Kyle Blanks called up to S.D.

[Birds of B'more]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090619&content_id=5414048&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Sounds like he will play LF for the Pads. He's played 15 games there for AAA Portland so far this year, and by all accounts held is own. Nonetheless, I would think this should fuel some of the speculation that either he or 1B Adrian Gonzales will be traded.

[section18]

I agree with you. Either Blanks is being shopped or Gonzalez is and I would be interested in either of them in a future deal.

[Lucky Jim]

I don't understand the logic. They need outfield hitting (Giles has been one of the worst position players in baseball this year) and so they move their 1B prospect to the outfield.

How does asking a player to move to his non-natural position and finding a spot for him on the MLB roster = "trying to trade" him?

Couldn't it just as easily appear to be their attempt to find a way to maximize production and find room for both?

If Banks can play LF, then he's not blocked. And no trade is necessary.

[Birds of B'more]

I don't understand the logic. They need outfield hitting (Giles has been one of the worst position players in baseball this year) and so they move their 1B prospect to the outfield.

How does asking a player to move to his non-natural position and finding a spot for him on the MLB roster = "trying to trade" him?

Couldn't it just as easily appear to be their attempt to find a way to maximize production and find room for both?

If Banks can play LF, then he's not blocked. And no trade is necessary.

Changing a hitting prospect's position to get his bat in the lineup vs. Showcasing him or your All-Star 1B for a trade that should net a huge return to rebuild on........given San Diego's current situation, I think you can make an argument for both sides. Just for the record, I didn't say that San Diego was doing this because they do plan on trading one or the other. I just said this will add fuel to the speculation.