Let the wheeling and dealing begin

Now that the offseason has officially begun, I'd like to start with a Jack Wilson thought. Trade him to Detroit. They declined Renteria's option and should be looking for a proven vet at SS. What might be a reasonable return for Jack from Detroit?

Detroit is one of the teams that I have no idea what kind of minor league players they have. I would like to see us trade Wilson to hopefully the Dodgers (if they dont resign Furcal), I know that LA has lots of great young players.

I have mixed thoughts on dealing Wilson. First, they have no one to replace him. It may be they find someone to take the spot for a year until they can get a minor leaguer ready, or can trade for someone major league ready, or put one of the AAA guys in there and live with it, but all of those seem to lessen the team. On the other hand, he might bring someone decent by way of a prospect, although I doubt a team with a major league ready shortstop is going to trade that commodity for another shortstop, so that means another trade to make the first one work. I have no idea what shortstops make these days, but unless his salary is really out of line, I lean toward keeping him. If he's healthy his value may even increase by July.

I also have no sense of what sort of trader NH will make. I think you have to want to make deals, and go out and try to fit things together. From what I've seen so far, NH seems to dust off his player, say "this is what I want (defining "this" as the sun and the moon and several of the lesser constellations)," and then sit back and wait. That probably works with a Sabathia or a Santana, but I'm not sure it works so well with lesser talents. I could very well see this as an off season where we sign some reclamation project free agents, pick up a few waiver claims, and let it go at that.

Texas Rangers' seek catcher-for-pitcher deal

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/comments/texas-rangers-seek-catcherforpitcher-deal-167518.html

I'd trade Snell for almost of the the Ranger's catchers in a heart beat...

Snell for Salty, put him at first (much better option than Pearce in my opinion), and trade LaRoche for Ian Kennedy?
I'd still like to keep Doumit behind the plate, but with him and Salty, we'd have that option too.

Thoughts?

I don't know if Snell can get Salty straight up, maybe Snell and Grabow for him? Salty would be a great addition, I have loved him since he was a Brave. I think if we do that, we move Doumit to first, and ship LaRoche off for Ian Kennedy. It would save Doumit's knees, and save us of having to watch LaRoche in April and May. I think this is very possible and exciting, are the meetings this week? Has anyone heard anything credible lately? I can't wait to see what we do (here's to hoping its something big)...

Thanks for the reply Aces, and good call on the straight up deal. However, though Snell had a bad year, he's still a young pitcher with a team-friendly contract, and the Rangers have a glut of catchers. I'd take either of Salty or Teagarden, but I think they'd give up Salty for less. If we have to throw in Grabow, I really don't care. Haven't seen anything credible about this, except the MLB Trade Rumors report that the Rangers want a pitcher for a catcher. I'm fine with moving Ryan to first base...stays healthier there and he could hit 25 home runs as a switch hitter? That sounds good to me. I like LaRoche a lot, but we need to finish off this house cleaning.

I like the idea of prying a young catcher away from the rangers, but Teagarden has to be the focus not Salty. Salty in the best case scenario is Doumit, complete with mediocre at best receiving skills. Teagarden is the guy we want and I think we should move Maholm to get him. Add in Elvis Andrus (a young glove first SS with loads of upside) and there is a good trade for the buccos. That would allow us to move Doumit and his prediliction for the DL for a young pitcher.

I think I have to agree, I think Maholm should be the only guy we should keep. If we get rid of him, it doesn't matter who we have catching or who is playing short because we are going to get bombed. Maholm has improved every year, and is young, imo he should be the most protected player. Maybe I am wrong but I always thought that Salty would be much better than Ryan behind the plate. I don't know much about Teagarden, but if it only takes Snell to get Salty, we should jump on that....anyone want to fill me in on Teagarden over Salty? I honestly only know about Salty.

and by agree I mean disagree...i should learn to read before posting

Yeah, I disagree also drufan. Teagarden looks like the real deal, but Salty isn't anything to sneeze at. He's only 23, 6'4'', 235 and is a switch hitter. I know it sounds like Doumit redux, but remember this guy was the centerpiece in the Teixeira trade two years ago (as well as Andrus). I would definitely do Snell for Salty straight up.

Speaking of Andrus, there is absolutely no way that Maholm (plus any throw-in) gets us both Teagarden and Andrus, who are probably the Rangers' top two position player prospects outside of Justin Smoak. I agree with aces and don't think we should trade Maholm in any event, but I am all for shipping off Snell if he can get us Saltalamacchia.

1. I think it would be foolish to trade Maholm unless it was awesome deal.
2. There were internet rumors about the Rangers being interested in Zach Duke late in the summer. Duke and another piece, if indeed the Rangers were interested, might be enough to get a Rangers catcher. But what would you do with Doumit?
3. The Orioles are in the market for a SS and Jack is among the names being mentioned for a trade. The O's & Pirates don't match up well for a trade, but Cabrera is thought to be on the market and he is an experienced veteran, but still young. Cabrera may be nontendered, but if the Bucs are interested they may not want to gamble on that. It's not everyday that experienced 20 something starting pitchers are offered. He's not dominating, but will have a controlled contract for a couple more years and is currently reasonably priced and is a proven innings eater.
4. Another available, but high priced starter is Vazquez from the White Sox. They are looking for middle infield help. His NTC would probably kill any thoughts of a deal there.
5. Arizona will be in the market for replacement for Hudson at 2nd. Sanchez to AZ?

What about signing Jon Garland as the veteran who can put up over 200 innings? Any chance here? I like Garland, and we could probably get him relatively cheap...

Also mlbtraderumors has linked us to Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa, how sweet would that be if we signed him? Especially given the other teams trying to get him. That would be a huge statement from management if they sign this guy...thoughts?