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[MoneyMelon]

Go Yankees!

[Jonathan]

Go Florida teams!

[Spidey-Man]

Yankees will be world series champs!

[MoneyMelon]

There was a time when people said that same thing about the Marlins.

The Marlins will be contenders in 2009-2010 too, IMO.

I think it's possible we'll see the first All-Florida World Series next year.

[Jonathan]

There was a time when people said that same thing about the Marlins.

The Marlins will be contenders in 2009-2010 too, IMO.

I think it's possible we'll see the first All-Florida World Series next year.

Jesus, I think you just stopped my heart!

[MoneyMelon]

I'd like to take a moment to call attention to a Yankees prospect I'm very anxious to see in the majors...

Brett Gardner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_Gardner

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/ ... dner.shtml

I think this guy's almost ready.

And those stolen base numbers and OBP are really encouraging. He could be a replacement for Johnny Damon as the lead-off hitter

[Chris]

We need to get stat over here.

I think it's pretty clear at this point that the new 'Rama has bombed.. no use letting the MLB thread go to waste over there.

[MoneyMelon]

We need to get stat over here.

I think it's pretty clear at this point that the new 'Rama has bombed.. no use letting the MLB thread go to waste over there.

I can't even log in there, so screw it.

[Chris]

A repost from the 'Rama:

I knew there was a reason I liked Woody Paige!



http://www.denverpost.com/paige/ci_9441007

Holliday would be a significant addition for Cleveland, and the Rockies also could send best friend Garrett Atkins or Brad Hawpe.

In exchange, the Rockies could seek starting pitcher Cliff Lee (8-1, 1.88 ERA and four superb pitches), a middle reliever and an outfield prospect. The Rox, depending on the second player in the deal, play Ian Stewart at third or in left, and Ryan Spilborghs becomes a full-time starting outfielder who could be the next Holliday.

Or, consider: The Rockies acquire Cleveland pitcher C.C.
Sabathia, who got off to a terrible start before settling. It would be 2007 Cy Young winner for MVP runner-up.

Personally, I think I'd be fine with either scenario.. although I think Shapiro is still confident he can re-sign C.C. somehow.

But Cliff Lee, a middle reliever, and an outfield prospect for Matt Holliday and either Garrett Atkins or Brad Hawpe? I'd be all over that. What's funny is that in the subsequent article, a fan wrote this in regards to this trade scenario:

Dear Mr. Paige - I just read your column stating that the Colorado Rockies should trade Matt Holliday. As a baseball fan, I felt that you made some excellent points, except for one: Do you think a Holliday-for-Cliff Lee trade could ever happen? If I were a Rockies fan, I'd love to see it realized, but what are the odds that a team that's very much in playoff contention in June would deal one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game? We don't know if Lee has found himself, or if he's just enjoying an abnormally stellar season, but if I were the Indians' GM, I wouldn't trade him for anybody ... at least not now, with the season he's having.
-- Jamie Yates, Seattle

The underlined part is from me. One of the best left-handed pitchers in the game? Hold on now. I've always liked Lee, but he's definitely having an abnormally stellar season. Unless he's just completely found himself for the first time in his career, this ISN'T the real Cliff Lee. The real Cliff Lee is a good starter, but not ace material. He may very well continue at this pace all year, and be in Cy Young contention yet again.. but personally, I wouldn't count on this being the "new" Cliff Lee from now on, after this season.

So yeah.. I'd definitely deal Cliff Lee, a reliever, and an OF prospect (Francisco, Gutierrez, Weglarz, Crowe, Snyder) for Holliday and Atkins or Hawpe. You capitalize on Lee's success so far while you still can, because there's no guarantee it'll continue.

That would leave us in a precarious position if Shapiro can't re-sign Sabathia, leaving us with only Byrd, Westbrook, Carmona, and Laffey.. but last I heard, the Tribe is definitely calling Adam Miller up at some point this year to get him acclimated to the majors, because he's to be a big part of their staff in 2009 either way.

[Jonathan]

I can't even log in there, so screw it.

QFT!


(in memorium of said "QFT!")

[MoneyMelon]

A repost from the 'Rama:

I knew there was a reason I liked Woody Paige!



http://www.denverpost.com/paige/ci_9441007

Holliday would be a significant addition for Cleveland, and the Rockies also could send best friend Garrett Atkins or Brad Hawpe.

In exchange, the Rockies could seek starting pitcher Cliff Lee (8-1, 1.88 ERA and four superb pitches), a middle reliever and an outfield prospect. The Rox, depending on the second player in the deal, play Ian Stewart at third or in left, and Ryan Spilborghs becomes a full-time starting outfielder who could be the next Holliday.

Or, consider: The Rockies acquire Cleveland pitcher C.C.
Sabathia, who got off to a terrible start before settling. It would be 2007 Cy Young winner for MVP runner-up.

Personally, I think I'd be fine with either scenario.. although I think Shapiro is still confident he can re-sign C.C. somehow.

But Cliff Lee, a middle reliever, and an outfield prospect for Matt Holliday and either Garrett Atkins or Brad Hawpe? I'd be all over that. What's funny is that in the subsequent article, a fan wrote this in regards to this trade scenario:

Dear Mr. Paige - I just read your column stating that the Colorado Rockies should trade Matt Holliday. As a baseball fan, I felt that you made some excellent points, except for one: Do you think a Holliday-for-Cliff Lee trade could ever happen? If I were a Rockies fan, I'd love to see it realized, but what are the odds that a team that's very much in playoff contention in June would deal one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game? We don't know if Lee has found himself, or if he's just enjoying an abnormally stellar season, but if I were the Indians' GM, I wouldn't trade him for anybody ... at least not now, with the season he's having.
-- Jamie Yates, Seattle

The underlined part is from me. One of the best left-handed pitchers in the game? Hold on now. I've always liked Lee, but he's definitely having an abnormally stellar season. Unless he's just completely found himself for the first time in his career, this ISN'T the real Cliff Lee. The real Cliff Lee is a good starter, but not ace material. He may very well continue at this pace all year, and be in Cy Young contention yet again.. but personally, I wouldn't count on this being the "new" Cliff Lee from now on, after this season.

So yeah.. I'd definitely deal Cliff Lee, a reliever, and an OF prospect (Francisco, Gutierrez, Weglarz, Crowe, Snyder) for Holliday and Atkins or Hawpe. You capitalize on Lee's success so far while you still can, because there's no guarantee it'll continue.

That would leave us in a precarious position if Shapiro can't re-sign Sabathia, leaving us with only Byrd, Westbrook, Carmona, and Laffey.. but last I heard, the Tribe is definitely calling Adam Miller up at some point this year to get him acclimated to the majors, because he's to be a big part of their staff in 2009 either way.

I like Cliff Lee a lot, but I agree with you. I think he's hitting a peak this year. I'd do the trade for Holiday also. The Tribe sorely needs another big bat.

As for losing Sabathia, I still think the Tribe will have one of the better staffs even without him.

And I can almost guarantee that Hank Steinbrenner is going to overreact to the pitching struggles from this year and spend on Sabathia big time, to which I see some very distinct Pros and Cons for the Yanks

[Jonathan]

BTW, guys - the 2008 Amateur Draft is on this afternoon.

[MoneyMelon]

BTW, guys - the 2008 Amateur Draft is on this afternoon.

I read the draft preview in Baseball America last week.

Doesn't look like this year's crop is as good as last year's.

[L Independant]

Go Mud Hens, I mean, Tigers!

[Chris]

As for losing Sabathia, I still think the Tribe will have one of the better staffs even without him.

I do too, which is why I think if Shapiro genuinely doesn't think he can re-sign him, he HAS to capitalize on him while he can still get someone back in return. Screw worrying about the playoffs.. they have to get to the playoffs in order to worry about them first. Without an offense, we won't get anywhere.

As for our staff, I agree. Aaron Laffey has been a revelation this year. Carmona had good stuff, until he got injured. Byrd has been a decent middle of the rotation guy, and Westbrook was solid to start the season until he got injured. When he and Carmona get back, the staff should be even better.

And I think many people overlook the guys in our minors who are on the verge of breaking through..

Chuck Lofgren is one of our top pitching prospects, and he's got some great stuff. I think he could be very similar to Laffey production-wise if he came up.

Adam Miller is a stud. He bounced back from the elbow injury nicely, and could either be a future starter or a closer depending on how they treat him.. there's a belief that he may be too risky in the rotation due to worries about his past injuries. But the kid's got awesome stuff. I think SI even had him as one of the top 5 pitching prospects last year, and he's the only one out of the 5 who isn't in the majors yet.