D'Backs Want Young Pitching From O's For Kubel

[Birdland]

D'Backs Want Young Pitching From O's For Kubel
By Zach Links [January 5, 2013 at 4:24pm CST]

The Diamondbacks are looking to get young pitching from the Orioles in a trade for outfielder Jason Kubel, but Baltimore has been disinclined to do that to this point, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Arizona has a surplus of outfielders and some believe that they would prefer to trade Kubel than Justin Upton at this stage.

Kubel hit .253/.327/.506 with a career-high 30 home runs in 141 games with Arizona last year. The 30-year-old is due to earn $7.5MM in 2013 with a mutual option for the same amount in 2014.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/0...QWgAtYpEQKj.99

[waroriole]

If by young pitching they mean Hobgood, I'm down.

[luismatos4prez]

If by young pitching they mean little leaguers, I'm down.

I don't see where Kubel would fit in here. He's an average player. Above average bat, below average at everything else.

[Scrat1]

Negative, Diamondbacks.

[dorfmac]

If by young pitching they mean Hobgood, I'm down.

Yeah, I wouldn't want to trade one of the "cavalry" for him.

He's on the wrong side of 30, and I think last year was an aberration. From 27-29, his OPS declined from over 900 to under 775. When I think of adding an impact bat, I'm not thinking solely home runs, but I am thinking 850+ consistently.

The only player that continues to interest me is Upton, who while inconsistent, has put up 2 MVP caliber seasons before age 24.

[Scrat1]

I mean, he's left handed for God's sakes. This makes no sense.

[waroriole]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to trade one of the "cavalry" for him.

He's on the wrong side of 30, and I think last year was an aberration. From 27-29, his OPS declined from over 900 to under 775. When I think of adding an impact bat, I'm not thinking solely home runs, but I am thinking 850+ consistently.

The only player that continues to interest me is Upton, who while inconsistent, has put up 2 MVP caliber seasons before age 24.

Upton has had one great season, one good season and two mediocre at best seasons.

[wildbillhiccup]

If by young pitching they mean little leaguers, I'm down.

I don't see where Kubel would fit in here. He's an average player. Above average bat, below average at everything else.

That very same description could be used to describe Billy Butler, and most of the folks on this board were advocating trading for him. Just sayin'...

Yes, I'd be interested in Kubel, but it would really depend on what we have to give up. Tillman or Arrieta...no....Matusz...maybe.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Kubel makes no sense for us. Might as well have just kept Reynolds. Pass.

[wildbillhiccup]

Kubel makes no sense for us. Might as well have just kept Reynolds. Pass.

...but we didn't.

And I think Kubel is an upgrade, offensively, over Reynolds. Defensively...not so much.

[CA-ORIOLE]

That very same description could be used to describe Billy Butler, and most of the folks on this board were advocating trading for him. Just sayin'...

Yes, I'd be interested in Kubel, but it would really depend on what we have to give up. Tillman or Arrieta...no....Matusz...maybe.

You're not comparing Kubel to Billy Butler are you?

[wildbillhiccup]

We were able to land Reynolds (from the D'Backs) for a very good reliever. So that's what I'd be willing to offer for Kubel. Offer Strop. He's an arm they can afford to part with.

BTW, if Davis can't handle 1b and they trade for Kubel they are in some serious trouble.

[wildbillhiccup]

You're not comparing Kubel to Billy Butler are you?

I'm not. Just trying to make a point. In all honest I'd prefer to have no players on the team who can't field a position. It uncessarily handcuffs the manager in terms of lineups and roster moves.

[CA-ORIOLE]

...but we didn't.

And I think Kubel is an upgrade, offensively, over Reynolds. Defensively...not so much.

This is why we have a fallback position with Betemit and RH platoon candidate. Kubel might be a very marginal offensive upgrade over Reynolds, if at all.

[CA-ORIOLE]

I'm not. Just trying to make a point. In all honest I'd prefer to have no players on the team who can't field a position. It uncessarily handcuffs the manager in terms of lineups and roster moves.

That's fine, but if Butler is on the verge of putting up 135-140 OPS+ years (or better), it's not that big of a concern.