Rosenthal's Latest: Beltre, Washburn, Escobar, Duchscherer

I don't see Beane moving Duchsherer. BTW his ERA moved down to 1.91 yesterday in a 1-0 loss to the Giants. With that AL league leading ERA and a 1.2 milion dollar deal. Beane would ask for The World and them some. I can think of a lot of teams that might try. Like the Rays, Yankees, Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers, Marlins, Mets, and Braves. I would say the Red Sox but they have enough pitvhing depth in their system. But Beane would demand these teams top prospects and then some. That's definatley fair for him to do.

Garland is a ground ball innings eater, which is something a lot of teams can use. Most teams have a guy who is or is capable of being a number one. The issue is having that other guy who can get people out and put up quality starts. Garland is that guy. He would probably come cheap as far as a trade deal goes, because he would likely be a rental given that he is a free agent at the end of the season.

What you have to remember about Garland is that he can throw hard, as in 93-95, if he wants to and will go for the K when he needs to. Kind of a poor man's Derek Lowe.

Still, I see the Angels holding onto Garland till the year is over with Escobar becoming the extra long guy the Angels really need given the injuries to Bootcheck and Moseley. Let him walk next year and either have Escobar slide into the 5th starter role or bring up Adenhart or Green.

Garland was 3.5 points from type A status after last year, which wasn't a very good year. This year, his numbers will probably go up as his ERA has been better and he will likely have a better won/loss record and the fact that several of the Type A's above him are having crapish years. Don't know if it makes him a Type A, because his K numbers are going to hurt him.

As far as the Mariners speculation goes... Ichiro is more likely to be traded than Beltre... Even if they are rebuilding, what would be the point of trading one of the best 3B in the game coming into his prime (29 & 2 mos.) who has got better every year and with his second half production will eclipse 30 HRs this year with 100+ RBI and have an AVG in the .270-.280 range... He's under contract for another season and I would be surprised if they dealt him before the winter meetings. The fact that his value will only get better as the season goes along and he climbs in numbers proves that the front office are fools if they are as dumb as Rosenthal. Also, he wants to be in Seattle as Edgar Martinez was his idol, which is why they got the discount in the first place and why he would be willing to re-sign. If Pelekoudas and the Seattle brass fail to see how difficult it will be to bring in top tallent should they not climb back to atleast 75-80 wins, they are stupid and all deserved to fired... They all deserve to be fired anyways, so I guess that's a mute point.

As for Washburn, he should demand a top pitching prospect that's major league ready and it would have to be a staff in need of a lefty to balance the rotation out, for this reason I don't see the Phillies as a good fit with both Moyer and Hamels. I think he's a better fit for the injury depleted Red Sox, for you that want to bash his season, realize he's had 3 bad starts, 1 questionable starts, and 12 solid to great starts. In his last six, he's only given up 4 runs once and in the other 5 he's given up no more than 2 ER. He's a legitimate pick-up and he says it has to do with calling his old college coach, for what that's worth. I would say Masterson and Lowrie for Washburn and Rob Johnson get this done.