Q & A with MacPhail

[Peace21]

I think he's going to be offered a very big deal first. I'm hearing he won't be traded this offseason wither way.

Thats what we all hope

[bigbird]

I don't think that this franchise is in a position just to categorically reject anything without considering it

Which tells me they are shopping him

We've already had sort of preliminary conversations on an [extension] with his representative, but nothing specific

Words like sort of an nothing specific jump out at me.

He was nothing specific in the whole interview though.

[Crazysilver03]

They're waiting to see if the Mets reaign LaDuca before going forward with Hernandez. The Giants are another team interested in Ramon.

The Brewers could be interested in Hernandez as well.

[rolliefingers]

If we're trading Bedard, it makes little sense to trade for Bay. Similar ages, similarly close to arb, similarly late bloomers...no thanks. We need to get younger and cheaper, and Bay is a slight step in the wrong direction, IMO.

I really like that we're probably trading Bedard. Can't say the same about Penn and Liz. It makes zero sense to trade either of those guys if the idea is to build around cheap young pitching. Zero sense.

[Hank Scorpio]

The difference between "blowing it up" and not blowing it up for many of us will come down to whether or not they trade Bedard. If they get back three very good young players for him, we'll probably feel, er... exploded.

[Peace21]

He was nothing specific in the whole interview though.

Hey I hope they do offer him a good extension. But how good is good though?

[ChaosLex]

Hmm... if the blockbuster trade doesn't involve M. Cabrera, who could it be for?

[AgentOrange]

If we're trading Bedard, it makes little sense to trade for Bay. Similar ages, similarly close to arb, similarly late bloomers...no thanks. We need to get younger and cheaper, and Bay is a slight step in the wrong direction, IMO.

I really like that we're probably trading Bedard. Can't say the same about Penn and Liz. It makes zero sense to trade either of those guys if the idea is to build around cheap young pitching. Zero sense.

To be fair, you really can't say it makes zero sense if you don't know the whole story behind shopping these players. We can still build around cheap young pitching and trade some of it for other pieces. It really all depends on what the team does as a whole with the trades this offseason. We could very well be aquiring some young arms as well.

[Rockbird]

I think he's going to be offered a very big deal first. I'm hearing he won't be traded this offseason wither way.

I like their guy better than your guy!

[Rockbird]

Not that it matters, but I'd say we'd be favorites to occupy the basement going into the season.

I don't know if I can handle such a drop in prestige and perception!

[Tank]

Hmm... if the blockbuster trade doesn't involve M. Cabrera, who could it be for?

David Wright with the Mets signing AROD?

Jose Reyes?

I wish I knew.

[tywright]

Yeah, that guy sucks. Three .900 OPS seasons in four years in the bigs. Sucks.

Yeah a .180 decline in OPS is something we should just ignore

[Rockbird]

Hmm... if the blockbuster trade doesn't involve M. Cabrera, who could it be for?

TIEXERAOMG~~!?!?!

[ChaosLex]

I like Jason Bay. I'm not crazy about trading Penn & Liz for him, but he would fit the bill of the left fielder we've been clamoring for for like 38 years now.

Curious how all the trade talk jives with AM's "pitching and defense" mantra. It'd take some young pitching to score Jason Bay, who's an adequate but not spectacular defender.

If we trade Bedard and Tejada, we'll instantly be younger, cheaper and prone to improvement instead of decline, which is where I believe we are now. That said, we might take it on the chin next season.

I'll be much more interested than I was this year, though.

Yeah, count me on the Pro-Bay bandwagon too. An outfield of Bay, Pie, and Markakis, would be the best outfield we've had in ages.

[Belkast]

I think he's going to be offered a very big deal first. I'm hearing he won't be traded this offseason wither way.

He may be here OD, but if he doesn't accept an extension I think he's gone before the season ends.