Comments on: C’mon Chen!

By: Mr. Dave

Mr. Dave — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:52:41 +0000

I actually think the Royals may be able to get a bit of a discount here. If some team offers 2/$8million, the Royals may be able to counter with 2/$7.5 or 7 million and get him back. He did get his chance here, and Chen does seem to enjoy being in KC.

By: NC-Royals

NC-Royals — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:22:32 +0000

The Braves are interested in trading Jurrjens for two reasons…

1. The Braves have 3 stud pitching prospects that got a taste of the big leagues this season. Julio Teheren, Randall Delgado and Arodys Vizcaino…Teheran and Delgado are slated to be #4,#5 starters next year while Vizcaino will work 2012 in the pen but the long term plans are to also be in the starting rotation.

Even with the recent trade of Derek Lowe to Cleveland, the Braves still have Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor on the 40-man roster…

So therefor its obvious that Atlanta has a ton of starting pitching and somebody is going to be left out.

2. You also have to remember that the Braves operate under a budget that’s really middle of the road among MLB teams (85-90 mil.) Frank Wren has to be creative with his team. Jurrjens and even Prado are two years away from free agency, this year both are expected to make about 5 mil, so if you’re Frank Wren, right now would be a good time, in the budget to ship them off and get good young talent in return. Wren told the Atlanta Journal-Constuition earlier this week that if either JJ or Prado was traded that they could be more aggressive in their needs (shortstop, corner outfielder)

Jurrjens value would actually be much higher if not for the injuries in the 2nd half of 2011, he was basically the Braves best pitcher in the 1st half. JJ at his best is a #2-3 starter

By: DanL

DanL — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:55:54 +0000

Seems odd that Atlanta is actively trying to trade a ‘quality’ pitcher – especially at the start of the off-season – makes me think something is fishy. Trying to unload a player while his perceived value is high – something is wrong here.

Some of the best deals are the ones you don’t make.

By: Ted

Ted — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:40:20 +0000

Even fangraphs has jumped in to say that Jurrjens isn’t worth a top prospect. It is early in the off season and there isn’t much to write about, so I guess why not wade in on this one, but still, even fangraphs took time and space to say that trading Wil Myers for Jurrjens would be a terrible idea. Glad to see Dutton reporting that trade talks have stalled because KC won’t include Myers. It is good to see DM putting some information out there to calm down the fans.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:29:10 +0000

I meant, KC would be paying for 35, 36 year old baseball on a 2 year deal. I just wouldn’t make him a priority as a must before I look at higher end guys via trade/FA.

It’s nice to have a rumor going all ready though I must admit. Could be a fun off-season.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:22:04 +0000

I’ve changed my stance on Chen signing. If it’s one thing I trust Dayton Moore to do well is draft. Let Chen walk and take your chances w/ Dayton’s supplemental pick. He’s pitched great as a Royal we might have got his best and 2 years of 35, 36 year old baseball. We have the budget for back end starters..it’s replaceable.

By: NC-Royals

NC-Royals — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:09:11 +0000

Living in the state of North Carolina I follow the Braves about as much as I do the Royals…here’s how I see this from both sides.

First off, our pitching just flat out sucks…Jurrjens (healthy or not) is an upgrade over someone like Jeff Francis and most o our young guys (i.e. Duffy) at this time. Heck, I think JJ is more consistant than Luke Hochevar…

Now…Jurrjens for Cain? I would most definitely consider it. That said, I think management may be reaching if they think Melky and Francoeur will repeat the success they had in 2011…that’s scares me to death…that would be one reason I would keep Cain.

Now things are completely different in regards to Prado…I would jump on the Prado bandwagon immediately.

Atlanta wass too cheap to get a big time corner outfielder so their response last season was to get Dan Uggla and force Prado to go back to his super-utility role…I watched enough of their games this past season to come to the conclusion that Prado was never really happy being moved to LF…his demeanor didn’t show it but I think the stats told a lot of unspoken words.

Add Prado to second base with the current makeup of the team and the Royals would have a nasty lineup.

So when it comes down to it…would I do Prado and JJ for Myers and Cain?…Hmmm, that’s very tempting. Just cause Myers is the top prospect in the system does not make it a lock that he will be the man from day one…ask Jason Heyward how the first two seasons has gone in Atlanta?

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:04:19 +0000

I think it would probably take a blue chip prospect (myers, cuthbert, starling, monty, probably I’m missing one or two that qualify) in the deal. I’d love to part with only* what you mentioned which makes me think it’s not quite enough.

*I realize how ridiculous ‘only’ sounds here.

By: Clark Fosler

Clark Fosler — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:34:19 +0000

Greg – Given that Oakland appears to be looking longterm to contend (i.e. to coincide with a possible new home and new ballpark in San Jose in 2015 or so), you wonder what it might take to get Gonzalez. Conceivably, they might be interested in guys who might not even debut in the majors until 2014, which MIGHT mean a team could trade high upside guys in the low minors for Gio instead of prospects closer to ML ready (i.e. Myers).
Would Eibner, Adams, Melville, Fletcher do it? Or would you, have to/want to, put Cuthbert into the mix? I don’t really know, just thinking off the top of my head.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:14:28 +0000

Ted, you can’t look at trades one sided. You have to have a partner to make the trade with. The Royals gave up Cortez for Betancourt, so no matter how bad Betancourt is, the Royals win the trade. I didn’t like the length of time Betancourt played for the Royals, but they had zero other options. Treanor cost nothing, and had close to the highest OBP on the team, and was a pretty good catcher. Callaspo and DDj were non-factors on the Royals, so whatever you get in return is a win.

Like I said, you have to have something other teams want to make a trade. The only player that fits that description was Greinke. And I think they did very well in that trade. They got the best defensive SS in baseball, a very good defensive CF that can hit, a 100mph out of the pen (with no control), and when Odorizzi gets up this will be a HUGE win for the Royals.