Options at center field article...

[AZZenny]

Just checked out the A's website and fan forum to see if they have any rumor to add - interesting, other than the baseball bunnies who want to have his children and play with his light-sabre, Byrnes is not particularly well-regarded by the majority of semi-serious fans. "Bone-headed" seems to be the operative word - lots of drive, but no one behind the wheel, so to speak. Hell, we already have plenty of that - may as well keep Terrero. The fans are hoping to trade him before the rest of the world finds out he's really an AAAA player. Meanwhile, he's reportedly only asked for $2.5 M, which unfortunately will make ...'other' GMs - who shall remain nameless - even more dazed and foolish.

Dear God, I hope we don't give up anybody worthwhile in the effort to land that fish.


Which reminds me - I was sort of surprised that Valverde is the name that keeps getting mentioned in this trade - if you had to pick either Aquino or Valverde as your future guy, who would you all prefer? I like both quite a bit, but somehow Valverde seems a bit more substantial to me and I was surprised he'd be the one the team would choose to deal.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Just checked out the A's website and fan forum to see if they have any rumor to add - interesting, other than the baseball bunnies who want to have his children and play with his light-sabre, Byrnes is not particularly well-regarded by the majority of semi-serious fans. "Bone-headed" seems to be the operative word - lots of drive, but no one behind the wheel, so to speak. Hell, we already have plenty of that - may as well keep Terrero. The fans are hoping to trade him before the rest of the world finds out he's really an AAAA player. Meanwhile, he's reportedly only asked for $2.5 M, which unfortunately will make ...'other' GMs - who shall remain nameless - even more dazed and foolish.

Dear God, I hope we don't give up anybody worthwhile in the effort to land that fish.

Its looking more likely that the A's will trade him to the Mets.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/baseball/mlb/oakland_athletics/10688905.htm?1c

Which reminds me - I was sort of surprised that Valverde is the name that keeps getting mentioned in this trade - if you had to pick either Aquino or Valverde as your future guy, who would you all prefer? I like both quite a bit, but somehow Valverde seems a bit more substantial to me and I was surprised he'd be the one the team would choose to deal.

For the near future (but not necessarily this year)? Bruney.

 

[AZZenny]

Near future, Justin Wechsler. But I just was curious what people thought between Aquino and Valverde. Although saw a comment in the paper suggesting Valverde's arm still may not be 100%.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

With that delivery, I have questions of Valverde ever being completely healthy over long periods of time.

ESPN Insider had a piece and said that a deal was already in place for Eric Byrnes but Valverde failed his exit physical with the DBacks.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

With that delivery, I have questions of Valverde ever being completely healthy over long periods of time.

ESPN Insider had a piece and said that a deal was already in place for Eric Byrnes but Valverde failed his exit physical with the DBacks.

Garagiola Jr denied the report, its in one of the articles here on the boards.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

This mornings Tribune said that the A's want at least one of Jackson or Quinten in any deal for Byrnes. Haha, yeah right.

There are also indications (from other sources) that the Diamondbacks have turned their attention to Burnitz to play CF again, and that a deal could be near.

 

[schillingfan]

Now that the Cubs have traded Sosa to the Orioles, the rumors are that they are pursuing Burnitz to play outfield for them.

 

[WildBB]

This mornings Tribune said that the A's want at least one of Jackson or Quinten in any deal for Byrnes. Haha, yeah right.

There are also indications (from other sources) that the Diamondbacks have turned their attention to Burnitz to play CF again, and that a deal could be near.

At LEAST one of them. Either one of them is not worth the deal. They are our future.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0202dbacksnb0202.html

Kendrick says trade is imminent
Cameron, Byrnes are top options

Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 2, 2005 12:00 AM

Trade talks heated up Tuesday in the Diamondbacks' search to find a new starting center fielder and although the club still had multiple potential deals on the table, Ken Kendrick indicated a move could be made today.

"We will complete a transaction," Kendrick, one of the team's general partners, said Tuesday night. "We feel confident we're going to bring in a new center fielder to complete the team."

General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr. skipped his scheduled flight Tuesday morning to Mazatlan, Mexico, where he had planned to catch the Caribbean World Series with other team officials, so he could work the phones to try to bring a deal to fruition.

Garagiola entertained a series of phone calls early in the morning regarding various trade proposals and counteroffers and likely could cancel his trip to Mexico altogether if it means finalizing a deal that would bring either Eric Byrnes from the Oakland A's or Mike Cameron from the New York Mets to Arizona.

Although those two players have generated most of the trade talk surrounding the Diamondbacks' quest to find a replacement for Steve Finley, other options could be available. Kendrick said the team has been targeting up to six players. Colorado's Preston Wilson, who led the National League with 141 RBIs in 2003 but was limited to just 58 games last season due to a knee injury, is one of them.

Free-agent Jeromy Burnitz remains another candidate, although it's likely he will sign with either the Chicago Cubs or Pittsburgh Pirates. Earlier this winter, San Diego's Jay Payton was also drawing interest from the Diamondbacks, who aren't ready to give the everyday starting job in center to raw talent Luis Terrero. "We just think it's probably too much pressure to rely on Terrero," Kendrick said.

The Rockies and Mets apparently have talked about a possible swap involving Wilson, who is scheduled to make $12.5 million in 2005, and Cameron, who hit 30 home runs last season after signing a three-year, $19 million deal with New York.

Both players interest Arizona, but their salaries don't fit into the Diamondbacks' budget nearly as well as that of Byrnes, whose pay will top out at $2.5 million should he proceed to his arbitration hearing and win his case with the A's.

Although neither Kendrick nor Garagiola would discuss any trade specifics, it is known that the players most clubs generally ask about in connection with possible deals include starting pitcher Brandon Webb, new first baseman Chad Tracy and top prospects Conor Jackson, Carlos Quentin, Sergio Santos and Ramon Antonio Peña.

I would be hesitant on Wilson or Cameron based on their health-status (especially w/Cameron out until May)... I know the Rockies are very high on Hammock, so perhaps he might be part of a Preston Wilson package....Edit: Even Valverde could be dealt to the Rockies since they're desperate for a closer and rather have Chacon return back into the starting rotation....

Obviously would love Byrnes, but course not at the cost of those elite "uber" prospects... If the Dbacks brass gets "fleeced" again.. lord...

Payton wouldnt come at such a high price, so in that regard....I would be in favor of him....

 

[AZZenny]

Thanks - Just started MY day off with a thud. Now I will have to glue myself anxiously to the radio all day.

I am so worried about who they might trade - I did see Steve Gilbert's column on the DBacks site says he really doesn't believe they would trade Carlos because he clearly has the potential to be a much better player than Byrnes - I would assume the same goes for Conor. Gilbert used to be a member of the DBack's inhouse staff, and although now technically works for mlb.com, he still is seen with the mid-level brass all the time.

Santos they just don't know what to do with and he's looking a bit overrated right now - though still quite young. I could see him going as a 'plum'. I imagine they want to work Pena out this year since he's a supposed top pitching prospect. Trade Hammock, and Terrero or Fossum, maybe?

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I have a feeling that it might be Juan Encarnacion of the Marlins (formerly of The Tigers, Reds, and Dodgers).....

The Marlins currently have an influx/excess of OF which makes him very expenidble... He hasnt played CF regularly for the past 5 years, however, he wouldnt come at such a high cost, is still relatively young (was deemed the overly used "5-Tool" player title when he was coming-up in the Tigers organization).....The negative though is that he isnt too durable (been injured throughout most of his career...always reminded me of Danny Bautista)....

Again, I hope its either him or Payton since I figure the Dbacks would be fleeced in deals involving either the As and Mets....

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I hope we get a good deal for Miek Cameron.