Ian Stewart vs. Hong Chih Kuo

[PlayingWithFire]

My team needs a #3 starter beyond this year and I'm loaded at 3B with Chavez and Encarnacion. I like Kuo a lot and he has been great during the last stretch of the season. So I finally made a move for him.

A's send
Ian Stewart(prospect)


Dodgers send
Hong-Chih Kuo(prospect)-apparently never called up
Odalis Perez $4,500,000 (2007)(T-08)
Hee-Seop Choi $351,500 (2008)
Antonio Perez $320,500 (2010)

It's a 28 teams league(6x6 H2H, the normal 5x5 plus hold and OBP.)

My teams are below(before the trade)

Starting Pitcher
Jason Jennings $2,400,000 (2007)
Byung-Hyun Kim $3,000,000 (2010)
Matt Cain $300,000(2011)
Jeremy Bonderman $400,000(2008)
Mike Mussina $19,000,000 (2007)


Relief Pitcher
Huston Street $316,000 (2010)
Jon Rauch $320,000 (2009)
Jeremy Accardo $300,000 (2011)
Jesse Crain $321,000(2010)
Brandon Medders $300,000(2011)
Justin Duchscherer $329,500 (2009)
Brad Hennessey $300,000(2010)
Jose Valverde $335,000 (2008)


Catcher
Jason Kendall $10,571,429 (2007)

1st baseman
Dan Johnson $300,000 (2010)

2nd baseman
Jorge Cantu $316,000 (2009)
Jose Castillo $327,000(2009)

3rd baseman
Eric Chavez $8,500,000 (2010)
Edwin Encarnacion $300,000(2010)

Shortstop
Edgar Renteria $8,000,000 (2008) (team option-2009)

Outfielder
Milton Bradley $2,500,000 (2007)
Nick Swisher $316,500 (2010)
Andre Ethier $300,000(2011)
Melky Cabrera $300,000(2011)
Ryan Church $316,000(2010)

Disable List
David Newhan $365,000 (2009)

Paid Minor Leaguers
Edinson Volquez $300,000
Chad Durbin $500,000(2007)
Adam Melhuse $385,000 (2009)
Dewon Brazelton $300,000(2009)
Miguel Acensio $500,000(2009)
Tim Harikkala $300,000
Matt Watson $300,000 (2010)
Ron Flores $300,000
Chin-Hui Tsao $317,000 (2010)
Charles Thomas $319,000 (2009)
Keiichi Yabu $780,000 (2010)
Bobby Kielty $875,000 (2007)
Luis Terrero $321,000 (2009)
Sean Burroughs $1,675,000 (2007)
Pedro Astacio $500,000(2007)



Other Minor leaguers
Ian Stewart-OF(Rockies)
AJ Shappi-SP(Diamondback)
Juan Salas-RP(Devil Rays)
Chris Nelson-SS/CF(Rockies)
Dexter Fowler-OF(Rockies)
Corey Wimberly-2B/SS(Rockies)
Kyle Blanks-1B(Padres)
Kevin Kouzmanoff-3B(Indians)
Chris Seddon-SP(Devil Rays)
Tim Lincecum-SP/RP(Giants)
Mitch Talbot-SP(Devil Rays)
Eric Duncan-1B(Yankees)

Top Prospects
Kevin Melillo, 2B, Grade B+
Jimmy Shull, RHP, B-
Jared Lansford, RHP, B-
Kurt Suzuki, C, C+
Vincent Mazzaro, RHP, C+
Richie Robnett, OF, C+
Jared Burton, RHP, C+
Jason Ray, RHP, C+
Justin Sellers, SS, C
source:http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2006/2/17/143015/024

Total Salary: $67,705,429
Salary Cap: $83,000,000
Cap space remaining: $15,294,571

[San D]

Good trade. Stewart isn't a sure thing and moving to the outfield hurts his long term value. I like Kuo also. Getting Odalis Perez, who is a good pitcher some years, is nice also!

[Niffoc4]

I agree with San D, nice trade! I expected this to be a keeper question, and even then I think I would have gone with Kuo... so getting Perez as well is great. Also, Choi could still be useful if someone would platoon him...and at least a. perez isn't expensive.

[prhood]

I hope the trade works out for you.

Some info on Kuo:

1. 2 TJ surgeries so far - no replacement tendons left apparently so he better not need another one

2. pitched about 60 IP for LAD in 2006

3. Great K/9 (10.7K/9UIP) rate but horrendous BB/9 (5BB/9IP) in 2006

4. started 5 games in Sept. - all QS - 29.1 IP, 1-1 record, 3.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 7 BB, 33K

You may have a winner here but he's never pitched a full season to my knowledge and he has a major injury history. It will be interesting to see if his improved control will hold up. If he can maintain a 10K/3BB ratio and stay healthy, he should do well.

[PlayingWithFire]

I hope the trade works out for you.

Some info on Kuo:

1. 2 TJ surgeries so far - no replacement tendons left apparently so he better not need another one

2. pitched about 60 IP for LAD in 2006

3. Great K/9 (10.7K/9UIP) rate but horrendous BB/9 (5BB/9IP) in 2006

4. started 5 games in Sept. - all QS - 29.1 IP, 1-1 record, 3.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 7 BB, 33K

You may have a winner here but he's never pitched a full season to my knowledge and he has a major injury history. It will be interesting to see if his improved control will hold up. If he can maintain a 10K/3BB ratio and stay healthy, he should do well.

I did quite some research on Kuo. And yes, the guy is a pretty big risk...with a pretty big upside too. I'm really not worried about his walks or any of his stuff, make up or anything that has to do with his pitching. But his health is a huge concern right now. I guess I just didn't value Ian Stewart(who I got for 1 year and change of Corey Patterson, who I got for Eric Byrnes and Brad Halsey before this season) enough. And though he isn't a big injury concern, he's had his problems with nagging injuries the past 2 years. And I, well, just have a very good feeling about Kuo. I have no doubt the guy can be a top 20 fantasy SP consistently in his career if he stays healthy. Maybe crack a couple top 10. Walk wasn't a problem when he started and got enough time to warm up.

Just stay healthy Kuo!

[prhood]

Seems like a reasonable risk.