The trade deadline and next off- season

[mikeinsa]

It seems obvious that this year we should be sellers at the trade deadline. I think we could get very good value for Qualls and reasonable value for Williams and Jennings. We could also get good value for Lamb, though I do not advocate trading him, and Loretta who is playing very good ball right now for us.

So if we trade off these 5 guys we should be able to get some reasonable prospects in return for them and this will go part of the way to retooling the team.

What I would not do is make a big splash in free agency this off season. We are going to have a real opportunity to get a top tier draft pick with the kind of season that we are having. I would really hate to see us give it up for some over priced free agent.

We as a group are complaining about the lack of talent that we have in the system today and yet we have few top tier prospects because we gave up our top picks in so many of the last drafts.

Outside of 2000 we have had a really good run the past 12-15 years and it was fueled by the decision to play the kids and let the cream rise to the top back in 90-91 or so. My vote would be doing the same now and then move in an aggressive fashion to fill any voids after we determine what we have and do not have.

[Coach]

Drayton has publically said that he does not think we need to rebuild. It shows what he knows.

[redbaron]

Drayton doesn't know sh*t about building a team and it shows. He should have kept his mouth shut and let Hunsicker do his job and he wouldn't have this fat little dough boy running the team now.

[mikeinsa]

I do not interpret that to mean that he will just stand pat though.

The fact that we need to rebuild is obvious to anyone that watches the games. This team has some really good players but they are not configured correctly. For instance this year we have gone from one of the best defensive teams to being in the bottom third. Small wonder the pitching is off this year as well.

As far as the pitching goes we have a #1, and four #5 starters. We can not fill those voids in free agency, it would break the bank. We all seem to agree that Jennings is no #2 and yet he wants #2 money. He can get it somewhere else I am sure but we would be foolish to shell it out. So where do we get the two solid starters that we need.

Patton may be one of them but we will not know that for a couple of years yet as I am certain that he will not come in next year and set the world on fire. Wandy, Albers, Sampson, Douglas, so who is the #3. No wait, who is on first, what is on second, and I don't know is on third. For this team this year has been a bad comedy and next year will be more of the same. Not saying abbott and costello is bad comedy as everyone knows it is classic.

[redbaron]

Who is Douglas?

[mikeinsa]

Chance Douglas, he pitched for Corpus for the majority of the year and in the AA all star game. Not fairing well though in AAA as yet.

[hembo36]

I think its been said but i would entertain offers for all of them other than Pence..How can you not? The bad part of this is that pence may be the one guy people want...Im guessing he would be the second player picked off that team.

[sadoug]

How is Backe doing in rehab?

[hembo36]

not well enough to be back this year...He wasnt that good when healthy...he isnt what we need but it cant hurt i guess