Odds And Ends: Atkins, Ryan, Halladay

If the Red Sox were really that close to dealing Saito for Blalock, please let it be Saito for Atkins, or some variation of that.

A team that may pick up Ryan might be the Rays. They have a history of collecting closers/ex-closers (I.E. Wheeler, Percival, Isringhausen, etc.) Also, if Ryan gets back to form, the man is awfully darn good.

The Marlins are going to get Ryan. Why wouldn't you want to go to Miami where you get low attendance, a contending team, and a great city. Plus Mark Wiley isn't too bad of a pitching coach either

"Garrett Atkins is a better option than what the Red Sox have now."

Not correct. Even Jed Lowrie (finished with rehab this week) is better than Atkins and his bloated salary and that is even if Lowell is not able to play this year, which is almost impossible to begin with.

Atkins and his not able to hit outside of Colorado stats is right where he belongs.. Playing in Colorado and them stuck paying him. Now if they want to DFA him like the Jays had to Ryan because he could not find a sucker to take him, then Boston may be interested, but not with the ridiculous amount of change being owed this, as well as next year in arbitration for him.

Let's deal in reality here.

Is Atkins overpaid and having a rough year? Yes.

But to say Jed Lowrie is better than Atkins is comical, ridiculous, and among the dumbest things I've seen written on this website.

The Rockies would not DFA Atkins for several reasons.

1) That would be stupid.
2) He's hitting well over .300 since June 1st.
3) He has value to them and in a potential trade.
4) He'll be in for a decent paycut this offseason.

Players have to be tendered contracts in arbitration with a salary of no less than a 20% paycut still I am pretty certain. I am fairly certain that Atkins, even if he is paid 5.6M next year is not worth 5.6M outside of Coors field and probably not worth it hitting at Coors field even if the Rockies offered 20% cut from 7M and the Rockies won in arbitration if the 20% rule is in effect now.

It has been years since the 20% rule, so I am not going to state it still exists as far as max that can be cut in arbitration gentleman, just mentioning it, but regardless, the Sox have a feeling would think awfully long and hard and make sure Lowell is absolutely not able to play and that Lowrie is still suffering effects from his wrist surgery before taking Atkins on, since a switch hitting Lowrie with good doubles power and a slick fielder with good hands will be saving 6.5M this year and Youkillis can move to 3B, with far more 1B being available if they really wanted a replacement for this season.

It just makes no sense to give Colorodo a setup guy/closer, right when they are looking to cash in on Street, like some made up stuff being imagined.

Why in the world would any team interested in a third basemen NOT be looking at Kevin Koozmanoff? Especially over Atkins, he has come on hot as of late plays stellar D. and has good pop 20+ homer guy 90 -100 RBI guy and is making practically nothing. Atkins is making what 7M? Padres want to move Kooz to have Headley at third, it should be a no brainer. Not to mention Kooz hits in the most pitchers friendly park in all of baseball in any other park that would only translate beneficial. Teams would be stupid not to look at the Koozer!