Trade Bait

[DOUGHBOYS]

Earlier and earlier each year, there are rumors of players being shipped to pennant contending teams.
It always makes for good conversation.
Here are a few and my takes on them....

Matt Capps-
Why would a contending team trade for him?
If they're contending, they probably already have a closer. And if they have a closer, almost every team in baseball could say he is better than Capps.
Why pay closer prices for a set-up guy? It doesn't make sense.
If your team trades for Capps, a demerit for your GM.

Jeremy Guthrie-
Riding a bike or pitching a baseball game, either way he gets creamed.
Even if the Rockies pay most of his salary, your team just picked up a guy that garners as much confidence from you as that call up from AA.
Even so, with the AA pitcher, there'll be the mystery as to whether he can stand up to Big League pitching, we know that Guthrie whether on his bike or not, will crash.

Carlos Marmol-
Some Managers used to smoke when their closers entered the game.
With Marmol, they may as well get the Crack ready. Why would a contending team want a guy that puts the ball over the plate with the consistency of a nine year old in a Little League game?
See Matt Capps.

Zack Greinke-
The looks of that nine year old Little Leaguer and a mind that matches Marmol's accuracy.
But, that arm makes up for everything.
A few years ago, CC Sabathia turned things around when Milwaukee landed him for a stretch drive.
Greinke could do the same for a similar team.
Be careful Yankees and Red Sox, His head may explode in a big arena.

Garza and Dempster-
They can exhale. They'll soon be playing for a Big League team again. A place where wins and losses count.
Garza is the bigger fish. He's younger and already shown he can stand up in the A.L. East.
My feelings about Garza is that he is like his trademate (shuddup spell checker) Delmon Young. Both seem satisfied with their level of play, while we as fans, think there could be more.
I'd rather have Dempster. Dempster would fit in with any team right away and probably provide instant good starts for that team.

Jair Jurrjens-
I know. There is not one trade rumor involving Jurrjens. Still, here is what a fly on the wall of the Braves GM hears-

"Yeah Dayton, you know, I've got Jurrjens on the block and I want you to have first dibs.
Uh, yeah, I know he hasn't been so good this year, but look at his past and look at your starters now.
Think of it this way, he could be your immediate ace, how many opportunities do you get for trading for an ace?
And....He is a Brave!
Hey, no problem Dayton, I always think of you when I have this kind of talent that we want to let go of.
Yep, see ya later" (Hang up)
(Laughing) "I love this job!"

Carlos Quentin-
Does that team get the hot or cold Quentin?
That's the gamble.

Adam Lind and Travis Snider-
It's clear these two are not destined to be cornerstones for the Blue Jays.
They could be one of the best hitters in the Padres or Cubs lineups....but then again we can say that about any player or prospect.
If either of these players played up to their potential for a contending team, they'd have something special.

Brett Myers-
I wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole.
Not only would his ego be reduced by being a set up guy, I get the feeling he has gotten comfortable being the Big Man on the Astro Campus.

Jason Vargas-
He'll do well if the contender has a large park. He can give up some big flies. A lot of them stay in the ball park in Seattle. I can see him being fodder in Boston, but a hit for the Dodgers or Cardinals.

This one I saved for last. The trade that'll never happen, but makes a lot of sense....
Ichiro Suzuki-
The backlash would be felt to Japan.
Ichiro is not Ichiro anymore though.
There is only one place Ichiro can be traded and that would be to a place with a rich Asian heritage.
Los Angeles.
The Dodgers would have a true lead off hitter and a hitter that enjoys a pennant chasing challenge.
Dodgers owners are looking to make a splash. This would fill the bill.
The Dodgers would also have an outfield of Ichiro, Kemp, and Ethier...nice.
Seattle needs to build for the future, a future without Ichiro.