon 4. Gordon/Pujols 5. Cron 6. Calhoun 7. Lawrie 8. Perez 9. Simmons Why surprised?

or what about this...... 1. Lawrie 2. Zobrist 3. Trout 4. Pujols 5. Gordon 6. Cron 7. Calhoun 8. Perez 9. Simmons Yeah putting Lawrie lead off is a little worrisome but he has to go somewhere. How would you construct that line-up?

1. Lawrie ® 3B 2. Gordon (L) LF 3. Trout ® CF 4. Pujols ® 1B 5. Cron ® DH 6. Calhoun (L) RF 7. Simmons ® SS 8. Perez ® C 9. Giavotella ® 2B I tried to split up the only two lefties, which might need to be addressed at some point but that's still a good line-up. Maybe an upgrade with Zobrist or Walker at 2B and they're both lefties.

.....We could use Brett Lawries energy. Maybe Santiago and a ptbnl to start somewhere?

What about Something along the lines of Wilson and Bedrosian for Melancon?

Do you think the Pirates would be interested in a Melancon for Wilson type deal? A few pieces would have too be added or switched around to make more sense I'm sure.

Either way.....that kind of stuff just gets to me. I mean the guy is a professional athlete and a role model to millions of baseball fans. He must have pretty selective anxiety to pitch in front of 50,000 people but can't sit down with fellow baseball guys for a few moments. Just makes you think about steering clear is all.

No they're most likely who they are, just staying on the field should be the main priority though. What I should have asked, is do we need a 1/2 hole hitter or 4/5 hitter more?

No one said anything about them being available. We were talking about who were the better defensive players. The Bryce Harper thing is mute though because thats a total hypothetical and I don't know what you said exactly but you were the one who mentioned him being the best RF no question about it. It's a 29 too 1 thing. 29 teams either dodge a bullet or kick themselves or it's the 1 team also either jumps up for joy or.... Albert proved to all of us that even a cornerstone player can falter, so I don't know if we should risk it again on someone like Heyward. It's not the annual that bugs me, its the years. I was unjustly harsh on Heyward in the beginning but I still don't think its smart too sign him. Upton and Fowler are my go too moves. If anyone has more in the tank, it's them.

I can't remember who said it but I'm just not trying to get stuck with the next Crawford or Ellsbury 2.0 debacle.

.....and did anyone notice that Greinke was a no show during the CY award show on MLB network last week? Was he so busy that he couldn't be on TV too accept his award or did he already know he wasn't going too win so he just didn't even bother? He might have had a good reason to not be there but I never heard it.

I like Maeda. He looks like hes somewhere between an Iwakuma and Darvish/Tanaka type. You have to remember Billy came from the Yankees and they signed Tanaka, so we could have a much improved international market presence. Zimmermann is exactly what we need imo. He can be a veteran front end option and still allow Garrett too be our #1. What about Samardzija to a reasonable contract? All three of them can possibly be interchangeable 1-3 types.

What about Jonny Gomes for a bench role?

so you wouldn't sign him for a 4 yr 48M deal?

I believe Fowler will gives us the most value for the money, his contract is a safer bet imo. Heyward is the better player but I just feel he wont be worth the payday. What he'll give you, for the money can be used on multiply areas.

I know what you mean here, it was a little dumb but maybe your not the best one to be giving advice with almost 3000 posts.

I hope we don't seriously consider it but he wouldn't cost a pick, has more offensive upside but also has more financial risk. The only thing that irks me, is that he totally left a cushy situation for a few more dollars. He had more than enough but couldn't resist the money. I mean the guy left New York and all it entails for SEATTLE! Moving to the Los Angeles area could revive him but is it worth the risk?

I'm thinkin' were gonna have to stay away from this one guys

I mean the trade ideas are hardly ever exact but I liked it. Its definitely an idea, I know you guys don't like it but he seems like a third baseman too me.

Would you do it for 16M a year? I don't know if I would but it makes you think about it for a second.

So a Santiago and Alvarez for Castro trade? The Cubbies would be a little left handed pitching heavy but I don't think they are going to spend as much as some people think they are this winter, so you never really know.

.......Hopefully your not talking about someone like David Freese! What does he say about the pitching front?

What do you want me too say? I've answered the questions and you don't like the answers, so you add a little stipulation to it. For example, the Royals were in the ALDS and also one of the best teams in the league but you hinged on that for some reason. It absolutely depends, just like do guns kill people or do people kill people?

I'm thinking 4 years at 60M or 5 at 75M range at the most (for us at least). We will be losing picks all winter, I'm sure. We are not going to rebuild this team at first by methodically getting draft picks every year. We'll have to trade players to restock the farm but were going too need those players on the team for now. The farm is just going to have too wait another year for any major changes, since were trying to compete. You cant have a reliable Farm system if the philosophy/direction is constantly changing. We have way to much invested in the current team too be worrying about how prospects are going to pan out 5 plus years down the road. I know we all got greedy for a few years there when everyone we brought up contributed but now trading for a few AA/AAA type players, is more plausible than going after individual draftees.

Hypothetically, the top one gives us more flexibility financially and the bottom one has a more established group but will have a much shorter window.