Minor League Ball: FanPosts

Community last year's rookies runoff for #13 and #14, Holland v. Latos

2009-11-26T04:13:29Z

I don't particularly want and wasn't particularly expecting another runoff but with Holland and Latos exactly tied, and as large a total vote as we have been typically having in these polls, it doesn't seem like there is much choice. Given the very substantial separation between those two and everyone else (much larger than the separation between Holland/Tillman and Latos last round) and the discussion in the thread on round 13, this runoff will be for spots 13 and 14, so after the runoff we will crown the #13 and #14 and go for #15 minus Tillman, Holland and Latos. That should make for a very wide open round 15.

Given that tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I'll leave the runoff up until Friday morning unless there is a large enough vote and a large enough separation between the two to call it earlier.

Looking ahead, however, to round 15, Bard and Laporta will drop, and Holland/Latos will be off, leaving around 4 spots for persons who had previously been dropped (two of those spots will likely go to Reimold and Romero) and one spot for someone new (Borbon?, Rzepczynski?). I feel like I have done a pretty good job of making sure that no one with any real chance of winning a round is off the list for that round, but next round could be a bit dangerous that way so any/all comments appreciated..

Poll

Who is the better prospect for future major league performance?

UPDATED - Open Thread: Best of the Unprotected; Top Rule V Prospects

2009-11-22T18:33:01Z

What players did your team not protect that may be a decent pick in the Rule V draft on December 10?

It would be interesting to hear Mr. Sickels thoughts on the subject as well. In the 2009 Rule V, will there be a hidden gem like Josh Hamilton, Joakim Soria, Dan Uggla or a Johan Santana?

Community List so far:

(I did not check for accuracy, eligibility or player postions)

Angels: Tommy Mendoza; Marco Albano; Amalio Diaz

Astros: Koby Clemens, C

Athletics: Anthony Recker, C; Graham Godfrey, P; Jared Lansford, P; Corey Wimberly, Util

Cubs: Maestri; Snyder; Diamond; Camp; Chrinos; Clevenger

Giants: CF Mike McBryde; LHP Ben Snyder

Indians: Matt McBride 1B/LF/C; Yohan Pino P; Josh Tomlin P; Chuck Lofgren P; Stephen Wright P; John Drennan OF

Mets: RHP, Ryan Coultas ; Nick Carr; Hector Pellot

Nationals: IF/OF Leonard Davis; RHSP Erik Arnesen; RHRP Luis Garcia; LHRP Yunior Novoa; RHRP Josh Wilkie

Orioles: Steve Johnson

Phillies: Edgar Garcia right-hander; Tim Kennelly UTIL

Pirates: Shelby Ford

Rangers: John Whittleman 3B

Rays: Aneury Rodriguez, P

Reds: Danny Dorn; Dallas Buck; Sean Watson

Rockies: Cole Garner; Craig Baker

Royals: Chris Hayes, P

Twins: IF Steve Singleton; IF Brian Dinkelman; RHP Santos Arias

White Sox: Kyle McCulloch P

Yankees: Colin Curtis; Zack Kroenke; Grant Duff; George Kontos; Kanekoa Texeira; Kevin Whelan.

BA STL Top 10

2009-11-25T16:53:14Z

TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Shelby Miller, rhp

2. Jaime Garcia, lhp

3. Lance Lynn, rhp

4. Daryl Jones, of

5. David Freese, 3b/1b

6. Eduardo Sanchez, rhp

7. Allen Craig, of/1b/3b

8. Blake Hawksworth, rhp

9. Daniel Descalso, 2b

10. Robert Stock, c

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Jon Jay

Best Power Hitter Allen Craig

Best Strike-Zone Discipline Charles Cutler

Fastest Baserunner Adron Chambers

Best Athlete Daryl Jones

Best Fastball Shelby Miller

Best Curveball Jaime Garcia

Best Slider Blake King

Best Changeup P.J. Walters

Best Control P.J. Walters

Best Defensive Catcher Matt Pagnozzi

Best Defensive Infielder Ryan Jackson

Best Infield Arm Tyler Greene

Best Defensive Outfielder Shane Robinson

Best Outfield Arm Jon Edwards

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2010/269196.html

Poll

Hypothetical: Shelby Miller or Brett Wallace?

Last year's rookies top community prospects for future performance #13

2009-11-25T05:16:41Z

In an extremely close vote, both in the round leading up to the runoff and in the runoff itself, Chris Tillman edges out Derek Holland for the #12 spot among this past year's rookies. Holland goes back into the poll. Assuming we are doing something in the range of 25 spots in this poll, that puts us just about half way. I'll probably give this one a little more time than usual given the holiday though I'll wait to see depending on how quickly votes come in. Here is where we are so far:

1. Matt Wieters, C Baltimore

2. Tommy Hanson, P Atlanta

3. Andrew McCutchen, of Pittsburgh

4. Brett Anderson P Oakland

5 Gordon Beckham, 3b CHW

6. Rick Porcello, P Detroit.

7.Elvis Andrus, SS Texas

8. Colby Rasmus, of St. Louis

9. David Price, P Tampa Bay

10. Travis Sinder, of Toronto

11. Dexter Fowler, of Colorado

12. Chris Tillman, p Baltimore

J.A. Happ and Everth Cabrera had less than 5% of the vote last round and are temporarily dropped from the voting.

temporarily dropped from the poll (percentage and round in parens) Gerardo Parra 0% (8), Jeff Neimann, 1% (9), Luis Valbuena 2% (10), Ricky Romero 4% (11), Nolan Reimold 4% (11), Drew Stubbs 3% (11), Mat Gamel 1% (11), Randy Wells 0% (11); J.A. Happ 1% (12), Everth Cabrera 2% (12)

This round we add back Chris Coghlan, Kyle Blanks, and Matt Laporta and give a first shot to Daniel Bard.

As always, if you you have any suggestions for players to be added to the voting, please list them below.

Arizona Fall League 2009 Video Posted

2009-11-16T18:47:05Z

Finished!

I've uploaded all AFL video to Vimeo.com.

I was in Phoenix for 8 days and took in 6 games and the Grand Canyon.

I'll finish off with a play at the plate involving catcher A.J. Jimenez:

Great block at plate by A.J. Jimenez

As of 2009-11-24 10:50am EDT:

As of 2009-11-24 10:36am EDT:

As of 2009-11-24 9:54am EDT:

As of 2009-11-24 9:01am EDT:

As of 2009-11-21 9:35am EDT:

Brandon Erbe

Brandon Snyder

Brandon Waring

As of 2009-11-20 11:28pm EDT:

As of 2009-11-20 12:11am EDT:

Brandon Hicks

Vinnie Pestano

Josh Rodriguez

As of 2009-11-19 1:59pm EDT:

As of 2009-11-18 11:47pm EDT:

As of 2009-11-18 7:17pm EDT:

As of 2009-11-18 11:03am EDT:

As of 2009-11-18 7:02am EDT:

As of 2009-11-17 9:02pm EDT:

As of 2009-11-17- 3:31pm EDT:

As of 2009-11-17 11:39am EDT:

As of 2009-11-16 11:57pm EDT:

Aaron Crow

Ryan Mount

Mike Moustakas (last three clips are Moustakas fielding)

Scott Moviel

As of 2009-11-16 7:44pm EDT:

Jeff Bianchi

Jarrod Dyson

Josh Stinson

As of 2009-11-16 1:38pm EDT:

Enjoy!

BP DET Top 15

2009-11-24T17:01:37Z

Five-Star Prospects

1. Jacob Turner, RHP
2. Casey Crosby, LHP
Four-Star Prospects
3. Scott Sizemore, 2B
Three-Star Prospects
4. Daniel Fields, SS
5. Andy Oliver, LHP
6. Alex Avila, C
7. Cody Satterwhite, RHP
8. Wilkin Ramirez, OF
9. Ryan Strieby, 1B
10. Gustavo Nunez, SS
Two-Star Prospects
11. Casper Wells, OF

Four More:
12. Alfredo Figaro, RHP: The undersized righty is a big league-ready middle reliever, but that's also his likely ceiling.
13. Melvin Mercedes, RHP: Mercedes is a teenager who is loaded with projection, but he needs plenty of refinement.
14. Cale Iorg, SS: The athletic, slick-fielding shortstop looked completely overmatched at Double-A, but he might have been rushed.
15. Brennan Boesch, OF: He’s a massive outfielder with massive power and massive holes in his swing.

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9796

Poll

Who's your #1?

BA Pirates Top 10

2009-11-24T16:28:21Z

TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Pedro Alvarez, 3b

2. Jose Tabata, of

3. Tony Sanchez, c

4. Brad Lincoln, rhp

5. Chase D'Arnaud, ss/2b

6. Starling Marte, of

7. Tim Alderson, rhp

8. Zack Von Rosenberg, rhp

9. Rudy Owens, lhp

10. Gorkys Hernandez, of

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Jose Tabata

Best Power Hitter Pedro Alvarez

Best Strike-Zone Discipline Chase d'Arnaud

Fastest Baserunner Jose de los Santos

Best Athlete Chase d'Arnaud

Best Fastball Victor Black

Best Curveball Brad Lincoln

Best Slider Victor Black

Best Changeup Daniel McCutchen

Best Control Rudy Owens

Best Defensive Catcher Tony Sanchez

Best Defensive Infielder Argenis Diaz

Best Infield Arm Argenis Diaz

Best Defensive Outfielder Gorkys Hernandez

Best Outfield Arm Starling Marte

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2010/269191.html

Poll

Grade the talent level in this top 10

Last year's rookies, #12 runoff

2009-11-24T14:01:43Z

I've been waiting and waiting and there still is essentially no separation between the votes for Derek Holland (26%) and Chris Tillman (25%). So we are going to have a runoff.

Unlike a lot of other potential runoffs, where it is a question of whether you prefer the pitcher to the hitter, or even the slick fielding middle infielder to the power hitter, this is about as much of an "apples to apples" comparison as there could be. Both are very young, shot through the minors quickly, struggled some at the major league level, but are perceived as having very high ceilings.

If you also want to use this thread to suggest new additions to the poll that would be great. Among hitters I'm thinking we should get to Gardner and Borbon at some point, and also eventually try two guys who were old for rookies but peformed very well when they finally got their shots in Garret Jones and Casey McGehee. Among pitchers, Bergesen, Cecil, Tommy Hunter, Gio Gonzalez, Daniel Bard and Mike Rzepczynski seem like possibilities. If you like any of the group I just mentioned, or other guys I didn't, and would like to see them at some point, even if you are not prepared to vote for them quite yet, please list or discuss below.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.

Poll

Who is the better prospect for future major league performance?.

Derek Holland, P Texas

98 votes

Chris Tillman, P Baltimore

106 votes

204 votes | Poll has closed

Great block at plate by A.J. Jimenez

2009-11-24T13:37:12Z

I caught a break and got this footage of a play-at-the-plate, with Toronto Blue Jay A.J. Jimenez showing his athleticism. Also posted to FanShots.

http://www.vimeo.com/7794840

Enjoy!

What are words worth?

Who can that be now?

Put the message in the box, put the box inside the car, drive the car around the world.

Drill holes in themselves and live for their secrets.

I wanna be your Joey Ramone.

BA MIL Top 10

2009-11-23T17:30:39Z

Top Ten Prospects

1. Alcides Escobar, ss

2. Brett Lawrie, 2b

3. Mat Gamel, 3b

4. Eric Arnett, rhp

5. Jonathan Lucroy, c

6. Kentrail Davis, of

7. Zach Braddock, lhp

8. Lorenzo Cain, of

9. Jake Odorizzi, rhp

10. Kyle Heckathorn, rhp

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Brett Lawrie

Best Power Hitter Brett Lawrie

Best Strike-Zone Discipline Jonathan Lucroy

Fastest Baserunner Lee Haydel

Best Athlete D'Vontrey Richardson

Best Fastball Jeremy Jeffress

Best Curveball Cody Scarpetta

Best Slider Zach Braddock

Best Changeup Amaury Rivas

Best Control Amaury Rivas

Best Defensive Catcher Carlos Corporan

Best Defensive Infielder Alcides Escobar

Best Infield Arm Alcides Escobar

Best Defensive Outfielder Logan Schafer

Best Outfield Arm Brendan Katin

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2010/269178.html

Poll

Should Cody Scarpetta have made this top 10?

Last year's rookies, top community prospects for future performance #12

2009-11-23T14:25:35Z

In a close four way vote, Dexter Fowler emerges as #11 among last year's rookies. Tillman, Latos and Holland each had within a few votes of each other in a virtual tie for second at 18%-19% so it will be interesting to see which of those (or possibly a dark horse) emerges next round. Here is where we are so far:

1. Matt Wieters, C Baltimore

2. Tommy Hanson, P Atlanta

3. Andrew McCutchen, of Pittsburgh

4. Brett Anderson P Oakland

5 Gordon Beckham, 3b CHW

6. Rick Porcello, P Detroit.

7.Elvis Andrus, SS Texas

8. Colby Rasmus, of St. Louis

9. David Price, P Tampa Bay

10. Travis Sinder, of Toronto

11. Dexter Fowler, of Colorado

Randy Wells, Ricky Romero, Mat Gamel, Drew Stubbs and Nolan Reimold all had less than 5% of the vote last round and are temporarily dropped from the voting, although Romero and Reimold got close and will be back quickly.

temporarily dropped from the poll (percentage and round in parens) Kyle Blanks 1% (8), Gerardo Parra 0% (8), Jeff Neimann, 1% (9), Matt Laporta 3% (10), Luis Valbuena 2% (10), Ricky Romero 4% (11), Nolan Reimold 4% (11), Drew Stubbs 3% (11), Mat Gamel 1% (11), Randy Wells 0% (11)

This round we add back Trevor Cahill, Andrew Bailey, Cameron Maybin and JA Happ and give a first shot to Everth Cabrera.

As always, if you you have any suggestions for players to be added to the voting, particularly hitters, as the list is very pitcher heavy at the moment, please list them below.

Poll

Who is the best prospect for future major league performance among the following, who used up their rookie eligibility in 2009?

Chris Tillman, P Baltimore

55 votes

Matt Latos, P San Diego

38 votes

Derek Holland, P Texas

52 votes

Trevor Cahill, P Oakland

19 votes

Andrew Bailey, P Oakland

13 votes

Cameron Maybin, of Florida

28 votes

JA Happ, P Phillies

3 votes

Everth Cabrera, ss San Diego

6 votes

other (please specify below)

1 votes

215 votes | Poll has closed

Last year's rookies, top community prospects for future performance #11

2009-11-22T14:36:50Z

The highest remaining ranked player from last year's community list, Travis Snider, with 25% of the vote is named the 11th ranked player among last year's rookies, beating out several other players in the 15% range. It will be interesting to say who wins this round, as it is not at all clear cut from last round's results. Here is where we are so far:

1. Matt Wieters, C Baltimore

2. Tommy Hanson, P Atlanta

3. Andrew McCutchen, of Pittsburgh

4. Brett Anderson P Oakland

5 Gordon Beckham, 3b CHW

6. Rick Porcello, P Detroit.

7.Elvis Andrus, SS Texas

8. Colby Rasmus, of St. Louis

9. David Price, P Tampa Bay

10. Travis Sinder, of Toronto

Matt Laporta, J.A. Happ, Cameron Maybin and Luis Valbuena all got less than 5% of the vote last round and are temporarily dropped from the voting, although Happ and Maybin got close and will be back quickly.

temporarily dropped from the poll (percentage and round in parens) Ricky Romero 0% (5), Mat Gamel 1% (6), Drew Stubbs 2% (7), Nolan Reimold 2% (7), Trevor Cahill 3% (8), Andrew Bailey 3% (8), Kyle Blanks 1% (8), Gerardo Parra 0% (8), Jeff Neimann, 1% (9), Matt Laporta 3% (10), Luis Valbuena 2% (10), Cameron Maybin 4% (10), J.A. Happ 4% (10)

This round we add back Ricky Romero, Mat Gamel, Drew Stubbs and Nolan Reimold and add Randy Wells for the first time.

As always, if you you have any suggestions for players to be added next round, please list them below.

Dustin Ackley to 2nd base

2009-11-22T00:58:23Z

Didn't see a thread on this, new news right? Interesting strategy here, understandable with Franklin-G already manning the CF position and Ackley's experience at 2nd. Little to no harm done by simply starting him there...

Mariners first-round draft pick Dustin Ackley will begin working out at second base in a move that could become permanent if all goes well.
The decision was announced Friday by Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik in a conference call with writers who cover the team. Zduriencik termed the move "an experiment" for now and says it's always been his philosophy to work minor-leaguers out at multiple positions to give the club flexibility going forward.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2010320833_mari21.html

Throwing stuff against the wall: What would it cost the A's to trade for Florida's Josh Johnson?

2009-11-21T21:31:05Z

A's GM Billy Beane made an interesting comment the other day.

We're going to look at young players to fill spots, first and foremost," Beane said. "If those players we'd like to acquire aren't obtainable, we'll consider bringing in guys who can hold the positions down.

Link.

So the A's aren't interested in chasing down free agents but they are going to be talking to teams about making trades. I don't care how you feel about Oakland's current crop of young pitching (maybe you think they're the greatest thing since Hudson/Mulder/Zito... maybe you think all but Anderson are way over-rated) at the very least the responsible thing to do if you were the GM of a major league baseball team would be to kick the tires a bit and see what the sticker price is for Johnson.

I happen to think that the back end of the A's rotation is in flux and the idea of slotting Johnson into the #1 role, bumping Braden and Anderson down a notch, would be a good thing. So I'd like to hear what people think would be a fair and equitable trade between the A's and the Marlins. I especially want to hear from those who aren't fans of either team, you're less likely to be overly biased one way of the other!

The parameters of the deal are pretty simple:

1) The A's aren't giving up Anderson to acquire Johnson... everyone else is open for discussion. I realize the A's wouldn't be the only team interested in Johnson so I'm expecting the price to be steep.

2) The A's are willing to shoulder the full financial burden but they aren't asking for a pre-deal window to sign Johnson to an extension. At this point we're talking about 2 years of team control. (I figure both sides will want to get to know each other a bit before committing long term.)

Everything and anything else is open to debate. Think this needs to be a 3-way deal? Go for it. Florida doesn't have any albatross-like contracts they need to dispose of so I'm guessing any trade is going to be all about the talent.

I'm curious to see what people think.

AFL Championship Game Thread

2009-11-21T19:53:28Z

Here's a general thread for discussing any insights that you can gather by watching the AFL Championship, currently airing on the MLB Network and I think mlb.com. Strasburg was scratched, but there are some interesting prospects playing. The lineups are the following:

Phoenix Desert Dogs:

Angle CF
Espinosa SS
Brown, C RF
Marrero 1B
Desme LF
Bell 3B
Ashley C
Weeks 2B
O'Malley DH
Talbot P

Peoria Javelinas:

Ackley LF
Danks, Jor CF
Mitchell, R 1B
Morel 3B
Lambo DH
Wells, C RF
Lucroy C
Retherford 2B
Iorg SS
Varvaro P

Last year's rookies, top community prospects for future performance #10

2009-11-21T13:17:04Z

With David Price's clear cut win this past round with 37% of the vote, as #2 on lat year's community prospect list he finally joins last year's #1 Matt Wieters. Given Price's total and that the rest of the guys remaining on the list were tightly bunced between 8% and 14% it might be said that Price represents the last player in a tier. Anyway, here is where we are so far:

1. Matt Wieters, C Baltimore

2. Tommy Hanson, P Atlanta

3. Andrew McCutchen, of Pittsburgh

4. Brett Anderson P Oakland

5 Gordon Beckham, 3b CHW

6. Rick Porcello, P Detroit.

7.Elvis Andrus, SS Texas

8. Colby Rasmus, of St. Louis

9. David Price, P Tampa Bay

Jeff Neimann got less than 5% last round and is being temporarily dropped from the voting. Although Laporta also got less than 5% if he had been on the list from the beginning instead of being substituted in half way through he might well have gotten 5% so I am going to leave him on the list for now.

temporarily dropped from the poll (percentage and round in parens) Ricky Romero 0% (5), Mat Gamel 1% (6), Drew Stubbs 2% (7), Nolan Reimold 2% (7), Trevor Cahill 3% (8), Andrew Bailey 3% (8), Kyle Blanks 1% (8), Gerardo Parra 0% (8), Jeff Neimann, 1% (9)

This round we add back Cameron Maybin and add Luis Valbuena and J. A Happ for the first time.

I'm probably going to add back several players from the list of players who have been temporarily dropped next round. As there are about 6 I could justify adding back based on their prior vote if you have any preferences either from that list or for the first time please list them below.

Poll

Who is the best prospect for future performance among the following, who used up their rookie eligibility in 2009?

Travis Snider, of Toronto

40 votes

Chris Tillman, P Baltimore

28 votes

Dexter Fowler, of Colorado

24 votes

Matt Latos, P San Diego

19 votes

Matt Laporta, of/ab Cleveland

6 votes

Derek Holland, P Texas

23 votes

J.A Happ, P Phillies

7 votes

Cameron Maybin, of Florida

9 votes

Luis Valbuena, 2b/ss Cleveland

3 votes

other (please specify below)

1 votes

160 votes | Poll has closed

Any surprises with your team's 40 man protection today?

2009-11-21T07:46:13Z

With the offseason boring full speed ahead, I'm just curious if anyone had thoughts on what their respective teams did today in regards to guys to protect. Any surprises? Any disappointments? Any big time targets out there?

Nothing that surprising on the Cubs end. Cubs had 7 spots open and protected 5. The 5:

a) Blake Parker - Was in AFL. Closed in AAA this year. Former catcher throws in the low-mid 90's with a good slider. Some control problems. Seems to be middle relief/borderline setup type.

b) John Gaub - Was in AFL, and struggled there. Had a strong year, though, jumping to AA to start and ending in Iowa. Excellent LOOGY potential with a low 90's fastball and a good slider.

c) Welington Castillo - Was in AFL briefly. Top Cubs catching prospect. Talented, but still a work in progress. Some bad luck with the bat early in 2009, then got hot 2nd half. Defensively has a high ceiling, but isn't there yet, although indications are that he improved this year. Has oft been compared to Yadier Molina, but to thb, I see more of a Bengie Molina type if he really develops.

d) Rafael Dolis - Hard throwing big righty had control problems as a starter, but projects more as a power pen arm anyways. Many (including Callis) had argued that he'd be the top pick in the Rule 5 draft if he wasn't protected. Upper 90's fb that can hit triple digits, and solid slider and change options.

e) James Adduci - The mild surprise for me, although with that many spots available, it wasn't a big deal. Lanky, athletic OF with minimal power but makes good contact and shows good discipline. Runs the bases well, good throwing arm. Seems like a depth OF type that handles all three spots and can come in to pinch hit and pinch run a bit. I was surprised as the Cubs have enough OF depth on the 40 man right now.

Best of the rest on the Cubs: Alessandro Maestri (Italian has good stuff but struggled this year while working his way back; imo, projects as a middle relief, Wuertz-type if he develops), Chris Robinson/Steve Clevenger/Robinson Chirinos (backup catcher types; Castillo had more value, no need to protect 4 catchers), Thomas Diamond (former Rangers first rounder is still an unknown), Matt Camp (versatile guy who could fit as a last man on the bench type potentially), Robert Hernandez (was very exciting a couple years ago as a youngster in Peoria - then the PED suspension, and he's been stuck), Jeremy Papelbon/Jayson Ruhlman (decent lefty options, in Papelbon's case, he might not warm up fast enough to be a pen arm).

All in all, there isn't anyone hanging out there that I desperately thought needed to be protected.

Anyhow, curious what other people thought about what your organizations did.

Mock MLB offseason: Should A's trade for Reid Brignac?

2009-11-20T22:44:00Z

Basic premise of this exercise is that you are the GM of the Oakland A's. You are trying to build a successful 2010 club while keeping a bright future in Oakland (or wherever the A's may end up). Obviously there are holes in the Oakland lineup that could be filled for 2010. Not among the least of these is SS (although some like Cliff Pennington there).

If you had a trade offer on the table to receive Reid Brignac while sending Sean Doolittle and Josh Donaldson, would you do the trade?

Let's look at the pieces:

Reid Brignac: He has the ability to fill in at both SS and 3B--two positions that will likely need to be filled at least to start the season. If Pennington continues to produce at SS, he can play at 3B until Brett Wallace is ready. If Brignac performs well in addition to both Wallace and Pennington--well then you have some trade chips. If one of these fails, you end up having insurance

Sean Doolittle: Doolittle came out hitting like gangbusters in the 2008 season--jumping onto the prospect radar as quickly as the ball was jumping off of his bat in Stockton. However, this was Stockton--in the California League--that of the small parks and large HR numbers. As he was promoted to Midland, his numbers dipped and he slumped. In Sacramento in 2009, he started off fairly well for his small amount of pro experience, but his season ended only a month later with a torn patelar ligament. Moving forward, with a quick rebound, he could find himself with a spot in the Oakland lineup in RF or 1B by May or June. However, with Carter an option at 1B and COF as well as Desme, Cunningham and Brown ready anywhere from the start of 2009 to July 2010. Combined with Barton and Wallace as options at 1B, Doolittle could be seen as superfluous.

Josh Donaldson: What can't he do? He has played 3B, C and 1B in the minors so far and there is talk of moving him to 2B. In the Texas League as a 23-year old, Donaldson smacked 37 doubles, just 4 behind uber-prospect Chris Carter's league leading 41. He also posted a season OBP of .379, good for 8th in the league. Although he may not hit a boatload of HRs (only 9 in 455 ABs), he certainly isn't lost at the plate. Scouting reports also say that he has the tools to remain an ump cuddle buddy , the only question is whether or not there is a place for him in Oakland with Kurt Suzuki cheap and performing well there now. With so many 1B prospects (as already established), Wallace in front of him at 3B and Weeks/Cardenas at 2B, there may not be a place for Donaldson in Oakland either.

So the question: Would it be wise to give up 2 fairly solid prospects (in their own rights) who are superfluous, in order to grab an MLB-ready SS who may or may not be needed right now or in the future?

Would you make a counter-offer? (keep in mind the A's and Rays both have pitching depth in the minors so starting pitching likely wouldn't be valuable in a trade to the Rays) Would you rather try to get Brandon Wood from the Angels (who is out of option years with LAA likely to re-sign Figgins)? Or would you not make the deal at all?

(this is intended to create discussion so please leave thoughtful comments)

Poll

Would you take Reid Brignac for Sean Doolittle and Josh Donaldson?

This Stephen Strasburg guy

2009-11-20T19:41:07Z

So I don't know if you guys have heard about him, but supposedly this Stephen Strasburg person is a good player of baseball. I don't know much but he might be one of the outer people who stand in the grass? No. No he's a thrower. He does the throwing. Not just any throwing but the throwing that other people have to hit, you know the one I'm talking about? Yeah that one, but whats pretty cool about him is his throwing is pretty hard. And he's like accurate or whatever which I guess is good. But yeah like I hear that when he throws most people try swinging and miss. Or like they don't try swinging and then for whatever reason they are supposed to sit down after a few pitches with their other teammates. Which I think is unfair. Like sometimes when people don't swing at a bunch of the throws they get to go to first base and then other times they have to sit down. And it looks like the dude in the black shirt behind him tells him which one to do, which is weird cause he's not even playing in the game, right? But anyway I think these guys in black really like Strasburg, because for him they make all of the other guys sit down. I guess Strasburg's dad must own a black t-shirt and facemask company. Or maybe they don't like him, and that's why he has to stand in the middle on that patch of dirt, to keep him away from all of the other baseballers. Could be that. Anyway I just figured this being a group of enthusiasts of the game of baseball you may want to know about this thrower person because I don't think anybody else has ever talked about him before. So yeah.

Poll

Who do the people who wear black shirts and facemasks like the most?

BP's Indians Top 15

2009-11-20T18:28:28Z

Five-Star Prospects
1. Carlos Santana, C
Four-Star Prospects
2. Lonnie Chisenhall, SS
3. Alex White, RHP
4. Jason Knapp, RHP
5. Nick Hagadone, LHP
Three-Star Prospects
6. Hector Rondon, RHP
7. Lou Marson, C
8. Jason Kipnis, OF/2B
9. Carlos Carrasco, RHP
10. Michael Brantley, OF
11. Zach Putnam, RHP

Four More:
12. Jess Todd, RHP: Todd is a short, squat reliever acquired from the Cardinals, and one who reached the big leagues in short order, but his ceiling is probably as a seventh-, maybe eighth-inning set-up man.
13. Nick Weglarz, OF: Two years of non-performance have dropped him significantly, as a ton of walks can only get you so far. As a first baseman or left fielder, Weglarz needs to show more.
14. T.J. House, LHP: He was an over-slot lefty from 2008 who showed solid stuff in his full-season debut; he’s a good breakout candidate.
15. Jason Donald, SS: He's always been a bit overrated, and profiles best as a nice utility type.

...

The Sleeper: While his full-season debut was cut short by injury, 20-year-old Dominican outfielder Aber Abreu remains a bit raw, but his raw power ranks with nearly anyone in the system.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9784