Heyman's Latest: A-Rod, Atkins, Gagne

Lol, Tim, I don't really like Crede. How about Scott Rolen? He has an injury history but Yanks are one of the few teams that can afford to take a gamble with his contract. When healthy, he's a quality player both offensively and defensively.

I was reading the article linked here earlier where the Cardinals GM admitted there is a problem between La Russa and Rolen that might not be able to be resolved internally.

I don't see him going to the Mets or the Giants. And like Heyman I'm not so sure the Dodgers are the favorite to get Arod. Right now, my favorite for getting Arod is the Angels with Boston inching closer.

As for Atkins likely staying the Rockies, I think they should trade him. I mean look at all these good, young pitchers that are supposedly available via trade. Atkins a young pitcher like Morales and a mid level prospect should get them a nice front line starter like a Dan Haren.

And you also misread about the Rolen situation. While obviously something could happen and the situation not be resolved, Mo says the Cardinals are trying every avenue to resolve the issue internally.

You make it seem like they think it won't get fixed. They are taking the approach that it will get fixed but you also never know.

HL is right. Damon to STL makes no sense.

I'm not sure what the market should be for a guy like Rolen. He makes some serious cash that the Cards could spend elsewhere (starting pitching?). He would be a nice insurance policy for when the Betemit experiment fails miserably.

If you could get Rolen for some "B" level prospects then it might be worth the gamble.

They still need to move Damon though. I'm not sure what the market is for a DH who hits 8 HR's, can't steal bases any longer and who makes $13m/y over the next 2 years. Don't see a lot teams with that type of a need.

I take back the Damon deal after seeing it in (virtual) print. I wouldn't mind sending 1 of those guys over, but not both.

I doubt the Dodgers can pay anything close to what A-Rod and Boras want. McCourt is seriously cash strapped, and can't give anything near $30 mil a year or a ten year contract. Besides Dodgers stadium is a pitcher's park, even still with all the changes done by McCourt and Co.

The Red Sox are going to have Youklis, Pedoria, Bucholz, and Lester becoming free agents one of these days and demanding more than the MLB minimum. They don't want a huge long term contract and find themselves in a situation they had for years with Manny Ramirez. If A-Rod goes for a $20mil/4 year deal, the Red Sox will bite, but not anything A-Rod and Boras want. If Lowell signs for the Yankees, then A-Rod will be lobbied heavily by the Red Sox, If Lowell signs, which looks at this moment not likely, A-Rod is left with the Yankees and the Angels. The Wild Card is Florida.

I think for A-Rod, one big draw is a hitter's friendly park like the Rangers' ballpark, Wrigley Field and Fenway..

Dodger Stadium is not the pitcher's haven that it used to be. Check the stats...it has actually becoming increasingly hitter friendly. The reduction of foul ground naturally helps hitters, but the HR have also been on a consistent rise...which is strange b/c LA hasn't had much power (and has had a pretty good staff).

I think playing in a division w/ Petco and PacBell (in addition to Dodger stadium) would be more of a concern.

Also, it's strange that people have just accepted that McCourt doesn't have any money despite no real evidence. The franchise has appreciated nearly $300 million since his acquisition (less than 4 years). In addition, the team sold 3.8 million tix last year. Just b/c you heard someone said McCourt is cash-strapped doesn't make it true. Maybe it is...but the people spouting it really have no clue either way.

If the Rockies don't want Atkins because of his subpar D, then why wouldn't they move him to 2nd and let Stweart go to third. Is Stewart good with the glove?

I would also like to add the marlins as a dark horse. A-rod could cost the Marlins 25m in theory if they could get a one year contract. Moving Cabrera to not pay his Arb. while picking up A-rod and a few young MLB ready players of their choice, and you could see the Marlins contend for a wild card spot, get a new stadium and save the franchise from moving. The only problem is you need to trade Cabrera first and hastily I would imagine.

Damon stole 27 bases this year. He was caught 3 times, so lets put to bed this theory he cant steal bases anymore.

In 2003(in the second year of his contract with Boston coincidentally), Damon put up a line of .273/.345/.405, following up his 2002 line of .286/.356/.443.

In his second year as a Yankee, he put up a line of .270/.351/.396. Pretty similar to his 2003. In his first year as a Yankee, Damon posted a good line of .285/.359/.482.

Apart from his power, his first years with both the red sox and yankees were similar. Same with the second year with each of those teams, he seemed to fall off a little bit. Maybe both seasons partly because of injury, because Damon only played in 140 or so games in 03 if I remember. He did though, in 2004, bounce back from his bad 03 to a tune of .303/.380/.477.

Maybe it is some weird trend, maybe not, my point is, Damon is still a solid leadoff hitter. The Yankees have already lost A-Rod, possibly Pettitte, and may yet lose Mo and Posada. Why trade away your leadoff hitter on top of all of that without another guy to do fill his role? A leadoff guy is important, especially in the playoffs to get on and put pressure on the pitcher from the get go.

Maybe the guy just had a bad year because he was all banged up. Playing left should also be easier on him then playing centerfield.