Answerman

Okay friends...we all knew this day was coming. Our farm is producing more talent than we can employ at the MLB level. At some point, and that point may be now for a few of these guys, we have to decide which to keep and which to trade. A wonderful problem to have. Two points we can all agree on: 1) Our window is wide open; and 2) We could use another good starter and at least one more good reliever (and nobody on the farm is banging down the door). With that in mind, here are my thoughts on some of our top position prospects. Would love to see yours. - Kjerstad - Keep - Santander is gone next year and he is plug and play ready. Frankly, I'd like to see him up this year. - Norby - Trade - Nice player, but I don't see a realistic path to him being a starter in Baltimore. His value will never be higher than current. - Stowers - Trade - Could possibly see him as a fourth OF, but he probably has more value starting for another organization. - Basallo - Keep - No rush to get him to Baltimore. He can replace Adley some day, or Mounty, or O'Hearn, but we have another year or two to decide. - Mayo - Trade - I am probably on an island here, but I think Westburg is our 3B for the next six years. I'm open to trading Mounty and replacing with Mayo (personally, I think they are the same player), but doubtful we do that in what should be another playoff season. Mayo can be the feature in a deal for a very good pitcher (thinking Luzardo). - Beavers - Trade - No room at the inn. - Horvath - Trade - Simply in the wrong organization. Thoughts?

I'm enjoying this dialog...some say Hays has little/no value, others say we need to get something "better than Scott" for him. Ultimately, I think the lineup is better with Kerstad in it instead of Hays. However, if that means only getting 70 cents on the dollar in a trade, is it still something we should pursue? Interesting question. One we may have to some day answer about Mountcastle (to make room for Mayo/Basallo).

Honestly, I don't think this conversation should be centered on how Hays is playing, and whether a stint in Norfolk would be helpful. I really think he is a very good player, and given regular starts in LF would return him to his usual self. No, the bigger issue is, even at his usual self, we have better outfielders who are ready to come up and play in Baltimore now...and we need room both on the roster and in the lineup. Somebody has to go to make this happen. Is it Hays? Is it Mullens? Is it Santander? I think Cowser will soon show us he doesn't need to be platooned. In fact, maybe a Hays/Mullens platoon in CF would be more productive. Just a thought.

We have got to find room for another outfielder to come up from Norfolk...I think Kerstad before Stowers (though both have earned it). How do we make room? We have to trade away one of our vets. At this point, I think we keep Mullins and trade one of the corners. However, with Santander being on the last year of his contract, he might be harder to move to a low payroll team. So, I conclude that Hays is the guy we should shop. After all, he has four decent tools (and batting average isn't typically horrible), plays the game the right way, is by all accounts a great clubhouse guy, AND, for what it is worth, he was the starting LF in last year's all-star game (doesn't mean anything, but easier for the acquiring GM to sell). Surely, there is a team that would pony up a decent reliever for Austin, no? Here are a few thoughts: Target 1: Marlins - Tanner Scott. Why does MLB's worst team need a good bullpen pitcher on an expiring contract? At least Hays would give them an everyday bat for this year and next. Target 2: Pirates - David Bednar. Bucs are for real, and so far Bednar has been awful. Assuming he is not hurt, we can bet he will get it together. We would have to add a prospect or two (Norby/Beavers?) to make it happen, but a typical Bednar would be worth the cost and has this year plus two more (I think) remaining on his contract. Target 3: Angels - Matt Moore and Andrew Wantz. Moore is a solid bullpen guy who has seen it all. Can still get guys out. Wantz is a AAA reliever who can come up in a pinch (also childhood friends with my daughter, so that's fun for us!). Your preferred targets...What say ye?

POSITIVE - John Rhodes...Wow. Dude is built like a linebacker. Hit HRs in consecutive innings against Braves. I realize he's buried behind a long list of potential MLBers, but way to make an impression. - Really enjoyed watching Urias play defense. So smooth. Perfect throws. Professional habits. - Wells was striking out batters and staying mostly in the low 90s. Hoping he creeps up to 95-97. - Holliday seems to have quite the advanced eye at the plate. Disciplined hitter. Still has a ways to go, obviously, to reach potential, but I can see why the hype. - Mateo was very smooth in the OF. - Mayo had four hits yesterday (but got lucky with a couple bloopers). - Nice work by Akin and Baumann - Colton Wong was spraying line drives and flashing legit defense. NEGATIVE - I am convinced we cannot win a championship with this pitching staff, and the bullpen cannot bail them out like last year. Burnes was bad, though I trust he will be fine when it counts. Cano got lit up. Kimbrell looked very average. We will miss Felix more than we think. I expect some very tough 9th inning losses. (Please trade Stowers for an arm!). - While Mateo looked good when I was there, I fear he will get more playing time than his career numbers suggest he should. - The fact that Cowser and Kjerstad traveled today, and O'Hearn and Mateo started in the corner OF spots, makes me wonder if Hyde wants to keep those platoon-level vets over the hotshot rookies.

Offer Hayes and Norby to Pittsburgh for Bednar. Who says no?

I'd gladly substitute Mountcastle for Mayo, but I don't think that would entice the Marlins - or would it?

Okay...Just Regular makes a very good point. Looks like Scott will not be a throw in. So let's take him out. Do we get our starting pitcher for that package? Luzardo - Mayo, Beavers, Norby, Mateo Now who says no? Are we getting close to a deal?

Well...good question. I guess they might consider it because the top prospect is like nobody they have had in many years (and a local kid), the "utility infielder" immediately and cheaply upgrades their shortstop position, and the other two prospects are fairly highly pedigreed and looking like they have a legit shot at major league careers. If one of them lands, it will provide them six years of cheap production - important for this franchise. Also, they have two more "Graysons" already in their starting rotation, a Cy Younger coming back in another year, and pitching prospects making their way through the system. And the inconsistent (but effective) reliever will be walking in a year.

Okay...you guys convinced me my trade is not so sensible for the Marlins. So let's go big: Marlins get Mateo, Norby, Mayo and Beavers O's get Luzardo and Scott The only one we are sending that seems likely to start for us is Mayo. Marlins new GM could look pretty good getting four pieces. Who says no?

I’m not a Mateo apologist, but to his credit he does play gold glove level defense, multiple positions, led the league in steals and can hit the long ball. He just can’t get on base (I know!). I might throw in Wagner or Fabian just because I see no path for them in our organization. But wouldn’t trade Norby for one year or Tanner.

If this has already been suggested, then please pardon my late arrival to the party. With our logjam of infielders, and the Marlins apparent need for a shortstop, why not offer Mateo for Tanner Scott. I believe both are entering their final year before free agency, so not a long term solution for either club. A hard throwing (albeit erratic at times) lefty would be a good get for a guy that probably won’t get 200 ABs for us. Money should be close to a wash. Who says no?

Surely, I will be on an island with this one, but I would strongly consider sending Mayo, Norby, Beavers and Horvath (if they want to sub in Fabian, etc. that's cool) for Braxton Garrett and Tanner Scott. Four hitters for two pitchers. We'd essentially be trading six years of Mayo for five years of Garrett. Scott would be a nice addition, but only for one year as he will be a UFA after next season. Would Miami take that deal? If they want to win now, I'm happy to start the conversation with Mountcastle and Hays, but I suspect they prefer the prospects. If three of those four guys become major league regulars, Miami will have done well.

I'd like to see Hays go to Pittsburgh for Bednar. I'm happy to throw in a prospect like Norby (who has no path with the O's) to make it happen. Gotta think Pittsburgh could use a good all around player like Hays with years of cheap control remaining, along with a mlb-ready prospect. Works for us because Bednar is an elite reliever and we have too many reclamation projects.

I hear you guys...those are excellent points. However, let's say we had a lock down releiver like Bednar on our team (imagine how helpful that would have been in this Tampa series!). If we were debating whose production could be most easily replaced - Hays or Bednar - with the players we have in the organization, I kinda think the answer might be Austin's. I realize this won't change anyone's mind, but I am very concerned about our pitching. If we have a starter go down, or maybe Wells/Kramer can't get out of the fourth inning in a playoff game, I don't trust our bullpen to carry more than three or four innings.