Hypothetically, I'm in charge of the O's, I'm selling...

[K-State Spur]

Bedard, Tejada, & Roberts.

Make me offers on the guys individually or any combination.

[MajorMike]

The problem with selling Tejada is you are NEVER going to get what he is worth. No matter how long he has 'down' years on your bench as soon as you fire sale him he is going to be an MVP candidate for someone else.

[K-State Spur]

Let's say I'm not looking for equal value. But it's not a salary dump either.

Even in a down year last year, where he was nursing a hand injury the entire second half of the season, he still posted an .800 OPS, well above average for a SS.

[JMarkJohns]

I'd offer the O's Conor Jackson/Dustin Nippert/Jose Valverde along with top-25 OF prospect Carlos Gonzalez and another B-level prospect, likely a pitcher.

Everyone in the package is cheap for another year or more and each is relatively young. Nippert, I believe is the oldest, but he's a solid prospect. He's inconsistant right now, but throw him in the fire and I think he's a solid #3 pitcher.

It's probably not enough, but it's a good starting point as it answers several positions of need for the O's.

[JamStone]

For all three? Who are you trading that for? For Tejada alone? Bedard alone? Roberts alone?


The Tigers don't have much left to offer, but despite his attitude, Bedard is a stud. I'd offer up middle of the rotation starting pitcher Nate Robertson to replace Bedard's spot (not an ace by any stretch, but an innings eater), top pitching prospect the Tigers have left Jordan Tata (granted he's not a 5 star type), minor league outfielder Brent Clevlen who has major league power and a 5 star arm but not the consistency and is getting up there in age for a minor leaguer or minor league first baseman Jeff Larish who is probably the Tigers best position prospect left after trading Maybin, and another mid level pitching prospect like Yorman Bazardo or Virgil Vasquez.

All of that for Bedard. So, a starting caliber pitcher, two pitching prospects, and a minor league position player for Bedard. Of course the Orioles should get much, much better offers than that.

[Squid]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7532262

Sources: O's, Astros discuss Tejada
Ken Rosenthal
FOXSports.com, Updated 1 hour ago STORY TOOLS:

The Astros have had significant discussions with the Orioles about shortstop Miguel Tejada, but the two sides are not close to a deal, according to major-league sources.

The Astros apparently believed a trade was possible Wednesday night, telling at least two other clubs that they were on the verge of a major deal. It is not clear whether their focus was Tejada.
Astros officials said Thursday morning that nothing was imminent, suggesting perhaps that the talks had faded. Other sources also indicated that the discussions were not in an advanced phase.

A Houston radio station reported Thursday that the Astros were close to acquiring Tejada for shortstop Adam Everett, second baseman Chris Burke and a pitcher.

Such a return would not be nearly enough for the Orioles, according to one source. Andy MacPhail, the team's president of baseball operations, would need to be "overwhelmed" for Tejada, the source said.

The Astros' interest in Tejada dates to July 2006, when they tried to acquire him for Roy Oswalt, only to have the deal quashed by Orioles owner Peter Angelos.

Everett was one reason Angelos vetoed the deal; the Astros included him in their offer for Tejada, and Angelos did not want him.

[DOMINATOR]

post


^^^ now THAT's called gutting your farm.

entire farm system gone in 1 offseason for 3 players... then again the big club would be favored to win the WS. which is what the minors is for.

[DOMINATOR]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7532262

Sources: O's, Astros discuss Tejada
Ken Rosenthal
FOXSports.com, Updated 1 hour ago STORY TOOLS:

The Astros' interest in Tejada dates to July 2006, when they tried to acquire him for Roy Oswalt, only to have the deal quashed by Orioles owner Peter Angelos.


that's bullshit... astros never offered Roy they were just seeing how much value the orioles placed on Tejada.

i'd rather have everett play SS but Drayton has a hard on for Tejada... why dont they go after pitching dammit.

[JamStone]

^^^ now THAT's called gutting your farm.

entire farm system gone in 1 offseason for 3 players... then again the big club would be favored to win the WS. which is what the minors is for.


LMAO yup complete cleansing of the farm system. But, it's already pretty bare and they're obviously doing their best impression of the Yankees organization, so might as well go for it foreal, all out. Plus, Bedard is worth it even if he is an asshole.

[K-State Spur]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7532262

Sources: O's, Astros discuss Tejada
Ken Rosenthal
FOXSports.com, Updated 1 hour ago STORY TOOLS:

The Astros have had significant discussions with the Orioles about shortstop Miguel Tejada, but the two sides are not close to a deal, according to major-league sources.

The Astros apparently believed a trade was possible Wednesday night, telling at least two other clubs that they were on the verge of a major deal. It is not clear whether their focus was Tejada.
Astros officials said Thursday morning that nothing was imminent, suggesting perhaps that the talks had faded. Other sources also indicated that the discussions were not in an advanced phase.

A Houston radio station reported Thursday that the Astros were close to acquiring Tejada for shortstop Adam Everett, second baseman Chris Burke and a pitcher.

Such a return would not be nearly enough for the Orioles, according to one source. Andy MacPhail, the team's president of baseball operations, would need to be "overwhelmed" for Tejada, the source said.

The Astros' interest in Tejada dates to July 2006, when they tried to acquire him for Roy Oswalt, only to have the deal quashed by Orioles owner Peter Angelos.

Everett was one reason Angelos vetoed the deal; the Astros included him in their offer for Tejada, and Angelos did not want him.


Wow, that's a horrible offer. MacPhail should be fired on the spot if he tries to accept that.

I'd rather have a nasty rash on my taint than either Everett or Burke on the team that I root for, let alone both.

[K-State Spur]

LMAO yup complete cleansing of the farm system. But, it's already pretty bare and they're obviously doing their best impression of the Yankees organization, so might as well go for it foreal, all out. Plus, Bedard is worth it even if he is an asshole.

Bedard has a bit of an aloof demeanor. But I wouldn't say that he has a bad attitude or is an asshole.

[JMarkJohns]

For all three? Who are you trading that for? For Tejada alone? Bedard alone? Roberts alone?

Sorry, for Bedard. Diamondbacks aren't likely to be big players for he or Haren because they lack the pitching prospects teams like. They only have B-level pitching prospects. Although, Webb wasn't even considered a B-level product for the Diamondbacks and he's now a top-3 pitcher in the NL. Nippert was the Diamondbacks highest ranked pitching prospect, at one point being ranked a top-40 prospect nationally (pre injury) and top-10 pitching prospect overall. He once had very good potential, but is now an at-best #3 starter. He could be an innings eater, but I doubt his ERA ever dips below 4.0.

They have some pretty decent prospects coming up, but they are all YOUNG!

[K-State Spur]

Looks like the Cards are in on the talks now:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/9E04A758BD1CF235862573AC0018F0A8?OpenDocument

"Club sources indicated by week's end that Rasmus could lose his "untouchable" label in a potential deal for Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Erik Bedard. Such a deal would have to include at least another prominent Cardinals prospect such as Bryan Anderson or Chris Perez. Of course, the Cardinals envision Perez as a potential heir to closer Jason Isringhausen next season. Rasmus is being groomed to take over for center fielder Jim Edmonds."


Even though I like Rasmus, highly doubtful that the Cardinals have enough in their organization to get Bedard.

[ClingingMars]

Living in Norfolk, home of the O's AAA Tides, i can tell you that there ain't too much on the farm either.

-Mars

[FromWayDowntown]

If the O's going to deal those guys, they'd damned well better get some top-level prospects or up-and-coming big leaguers. Such a deal is obviously a signal that the O's are starting over again, and you don't start over again by picking up decent big-leaguers or less-than-stellar prospects. They'd better get a deal that resembles the deals that Florida has made for its veteran stalwarts in recent years -- prospects on the level of guys like Hanley Ramirez, Andrew Miller, and Cameron Maybin.

This can't be a deal for vets, I don't think, and it had better bring back at least one big arm.

[FromWayDowntown]

Living in Norfolk, home of the O's AAA Tides, i can tell you that there ain't too much on the farm either.

-Mars

There's little doubt anymore that the O's are a monumental mess.

[T Park]

Even though I like Rasmus, highly doubtful that the Cardinals have enough in their organization to get Bedard.

Rasmus is a better version of Grady Sizemore.

If the Cardinals traded him I would freak out.

Rasmus is untouchable, as is Perez.

Any young prospects in the organization are hands off now, thanks to the ownership being cheap fucks, and the prized player dude is a "money ball" descendant.

[Horry For 3!]

Rasmus is a better version of Grady Sizemore.

If the Cardinals traded him I would freak out.

Rasmus is untouchable, as is Perez.

Any young prospects in the organization are hands off now, thanks to the ownership being cheap fucks, and the prized player dude is a "money ball" descendant.
I wouldn't say he is a better version of Grady but his game is similiar.

[K-State Spur]

Rasmus' minor league numbers are better, but it is fairly ridiculous to say that a kid who hasn't played an inning above AA is better than an MLB all-star.

[TheTruth]

As a Red's fan, I would love to get Bedard. But, I won't trade Jay Bruce for him. I'll probably start with a package of Cueto/Bailey, Stubbs, and Maloney. That probably won't be enough, but I'm more of a let the kids grow and get ready to contend in '09 guy.

[K-State Spur]

If you're not giving Bruce (and you shouldn't be trading Bruce) - then you have to include Votto over Stubbs.

[TheTruth]

After years and years of having a terrible farm system, the Reds are finally starting turn it around. Good time to be a Red's fan.


Reds Farm System Impressions
By John Sickels
Posted on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 04:40:00 PM CDT

Working on the Reds farm system today.

Good Lord.

This system is loaded. You have the top quartet of Bruce/Cueto/Votto/Bailey, but even beyond them there is a good combination of performance guys and projection guys. My initial run through came up with 49 names worth writing about. I have narrowed that down to 39, which is the most I can put into the book. Even that, some of the guys I cut I wish I could put in.

Take heart, Reds fans. You have a lot to look forward to.


Cincinnati Reds Top 20 Prospects for 2008.
By John Sickels
Posted on Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 03:48:05 PM CDT

Cincinnati Reds Top 20 Prospects for 2008

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change.

1. Jay Bruce, OF, Grade A (I'm not worried about the strikeouts given his age and performance)
2. Johnny Cueto, RHP, Grade A-
3. Joey Votto, 1B, Grade A-
4. Homer Bailey, RHP, Grade B+
5. Todd Frazier, SS-3B, Grade B+
6. Matthew Maloney, LHP, Grade B (I have always liked him, has component marks of a power pitcher not a finesse guy even though he doesn't throw hard)
7. Devin Mesoraco, C, Grade B
8. Drew Stubbs, OF, Grade B-
9. Neftali Soto, SS-3B, Grade B-
10. Kyle Lotzkar, RHP, Grade B- (a long way off but a good intuitive feeling)
11. Daniel Dorn, OF, Grade B- (major sleeper)
12. Jared Burton, RHP, Grade C+
13. Tyler Pelland, LHP, Grade C+
14. Pedro Viola, LHP, Grade C+ (sleeper!)
15. Travis Wood, LHP, Grade C+ (health??)
16. Josh Roenicke, RHP, Grade C+
17. Scott Carroll, RHP, Grade C+
18. Chris Valaika, INF, Grade C+
19. Adam Rosales, 1B, Grade C+
20. Sean Watson, RHP, Grade C+
21. Brandon Waring, 3B, Grade C+ (the strikeouts scare me)

There are six other guys I rate as Grade C+, and 11 other guys I rate at Grade C. A very rich farm system with a lot of depth.

[TheTruth]

Daniel Dorn and Travis Wood will both be very high on prospect lists going into next season. I hear that Wood may have the best changeup in all of Minor League ball.

[T Park]

[QUOTE]I wouldn't say he is a better version of Grady but his game is similiar.



Of course you wouldn't.

because you havent seen Colby Rasmus play.


but it is fairly ridiculous to say that a kid who hasn't played an inning above AA is better than an MLB all-star

Better VERSION

not better player.

yet.

[K-State Spur]

we shall see.

you do realize that only about 1 in every 3 guys as hyped as Rasmus even turn out to be league average players?

That said...

I've accused you of over-hyping Cardinal prospects in the past - but Rasmus tore up AA as a 20 year old. That's impressive no matter who you are.

[T Park]

I've accused you of over-hyping Cardinal prospects in the past

Like who?

[FirebatMIV]

Vlad Balentien, Carlos Trunifel and...let's say TOny Butler for Bedard.