re: The ATL Thread: All-Star Break Edition

When is Moylan expected back? I had read he should be ready sometime before August. If he can shake off the rust quickly that will help. We would still likely need another righty though, since Proctor is hot garbage even on a cold day.

Well in that case we will definitely need a reliable righty out of the pen. Linebrink has actually been pretty damn good lately, despite the reputation he garnered back in April and May. He's given up just 3 runs in his last 23 2/3 innings. Regardless though, we need another guy that is able to come in during pressure situations.

quote:

---

I'm not a Rajai fan. I'd prefer someone who got on base more, if they were to bat at the top of this lineup. Saying that, I'd be more than willing to trade for him after all other options are explored. As you said, his salary is cheap, he won't cost much at all in terms of prospects, and more importantly, he's an offensive upgrade at the position.

---

Yeah, more or less how I feel. Backburner/cheap option. His main asset is speed.

quote:

---

I'd love the Hardy deal, particularly to get Uehara. As you said, it wouldn't cost much since Hardy will be a 2nd half rental, and we would have Uehara for next year after his option vests.

---

The biggest question mark is if you do move Gonzalez in a package for Hardy/Uehara, who plays SS next year? Do you try and get Hardy to sign a 3-4 year deal until we transition to Pastornicky?

My thinking for the Orioles was that AGon could be a cheaper transition piece to Machado for them, since Machado is really about a year or two away, whereas Hardy still has 4-6 prime years left.

But the question for Atlanta becomes, what do you do at SS? You'd almost have to re-ink Hardy, and I don't know if we'd have that kinda $$$$... Unless we got them to bite on something with Lowe.

quote:

---

The Braves are shutting Medlen down for 6 weeks, likely meaning he won't be returning this year

---

Man, forget this year... I'm beginning to worry about his career going forward at all...

quote:

---

Yeah, I don't see us doing that. I just think we're going to go the veteran route of signing someone to a 1 or 2 year deal to fill in for now, and then give the reigns to Pastornicky until one of our recently drafted guys step up and take charge, which hopefully one of them will.

---

That's definitely a lot more plausible.

I'm really torn on Bourne.

He's a nice player... and he does just about everything this team needs... but what's the cost? He's under team control for decent money for the next couple of years, so I don't imagine the Astros will give him up for just anybody... they'll want a startable piece in return. Then again, it's Ed Wade, and he's a moron.

I wouldn't pay any of our top pitching prospects for Bourn. If they wanted to try a guy like Medlen or one of the relievers, + a midlevel bat, I might could get on board for that.

I'm just worried we throw Minor out there for Bourn and it completely bites us in the arse.

Also, Buster Olney saying Beltran would be a good fit in ATL, and while I agree... you have to ask, what's the cost?

quote:

---

Minor for Bourn would be a huge steal for the Astros, IMO.

---

I totally agree.

quote:

---

What I have proposed earlier in this thread would be a high upside guy that's a few years away from being major league ready, maybe Lipka or someone similar

---

I'd be worried about letting Lipka go since he does have so much potential.

quote:

---

ON MLBTR they were saying Coco Crisp is the most likely acquisition for us.

---

He's about like Rajai Davis... walks more, doesn't hit as well... but does play stellar defense.

Would also be a cheaper option.

I would take Beltran if the Mets pick up a good bit of the salary or don't take much for him. His health is the main concern with him. If he plays as well as he has then I would love that move without giving up the farm for him.