Rosenthal's Latest: Huff, Hardy, Russ Ortiz

JJ Hardy for BJ Ryan. Solves the closer hole for the Brewers and the SS hole for the Jays.

While a Hardy for Ryan swap would fill holes for each team a straight up trade of the two doesn't seem likely. Each would bring back more in separate deals.

Ned Yost should go to the Mets!

Huff passed thru because he didn't yet have .300+ AVG, 30+ HR, 100+ RBIs...and he would have been an expensive contract to pick up.

I would love to see Hardy go to the Orioles as well. Guy puts up great numbers out of the position. I'm sure it would take Roberts to make it happen. Now I like Rickie Weeks personally. Sure he strikes out a lot and his average leaves a lot to be desired but he has pop and gets on base at a nice clip. We need middle infielders bad in Baltimore and either one of these guys would be a breath of fresh air.

Sorry for three in a row post! But wasn't Traschel one of those affordable veterans? I have no problem taking out a cheap flyer on guys like Pavano or Prior but that's it. Cabrera needs to be moved or taken out of the rotation so the only real sure thing is Guthrie. Trading roberts for guy like Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher would have provided pitchers with limited service time but were ready to compete now. My suggestion is sign Pavano to an incentive low base salary. He almost came to Baltimore before and would provide at least one more decent starter. Patton had shoulder surgery but needs to be included in the discussion after the all star break goes by. Liz needs to stay in the minors until he can figure it out all the way. He reminds me too much of Cabrera. Getting Sean Marshall seems still possible the cubs are stuffed with starters and they just don't see him as one. Sherill for Marshal seems fair enough. I know sherill's numbers have ballooned but he is without question a better reliever then Marshall. Hernandez could be moved also. His offense is still average if not better for a catcher and is well respected for his catching abilities. Weiters is the real deal and should be ready by next year. A guy like Lenny Dinardo who had some short term success with A's may be a nice pickup to. The O's should be creative and try find undervalued players instead of signing guys who will just be another band-aid.

I read it as, "Russ Ortiz has been working out 10 days a week".

You'd have to think he's in the best shape of his life if he's found a way to do that.

"i could see them dealing Aybar in a package for some good pitching. With Izturis being older and coming off of a hand injury, he'd be harder to deal."

Izturis wouldn't be harder to deal, he would just probably bring a little less. That said, Izturis may actually be easier to move because of his defensive versatility and more steady play. Additionally, Aybar seems to really be in the Angels' long range plans, as they think of him as developing into a Rafael Furcal clone (his power/speed/defense numbers project well, especially when you look at his minor league stats).

"Plus, with Rodriguez waiting in the wings, the could move Wood over to 3B in 2010 if they let go of Figgins."

The talk out of the Angels is 1) they are not going to let Figgins go, and 2) they are grooming Rodriguez to be the new Figgins as Figgins defense at 3B has become so good that they believe he has a chance at winning Gold Gloves. Remember that Rodriguez, like Figgins, can play every position but pitcher and catcher and is a natural center fielder. Grooming him for that role makes even more sense when you see that the Angels may well lose both Rivera and Anderson in the off season.

"I really think Wood will be the starting SS next year."

I think he gets a good chance at the job next year. It may also be the case that he spends a lot of time at DH.

Y'all like blockbusters?

Justin Duchscherer, Huston Street, James Simmons & Bobby Crosby for Prince Fielder & JJ Hardy. Solves both teams holes: gives Milw the pitching they need (both SP & relief), and upgrades the A's in terms of power and reliability.

"It might be a wise idea to let Figgins go... he seems to have had his career year in '07"

Letting Figgins go would be an incredibly stupid idea, especially considering who the manager is. When you have a running team, you need fast guys who get on base and make contact. In an off year, Figgins has actually increased his walk rate while dealing with injuries and his stolen base numbers are up. Further, Figgins' defense has been among the best in baseball, which adds to his value.

"I could very well see S-Rod becoming a rotating IF/4th OF for the Angels, but his bat will need to come around first. Based on his minor league numbers, I really believe that he could become another Alfonso Soriano-type player (with maybe a tad less power)."

He is not as fast or as powerful as Soriano, but he has a much better eye and glove. That said, Rodriguez' skill set doesn't replace Figgins.

"If Izturis is going to be moved, it would almost have to be after spring training starts, so the other team can be sure that he's fully healed."

It is a thumb, not an elbow or leg. I don't think there is really a worry there.

"Mathis needs to go somewhere else, and I'm sure there might still be some takers out there."

Why? The guy plays his role very well and has the bonus of a strangely clutch bat that has significant potential to come around more. In Scioscia's system, Mathis and Napoli are an idea tandem.

"I would love to see them move Izturis, Mathis, Matt Brown and a a minor leaguer for some decent pitching..."

Pitching? They have one of the top 5 staffs in all of baseball, with 4 of the 5 returning and 3 of the 5 under control for some time. Why give up so much talent, including 2 contributing major leagues for something that isn't a need?

i just thought of something the dodgers could do this offseason. since furcal looks like hell be out for the whole yr, including playoffs, they could split time btwn dewitt and berroa, resgin casey blake for 3b, and trade for a 2b, roberts or uggla