Catcher question

[raiders_umpire]

I've gotten a nibble on LaPorta/D Hudson/Bum for Mauer.

Take the Mauer deal now. I would also do the Fuentes deal, since Fuentes would be cut otherwise.

[Johnny Tuttle]

Am I right in thinking the two issues here are people's opinions of Bumgarner moving forward and of Mauer's power moving forward?

Some folks are weighing in here, and I appreciate it, but I'd love to hear the reasoning behind it. If you're here posting on baseball in late October, you know your stuff. I'd love to hear it.

[Pogotheostrich]

I'm down on Bumgarner some because he seemed to have lost some speed off his fastball the past year. In 2009 his K/9 dropped to 6.5 and his walk rate almost doubled. He's still a really nice prospect but some shine has come off for me.

As for Mauer, he is awesome but I don't think anyone should expect a repeat of 2009. It all depends on your expectations.

[Johnny Tuttle]

Thanks.

If I pulled the trigger here, it would be on the assumption that LaPorta and Bumgarner, as good as they are, are replaceable and still yet question marks. Mauer unquestionably improves my immediate and usable talent and also my starting lineup, and he comes without learning curves and such.

Also, I've got a decently balanced team, but I could use more HRs from any where to help my slug and K strategy come to fruition. Even at 18-22, that's a big boost from C (I suffered through Iannetta for 2009, and that was no great shakes).

But my AVG is a soft spot with Dunn, Bruce, Uggla, and others around. I lucked out with Dunn this year--not to mention Hanley's batting title--but adding in a batting champion (even in reduced ABs) at C would be sweet, too. That would help balance out my team and give me more shot at winning each week.

I flip flop on this deal every hour.

[MrAccoe]

You jump on the Mauer deal if the other guy agrees. Getting the #1 Catcher in baseball for prospects, you just gotta do it.

[raiders_umpire]

I flip flop on this deal every hour.

Don't flip flop. You are getting the best catcher in the game for prospects. Mauer will help you tremendously in the batting average category even if he doesn't hit 30 homers next year.

[Johnny Tuttle]

I noticed the guy doesn't have a clear set of 19 keepers, and his only shot at a closer is Nunez. With 19 keepers, most of us are keeping 2 closers, so only 7-9 will be available in the restocking draft or fewer if the projected closer is a protected prospect (a la Motte and Perez last year). In all likelihood, that numbers going to go down closer to the draft, too.

I've pitched giving him Kerry Wood & Tazawa in place of Bumgarner. It makes it a 4 for 1 for him, and even though that's a lot of talent for me to give up, I'd have to consider this a win for me.

If he doesn't like that, then I still have the option of giving up Bum. I'm 60% likely to do that.

[MadDog36]

I'd keep "The Bum" over Tazawa ANYDAY. If you can get a top 3 round player for 3 prospects go for it dude.

[Johnny Tuttle]

Unbelievably, this trade talk continues.

I've asked whether he'd do a 4 for 1: Wood, Tazawa, Hudson, and LaPorta for Mauer.

He's hanging in there for Bum, so he gets an elite prospect. I just think LaPorta already is elite, and Hudson's not far from it.

The final trade that he likes the best is Hudson, Bum, LaPorta for Mauer and a prospect draft pick.

[raiders_umpire]

The final trade that he likes the best is Hudson, Bum, LaPorta for Mauer and a prospect draft pick.

And your hold up for accepting the deal is?