The recent discussions about AJ Burnett have interested me a bit. It seems that the Yanks want a left handed bat and salary relief (?) or they just want to get rid of Burnett.

My proposal; trade S Smith and Fuentes to NYY for Burnett, $25M, and two prospects, to be named later if necessary. Smith and Fuentes have about $8 M of financial obligations; Burnett is owed $33 M over the next two years so the money works out evenly. The Yanks get a useful platoon bat and a useful, if properly used situational lefty. So at least the Yanks should talk.

The A's get an inning eater who might improve out of the spotlight but little else. The real plus would be a couple of Yankee prospects - I looked at hitters like T Austin and M Williams but other names should be considered.

Now, why would the A's be interested; the money would be the same, Smith and Fuentes are not part of the long term plan, Smith (and Gomes) MAY wind up blocking someone we should play and determine if they have a future (Taylor?), and finally the prospects MAY be part of the next good team in a few years.

What do you think?

I realize this probably does not help the team in 2012 but I would really like to see a push toward acquiring young talent and not any more signings (Gomes, Manny, etc) that simply add to the muck and offer no hope for 2015.

The rule 5 draft is coming December 8 and the deadline for adding players to the 40 roster is today.  Any discussion (after midnight) about who should be considered - if anyone - by the A's?

I would like to give another shot to Brandon Wood, recently signed to a minor league deal by Colorado but still eligible for draft I think.  Maybe he could finally get it together and the risk is only $50K if he doesn't.

To the surprise of very few this season is lost.  Financial concerns from the McCourts doomed this season in 2010.  Depending on the speed of the various court proceedings next season may also have a great deal of uncertainty as well.

My two cents are that this season and 2012 should be focused on rebuilding; both the Dodgers and the farm system which has been horribly underfunded for many years.

To that end back up the truck....... Every player north of 30 should be on the trading block.  In fact, everyone except Kershaw and Kemp should be marketed.  Targets should be players like Mesoraco, the Cinn catcher who is now blocked in the majors and has top competition coming behind him in Grandal or A Romine, a young Yankee catcher.  Cinn also has Y Alonso blocked at 1B by Votto, likely available also is 1B Gamel in Milwaukee and Chris Davis in Texas, either might look good in LA.

J Singleton of the Phillies may not be an OF but he might be a good 1B and the Phils should be buyers at the trading deadline.

Names like Lilly and Kuroda should be attractive, especially if LA (and MLB) kick in some money to offset their salaries and get better prospects.  I would even consider trading Billingsley who will soon be overpaid and does not seem to be improving.  Anybody in the bullpen should be available.

Players like Garland, Blake, Loney, and Carroll might get a B or C type prospect.

Plus, with some good luck a couple of players like Sands or Gordon or De La Rosa might prove valuable next year so give them a good shot right away - same with Ellis at catcher, and see what they can do in the majors.

It might not be as painful as some would think because if the legal proceeding move faster than expected an era of goodwill and hope might emerge next season and improved attendance (revenue) might enable the purchase of a useful free agent or two.

The time to act is now and not wait for mid or late July when more teams will be out of contention and fewer teams will be buyers.  Start the packing now.

I recall that arbitration award contracts are not guaranteed but the player can be dropped just before the season starts (March 31?).  I recall the payment to the player is 1/6 of the contract amount.  Can anyone confirm this?  Also could this be an "incentive" for the Dodgers to not settle with Loney on a contract but rather go to arbitration?

Then if Loney stinks in Spring training, or if a different opportunity at 1B presents itself during the Spring  Loney could be rather painlessly cut from the roster?

On June 21, in response to a question about the Dodgers playing better or worse going forward I posted the following:

"worse

I think your premise is a bit off. I doubt the Dodgers will keep playing about as well because they are paper thin in depth and reserves that could be called up. I believe we have seen the high point and a gradual slide to 78-84 is in the future.

Briefly; overuse and lack of depth in the BP, only 2 or 3 reliable, proven SP’s, aged hiters at LF and 3B who will act their age during the hot weather, and no bench.

I really hope I am wrong but this team needs an immediate talent infusion in the worst way,"

At that point in time the Dodgers were 38-31 and 2 games behind San Diego.  Today they are 61-60, heading south and 12 games behind San Diego.

I think the 78-84 prediction is getting closer and even the most optimistic fan should realize that this is not the Dodgers year.  The logical question is what to do now.  Make no mistake the Giants and the Padres are good teams that might be better next season.  The Rockies may also be tougher.

I would suggest that any veteran not on a long term deal should be considered for a move.  If any team is dumb enough to claim Manny on waivers I would say hooray and goodbye.  The owners can use his salary savings for legal fees or personal travel.  Blake might be moved for a modest prospect; same with Kuroda.  Maybe Lilly could be flipped for something of modest value.

Looking at the next six weeks the Dodgers need to see what, if anything, they now have that might be useful in 2011.  Ellis should be made the primary catcher immediately.  X Paul should be in left field immediately.  Ely should be back in the rotation.   DeJesus should get the call at SS or 2B.  I'm not sure of anyone else in 3A that deserves a look but would appreciate other suggestions on how 2011 can be better.

What do you think?

If the Astros had offered Oswalt to the Dodgers for a similar package as Philadelphia offered what would you have done?  Assuming speedy, projection outfielder; T Robinson instead of A. Gose and speedy, projection SS D Gordon instead of  J Villar; and a partially tested MLB SP (or combination) McDonald/Ely/? instead of Happ.

Could the Dodgers have wound up with Oswalt plus $11M?  I feel Gordon is much more valuable than Villar and Robinson is at least equal as a prospect to Gose.  Granted the pitcher would be a bit less valuable than Happ but maybe a combination of two pitchers could have been involved.  Of course we don't know what was actually offered but I feel this package was at least equal to what the Astros received.

Should the Dodgers have said yes if this was on the table?

The Dodger blogs and media suggest that Manny is now available for some pitching help.  Plus Ramirez will not be back next season in LA as he can't play defense without getting hurt.  Would it make sense to "test drive" Manny as the Tampa DH for the rest of the season and see if he might like to stay here in 2011?

He could be a boost to attendance and would stir the NYY, Boston, TB rivalry even more. Could a decent pitching prospect, McGee or ?, get this done?

Several weeks ago I commented that the Dodgers were headed toward a 78-84 season unless some major league pitching was acquired. Unfortunately, I still believe that prediction and am further convinced that management can not or will not make any major acquisition because of financial reasons.

To be a fan and in this situation is almost intolerable. Loyal, dedicated fans have laid out hard earned dollars and it appears that the teams owners have enriched themselves with no concern for anything else. The other columns mentioned on this site deal with the ownership/divorce issue better than I can. My one hope is that the Godfather, Bud Selig will call both these idiots and tell them he is sick of their public displays and is concerned about full public disclosure of the teams financial records. Maybe he will even mention the “good of the game” argument.

It is bad enough that the customers of the Dodgers are being gouged but when it becomes public knowledge that the state and federal taxpayers have also been screwed by “the legal shell game” and other accounting trickery, and no income taxes have been paid by the owners for many years, then the outcry might reach Washington and might eventually have anti trust implications.

Godfather, please call this couple and advise them to settle their personal problems quickly and quietly. No one wants another Texas Ranger financial mess to deal with and the fans of LA deserve much better. The mess in Texas, and soon in LA, could have profound implications long term.

I  congratulate the A's on their recent International Free Agent signings.  I think this is exactly the way they should go to try and add high ceiling talent into the system.  I believe everyone would agree the A's need this type of talent on the farm and in Oakland.

I notice what I see as an inconsistency in the international approach vs the June draft.  In the last four drafts the A's have selected college players with their first selection.  Generally college boys are more predictable (and often cheaper) that high schoolers.  But if a team is looking for high risk/high reward types they are usually found in the hard to sign, talented high school players.  Maybe this is an attempt at balance in risk/reward or an attempt to keep costs down with lower signing bonuses but I feel it is the wrong approach for a rebuilding team.  I think the A's should go for the talent that has the best upside and trust the development team in the minors to get the player to his best level.

The last #1 high school choice was T Cahill in 2006, who was an excellent choice (even in hindsight) as he was considered a top talent with a college offer but the A's managed to get his signature on a contract.  If you look at the four recent drafts you see college players at #1.

In 2007 D Simmons (26) was selected just before R Porcello (27) and B Revere (28).  Porcello was know to be a huge talent but a difficult sign.  Revere has outstanding tools and is a likely CF in Minnesota in the futurre.

In 2008 J Weeks (12) was selected ahead of A Hicks (14) and C Kelly (30).  Both of these high school athletes have "tools" and outstanding potential.  Kelly slipped this far due to to sign ability issues.

In 2009 G Green (13) was selected as a college SS.  At (19) was S Miller a very high ceiling high school pitcher who went to St Louis and M Trout (25).  Both of these players are doing well in the minors and appear to have good futures in the majors.

In 2010 M Choice (10) was selected ahead of J Skole (15) and J Sale (16).  While too soon to discuss their performance I mention them as high ceiling type high school players that I would have targeted.

Looking forward, I think these alternate selections would have improved greatly the Oakland system.  How much extra money would have been spent is difficult to quantify.  Also, some of the A's college boys may be successful but I think my high ceiling premise is valid and better selections were available.

I realize I have done some cherry picking in looking at past selections but I believe that if the A's had chosen higher ceiling and higher risk players (and more expensive players) their system would be in better shape.  Thanks for any comments.

I have the sense that there is a continuing flaw in the overall management thought process of the A's.  I have watched the last few years of rebuild, sell off players for prospects (Harden, etc), go for it but then sell off when/if things don't work  (Holliday and now Sheets).  It seems the contigency plans maybe have too many contingencies.

Then I looked a bit at the Florida Marlins.  With much less available in financial resources they seem to be at least marginally competitive and entertaining each year.  They develop their own talent and trade for more, like the A's, but they don't delude themselves with hiring big dollar short tem players.

My hindsight suggests that Holliday and now Sheets will not work out well for the A's and the roster slots should have been used on someone who could be developed and is at least cost controllable for the next few seasons.  Minor league free agents, the farm system, blocked major leaguers from other teams may be a better way for a lower revenue team like Oakland.  I doubt the expensive, short tem players will sell many more admission tickets in Oakland than lower priced, readily available talent.  Perhaps it is simply a case of management giving the public a more visible illusion of acquiring expensive players to try to improve rather than the more long term, but lower profile attempt to put a competitive and entertaining team on the field.

With the arbitration hearing Friday. I will guess that if there is no settlement, the player will prevail.  I don't think the Giants ever expected this to go all the way to a hearing and also expected the player to pick a more outrageous figure, Santana money for example.

The Giants should have picked a more defensible figure to offer Lincecum.  I would have suggested a salary above the $10 million that Ryan Howard had been awarded previously in arbitration.  Something like $10.750 million.  Howards credentials included a MVP and RoY.  Lincecums two Cy awards seemingly top those and should deserve more than the lower figure.  Is there some conspiracy theory involved with the team offer as low as it is?

Jonny Gomes is still unemployed and supposedly offered only a minor league contract from Cinncinnati.  An incentive laden offer from Tampa might get him back.  He performed very well with the stick last season.

Wouldn't he be cheap insurance in case Pat Burrell continues his struggles.  If PTB doesn't show dramatic improvement in the first part of the season he could be released, Gomes could then fit as DH and inspirational team mate.

The quote of the day (or maybe the quote of the year).  On Baseball Prospectus today the Jay Jaffe article, discussing off season activities of several teams, including the SF Giants (and possible J Damon landing site)...

Jay Jaffe article at

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9998

"GM Jack Zduriencik is one of the sharper tools in the shed.  Elsewhere in that shed, Brian Sabean continues to pound screws into bricks with a garden rake."

The quote of the day (or maybe the quote of the year).  On Baseball Prospectus today the Jay Jaffe article, discussing off season activities of several teams, including the SF Giants (and possible J Damon landing site)...

Jay Jaffe article at

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9998

"GM Jack Zduriencik is one of the sharper tools in the shed.  Elsewhere in that shed, Brian Sabean continues to pound screws into bricks with a garden rake."

This is my first post so forgive any excesses.

The most influential player for Tampa Bay outcome in 2010 will be D Price.  If he steps forward into the Kazmir slot, along with Shields and Garza, then you have a competitive team.  If Davis improves and Niemann  pitches at his 2009 level then you have a championship team.

There is enough hitting and defense, IMHO, and if the SP performs the BP will not be over exposed.  It is essentially all on the starting pitching, especially these three.