Odds & Ends: Rivera, Sabathia, Mark Sweeney

Um, Rivera bats righty. An easy mistake to make since the Angels never play him.

Adam, the Rays will not trade Longoria.

I am not sure of what the Angels would want or if the Braves/Angels matchup, but in the past we inquired about Juan Rivera, and he still makes the most sense. The reason being is that he would cost the least in terms of prospects and money if we were to consider signing him to a long term deal. He could also be an option to move over to first if Tex walks, which is likely. He would be a more affordable option than bay or nady, and could provide similar production. We could probably trade for Rivera, while also getting a decent starter, and still have quality prospect depth. It make a lot of sense for the braves to inquire about Rivera as he would be the most reasonable option; however, again do not know if the Angels and Braves could find a deal, and, as mentioned above, I am sure the Angels have gotten calls from plenty of other teams about the possiblity of trading for rivera.

Shaikin overlooks something really big. Rivera is right handed and almost all of the Dodgers consistent power is from the right side. Martin, Kemp and Kent all bat righty. Ethier and Loney are power threats, but really aren't going to mash 30 a year.

Additionally, trading Cory Wade would be really stupid at this point. The Dodgers really have something going with that 'pen and Wade has been a huge part of it. His stuff actually projects really well as a second setup man and primary setup man when Saito decides to retire. This is especially true seeing that Proctor is injured.

i agree with both u guys on the milton bradley trade. he is certainly overrated and ballpark must be considered but for howell and another prospect that seems reasonable. bradley could definitely help down the stretch and howell isnt all that important. howell would have much more value to the rangers, who could use him as a starter.the rays almost have to trade either howell, jackson, or sonnanstine. i guess u can always use long relievers but those guys have value to other teams. the rays need to decide who they like and make the others available. id say 6 or 7 starting options r good but i think by next year they will have 9.

Sad to say, but it is probably time for Sweeney to go. He did well last year when we picked him up from the Giants but has seemed to completely lose his swing this year and has failed to make adjustments to the fact that pitchers just wont throw him a first pitch strike anymore. Nomar makes a lot more money and has a lot more value as a position player than Sweeney does and allows the team to have more right handed options on the bench.