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Rosenthal On Strasburg, Arroyo, Zobrist

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 24, 2009 at 9:23am CST]

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says most believe the Nationals will sign Stephen Strasburg to a record deal of about $15-18MM this summer. Here are the details:

Rosenthal describes doomsday scenarios for the Nationals and Strasburg to show that the two sides need to come to an agreement.
The Reds can't even consider dealing Bronson Arroyo until Edinson Volquez returns. If Homer Bailey comes up and pitches well, it would be easier for the Reds to part with a starter.
If Akinori Iwamura can return this year, Ben Zobrist may become a super utilityman again. Rosenthal wonders if the AL OPS leader is more valuable when he plays multiple positions.
The Brewers, who would like to add pitching, could talk with the Braves, who have had interest in Corey Hart in the past.
Nobody's interested in Jeff Francoeur, but the Braves have enviable pitching depth that would entice the Brewers.

Comments

Why would anyone play Iwamura over Zobrist?

If Zobrist played RF, this problem would be solved in three minutes. They should give him a shot there.

Posted by: venn177 | June 24, 2009 at 09:44 AM

Yeah, I play Zobrist at 2B still.

The Gross/Kapler platoon will provide more offense in RF than Iwamura will at 2B. And Aki isn't an awesome defensive 2B.

Posted by: melonis rex | June 24, 2009 at 09:54 AM

Aki got a 1 defensive range from Strat-O-Matic this year. Just saying...

Posted by: jza1218 | June 24, 2009 at 10:17 AM

Great point, jza! Always nice to see a Strat-O-Matic reference!

Posted by: pdogg1079 | June 24, 2009 at 10:27 AM

I hope the Braves pass on Hart. I don't see him as a huge upgrade over Frenchy.

Posted by: bravesfan | June 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM

Akinora gives you a solid OBP guy at the top of the lineup though. He makes that Rays lineup better than a platoon of Gross/Kapler.

Zobrist should move to RF when Aki gets back.

Hart would be a big upgrade over what Francour has done lately...

Posted by: Hermie13 | June 24, 2009 at 10:31 AM

Are the Tigers in on Zobrist? What would it take to get him?

Posted by: Rob M. | June 24, 2009 at 10:31 AM

Im gonna assume that Zobrist is on their no-trade list. He's too cheap and useful (2B/SS/OF ability) for them to move now

Posted by: jza1218 | June 24, 2009 at 10:33 AM

Are the Tigers in on Zobrist? What would it take to get him?

Posted by: Rob M. | June 24, 2009 at 10:31 AM

Zobrist is controlled for the next 5 years. It would take something the Tigers currently don't have: a wealth of prospects.

Posted by: carini26 | June 24, 2009 at 10:36 AM

Dont know that i'd like the Francoeur/Hart trade. I dont wana see anymore of our top pitchers/prospects go for someone that isnt an Elite player.

Posted by: ATlChop | June 24, 2009 at 12:05 PM

There's no possibility they can sit Zobrist. So it's basically Iwamura vs a Gross and Joyce/Kapler platoon....I don't know how each of those guys are defensively in the OF, but if they are okay I would opt for sitting Iwamura, because a Joyce/Kapler platoon brings a lot of power out there

Iwamura would be a great bench guy, could fill in well at 2B and 3B, doesn't have a platoon split so you can PH him vs both RHP and LHP. Good PR for Burrell too in late innings (although Perez would be better if he's around)

Posted by: wayne gomes | June 24, 2009 at 12:40 PM

I'd be playing Joyce everyday personally.

He probably could match any of the Gabes in terms of offense, he's young and I think he has a better arm than any of the other options too.

Posted by: jza1218 | June 24, 2009 at 01:04 PM

I think Maloney would come back up before homer. Maloney just needs to keep the ball in the ballpark and he will be a solid 4 or 5 much better than bronson and owings.

Posted by: Vottomatic | June 24, 2009 at 01:12 PM

Zobrist isn't going anywhere, and starting Iwamura over him is a crapshoot. Make Iwamura the damn utility guy. What more does Ben have to prove?

My original comment here was also that Rosenthal's really reaching now. Even considering Zobrist makes him a lamebrain.

Posted by: www.homehalfway.net | June 24, 2009 at 01:35 PM

If all you think Maloney will be is a 4 or 5 then he's definitely NOT 'much' better than Arroyo who is a proven 3-4 in this league. Is having a bit of a rough year but gets you innings, which is what you need in the middle of a rotation.

Posted by: Hermie13 | June 24, 2009 at 04:02 PM

If I'm the Rays, I do see what you could get for zobrist.

Do people honestly believe he's 'this' good?

He had a solid year last year with an OPS over .800....but over 1.000? That's not gonna last.

I wouldn't trade him just for the sake of it obviously, but if it netted them a solid closer and a high prospect then I'd consider it.

Posted by: Hermie13 | June 24, 2009 at 04:04 PM

You have to be kidding me Arroyo will never ever be a number 3 in this league again.

He may have been a 3 for a half of year back in 07 but not in the last year and a half.

This league has figured him out and he cannot fool anyone.

At leaste Maloney has decent stuff around 90 91 and he is a lefty.

Posted by: Vottomatic | June 24, 2009 at 11:17 PM

And I am saying Maloney is a solid 4 or 5 in the reds roataion because Eedinson Jonney and Harang are as good as it gets fool.

He would be an easy 3 or 4 on a lot of teams...

Posted by: Vottomatic | June 24, 2009 at 11:20 PM

Since last years All-Star break only R. Halladay has won more games than B.A.

Posted by: RoseHOF | June 26, 2009 at 09:42 AM

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Rosenthal On Strasburg, Arroyo, Zobrist

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