Odds and Ends: Cashman, Roberts, Lowe

It is possible that Lowe gets 4 years. For him, I think the years and innings he saved relieving extended his career, not to mention that his delivery is mechanically excellent and that he doesn't seem to throw any super stressful pitches.

Question for those who watch a decent amount of Rays games: has Kazmir's velocity been down all year or just lately? Or did he never throw much harder than 89-91 even in past years?

He has one bad game and people are prepared to trade him...

But you know, if you manage to swap him for a star position player + a prospect or two, it could make some sense if Price can replace him.

taking a couple of inches off his fastball is by design. Jim Hickey (pitching coach) feels Kazmir is more effective and will be able to work deeper into games if he eases up a little on the fastball giving him more command over where it is going.

You're right, of course, CUBBIES; you raped the A's, giving them junk for an ace. As I said, I'm glad we didn't get stuck with your junk; I'm amazed Billy Beane did. You can't sign Roberts this offseason, and I stil like the two top draft choices we can get if he does leave after next season better than all the Cubs players mentioned put together.

That being said, he has a shot. I'm not disappointed with Gallagher. He just needs a few years to settle in. Cubbies fans during the Roberts Rumours, Part I, were suggesting he'll be a dominant pitcher because of his age and that he's at AAA at the time. I'll weight the age/level factor too of course but I tend to be more traditional. I pay attention to the actual stuff they have.

"Thank goodness, we didn't trade Roberts for some combination (even all of) Cedeno, Patterson, Ceda, Veal, Pie, Gallagher, etc."

Cubs fans are very pleased this didn't happen either. The combination of DeRosa and Fontenot has been awesome for us, and like someone else said, we wouldn't have gotten Harden.

Let me ask you this: Where did Roberts get you this year? I'll tell you...he made your draft pick worse than it would have been. He is going to do the same thing next year too. McPhail was an idiot for keeping him...he did you no good but worsen your draft pick status and take up 8 mil or so of payroll while you finished in 4th place. Congrats.

By the way, the best 4 seam fastballs are those that "rise" so to speak. You want that from a 4 seamer...you want a 2 seamer to sink. They are two totally different pitches.

And the bitching and moaning of Cubs fans about BRob continues? I get the feeling these boards are going to be hysterical when the Cubs get swept in the first round of the playoffs again. lol.

Playwright-

Vive compared the 2 trades, but also stated that it probably wouldn't be enough to get a trade done.

I'm not so sure it wouldn't. I would take Duncan out of the deal and give you Craig. I think it would be awfully tough for the O's to turn down that deal. Looking at that deal, you've got a former 1st and 2nd (looking back Todd should have been a 1st). You get a young 1B/3B who hit .300 20+ HR in AA. And a pitcher who was rated the best AAA pitcher in the PCL by its managers. Pretty tough to turn down when Roberts means nothing to your losing team.

For only 1 year, I'm not so sure he's worth that much.

3 years with an option. Also interesting to note is that he has improved statistically every year in LA.