Current Wildcard Leader

[devilalum]

I was just looking at the NL standings and the Dbacks are the current wildcard leaders. They are only 3.5 games from having the second best record in the NL.

I just read that Andruw Jones was claimed off waivers and had the thought that the Dbacks might have a real shot at getting to the world series if they were the team that claimed him.

If the Mets have a late season slump........

 

[nathan]

I just read that Andruw Jones was claimed off waivers and had the thought that the Dbacks might have a real shot at getting to the world series if they were the team that claimed him.

Claudio Vargas, Juan Cruz, Enrique Gonzalez, Miguel Batista would have to start playoff games

 

[devilfan02]

Claudio Vargas, Juan Cruz, Enrique Gonzalez, Miguel Batista would have to start playoff games

At the same time, the NL sucks this year so who knows what could happen. Plus, you have to hope some of those guys would step up similar to Brian Anderson and Miggy in 2001. It is the playoffs for crying out loud. Its a long shot, but...

 

[Nasser22]

I don't know. Cruz has been good except for the few starts after his injury so he could be good. And who knows about Miggy? He was great for us in '01, maybe like El Duque he'll step up in the playoffs. I wish we would've gotten another starter though.

 

[devilalum]

Claudio Vargas, Juan Cruz, Enrique Gonzalez, Miguel Batista would have to start playoff games

In the playoffs you only need 3 starters. In a 7 game series your #4 starter might start 1 game. Batista has the experience to come up big in the post season. Cruz is also an experienced guy. If Webb's arm is bum this is all moot but really all you need is 2 big time starters in the post season, just look at the '01 Dbacks.

I know its a long shot but the Dbacks record isn't that bad compared to the rest of the NL. If they were the team that claimed A. Jones the odds in Vegas of the Dbacks making the WS would change instantly. Sure I'd rather have a pitcher but there aren't any available.

I recently read an article where some "expert said the Dbacks were a big time starter AND a big bat away from contending. The team that claims A. Jones is going to get a BIG bat for a bargain.

Jones value is lower right now because he he's about to become 10-5 player and after that happens he can veto any trade. His salary next year is high but he's worth it. The Dbacks would only have to pay the remainder of this years contract then next year they could aford hime because they have a bunch of guys coming off the books.

 

[devilfan02]

In the playoffs you only need 3 starters. In a 7 game series your #4 starter might start 1 game. Batista has the experience to come up big in the post season. Cruz is also an experienced guy. If Webb's arm is bum this is all moot but really all you need is 2 big time starters in the post season, just look at the '01 Dbacks.

I know its a long shot but the Dbacks record isn't that bad compared to the rest of the NL. If they were the team that claimed A. Jones the odds in Vegas of the Dbacks making the WS would change instantly. Sure I'd rather have a pitcher but there aren't any available.

I recently read an article where some "expert said the Dbacks were a big time starter AND a big bat away from contending. The team that claims A. Jones is going to get a BIG bat for a bargain.

Jones value is lower right now because he he's about to become 10-5 player and after that happens he can veto any trade. His salary next year is high but he's worth it. The Dbacks would only have to pay the remainder of this years contract then next year they could aford hime because they have a bunch of guys coming off the books.

His contract is up after next season. Considering he's a Boras client and it will cost us top prospects, it is a very risky deal. It could ultimately be worth it, more than likely next year as opposed to this year when we can add an ace as well, but Byrnes would have to be careful...

 

[Nasser22]

It would help our hitting greatly to finally have a real power hitter, but hopefully we can get him without giving up too many top prospects. The D-Backs can win soon if they can get another couple of starters and Andruw Jones...

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

The Dbacks getting Jones is a fantasy. Even if you wanted to, you cant offer the Braves prospects because they would have to go through waivers first, and somebody would make a claim on them thus blocking the deal.

 

[devilalum]

The Dbacks getting Jones is a fantasy. Even if you wanted to, you cant offer the Braves prospects because they would have to go through waivers first, and somebody would make a claim on them thus blocking the deal.

There's gotta be some deal out there that works for Atlanta otherwise why would they wave him to begin with?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

There's gotta be some deal out there that works for Atlanta otherwise why would they wave him to begin with?

A team can put a player on revocable waivers (like Jones was) and pull him off if some team puts a claim on him. A player must have cleared waivers in order to be eligible to be traded after July 31st, therefore making it difficult but not impossible to make a meaningful trade after the deadline.

 

[devilalum]

A team can put a player on revocable waivers (like Jones was) and pull him off if some team puts a claim on him. A player must have cleared waivers in order to be eligible to be traded after July 31st, therefore making it difficult but not impossible to make a meaningful trade after the deadline.

Yeah I knew all that but you still don't waive a player unless you want to trade him so there must be some deal that would interset the Braves.

Also the team that claimed Jones must work out a deal with the Braves by tomorrow or the Braves will pull him back.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Yeah I knew all that but you still don't waive a player unless you want to trade him so there must be some deal that would interset the Braves.

Also the team that claimed Jones must work out a deal with the Braves by tomorrow or the Braves will pull him back.

Well, there is some possibility of a trade that interests them, but the chances of it coming to fruition are extremely low. Placing a player on revocable waivers does not necessarily mean you are actively pursuing a trade. Hundreds of players each year are quietly placed on revocable waivers just in case there is some small chance a trade could possibly be worked out, and very seldom does anything come out of it.

 

[devilalum]

Well, there is some possibility of a trade that interests them, but the chances of it coming to fruition are extremely low. Placing a player on revocable waivers does not necessarily mean you are actively pursuing a trade. Hundreds of players each year are quietly placed on revocable waivers just in case there is some small chance a trade could possibly be worked out, and very seldom does anything come out of it.

That 5-10 issue made it seem like it might be more likely to happen than usual.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

That 5-10 issue made it seem like it might be more likely to happen than usual.

Thats true, but the waivers thing just makes it so difficult for the Braves to move Jones unless they are willing to give him away for practically free.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

After today's games, the Dbacks are now 2 games back in the division, and 1 game back in the wild card race.

 

[devilalum]

After today's games, the Dbacks are now 2 games back in the division, and 1 game back in the wild card race.

In other words they're right in the middle of the race.

Too bad our pitching is HORRIBLE and we don't have a single prospect that is less than a year and a half from being ready. It's amazing that the Dbacks are above .500 with their pitching staff.

Maybe today will be a break through for Vargas. If I remember correctly he had a breakthrough game about this time last year and got on a roll.