Edes On Francoeur, Nick Johnson, Valverde

"Edes seconds Ken Rosenthal's rumor that the Red Sox have been scouting Jeff Francoeur."
You CAN'T be serious....can you? As a Braves fan, this is.... not sure what to call it...

I would love to see Francy dealt to the bosox for only a B-C level major league ready starter prospect along with the sox taking on all of Francy's salary. We could then package the prospect with Morton and Reyes to get DeRosa and all of his salary.

you see I disagree on Myers. I think at this point (depending on the economy) he comes back on maybe a 3 year deal at $8-10 million per year. He's been doing well lately and he'll be good for 200IP this year. They have such starting pitching issues he is one you can't let get away. Again that's dependent on many factors including if they pick up a starter at the deadline and the progression of the likes of Carrasco, Drabek, Worley and Bastardo. I think the phils would LOVE to have the end of their 2010 rotation be Happ and one of the above.

If Omar offers Parnell, Niese, Kunz, or Antonini for Johnson, Rizzo should pull the trigger ASAP.

Although the Mets really need starting pitching. Ollie is a non-entity until he comes back and pitches at least like a replacement level pitcher.

Frenchy for Bard straight up! Relievers are a dime a dozen but could be Atlanta's closer next year if Bard could actually have a secondary plus off speed pitch with some movement on his fastball. Could be risk for both teams but a high reward if Frenchy turns it around with a fresh start else where.

Do the Sox need another right-handed bat? I would think they're looking for left-handed power?

I know Francouer intrigues the Sox, but I think he'd be another Wily Mo Pena. It wouldn't be a bad project, as long as they aren't parting with an important piece.

I can't believe Rizzo asked for Bowden in return for Johnson. He should know better

I don't see the Red Sox giving Atlanta an outfield bat in return for Francoeur but you would assume J.D. Drew or Jason Bay would be in the deal. Not sure how much much payroll ATL would want to take on.

I think Texas would be a good partner because it would put Frenchy with the best hitting coach in the game. I would like to get Josh Hamilton (I know I'm dreaming) but we could send Francoeur, Jurrjens, and another top prospect for him.

Frenchy being dealt will be for anything they can get for him not necessarily for OFer in the same deal. Getting OFer would be completely separate deal IMO and just adding Frenchy and his salary could actually be a deal breaker. Another simple thought is just send him down in AAA to get his stuff straightened out but again if he doesn't than the braves may get nothing with him being just DFA at the end of the season. At least FW is trying to see what value if any is out there with other teams and if there enough in return make the trade if not keep throwing him in RF and HOPE that he turns things around at the plate.

Twins in on Penny? That remark alone makes me skeptical of Edes credibility on anything whatsoever.

I really don't get the Francoeur hype. Why is this guy even discussed? He has no business playing everyday. His career OPS is 40 points lower than Jason Lane's. If he wasn't from Atlanta, he would have been gone a long time ago. Once you've logged 2,000 MLB ABs, there's really not much reason to keep talking "potential".

In regards to Wade Davis for Valverde, I'm sure that the Astros would have to add something to the package a minor league arm or JR Towles. Plus Valverde (I'm pretty sure) will be a Type A and I don't think he's going to accept, even with the present economic condition, so the Rays would end up with 2 more picks. So Wade Davis for Valverde, a minor leaguer and 2 high draft picks? That seems a bit more fair.

"In regards to Wade Davis for Valverde, I'm sure that the Astros would have to add something to the package a minor league arm or JR Towles. Plus Valverde (I'm pretty sure) will be a Type A and I don't think he's going to accept, even with the present economic condition, so the Rays would end up with 2 more picks. So Wade Davis for Valverde, a minor leaguer and 2 high draft picks? That seems a bit more fair."

As we've seen the past couple offseasons, landing draft picks for free agents isn't always a sure thing, in terms of where those picks end up being in the draft.

And the Astros don't really have a whole lot in their farm system.

The Rays could do much better if they're willing to deal a stud like Davis, and the Astros will never deal Valverde if they're expecting that type of return for a guy that was traded to them for Chad Qualls, Juan Gutierrez and Chris Burke.

"You people are placing WAY too much value on a pitcher that has never pitched in the big leagues and isn't exactly tearing up AAA. 30k and 23 BB in 47 innings are NOT stud #s. He is also a fly ball pitcher. Fly ball pitchers that walk a lot of people and don't strike many out are far from sure things. If Valverde were healthy all year he would cost a lot more than just Davis."

Well, I'll just make the other argument.

Davis was ranked as the 33rd best prospect in the game by BA, a year after placing 17th on the same list.

Davis has never posted an FIP over 4.00 at any level in the minors, and although he's missed less bats as he's moved up through the system, he's also shown the ability to keep the ball in the park, as he's allowed only one home run in his 47 innings this season.

Davis is one of the most highly regarded pitching prospects in the game, and Valverde is a good closer under control through this season at a fairly expensive rate.

If the Astros called up and asked for Davis, then the Rays will ask them to toss Hunter Pence into the discussion as well.

You guys make your points in a complete vacuum. You know, the Rays may want to actually, like, try to compete this year with the same core of their 96 win team

With their current back end bullpen they have a very slim chance of competing, with what is otherwise a very solid team

So you could understand why they might trade a prospect for a short term patch, even if he is the 33rd best prospect around, and has a potentially bright future.

Especially since they seem to be stocked with other young arms, both in the bigs and in the minors, where they can afford to "overpay" for a need with a young chip moreso than other teams

"If the Astros called up and asked for Davis, then the Rays will ask them to toss Hunter Pence into the discussion as well."

I think there is a huge separation between some people and their views on prospects. Wade Davis has proven nothing in the majors yet, and while he is a nice prospect he's just that, a prospect.

Hunter Pence on the other hand is, on the other hand an established, above average RF. He's Jeff Francouer with talent.

If the Rays wanted Valverde bad enough and the Astros wanted Wade Davis bad enough then I guarantee a match can be made. But thinking Wade Davis is worth Hunter Pence is just silly talk.

Also to your Street point (which I think is valid), I am thinking it is possible that a pure rental is possibly more appealing than a injury prone guy with 1 more arb year remaining.

Although I obviously am not sure what they are thinking

"I agree with gomes...Davis for Hunter Pence is ludicrous. How do you justify that?"

That is like that one person wrote yesterday, Nelson Cruz for Jair Jurrjens. Rays are going to have to add players to get Pence.

I know most people that visit this site value prospects with no MLB experience way higher than they should which is why I take most of the comments with a grain of salt but the Rays would not be able to get a reliever of Valverde's caliber for Davis. Both teams would have to add to the pot to make it work most likely. Maybe Valverde + Sampson for Davis and another low level but legitimate prospect. All of this goes out the window if Valverde can't come back and prove he is healthy but elite relievers command huge bounties near the deadline. The longer you wait the more expensive they become, even for rentals. The Rangers got an every day outfielder of the future under team control for 6 years for a crappy Gagne who hadn't proven anything for years. Valverde has lead the league in saves the last two years and is an instant impact player (if healthy). If the Astros decide to becomes sellers and Valverde is healthy they will be able to get a lot more than JUST Wade Davis.

The Rays are not looking for a RF bat. With a platoon of Gross and Kapler, even if Kapler has not been good so far (although he seems to be improving a bit) plus Zobrist as well, and given the quality of the rest of the lineup they are doing just fine there. And although the farm is not strong in outfielders, it still has Joyce who is doing nicely at AAA and Jennings just a level behind. They are not sacrificing a high ceiling pitching prospect for RF help.

While there is no way the Rays acquire a Hunter Pence for Davis, even if they were interested, and while Davis is just a prospect with some worrisome numbers this year, they also are unlikely to sacrifice him for a reliever, closer or not. The bullpen has underperformed this year, but it has enough talent and depth to straighten out, and it is possible that Davis fulfills that role the way Price did last year. Valverde may be good but he is too expensive and just a rental while Street is not particularly good and is injury prone.

If the Rays look for bullpen help, I doubt it will be in a trade for any serious prospect.

Nice post Bob. Finally a sensible comment from a Rays fan. You have to give something to get something and if you aren't willing to give up Davis and others you aren't going to get a premier reliever. Valverde may be on the block, and the Rays need bullpen help, but that doesn't necessarily make them a fit. It's not like the Rays to mortgage their future for a rental and the Astros will be wanting more than a decent but not great prospect for Valverde.

I don't know if Francouer would be a good fit with the Red Sox or not, but it is worth taking a chance on. I don't understand why they would not go after Carl Crawford who, I believe, is set to become a free agent after this season??? Talk about speed in the OF...Jacoby, Bay, and Crawford...I like that mix better!

I also think Jack Wilson would be a good fit at short. We cant wait for Lowrie to come back, we have to act now!!!

What about the possibility of trading for Miguel Cabrera??? I know that it is a huge contract to absorb, but it could be done. Then you would have Cabrera at 1st, Youk at 3rd and Lowell and Ortiz (if he heats up) as options at DH. Talk about a strong line up!!!

SS Diory Hernandez and OF Jeff Franceour for OF Jose Guillen with the Royals kicking in the difference between Frenchy and JoGui's salaries for this year.

SS Diory Hernandez and OF Jeff Franceour for OF Jose Guillen with the Royals kicking in the difference between Frenchy and JoGui's salaries for this year.

Posted by: RoyalsRetro | May 28, 2009 at 09:21 AM

We'll throw in another low level prospect for one of your crapy shortstops. We need a backup until Infante returns. But if not you still got a deal!

"If the Rays were crazy about Pence and just had to have him, it would probably take something like Wade Davis, Matt Joyce and Reid Brignac."

That sounds like a pretty reasonable swap to me. Matt Joyce would be the key to that that trade, especially if he could turn into a productive corner OFer.

"I don't see the Red Sox giving Atlanta an outfield bat in return for Francoeur but you would assume J.D. Drew or Jason Bay would be in the deal."

you are kidding right? WHY in the world would the sox give up Bay who is Having an MVP season 4 A PIECE OF CRAP FRANCOUER?!?!?!?! THAT IS JUST ABOT THE WORST TRADE I HAVE EVER HEARD OF!

Johnson - Mets should talk if its Kunz or Antonini, but no way if its Niese or Parnell. Hopefully they stay away from LaRoche too, they are better off with a Tatis/Murphy platoon over him..

Penny - 5.96 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, .306 opp. batting avg.. what is so attractable about this guy? You are better off with Livan Hernandez.

Shortstops - I was hoping the Mets would look into trading for a Jack Wilson, but Cora is due back sooner rather than later, and they opted to to go cheap by acquiring Valdez for the time Cora is out.

I don't know what's up with this crazy Mets 1st base talk anyway. Delgado isn't exactly a gold glover, and the opening is a great way to get Daniel Murphy playing time, who isn't doing such a bad job defensively, btw.

My desire would be to replace Delgado's power bat with Matt Holliday or the like in the outfield, but that's gonna cost talent and will probably wait until the trade deadline.