G54377

Would anyone explore trading for Kyle Tucker? I saw Houston may explore trading him, and you'd get 1 +1/2 years of him. I know we need a bullpen arm (and maybe a starter), but man Tucker hitting 3rd behind Gunnar and Adley would be sexy. We do lack a true experienced hitter. Maybe a three way trade to unload Tony to an offense starved team like SEA?

Given his ability to play center, his youth/profile, and the hot streak he had early (I.E. the "upside"), you take the lumps. It's not like Mullins or Hays are knocking down the door for his at bats based on their own recent performance.

Damn thought that was gone

Saw that coming a mile away

Dare I say that horrendous first strike call led to the GIDP by McCann

I could be wrong but I think once you are out of options and off your rookie deal you get to approve (or deny) any re-assignment. So he'd have to be OK with the shuttle, which of course he probably would not be.

Gunnar is by far the most important money we need to spend. Adley is a bit of an inherent risk being a catcher. Burnes... I think that price will be too high for us to be comfortable with dishing it out.

Could Norby be Dan Uggla? Is that a real best case scenario?

Given his success here and perhaps lack of strong interest elsewhere, I wouldn't be surprised if Lopez would be OK with a minor league deal here.

I had honestly forgotten about Tyler Wells. I thought he was an ideal bullpen piece at best. Means just seemed to always be one step away from a another IL stint. Oh well.

Yea I'd start with a Gunnar extension as priority #1, although you may need to get Adley first in the formality of it. We don't know what the payroll plan is. Would love it to dish out a Burnes extension but there's really no way to know if that would change the outlook for other money spent. It's not my money though, go ahead and throw that bag out there.

I think he's still an elite defender. But perhaps there's a guy out there that can offer more in a similar type of role.

Like I said just for depth. As your 4th OF (after Cowser/Santander/Hays or Stowers), that's a pretty good spot.

If we truly run into a problem with our OF depth (say Mullins or Hays are questionable with an injury or something), I wouldn't mind picking up Kevin Kiermaier from TOR. He's a bit long in the tooth but on an expiring deal and would really sure up our OF defense. You go Cowser LF- Kiermaier CF- Stowers/Hays RF and we really got something. Can't imagine he'd cost a whole lot, even if it's an inter-division trade. He could platoon with Hays and come in as a sub late in games and pinch runner.

Actually he hasn't hit well at Fenway or Yankee stadium either. Across all three ballparks he's somewhere in the 580-620 OPS range combined over 120 or so at bats.

He does crush lefties which is good. He hasn't hit particularly well at Camden Yards in his career though, 599 OPS in 43 at bats.

I think Ward is a solid player, but I don't think he moves the needle enough, he'd just further cloud the OF picture. Perhaps he could be had as the bridge 3rd/4th OF especially if Mullins and Hays continue to dissapoint, but that still seems like kind of a waste. He's never really been healthy for a full season either.

Baumann is not a pitcher a championship contender should have on it's roster (as he currently stands). We need to trim the fat and Baumann was the first guy to go. Hopefully in a few months our bullpen is something like this: CL- Helsley SU- Kimbrel SU- Cano LHP- Columbe LHP- Perez RHP- Webb Long relief- Suarez Long relief- Povich

True, although to be honest I am all ready to trade both. Particularly Kjerstad. Bat only players just don't do much for me.

I just love that every at bat is a competitive at bat. It sounds so simple yet even some really good players you can't say that about.

I was just about to post that this hasn't been a spot Cowser has done well lol.

I think he could be had for a Kjerstad or Norby + a second tier guy (Beavers/etc). Mayve even slightly less. That vs Mason Miller who'd probably cost Mayo/Basallo, Kjerstad/Norby +.

Bednar has been better in May after that horrendous April. 2.38 ERA in 11.1 May innings. Would the Pirates give him up? They seem on the brink of playoff contention with their young talent. That said, they'd probably be better off with younger higher upside controllable guys than Bednar for the next 2 1/2 seasons. He could be a buy low option for us if the market for the other guys becomes ridiculous.

Even if Soto has to DH he could easily have a back end of his career like David Ortiz or Miggy.

So is CB Bucknor public enemy #1 now?