Olney On Blanton And Haren

Huston Street, WINS! Fatality!

jclay, I 100% agree with you that a fire sale may be the way to go. If the team is going to be rebuilding, they might as well trade for as many prospects as possible. That said, I'd still try to do everything possible to hang on to haren, but definately trade the rest in anticipation of an exciting team in fremont.

I would like the Sox to make a run at Huston Street, if he was made available and stick him in the power RHP setup role that they are looking to upgrade. I don't know if Street would be interested in that role, but I'm not sure he could do much about it. What would it take to get him? Masterson? Lowrie?

If I were Billy Beane, I would try to package Haren with Chavez, much like the Marlins did in the Josh Beckett/Mike Lowell trade. It would limit the trade partners, but would help shed additional payroll. I guess it all depends on what type of return you'd get if you put them together compared to if you made 2 seperate deals.

How about a Street/Haren combo deal for the Sox (I'm sure the Yanks and Mets would love that combo too).

Street and Haren for:

Lester, Lowrie, Crisp, and Bowden? Too much? Not enough?

Harden doesn't come up in dump talks anymore b/c the A's would rather hang on to him for cheap and hope he gets healthy than trade him for 1 cent on the dollar.

I would be really surprised to see any of the A's go to an AL team unless the haul was HUGE. Like Pedroia, Bucholz, and two more prospects for Haren. How would it help the A's to deal their best players to a competitor for their B-level prospects and a CF to open up a hole for a better CF? Take nothing away from Lester and company in the above proposed deal, but there's a reason why the socx are willing to deal those guys and not Ellsbury, Pedroia, Bucholz, etc.

Billy will be holding out for better than the Mark Mulder deal for Haren and Blanton.

There is no way that Blanton should bring back as much prospects as Haren. Haren is heads and above Blanton in performance his whole career. He shouldn't even draw something slightly less, I think the chasm between their performances are that great. If Billy gets close deals for both, he either got snookered on Haren or snookered someone on Blanton (though if he deals Haren first, the losers might overpay for Blanton, much like how he dealt Hudson first then Mulder).

Personally, unless he gets a heck of a deal for Haren, I would hold him until mid-season, by then contenders will be chomping at the bit to get a pitcher like him, I would think.

Say, that brings up a good question, do people think that it is easier to get more now, when things are pretty unsettled, or mid-season when teams might feel that a player like Haren could be the tipping point since there is more at stake then?

In any case, I would not deal Haren just to deal him, whereas for Blanton, I think the time is right, same with Street, he's been injured too frequently for my tastes. Heck, most of the team has been frequently injured, Crosby, Chavez, outfielders, and now they traded Scutaro, who saved their butts when Crosby was out.

obsessivegiantscompulsive: The difference between Haren and Blanton is Haren will cost $16.25 over the next three years while Blanton is under team control for the next three years.

Haren would be putting up Jake Peavy seasons every single year in the NL...any team should consider trading their farm if they can lock him up at the same time. Haren is an absolute stud.

the Yanks and break the bank open go hand in hand, regardless of who it is

But something Profound, that trade right there is more of a quantity than quality trade, and the braves are not going to sell the farm for a pitcher. While I say our depth has enough questions that it would be smart to try to go after a guy like blanton, it would not be smart to sell the farm for Haren. Frank Wren is not going to put all his chips into one trade, it is just not going to happen. When i say we do not have the pieces to get him, I mean that we do not using a reasonable mindset. We just are not going to give up that many guys who are ready to contribute at the majors for one pitcher, it is just not going to happen. Blanton would cost us two of those guys, and maybe a lower level prospect, a less costly but wise move in getting a young reliable starter. We may have the talent to get haren, but not in a reasonable sense by any means.

I couldn't agree with you more bravesbeast. I'll be honest, you opened my eyes to the incredible fit the A's and Braves are as trading partners for Blanton and I've been spreading your gospel ever since.

Lillibridge or Andrus and Jurrjens for Blanton seems like a great deal for both teams. The Bravos get the high end starter and innings eater they need without selling the farm, and the A's get their SS of the Future and a high ceiling SP to plug into Blanton's old spot. Perfect match.

Haren seems to be a good fit for the Doddgers as they have the volume of high end prospects needed to get the deal done, and the desire for a front line starter. Kershaw, Billingsly, Kemp, and Tony Abreu may get it done.

Street and Gaudin are tough to gauge. Pretty much any team is a possibility for Street b/c everyone is always looking for bullpen help and Street can close or set up. Gaudin would be a great alternative to anyone thinking of signing Carlos Silva or one of the other mediocre and soon to be overpaid starters on the market this offseason.

Well it's simple, the Yankees aren't getting any of those guys because they will have to trade young pitching prospects which is not happening. I don't see Harren or Street being traded (too valuable) but Blanton is possible to being delt.

Don't worry kbrooks... I know Billingsly and Kemp are not prospects, they are young major leaguers. The high end prospects I was referring to were Kershaw and Abreu, but it was worded poorly. Next time I'lle be sure to write the volume of high-end prospects and high ceiling young major leaguers to get the deal done.

I've heard the dodgers are willing to give up those guys in the right deal, and are interested in bringing in a front line starter, which is why I mentioned them. I'm sure that Kershaw and Kemp would be necessary to complete a deal for Haren, but Billingsly may have been a little excessive. My guess is LaRoche would be involved but I'm not high on him.

Bottom line: The team that gets Haren is going to have to give up a lot of talent (both prospects and young major leaguers with high ceilings) and the Dodgers look like a good fit.