Finley Traded

[Evil Ash]

to the Dodgers per ESPNews just waiting his approval. Unconfirmed though

No names mentioned for who we got in return

 

[Evil Ash]

Deal confrimed ... still no names though although it appears we didn't get Werth

 

[Lefty]

Don't care about Werth, I want Murphy.

 

[Evil Ash]

Don't care about Werth, I want Murphy.

My guess is we got him plus someone else (no idea who)

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I've heard Mayne is in the deal because Charles Johnson didn't give his approval. The names being most mentioned here in SoCal are Koyie Hill and Bill Murphy and a PTBNL.

EDIT - The PTBNL is possibly Reggie Abercrombie, who apparently fits Garagiola's desire for players who swing for the fences and constantly strike out.

 

[Ryanwb]

UGH!!!!

Fox Sports just said Koyie Hill and Reggie Abercrombie for Finley and Mayne....

No Murphy, what a ****ing joke

 

[Ryanwb]

Oh well, speculation is Finley will just come back here and resign in the offseason, so I guess no big loss

 

[nathan]

Murphy is in the deal: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/N...0731&content_id=815178&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp

 

[Evil Ash]

Murphy is in the deal: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/N...0731&content_id=815178&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp

WHEW

Ryan had me scared for a minute

 

[Ryanwb]

Great! Pretty good deal after all, didn't cost the D'backs anything and they save on salary

 

[Dback Jon]

Sounds like a good deal for the Dbacks.

I will miss Fins, but hopefully he will resign next year.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

If Murphy hadn't been included you probably could of counted on Joe Jr being strung up by the DBackf faithful. Hill and Murphy need to be in the lineup ASAP. The sooner we end this Edgar Gonzalez-Robby Hammock miserable duo, the better.

Players we should watch for the remainder of the season to determine if we should rebuild this offseason by trading Johnson, and not re-signing Finley and Sexson:

Koyie Hill
Bill Murphy
Josh Kroeger
Brandon Lyon
Luis Terrero

If these guys are looking like they'll be productive, then maybe we can gear up for another run in '05. If it looks like it's going to take some time, blow it up and go for '07.

EDIT - Never mind on bringing Murphy here right now. I don't want this current coaching staff to get anywhere near our most promising arm. Maybe if we only let RJ, another lefty who once had a lot of walks and K's, have conversations with him then let it happen.

 

[Evil Ash]

Analysis on the trade from CBS Sportsline

http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/7538779

The Dodgers beat out the Padres to acquire Finley, who agreed to the trade at the deadline. Abercrombie is considered a five-tool player who lacks plate discipline. Hill is a switch-hitter who converted to catching from third base. Murphy had been acquired by L.A. from Florida a day earlier. Arizona could re-sign Finley after the season.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I will miss Steve Finley...I know it was a great trade for us, but I'm still sad to see him go.

But maybe we can get him back for next year, which would be great.

Mike

 

[Chainthroer]

Does anyone have some background information on Murphy and Hill? Would appreciate it.

 

[arizonaman]

I will miss you steve

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Reggie Abercrombie? We dont need any more OF prospects. I would have preferred another decent pitching prospect.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

If Murphy hadn't been included you probably could of counted on Joe Jr being strung up by the DBackf faithful. Hill and Murphy need to be in the lineup ASAP. The sooner we end this Edgar Gonzalez-Robby Hammock miserable duo, the better.

Players we should watch for the remainder of the season to determine if we should rebuild this offseason by trading Johnson, and not re-signing Finley and Sexson:

Koyie Hill
Bill Murphy
Josh Kroeger
Brandon Lyon
Luis Terrero

If these guys are looking like they'll be productive, then maybe we can gear up for another run in '05. If it looks like it's going to take some time, blow it up and go for '07.

EDIT - Never mind on bringing Murphy here right now. I don't want this current coaching staff to get anywhere near our most promising arm. Maybe if we only let RJ, another lefty who once had a lot of walks and K's, have conversations with him then let it happen.

Robby Hammock is on the DL. I heard on tv that Hill will be with the team tonight. Does that mean he is taking Mayne's roster spot? I didnt know he was that close to ready.

 

[Lefty]

I like this trade. Hill will be the everyday catcher for the rest of the year and Murphy might have a chance next year to get some starts.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Reggie Abercrombie? We dont need any more OF prospects. I would have preferred another decent pitching prospect.

We all would have. But Finley was traded for Hill and Murphy with Abercrombie only thrown in when Charles Johnson refused his trade to LA and therefore making the Dodgers ask for Mayne as well. Mayne is not nearly good enough to merit a pitching prospect although I heard the Dodgers were considering converting Abercrombie to a pitcher because he's quite athletic but has absolutely zero plate discipline.

 

[Evil Ash]

Here's the scouting report from Baseball America of the 2 Dodger prospects we got in the deal (got it off the ESPN messageboard but its legit). Unfortunately nobody posted one on Murphy.

9. Koyie Hill, c

Age: 24. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 190.
Drafted: Wichita State, 2000 (4th round).
Signed by: Mitch Webster.

Background: Hill was disappointed to start 2003 back in Double-A for a second straight season, but David Ross blocked him in Triple-A. Hill turned his year around after a promotion to Las Vegas in May.

Strengths: A line-drive hitter with a level swing from both sides of the plate, Hill makes consistent contact and sprays the ball to all fields, showing enough power to carry the alleys. A patient hitter, Hill rarely chases bad pitches.

Weaknesses: A third baseman in college, Hill converted to catcher after signing. He has good hands, athleticism and arm strength but must improve his receiving mechanics, release and throwing accuracy. He nabbed just 27 percent of basestealers in 2003. His walk rate plummeted last year, though his strikeout rate did as well. He’s a well below-average runner.

The Future: If the Dodgers can trade Paul Lo Duca, Hill will share the big league catching job with Ross. Though he has work to do behind the plate, Hill already is better defensively than Lo Duca and won’t be a significant dropoff offensively.

10. Reggie Abercrombie, of

Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 210.
Drafted: Lake City (Fla.) CC, D/F 1999 (23rd round).
Signed by: Lon Joyce.

Background: Abercrombie entertained college football scholarships before his parents persuaded him to focus on baseball. He has added more than 40 pounds of muscle since signing and draws comparisons to premium athletes such as Eric Davis, Torii Hunter and Preston Wilson.

Strengths: Many scouts say Abercrombie is the best physical specimen in baseball. His speed, center-field range and arm strength all earn 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He has tremendous bat speed and the strength to drive pitches out of any park to all fields.

Weaknesses: Abercrombie’s plate discipline has been downright awful. He appeared to make progress after getting contact lenses in May 2002, but his strikeout-walk ratio worsened in 2003. Though he works hard on pitch-recognition drills, he continues to struggle in that area. He’s overaggressive, gets off balance and chases too many pitches in the dirt and out of the zone.

The Future: Abercrombie tore the ACL in his right knee chasing a fly ball in the Arizona Fall League and could be out until May. The Dodgers still protected him on their 40-man roster. Once he returns to Double-A, it will be time for him to start making adjustments.