MacPhail: O's willing to take "big-time" player in a salary dump

[BrunoCherrytown]

So you would be against hypothetically taking on Vernon Wells' contract, and then using that positional flexibility to ship Pie to Milwaukee with Patton and Guts + another MiL for Fielder? Not saying that exact scenario would happen (or would be feasible), but something similar might.

If MacPhail could trade that eclectic ensemble you proposed for Fielder, I would take back every bad thing i've ever said about him.

That package wouldn't even net the O's Princess Fielder - his 3 year old Pomeranian dog.*

*Disclaimer: I have no knowledge of whether Prince Fielder has a 3 year old Pomeranian or not. But I do know if he did, that proposed package wouldn't land it.

[MrOrange82]

If MacPhail could trade that eclectic ensemble you proposed for Fielder, I would take back every bad thing i've ever said about him.

That package wouldn't even net the O's Princess Fielder - his 3 year old Pomeranian dog.*

*Disclaimer: I have no knowledge of whether Prince Fielder has a 3 year old Pomeranian or not. But I do know if he did, that proposed package wouldn't land it.

That's just absurd. Dogs require food, and Fielder doesn't have the build of a sharer.

[Johnny]

Vernon Wells? A player who's making a ridiculous amount of money and who hasn't hit 30+ HR's in a season since 2006? Whose career OPS+ is 108? Who's had two sub-90 OPS+ seasons in the last four years? Yes, I would be against that.

Not to mention the fact that Guthrie, Patton, Pie and a MiLer would not net Fielder. I'm not even if favor of trading for Fielder, but if a deal like that would get it done, I'd pull the trigger immediately.

Yes, Wells makes a rediculous amount of money, we would be over paying for the production, that's why I would put him in the walkaway contract category. He's still a productive bat, a #3 hitter, and a very good defender.

His contract would not cripple us though and would be done close to the time when our pitchers will need to be paid (we could have 5 starters next year making well under $5 million combined!) Add to that only one pitcher in the bullpen making over $5 million and we are seriously underpaying for pitchers for the next few years. That money can go to overpaying for a bat.

Say Pie hits .330 this year. Say Guts and Patton continue their good play? That would be two middle rotation starters, a CF and another low-level high upside pitching prospect not named Britton (Beal, Hobgood etc) for a 1B they don't think they'll sign. Hell, throw in Snyder too. Whatever.

They wanted Cain and the best pitcher in the minors for Hart (which SF rejected as too much BTW) .... esentially a 2 and 4/5 rotation slot. They would get that plus a CF who could be a 25-25 in that division and a replacement 1B, all of whom are cheap.

[MrOrange82]

They wanted Cain and the best pitcher in the minors for Hart (which SF rejected as too much BTW) .... essentially a 2 and 4/5 rotation slot. They would get that plus a CF who could be a 25-25 in that division and a replacement 1B, all of whom are cheap.

Guthrie does not compare to Cain. Like...not at all. And why does "the best pitcher in the minors" equate to a 4/5 starter, IYO? Plus, think about what you just wrote...if that's what the Brewers wanted for Hart, you think they wouldn't want a ton more for Fielder? We don't have good enough players to offer in a trade for Fielder, it's just that simple.

[amateurfan]

I was thinking Travis Hafner and Mark Reynolds. I bet Cleveland would let go of Hafner. He's owed 26mm over the next two years with a 2.75 buyout. IMO that would be another poor use of money.

I just can't think of anyone who would become available that would be worth taking. I don't understand why he would state this. I just think there are better ways to spend money and make the Os winners again.

[Shopay]

I was thinking Travis Hafner and Mark Reynolds. I bet Cleveland would let go of Hafner. He's owed 26mm over the next two years with a 2.75 buyout. IMO that would be another poor use of money.

I just can't think of anyone who would become available that would be worth taking. I don't understand why he would state this. I just think there are better ways to spend money and make the Os winners again.

I don't know if AM is saying we will go this way, just that it's an option if the right player comes available. We have a ton of $$ coming off the books next year. If we could pick up a big bat in this fashion, then you don't have to trade young players or give up draft picks. Plus, we are going to have to pay big $$$ to entice any big bat, FA to come to the O's. Not saying we should go this route, but it should not be ruled out either. I'm glad that AM is at least open to it.

[Johnny]

Guthrie does not compare to Cain. Like...not at all. And why does "the best pitcther in the minors" equate to a 4/5 starter, IYO? Plus, think about what you just wrote...if that's what the Brewers wanted for Hart, you think they wouldn't want a ton more for Fielder? We don't have good enough players to offer in a trade for Fielder, it's just that simple.

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It's not just what they want, it's what they can get vs. accepting 2 draft picks. How much do you think they will get for a 1-year rental of Fielder? He's probably not going to sign an extension (Boras). And he's going to cost $25 million per for 7-8 years when he does sign.

Would you give Jones and Matusz for a one year rental? Do you think any team would trade two-to-four top young starters for him?

And BTW, I apologize. They asked for Sanchez or Bumgarner for Hart. I agree Cain is much better than Guts. I can agree Bumgarner's upside is lightyears better than Guts.

I have no idea, but what's the 2012 draft project like? If it's solid they may hold Fielder.

Guts stacks up well against Sanchez but is a whopping 2 years older BTW.

The Brewers asked the Giants for Jonathan Sanchez or Madison Bumgarner in exchange for Corey Hart, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link). Giants GM Brian Sabean is understandably hesitant to deal either pitcher. from traderumors in the Giants rumor section.

[JTrea81]

Guthrie does not compare to Cain. Like...not at all. And why does "the best pitcher in the minors" equate to a 4/5 starter, IYO? Plus, think about what you just wrote...if that's what the Brewers wanted for Hart, you think they wouldn't want a ton more for Fielder? We don't have good enough players to offer in a trade for Fielder, it's just that simple.

We have plenty of good players to offer for Fielder.

[Dannyboy]

We have plenty of good players to offer for Fielder.

Its not happening. AM is not going to empty the farm for a 1yr rental.

[sangar]

The fact that AM is looknig at ths is good. How it turns out we will have to wait and see but any time you blindly eliminate options you are only hurting yourself.

[sportbilly08]

Manny Ramirez?

[sangar]

Its not happening. AM is not going to empty the farm for a 1yr rental.

That's just an opinion, while JTrea does tend to make an occasional good point this isn't one of them. I doubt AM considers it a viable option. If his directions from PA were to win now or loose your job then maybe but PA seems to be looking to rebuild for a long term future. And while Showalter almost certainly will be bringing in a higher level of talent his history doesn't suggest he will propose selling off the future to this extent.

[Johnny]

The fact that AM is looknig at ths is good. How it turns out we will have to wait and see but any time you blindly eliminate options you are only hurting yourself.

I like the fact he wants to add talent. The Fielder stuff is just speculation on my part. I was trying to bring up that we could easily add an expensive player then flip Pie + some others for the notorius "big bat."

Truth be told, I don't see it happening, but not because it's impossible.

[JTrea81]

Its not happening. AM is not going to empty the farm for a 1yr rental.

He wouldn't have to empty the farm and it doesn't have to be a 1 year rental.

[scOtt]

He wouldn't have to empty the farm and it doesn't have to be a 1 year rental.

Says you .