Slusser On Blanton/Street/Ellis Trade Possibilities

Is Street's value really that low? His injury was in the middle of the year, and he finished the season in quite a strong fashion. His numbers for the year were dominant. Granted, he could always be dealt in a year and Beane might extract a similar return as he might now, simply because someone of his ability with two years left on his deal is still worth quite a bit, but I don't think he has to prove himself this year in order to rebuild his value.

I think it would be really smart to wait to trade Street until someone is DESPERATE. If someone's closer goes down, the As could get a ton for him!

Mark Ellis definitely makes sense to be around through 2008. His solid numbers could potentially lift him into the Type A FA category next Winter where teams such as the Cardinals could bring him on, giving the A's some nice draft picks.

With Blanton, I see him dealt by opening day. If the Braves were willing to take on Mark Kotsay's contract as well, they could potentially match up well with the Braves going all out for '08. It also makes sense to get a solid pitcher like Blanton with Smoltz and Glavine in their twilight years.

With Chavez & Street, I see Beane saving some chips for the trade deadline, hoping those two build their value up in the meantime. Same goes for Bobby Crosby.

If things go right, the A's could position themselves as a darkhorse contender as early as '09 and come back as a solid force in '10.

"Well from what I have read when the Brewers asked about Street, Beane asked for Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks or Manny Parra...

And Melvin said HELL NO, CRAZY SOB, and your retarded...lol"

Well from what I read, that is nonsensical b.s. and you're retarded...ROFLMAOCOPTERBRBFWIWLOL.

As a Brewer fan I still though would rather have Chavez...If Beane would take one of our excess pitchers..like Vargas, Bush or Cappuano...but with the way Beane is going prospect happy I doubt he would take one of those 3

I see the A's hanging onto all four of those guys, unless they are given a too good to pass up deal from some club.

Having a solid veteran at the top of your rotation, back of your bullpen, and two gold glove-caliber infielders takes a ton of pressure of the young pitchers while also giving them someone to look to for how things are done in the big leagues.

Guys I see as more likely to go: Dan Johnson, Kiko Calero, and Alan Embree. You can add Kotsay to the list if anyone will actually take him.

the only thing thats going to open up a crisp deal, is when santana is, or is finally not moved, until then crisp will remain with the sox

WestCoastBias - I completely agree with you. A darkhorse for '09 wouldn't be that big of a shocker. This team, completely healthy, could actually surprise and finish around 82 wins (like the '05 A's which won 88). I actually wouldn't be surprised to see Beane re-sign Mark Ellis (especially with Kotsay's $8 Mill or so coming off the books). He isn't young but he is arguably a top five secondbaseman in the AL. Plus, Donnie Murphy can't hit and we have no 2B (let alone SS) prospects to speak of.

Huston Street's value is very low. He didn't just have an injury last year, he had injuries in '06 as well. His fantasic rookie season in '05 is his only fully healthy season in the majors.

The only three players that I'd like to see moved that are left are: Mark Kotsay, Alan Embree, and Joe Blanton. I really like Blanton, I think he is a very solid work horse that just gets the job done but in a lost season...on the flip side, we'd have no 200 inning pitchers left if he gets traded. Embree, although he had a surprisingly great year for us isn't needed on a non-contending team when we have guys like Blevins/Casilla/Brown who need the seasoning. I love Kotsay but we aren't contending so don't give AB's to a veteran of his ilk.

I'm a die hard, optimistic A's fan, but I'd have to agree with scribbletone. I can see a ton of potential in that lineup, but it would be quite an alignment of the planets for them to all develop/peak. Then the rotation would have to fall into place, which is a major longshot in itself. If the 2008 team shows some promise and plays >.500 ball, it wouldn't surprise me if Beane took a shot with a veteran or two next off season. Maybe another Frank Thomas type of deal, just to give a glimmer of hope for contending. If not, revenue is going to absolutely suck for the next few years.
You never know, but Bonds is still available. He'd at least make the season interesting and put some butts in the seats.