Fire sale on the way?

[narwhalattack]

According to a tweet by Adam McCalvy:

 

"Melvin told Michael Hunt any further trade "is going to be for two or three years from now instead of now." Wow."

 

Nice to see that Melvin's thinking about the future rather than just the present, but will Mark A. allow for any fire sale?

[B2k1121]

Hopefully those that are into following prospects around the league can let us know which pitchers the Brewers should be going after.

[narwhalattack]

Some top pitching prospects for current competing teams:

 

D-Backs: Archie Bradley, Tyler Skaggs

 

Giants: Kyle Crick

 

Braves: J.R Graham

 

Rangers: Martin Perez

 

A's: Sonny Gray

 

Indians: Trevor Bauer, Danny Salazar

 

Red Sox: Matt Barnes, Allen Webster, Henry Owens

 

Orioles: Eduardo Rodriguez

[Warning Track Power]

2013 is over for me as a member of the Brewers FO. Yes, there are 3+ months left in the season but I just don't see anyway possible this team catches fire in a bottle and can hop back in the race and even if they do put together a 8 or 9 game winning streak to get within shouting distance of .500, they are not built for long term success. This means the Brewers should be looking to deal what they can now for high level prospects. So here is what I propose they do:

 

Trade A-Ram & K-Rod to the Dodgers for SP Zach Lee & OF Joc Pederson

Do it sooner rather than later too. I would hate for another injury to grab A-Ram and lose his value. Like everyone else mentioned, the Dodgers are the perfect trading partner. Lee gives us a #2 potential SP. Aramis goes to 3B, Hanley to SS. K-Rod helps their atrocious bullpen. Pederson is blocked in the OF by Kemp, Puig/Ethier, Crawford. If we have to throw in another piece to get Pederson, do it. Legit 25-25 potential.

 

Trade Aoki, Gallardo & Henderson to Red Sox for Matt Barnes and Wil Middlebrooks or Xander Bogaerts

I may be shooting high for the underachieving Gallardo and the already 31 year old Aoki but I think the Red Sox would be smart to do this deal. Lester/Buchholz/Gallardo is a really good 1-3 and a good pitching coach is all that is between Yo and becoming very good again IMO. Red Sox are covered long term at 3B by whoever they keep, be it Middlebrooks or Bogaerts. Aoki fits perfectly at the top of the lineup. Henderson is a power arm for the pen to help with Hanrahan on the DL.

 

Trade Hart and Lohse to Giants for Brandon Belt & Martin Agosta

Assuming he comes back as the Corey of old, he would be an enormous upgrade in 2013 over Belt at 1B. Lohse is insurance for a rotation that is in disarray with Vogelsong stinking and Lincecum generally ineffective. Belt becomes part of the discussion for 1B of the future, as I am not sold on Morris, and Agosta is a power arm that can hopefully develop into a solid starter. Reminds me of Thornburg a little given his slighter build.

 

Trade Weeks to Orioles for Jake Arrieta

Baltimore is lacking a significant 2B with Roberts out and have apparently lost patience with Arrieta. With them being in the thick of the race, they may have interest in trading a talented but fallen prospect for Weeks. I think this is the only real "prospect" we would receive for Rickie now and we should be lucky to get that.

 

While the 2013 Brewers would undoubtedly struggle through the rest of the season, the future would definitely look significantly brighter with these deals. Hopefully, a end of 2014 rebirth would begin as the lineup would still have a great mix of talent while breaking in a new crop of SP.

 

2014

C: Lucroy

1B: Belt/Morris

2B: Scooter

SS: Segura

3B: Bogaerts or Middlebrooks

LF: Braun

CF: Gomez

RF: Schafer/Pederson

 

Competition for the rotation would be large and consist of:

SP: Peralta, Thornburg, Hellweg, Lee, Barnes, Arrieta, Estrada, Narveson

 

Maybe not realisitic given Melvin's MO but definitely plausible if the Brewers are serious about rebuilding.

[JohnBriggs12]

That's too big a price for the Dodgers to pay for A-Ram, who's owed $20 million next year including a buyout for 2015. Even if they plan to pick up his 2015, that's 2 years of A-Ram for $30 million. With gimpy knees, the Brewers would be lucky to get any value back.

 

I'd limit what I offered to the Red Sox to Aoki and Gallardo and a prospect. Bogaerts would be a great get, but Middlebrooks is more realistic, and I'd rather have Anthony Ranaudo than Matt Barnes.

 

Lohse and Hart will have to really shine between now and mid July to get that deal from the Giants. By that time, Belt may start hitting and their struggling pitchers might come around.

 

Weeks for a warm body is fine with me. Heck throw Lohse in this deal and also get back Chris Dickerson who can take over Schafer's job as 4th OF after the deal of Aoki to Boston goes through.

 

I'd add Pena and Jungmann to the 2014 starting pitching mix. They'd also likely add some value FA on one year deals to the mix who if they perform well can be flipped.

 

 

2013 is over for me as a member of the Brewers FO. Yes, there are 3+ months left in the season but I just don't see anyway possible this team catches fire in a bottle and can hop back in the race and even if they do put together a 8 or 9 game winning streak to get within shouting distance of .500, they are not built for long term success. This means the Brewers should be looking to deal what they can now for high level prospects. So here is what I propose they do:

 

Trade A-Ram & K-Rod to the Dodgers for SP Zach Lee & OF Joc Pederson

Do it sooner rather than later too. I would hate for another injury to grab A-Ram and lose his value. Like everyone else mentioned, the Dodgers are the perfect trading partner. Lee gives us a #2 potential SP. Aramis goes to 3B, Hanley to SS. K-Rod helps their atrocious bullpen. Pederson is blocked in the OF by Kemp, Puig/Ethier, Crawford. If we have to throw in another piece to get Pederson, do it. Legit 25-25 potential.

 

Trade Aoki, Gallardo & Henderson to Red Sox for Matt Barnes and Wil Middlebrooks or Xander Bogaerts

I may be shooting high for the underachieving Gallardo and the already 31 year old Aoki but I think the Red Sox would be smart to do this deal. Lester/Buchholz/Gallardo is a really good 1-3 and a good pitching coach is all that is between Yo and becoming very good again IMO. Red Sox are covered long term at 3B by whoever they keep, be it Middlebrooks or Bogaerts. Aoki fits perfectly at the top of the lineup. Henderson is a power arm for the pen to help with Hanrahan on the DL.

 

Trade Hart and Lohse to Giants for Brandon Belt & Martin Agosta

Assuming he comes back as the Corey of old, he would be an enormous upgrade in 2013 over Belt at 1B. Lohse is insurance for a rotation that is in disarray with Vogelsong stinking and Lincecum generally ineffective. Belt becomes part of the discussion for 1B of the future, as I am not sold on Morris, and Agosta is a power arm that can hopefully develop into a solid starter. Reminds me of Thornburg a little given his slighter build.

 

Trade Weeks to Orioles for Jake Arrieta

Baltimore is lacking a significant 2B with Roberts out and have apparently lost patience with Arrieta. With them being in the thick of the race, they may have interest in trading a talented but fallen prospect for Weeks. I think this is the only real "prospect" we would receive for Rickie now and we should be lucky to get that.

 

While the 2013 Brewers would undoubtedly struggle through the rest of the season, the future would definitely look significantly brighter with these deals. Hopefully, a end of 2014 rebirth would begin as the lineup would still have a great mix of talent while breaking in a new crop of SP.

 

2014

C: Lucroy

1B: Belt/Morris

2B: Scooter

SS: Segura

3B: Bogaerts or Middlebrooks

LF: Braun

CF: Gomez

RF: Schafer/Pederson

 

Competition for the rotation would be large and consist of:

SP: Peralta, Thornburg, Hellweg, Lee, Barnes, Arrieta, Estrada, Narveson

 

Maybe not realisitic given Melvin's MO but definitely plausible if the Brewers are serious about rebuilding.

[Warning Track Power]

@JB:

 

The Dodgers do this deal IMO. I live in SoCal and am a Dodger fan and the pressure on them to win now is enormous. Now that Puig is up, Greinke is back, HanRam is due back today and Kemp is a week away, I fully expect them to start winning. They still have such an obvious hole at 3B that Aramis is an obvious fix. Lee & Pederson, while expensive as trade chips, are not irreplaceable for them given the presence of Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu at SP & Kemp, Puig, Crawford/Ethier, Van Slyke in the OF. Plus I don't know of another 3B available now that would have the immediate impact A-Ram would. Imagine that lineup:

 

Crawford-M. Ellis-Gonzalez-Kemp-Aramis-Hanley-Puig-AJ Ellis

 

The Red Sox deal is a win for both. The Red Sox get MUCH better in 2013 & 2014 & maybe 2015. The Brewers get a long term 3B and a young upside SP. These are the types of trades the Brewers must make to stay comeptitve. Braun, Lucory, Segura, Gomez & Middlebrooks is a nice core lineup.

 

The Giant deal is one I don't see them declining even if we have to pay some of Lohse's salary. Hart is a HUGE upgrade. Lohse in that ballpark with Righetti as his coach would be nice too. Belt has been a disappointment in SF and I think their patience with him may be ending.

 

I don't see any of these as being out of the realm of possibility. I always try to look at them from the opposite side and would I do these deals. In each case, if I am the Dodgers, Red Sox & Giants, I do these deals.

[LouisEly]

Cleveland is only a game back of Detroit, has had LHRP that makes Parra look like an ace, and their closer Perez is on the DL. The problem is that Salazar, while only their #6 prospect going into the season, has pitched so well this year that I don't know if Gonzalez can get him.

 

Cleveland could use an upgrade over Brantley in LF... if Gonzalez can't get Salazar, throw in Kh. Davis.

[3and2Fastball]

I would love to have Boegaerts or Middlebrooks but I doubt Aoki/Gallardo and a prospect would be enough to get one of them. (But then again I never thought we could get Jean Segura for Greinke either)

 

I think the Red Sox really like Middlebrooks alot. The Red Sox would have a pretty big hole at 3B this year if they traded him and they want to win now. Bogaerts is still just 20 years old and in AA ball and has only played SS not 3B so he's not likely ready to help in a playoff run this year

 

Now if you make Aramis Ramirez the centerpiece of a trade with the Red Sox for Middlebrooks things could get more interesting

[monty57]

My worry is that now that it seems the Brewers may have finally realized that they may need to trade some guys away, most of the guys they'd be willing to trade are damaged.

 

Ramirez has been sidelined twice with his knee, which still hasn't been repaired. He currently has to sit a couple of times a week, and I think there's a good chance he's going to need surgery to fix it and is simply hoping he can make it to the offseason before going under the knife. Best case is he plays 70-80% of the rest of the games this season. Worst case is he needs surgery and misses at least a few months (which would be a large part of the remainder of his contract).

 

Hart insisted he'd be back early, and was only put on the 60-day DL because the team was in a pinch. The 60 days were up about a week ago, and he hasn't even started his rehab assignment. Prior to the season, the doctor who gave him a second opinion said he'd need a more invasive surgery to fix what was wrong, but that surgery would cost him the season, so he opted for the less invasive surgery.

 

Gallardo has lost velocity, and I haven't heard any reason why. It seems obvious that this loss in velocity is why he's getting knocked around. What's not obvious is whether or not the loss in velocity is permanent. Without some type of assurance that he's going to return to his pre-2013 form, I think teams would be wise to steer clear of him lest they get stuck paying a lot of money for a back-of-the-rotation starter. This one's really sad, because they could get a ton of talent in return for a healthy Gallardo.

 

Axford pitched himself out of the closer's role. He's pitched better since, but probably isn't bringing much back in return.

 

Weeks has played so poorly that we'd probably have to pay most of his salary just get someone to take him off our hands.

 

We probably won't trade Lucroy, and he'd still have value, but his play this year has diminished his value some. Meanwhile Maldonado (who many thought could be a big trade chip this offseason) probably has very little trade value at the moment.

 

Estrada has pitched poorly and now has a bad hamstring (I'm assuming). No telling when he'll be back (or if he'll even miss time). If he's healthy and can turn things around over the next month+, he could bring back some value from a team looking for back-of-the-rotation help, but if he keeps pitching the way he has so far this year, he's not bringing anything back.

 

Henderson has pitched well, but is on the DL with a bad hammy. Hopefully he'll be back soon and will hit the ground running when he returns. Now that he's a "proven closer," he could net a lot more than he could've as simply a "setup guy."

 

Most of our minor leaguers have played bad enough that they wouldn't have as much value as a "throw in" in a bigger trade.

 

Unfortunately, the guys who could bring back some type of "future altering" return are the guys no one wants to trade.

 

My guess is that one of Aoki / Gomez will get dealt for a decent return, K-Rod will get dealt soon (when Henderson's back) for a high-floor/low-ceiling RP prospect, and we'll find a way to dump some salary but I won't expect a huge return in talent in the salary dumps.

[paul253]

I agree with Monty. I see nothing on the Brewers roster (nothing they should trade at least) that will bring back anything other than a mid ceiling prospect. Ramirez is old and expensive. Gallardo is having a terrible year. Lohse is pitching poorly and may have some worries with the elbow. Hart is old and hurt.

 

Maybe some guys from the bullpen will bring back a decent arm but nothing more than a #4 or #5 pitcher I'd guess. I think Gomez could have some value and I'd love the Brewers to explore trading him. I have a feeling his value will never be higher, and they do have Aoki and Schafer who can slide into CF but Melvin won't trade Gomez.

 

It seems like Doug and Mark and finally seeing what many of us have seen for darn near two years. This franchise is in serious trouble.

[logan82]

I would love to see a fire sale, just to see what Melvin would do. I doubt we see more than 2 significant trades. I put the over/under at 2.5.

[chickinbrickin]

Whatever they trade needs to bring in pitching. I have no interest in adding under performing young bats already in the majors or more minors bats. This team needs pitching period.

[splitterpfj]

I don't think Melvin said anything groundbreaking today, he just said if he makes more trades this year, they won't be made to try to win this year.

 

My first thought is, "I would hope not."

 

If Aramis hits, he'll have plenty of value, he's good, he's proven, and he plays a tough position. The Brewers are already on the hook for his contract, so I would imagine they'd be willing to pay part of what he's owed, if it got them a better prospect in return. I would suppose it all depends on his health over the next six weeks, but I think there will be a market for him.

 

Hart...he's only signed through the rest of this year, so whatever he does this season, he's a rental. If he hits, he'll have value as well, but since he's gone after two months, he'll get a potential player, not a potential star.

 

Guys like K-Rod, Gonzalez, and Gorzelanny will have value if they continue to get guys out, adding one of them to a deal may help the Brewers out.

 

Personally, I'll be watching Gallardo and Lohse the most. Neither one is pitching well right now, but both have proven they can get big league hitters out...if they're doing well in July, they'll have some value.

 

In Gallardo's case, I'm hoping he has a good second half, allowing the Brewers to shop him next November. If he looks ok, he'll have plenty of value.

 

Aoki is a really interesting case...I wouldn't blame the Brewers for keeping him here, but I would think plenty of teams would like a player with his skills, at his price tag.

 

Whether the Brewers move anyone this season or not, I'm glad they're thinking of the future. There's some talent in the minor leagues, but there's plenty of holes too, adding more young, affordable guys is the obvious move.

[paul253]

Whatever they trade needs to bring in pitching. I have no interest in adding under performing young bats already in the majors or more minors bats. This team needs pitching period.

 

The Brewers do have a strong need for pitching but they are also pretty barren at 3rd base and catcher. We have Coulter obviously but he is a LONG way away. I'd be ok trading for a 3rd base or catching prospect as well as pitching.

[Invader3K]

Whatever they trade needs to bring in pitching. I have no interest in adding under performing young bats already in the majors or more minors bats. This team needs pitching period.

 

The Brewers do have a strong need for pitching but they are also pretty barren at 3rd base and catcher. We have Coulter obviously but he is a LONG way away. I'd be ok trading for a 3rd base or catching prospect as well as pitching.

 

Have people on this board already soured on Jonathan Lucroy that much? He's 26 and under team control through 2017. I don't see the need to upgrade our catching prospects right now.

[3and2Fastball]

This article seems to think that Aramis Ramirez is the biggest hitting prize among potential players available at the trade deadline, and mentions the Braves & Reds as possible trade partners. The article also says that Gallardo will be one of the top pitchers available. Is it possible that for once Brewerfan.net is actually underrating Brewers players?

 

http://baseballhotcorner.com/mlb-trade-talks-possible-players-who-might-be-on-the-move/

[monty57]

This article seems to think that Aramis Ramirez is the biggest hitting prize among potential players available at the trade deadline, and mentions the Braves & Reds as possible trade partners. The article also says that Gallardo will be one of the top pitchers available. Is it possible that for once Brewerfan.net is actually underrating Brewers players?

 

http://baseballhotcorner.com/mlb-trade-talks-possible-players-who-might-be-on-the-move/

 

I hope he's right that Ramirez would bring "a wealth of good-to-top prospects." That would be great. I just think other GMs will worry about his knee, his salary and his age.

 

This wasn't mentioned in the article, but if we have to eat his salary, then really the prospects would cost $25MM plus Ramirez. In that case, why don't we just call the Twins, say "we'll give you $25MM for the rights to Sano," and then give Ramirez away to anyone willing to pay his salary? Cash always has value, and I agree that if Ramirez is 100% healthy, and the receiving team doesn't have to pay him, the Brewers should get some decent prospects for him. Unfortunately, he's far from 100% healthy and his salary has a negative value in any trade negotiations... how negative probably depends on who we're talking with. The Dodgers may not care about the money, but most teams would.

 

The author didn't mention anything about Gallardo's loss of velocity, which is making him a very mediocre pitcher. I've said for a while that if Gallardo is 100%, he should net a Shields-type return, as he's just entering his prime, while Shields is exiting his prime. However, I'd think other GM's would need some proof that he's 100%. A few outings in June/July where he gets his velocity up would do wonders for his trade value.

[nate82]

This article seems to think that Aramis Ramirez is the biggest hitting prize among potential players available at the trade deadline, and mentions the Braves & Reds as possible trade partners. The article also says that Gallardo will be one of the top pitchers available. Is it possible that for once Brewerfan.net is actually underrating Brewers players?

 

http://baseballhotcorner.com/mlb-trade-talks-possible-players-who-might-be-on-the-move/

 

Yes especially Ramirez as there doesn't seem to be that many bats that will be available to trade for. Even if the Brewers have to take on some of Ramirez salary for next year it would be a huge win for the Brewers. Either the Brewers are going to have to pay for all of his salary next year and get no prospect or pay some of his salary next year and get a prospect. Which would you choose? I know I would choose the pay some of Ramirez salary and get a decent prospect in return rather than paying Ramirez next year when the Brewers won't really need Ramirez.

 

Gallardo has some value and if you look back at what the Dbacks got for Haren who was having a similar year to what Gallardo is having when he was traded from the Dbacks to the Angels. I don't see how the Brewers can not get at least one good prospect for Gallardo. The Dodgers and the Red Sox make the most sense in trading partners. It doesn't really matter if the Dodgers will be in it or not as they are going to try to win now even if they are not in the race for a playoff spot. I believe Gallardo fits in perfectly with the Dodgers and would be able to slide in as their #3 or #4 pitcher. Gallardo would then replace Beckett or Billingsley next year for them.

 

The Red Sox would be the ideal trading partner for a Gallardo trade. Bogaerts or Bradley won't be available but Cecchini, Barnes, and others will be available. If Bogaerts is not available I would definitely want Cecchini, Barnes, and Ranaudo for Gallardo. That is actually less than what the Brewers got for Greinke last year as Cecchini will be an average to an above average 3B offensively probably closer to average nothing special and Barnes and Ranaudo both have control problems though their stuff is top of the rotation.

 

As for Ramirez again the Dodgers make some sense here. I am not sure the Braves are a good fit for Ramirez but would be for Gallardo. The Reds would be a good fit for Ramirez but I am not sure Melvin or the Reds GM will trade within the division. I still believe GM's don't want to trade prospects to a team in their division and these trades are very rare because of this notion.

[TheCrew07]

If Melvin were to deal with the Reds chalk me up for Robert Stephenson.

From BA:

He has pitched just 65 pro innings, but Stephenson already has shown the best pure stuff of any Reds draftee back to at least 2004 first-rounder Homer Bailey. Signed for $2 million as the 27th overall pick in 2011, he ranked as the Rookie-level Pioneer League's top pitching prospect in his pro debut last summer. Stephenson's fastball velocity has improved in pro ball, rising from 92-95 in his draft year to 93-97 in 2012, and he touched 100 mph at low Class A Dayton. His heater has excellent life as well. What makes him stand out from the average prep flamethrower is that he also has a good feel for his secondary pitches. His changeup also has gotten better since his high school days, and some scouts project it as a plus pitch. His curveball has similar potential. Stephenson can get too intense at times--he sometimes throws in the mid-90s warming up in the bullpen--and needs to avoid rushing his delivery, which detracts from his control. Cincinnati kept a tight leash on Stephenson and will turn him loose in 2013, when he'll open back in low Class A. He has all of the ingredients to become a frontline starter.

I'd help them contend for a WS this year out of spite towards STL, unload Ramirez' contract, and take back their best pitching prospect.

 

While I don't agree with everything the Reds do from a development standpoint, especially with their pitching, I do have an affinity for that organization going back to the 90s for whatever reason. It might be as simple as that I hate the Cubs and Cards so much there isn't much venom left to be directed towards the Reds and Pirates.

[narwhalattack]

But why would Melvin trade within the division? In fact, not many trades happen within divisions, at least to my knowledge.

[nate82]

But why would Melvin trade within the division? In fact, not many trades happen within divisions, at least to my knowledge.

 

I don't believe it is the GM that is trading away the veteran player that is hesitant in trading within the division it is the acquiring GM that is hesitant. Are you willing to give up a prospect or two to your rival that is going to hurt you in the future?

 

I don't believe the other GM is going to want to or even offer one of their best prospects to a team within their division.

[cvollbrecht]

Fire sale is almost a necessity for this team at this point in the year.

 

A few trades I would like to see:

 

Gallardo & Gorzelany for Allan Webster, Garin Cecchini, & Brandon Workman

 

Brewers get 2 upper rotation arms to plug into the rotation for 2014 & a 3B that is raking right now in high-A and ready for the jump to AA. Cecchini could be ready by June/July 2014 to be our everyday 3B. Sox give up 3 top 15 guys in their loaded system. Most people want Boegarts and Barnes, but I can't see that happening.

 

A-Ram for Zach Lee

 

Simple trade that is to logical to happen in real life. Ramirez gives them a steady power bat in the middle of their lineup while being a huge upgrade over Uribe. Lee spends the rest of 2013 in AAA and is ready opening day 2014.

 

Hart for Chris Stratton (SF)

 

To get a top 150 prospect for Hart is either wishful thinking, or way undervaluing Hart depending on how he plays for month prior to the deadline. Either way Stratton is projectable RHP with 4 pitches that are above average and a 3.6 K/BB this year. Worst case scenario he is a stud reliever/closer option in 2 years.

 

2014 Lineup:

C: Lucroy

1B: Morris

2B: Gennett/Weeks

SS: Segura

3B: Francisco (Cecchini)

LF: Braun

CF: Gomez

RF: Aoki

 

Bench:

Bianchi

Schafer

Maldonado

Gennett/Weeks

Kr. Davis

 

2014: Rotation options

Lohse

Lee

Webster

Workman

Peralta

Estrada

Burgos

Nelson

 

With that team you are still a competitive ball club but also set up very well for the next 3-5 years. The lineup becomes more balanced, and the rotation is younger and promising.

[TheCrew07]

I'm not saying Melvin would trade within the division because he doesn't seem to see the big picture very well, I'm guessing he would view that has helping his direct competition. As I've never been sold on Ramirez ability to stay healthy (though he proved me wrong last year), I'd be willing to take risk of Ramirez biting us back in 2014 or 2015 for Stephenson's potential and getting out from underneath Ramirez' remaining contract. The other reason I don't think Melvin would make the move is that we don't have a legit 3B prospect. Francisco or Green could be a stop-gap for a while, but we literally have no impact 3B in the pipeline, though I guess you can say that about many positions given the state of the farm system today. Melvin has repeatedly said that he doesn't see the benefit of trading MLB players to plug a different hole because then he created another hole he has to plug.

 

I'm saying I would help the Reds while we are down and take their best pitching prospect which will hopefully benefit us when we are ready to contend again. Stephenson will finish this season in A+. He wouldn't be ready until 2015 or 16 (which would mostly depend on his yearly inning progression) but he could potentially be an in house replacement for Gallardo. I don't care about creating another hole, I care about solving the organization's most pressing and long-term need, then moving forward from there.

 

As I said on the MLB forum, I don't think the Brewers are all that far away and a good deal for pitching might not materialize this season, but I honestly believe that 2 trades over a 3 year span could potentially make a huge difference for this franchise. It took TB 3 trades in 4 years, I think we have enough back of the rotation types that we could do it in just 2 trades. Stephenson would definitely be a longer-term project which isn't exactly what I'm looking for, I'd be looking for AA guys if possible, but I'd rather get back 1 legitimate talent than take anymore quantity deals like Sexson and Overbay.

[StearnsFTW]

Melvin isn't getting Brandon Belt for Hart & Lohse, but I do think the Brewers have some pieces that SF would want.

 

I really hope Melvin just burns it to the ground. This team's pitching is so bad that the next few years are going to be bad anyway in all likelihood.

[JohnBriggs12]

I'm not saying it's not possible to trade Ramirez, but his salary, age, and physical condition is going to limit what you get back for him. So what's the point, especially given that the salary you save will likely end up being spent on another overpriced mediocre starting pitcher who'd jam up a spot in the rotation that could go to a young pitcher.

 

Trading Gomez, months after you've signed him at below market rate for his current production is not a wise move. It might net a nice return, but he's still young enough that he'd be around for another run at it in 2-3 years. Prospects are less certain.

 

Aoki is the logical guy to move. His value won't get higher. A team needed help at the top of the order will covet him and he fits the salary structure of every team in the league.

 

Yeah Schafer could replace either Gomez or Aoki, but he's more like an Aoki offensively and there would be less dropoff