Jim Bowden article - "Five Blockbuster Trades I'd like to see"

[jaysblue]

I always find Jim Bowden articles hilarious to read. Here is the article if anyone want to read:

 

With just 21 days left before baseball’s trade deadline, there’s already been a flurry of early activity.

 

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Ricky Nolasco, the Baltimore Orioles added Scott Feldman and the Washington Nationals traded for Scott Hairston.

 

A number of factors are compelling teams to try and close deals earlier: a dearth of sellers and surplus of buyers created by two extra playoff slots, new free agent compensation rules and international bonus slots that teams have been trading left and right.

 

Still, if trades made in the next 21 days are of the caliber and size of the aforementioned trio, this year's deadline will prove to be somewhat ... boring. So I’ve cooked up five potential blockbuster trades I’d like to see. They make sense for all the teams involved and might add a little spice to the deadline.

 

1. Dodgers trade Andre Ethier and minor-leaguers Joc Pederson, pitchers Chris Reed and Stephen Fife to the Philadelphia Phillies for left-hander Cliff Lee and second baseman Chase Utley.

 

The Dodgers have the highest payroll in baseball and their expectations are to win the World Series or bust. A blockbuster deal like this would give them a legitimate shot. Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Lee, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Nolasco arguably would be the best rotation in the NL.

 

Utley would give Los Angeles an upgrade at second base and improve the lineup’s left/right balance and overall depth. Ethier would have to go in order to balance Lee’s contract exposure.

 

Of course, they would have to wait until they have a better feel for Matt Kemp's health and are confident he can be a factor in the second half. While the Dodgers are essentially renting Nolasco, an impending free agent, they would control Lee through 2015. Top pitching prospect Zach Lee could replace Nolasco in the rotation next season.

 

For the Phillies, the trade begins a complete rebuild with Pederson, who profiles out to a future .300, 20-home run hitter who can play all three outfield positions. Reed is a former first-round pick out of Stanford who profiles as a mid-rotation starter, and Fife is a major-league ready back-of-the-rotation starter.

 

Ethier keeps the seat warm for Pederson or is quickly spun to the Seattle Mariners for a middle infield or pitching prospect.

 

2. The Houston Astros trade pitcher Bud Norris, second baseman Jose Altuve and outfielder Chris Carter to the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Bubba Starling, pitchers Sam Selman and Jason Adam, shortstop Orlando Calixte and catcher Cameron Gallagher and second baseman Johnny Giavotella.

 

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow has done a great job in staying focused on rebuilding the Astros from scratch, and this is a great opportunity for him acquire more long-term solutions. The Astros would receive outfielder Starling, the fifth overall pick in the 2011 draft, who profiles as an above-average center fielder with 30-home run power potential. He's still very raw because of splitting his time between football and baseball in high school, but he has the tools to be an all-star. That's the kind of upside the Astros want.

 

Selman and Adam could develop into solid starters similar to Norris. Calixte is a good defensive shortstop while Gallagher can really catch and throw. If he hits enough, he could become an everyday catcher or a top-notch backup. Giavotella has had a hard time cracking the lineup in K.C., and he can step in right away in Houston to at least keep the seat warm until Delino DeShields Jr. is ready to take over.

 

Luhnow’s modus operandi so far has been to trade for quantity. This deal accomplishes that with high upside.

 

Altuve solves the Royals’ long-term problem at second and also gives them a solid No. 2 hitter in the lineup. Norris would improve the rotation and replace Ervin Santana, who likely will depart via free agency. Carter serves as an outfield power bat either in a right-field platoon or as a home run threat off the bench.

 

3. The Miami Marlins trade outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and reliever A.J. Ramos to the Texas Rangers for infielder Jurickson Profar and third baseman Joey Gallo.

 

The Rangers finally would land the middle-of-the-order bat they’ve missed since Josh Hamilton departed via free agency. Just 23 years, Stanton already has hit 101 home runs in just 418 big league games. He is not eligible for free agency until 2017, so the Rangers would control him for at least three more seasons. Ramos would give the Rangers yet another solid young reliever whose mid-90s fastball and hard breaking slider misses bats on both sides of the plate.

 

Of course, the price for Stanton will be huge. In fact, the Marlins’ front office have made clear to me they do not want to move Stanton. I expect them to build around him rather than move him. However, an offer of this magnitude might be too good to refuse, especially considering Stanton probably won’t ever sign a long-term deal with Miami.

 

The Marlins are pleased with the development of outfielder Marcel Ozuna and are even more excited about outfield prospects Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick, who both could possibly join Ozuna in the outfield in the major leagues as soon as next season.

 

Profar would play second base for the Marlins and give Miami one of the game’s best future double-play combinations with Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop, who is a Gold Glove candidate. Gallo, 19, has incredible power but is also striking out a ton at low Class A. He could develop into the Marlins’ long-term solution at third base, but he’s at least three years away.

 

Profar is not eligible for salary arbitration until 2016, and free agency until 2019, which certainly would be further motivation for the Marlins to make a deal like this. And since he has no spot in the middle infield in Texas, there is reason for the Rangers to move him.

 

4. The Chicago White Sox trade Alex Rios and Alexei Ramirez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Gregory Polanco, pitcher Nick Kingham and shortstop Jordy Mercer.

 

The Pirates solve the two major weaknesses in their lineup, with Rios taking over right field and Ramirez at shortstop. Rios, 32, has proven over the years to be a solid .270 hitter capable of 20 home runs. He is solid in right field and would be a good support bat for Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and Starling Marte.

 

A change of scenery would help the 31-year-old Ramirez, who has hit 15 home runs and driven in 70 runs four different times in his career. He’s a solid defensive shortstop, too. Neither player is a difference-maker, but both would upgrade the Pirates at those positions.

 

In Polanco the White Sox would acquire an excellent outfield prospect who profiles as a .300 hitter with the speed to steal 20 bases. Kingham is an underrated quality starting pitching prospect, and Mercer is a stopgap shortstop. Mainly, the White Sox free up dollars and get younger as they build for the future. Their farm system is one of the weakest in the game, and they can use quantity and quality.

 

5. The Chicago Cubs trade pitchers Matt Garza and Kevin Gregg to the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Avisail Garcia and pitchers Rick Porcello and Jake Thompson.

 

Garza is back, both in health and trade value. He has been wowing scouts over his past four starts. His fastball velocity has returned; his slider and curveball have the same break, and his command and control have been spot-on. Although pitching is certainly not a pressing need in Detroit, the depth might just give them their best shot at a title. With a rotation of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister, Anibal Sanchez and Garza, the Tigers would have the best rotation in the league by far.

 

Garza is owed just $4.8 million for the rest of this year and is an impending free agent, so there is no long-term exposure. Gregg has been impressive closing for the Cubs, saving 15 of 17 games with a 1.78 ERA and 1.02 WHIP and would be an upgrade for the Tigers, whose biggest weakness is relief pitching. Above all else, the Tigers don’t have to give up top prospect Nick Castellanos.

 

For the Cubs, they get a long-term solution in right field in Garcia, who will develop into at least a .280 hitter capable of 20 homers annually. Porcello, 24, is a solid back-of-the-rotation starter who can win in double digits every year and is under control for two more years. Thompson is a solid starting pitching prospect who throws in the low 90s with heavy sink. After all that, the Cubs could try and re-sign Garza as a free agent.

[Angrioter]

4. The Chicago White Sox trade Alex Rios and Alexei Ramirez to the Pittsburgh Pirates -- 80%

[baconpancakes]

As someone who was at the Detroit game last night to watch Rios pummel the tigers, Rios still looks lazy as hell, and he is their "best" player. As someone who went to see Verlander destroy the sox, it was a double slap in the face to see lazy ass rios do so well.

[Stangstag]

"3. The Miami Marlins trade outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and reliever A.J. Ramos to the Texas Rangers for infielder Jurickson Profar and third baseman Joey Gallo. "

 

LOL

[DuckDuckGose]

I'd love to see AA get in on some these guys

 

1. Dodgers trade Andre Ethier and minor-leaguers Joc Pederson, pitchers Chris Reed and Stephen Fife to the Philadelphia Phillies for left-hander Cliff Lee and second baseman Chase Utley.

 

 

2. The Houston Astros trade pitcher Bud Norris, second baseman Jose Altuve and outfielder Chris Carter to the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Bubba Starling, pitchers Sam Selman and Jason Adam, shortstop Orlando Calixte and catcher Cameron Gallagher and second baseman Johnny Giavotella.

 

 

3. The Miami Marlins trade outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and reliever A.J. Ramos to the Texas Rangers for infielder Jurickson Profar and third baseman Joey Gallo.

 

 

 

4. The Chicago White Sox trade Alex Rios and Alexei Ramirez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Gregory Polanco, pitcher Nick Kingham and shortstop Jordy Mercer.

[jaysblue]

4. The Chicago White Sox trade Alex Rios and Alexei Ramirez to the Pittsburgh Pirates -- 80%

 

Pirates need a right fielder badly and could use a SS upgrade. Polanco is a very good prospect though - not sure I'd feel comfortable in moving him especially for someone like Rios.

[jaysblue]

This guy is a moron lol. None of this will happen.

 

This is why Jim Bowden is soo funny. His trade ideas are ridiculous. I don't see the Astros moving Altuve at all, especially for that type of package + giving away Carter and Norris. Don't see the Rangers trading Profar for Stanton. They were hesitant in the offseason and wouldn't even move Profar for Upton so I doubt it happens. Though if I'm the Marlins, I'd definitely ask Profar + for Stanton. I could see the Pirates interested in Rios, though not sure if they'd be willing to pay that type of price.

[Angrioter]

This is why Jim Bowden is soo funny. His trade ideas are ridiculous. I don't see the Astros moving Altuve at all, especially for that type of package + giving away Carter and Norris. Don't see the Rangers trading Profar for Stanton. They were hesitant in the offseason and wouldn't even move Profar for Upton so I doubt it happens. Though if I'm the Marlins, I'd definitely ask Profar + for Stanton. I could see the Pirates interested in Rios, though not sure if they'd be willing to pay that type of price.

 

Altuve should be moved ASAP. Delino "Bonifacio" DeShields is almost ready.

Stanton for Profar? Oh God

 

Jim Bowden is a moron

[jaysblue]

This was comical, thanks Sil.

 

I should create a forum just for Jim Bowden articles. Need to have some comedy on these boards haha

[jaysblue]

Here's another one on Garza. Hilarious!

 

Five trades for Matt Garza

 

Matt Garza has regained his All-Star form as well as his trade value.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt Garza might end up being the best starting pitcher dealt at baseball’s July 31 trade deadline.

 

After beginning the season on the disabled list, Garza has returned to form as a top-of-the-rotation difference-maker. In his past three starts, he’s gone at least seven innings and given up less than a run per game with 23 strikeouts. It’s clear his stuff is all the way back and his command and control is phenomenal. As such so is his trade value.

 

The Cubs’ front office is concentrating on fixing its pitching in the long-term, and that’s what they’ll focus on in any trade talks for Garza. The preference will be acquiring young starting pitching which is either close to the big leagues or major league ready.

 

The Cubs match up well with the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies, as all can offer them major league-ready pitching either in the rotation or the bullpen. Garza’s injury history makes him somewhat of a risk, and perhaps that will temper some the return on Garza the Cubs are hoping for. So here are five trades the Cubs could realistically make for Garza:

 

1. Cleveland Indians

 

RHPs Cody Allen and Dylan Baker

 

The Indians don’t have any young starting pitching to surrender for a rental such as Garza, but they might be willing to sacrifice a significant bullpen arm if they can make a major acquisition for the pennant race. Allen’s velocity is now up to 94-97 mph and his hard 84 mph slider is nasty, with curveball-type tilt. Allen, 24, is striking out more than 10 per nine innings and could replace Kevin Gregg as the Cubs’ closer if Gregg is dealt as expected at the deadline, as well. Baker would be a solid throw-in for the Cubs. Baker was the Indians’ fifth-round draft pick in 2012 and currently has a 3.63 ERA in low Class A. He throws in the mid-90s with a hard slider that doesn’t break much and looks more like a cutter.

 

 

2. Texas Rangers

 

LHP Robbie Ross and IF Drew Robinson

 

It would be difficult for the Rangers to part with Ross, who’s been an integral part of the Rangers’ bullpen the past two years. However, Garza would be a solid No. 2 starter between ace Yu Darvish and No. 3 Derek Holland and would greatly improve their chances of winning the AL West and advancing in the playoffs.

 

The Cubs, on the other hand, could put Ross into the rotation -- he started in the minors -- and since he’s not eligible for salary arbitration until 2015, he would fit nicely in their long-term plans. Robinson would be a solid throw-in. He can play second or third and has some gap-to-gap power.

 

 

3. San Diego Padres

 

LHP Robbie Erlin and RHP Keyvius Sampson

 

Erlin originally was drafted in the third round by the Rangers in 2009. He was included in a 2011 trade deadline deal for setup man Mike Adams, who was one of the best in the business at the time. Erlin had a 5.25 ERA in 12 Triple-A starts this season, but has pitched very well since being promoted to the majors, posting a 3.60 ERA with 12 strikeouts and one walk in 15 innings. His fastball sits 88-91 mph with a slow 12-6 curveball and a solid change.

 

Sampson has a history of shoulder and elbow injuries but finally appears healthy. This season he has a 3.64 ERA between Double- and Triple-A with almost a strikeout per inning. He has a 90-94 mph fastball with late sink and a solid changeup.

 

 

4. Los Angeles Dodgers

 

RHPs Stephen Fife and Matt Magill

 

In Fife and Magill, the Dodgers can offer the Cubs two young major league-ready starters, both of whom have had time in the majors this year. Fife’s 88-92 mph fastball highlights a solid four-pitch mix that includes a curveball, changeup and slider. His repertoire doesn’t wow scouts, but he should be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter in time.

 

Magill’s fastball, however, is 92-95 mph and runs in on right-handed hitters. When his slider has optimum spin, it’s a wipeout pitch. His changeup needs more work to be effective. He has had trouble with control and command at the major league level, but in time he should settle down and improve. He also could become a back-of-the-rotation starter.

 

 

5. Colorado Rockies

 

LHP Drew Pomeranz and C Will Swanner

 

Pomeranz made his 2013 major league debut Sunday against the Giants after posting a 4.20 ERA in 85 2/3 innings pitched at Triple-A Colorado Springs. He was acquired two years ago for Ubaldo Jimenez, but struggled a year ago finishing with a 4.93 ERA in his first full season with the Rockies. Scouts have told me they like Pomeranz but question if he ever will be effective at Coors Field.

 

As a result, Colorado might deal him to get an arm like Garza to go with Jorge De La Rosa and Jhoulys Chacin at the top of its rotation. Pomeranz would be quite a coup for the Cubs’ Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, if they could get him for Garza.

 

Swanner, 21, is a big-framed, slow-legged catcher with power. He profiles as a backup catcher and first baseman, but because of the power would be a nice throw-in for the Cubs.

[Deadpool]

It's pretty funny how he thinks Ethier and his ridonkulous contract are an asset in a deal for Lee and Utley...