Targeting the Chipper

[Arlo]

There are a lot of rumors about Weaver floating around right now, too many to be able to decide what would happen to his value. Obviously, lots of teams could use him, but the Tigers' asking price has been too high so far. If Weaver is in fact traded, he may well wind up in a situation where he can pick up more wins, but he might also wind up in a park that's less beneficial than his current home field, so a swap might be a mixed blessing.

One scenario that might make sense would be a trade to the Reds, possibly as part of a three-way deal with Colorado. But that's just guesswork based on the available information. At any rate, if Weaver is dealt, I'd expect it to be a bit later in the season. Still, all in all, he's probably a slightly better bet than Ohka right now, but not by terribly much.

[Guest]

ok, I picked up Ohka, but will watch the Weaver situation. I was wondering what you thought about a trade involving:

Berkman and Stewart

for

Andruw Jones, Oswalt and Urbina

Here is his lineup:

Alomar, Sandy CHW C
Miller, Damian ARI C
Martinez, Tino STL 1B
Alomar, Roberto NYM 2B
Lowell, Mike FLA 3B
Aurilia, Rich SF SS
Jones, Jacque MIN OF
Dye, Jermaine OAK OF
Jones, Andruw ATL OF
Bonds, Barry SF OF
Sosa, Sammy CHC OF
Thomas, Frank CHW 1B

Clemens, Roger NYY P
Graves, Danny CIN P
Oswalt, Roy HOU P
Clement, Matt CHC P
Lieber, Jon CHC P
Urbina, Ugueth BOS P
Guardado, Eddie MIN P
Pineiro, Joel A. SEA
Hernandez, Orlando

Here is my lineup:

Marrero, Eli STL C
Pudge BAL C
Bagwell, Jeff HOU 1B
Spivey ARI 2B
Chavez, Eric OAK 3B
Arod TEX SS
Berkman, HOU OF
Anderson, Garret ANA OF
Sanchez, MIL OF
Guerrero, Vladimir MON OF
Salmon, Tim ANA OF
David Eckstein ANI Utility
Hinske, Eric TOR Utility

Batting: 7th in BA, 2nd in HR, 2nd in RBI, 5th in SB

IR:
Knoblauch, Chuck ARI 2B
Gordon, Tom

Julio, Jorge BAL P
Padilla, Vicente PHI P
Prior, Mark CHC P
Wickman, Bob CLE P
Johnson, Randy ARI P
Stewart, Scott E. MON P
Perez, Odalis LA P
Halladay, Roy TOR P
Ohka, Tomo

Currently 4th in ERA (3.59), 2nd in K, 1st in W, 5th in Saves

[Arlo]

Sounds like it would be an excellent deal for you, but I'm a bit doubtful the other side would agree. That's an awfully high price to pay for Berkman, even if he is an elite hitter.

[AirTimid]

The other side would be really dumb to accept this trade. Berkman is better than Andruw, but not Oswalt and Urbina better. Also, Stewart isn't even a lock to be the closer in Montreal. Frank seems to be going with the closer by committee approach.

[Guest]

If you don't think the other side will accept this trade do you see any trades that look acceptable?

Should I even be trading since my team is only 3.5 points out of 1st place? Berkman is a stud and I'm not sure I want to be trading him especially since I just got him for Glavine. But if you see anything on the other team that would benefit me and push me over the edge to 1st place let me know.

[Arlo]

Perhaps adding Padilla or another starter might make this trade look better to the other side. but I tend to agree: keep Berkman for now, and reevaluate whether you can do without him in a couple weeks.

Getting Oswalt would be nice, but you might also ask what it would take to pry Sosa or Bonds away from this team. They may not be available, and even if they are, they'll most likely cost more than you would want to give up, but asking can't hurt...

[Guest]

Sosa or Bonds are not available. What would I need to get Oswalt and Urbina?

[Arlo]

Padilla, Julio and Spivey?

[Guest]

I offered Padilla, Spivey and Stewart

Do you think Stewart or Julio is better?

[Arlo]

Julio is better, mainly because the odds of him finishing the season as his team's sole closer are higher.