So, Lets get this thing started.

Hello folks. Eric this looks pretty good.

I see no possible situation in which the Marlins could be convinced in trading Maybin. Too cheap, too young, too good. He is the centerfielder that they need, they just have to wait. And maybe not all that long. His base salary is a good bit higher than most minor leaguers, though I don't think that weighs on the Marlins too much.

I don't see the Marlins as a good trade partner eventhough I love all of their youth, getting them to trade anyone that isn't arb eligible or past is like trying to draw blood from a stone. That being said, if the PBC can get Hermida on the cheap they should. Or one of their arb ready pitchers.

My recent thought, that I posted on my blog (a little props to the blog I just started, blackandgoldandsometimesred.blogspot.com) is Jack Wilson to the Mets. I was thinking that with the Mets obvious need at 2nd that Jack could probably make an effortless switch over. He played their in high school with Freddy at SS. I like Wilmer Flores and Kunz.

Some thoughts off the top of my head.

This site looks good so far.

Since we don't have a chance to sign a Sabathia, I say we hold pat with the pitchers we have. '09 is going to be an absolute rebuild year and a year to see if Pearce and Andy LaRoche are the real deals, so there is no need to bring in a Randy Johnson or Pedro Martinez. They would be possibly great trade bait come July trade deadline to a contender though, but why sign with the Pirates when you know that is what you are going to be.

A free agent I would absolutely go after, on that would shock the fan base right off their rockers, is Mark Teixeira. Him and Doumit, both switch-hitters with power, batting 3rd and 4th, that would be awesome. And really, it should not be completely out of the picture. Our payroll, once Wilson is traded this winter, is going to be very low. The only negative I could see happening, is in two or three years when Andy, Alvarez and Walker are all there, we'd have four guys for two positions. But Neil's stated over and over, you can't have enough talent, regardless of position. And Teixeira would still be there for the competitive years...

So, this brings me to MrBigs comment that the Dodgers might need a 3rd baseman. They gave up on LaRoche, but maybe the'd take a chance on Neil Walker? Him for Hu, who has shown no power and troubles hitting for average at the major league level, might be something to explore.

I'd also talk to the Red Sox about Adam LaRoche. Lowell is hurt, having surgery, and old. Sean Casey won't be back. If they could live with Youkilis at 3rd, I think they'd make a deal for Adam. And their back-end rotation is old, so they could use a lefty starter, like Duke or Burnett. They have a big 21-year old 1st baseman in Lars Anderson. He'd be a good starting point. And even when we don't make a play for Teixeira, we could still move Pearce back to 1st, or put Doumit there and save the poor guys knees. I've said in the past we need Doumit's bat 6-7 games a week, not 4-5.

I'm really anxious to see how Lincoln, Morris and Daniel McCutcheon pitch next year. Those are three guys that could be staff aces. In two years, mix them in with Maholm, Gorzo, Karstens, Ohlendorf and people, we might have something! Alvarez and Tabata also. The possibility that we could grab a SS with the #4 pick in Junes draft and the Pirates might be watchable again.

We would have to pay double what Texieria will get else where - and that's not going to happen.

Walker for Hu? Plus prospect for a stiff (face it Walker hasn't done much to encourage me that he'll ever make it to the bigs).

Now - LaRoache to the Red Sox kind of makes sense - Duke or Burnett doesn't.

And I am looking forward to the draft and who's available at 4.

Hard to look forward to a draft that is over 7 months away. I think regardless of position, the PBC should take the best talent. Forget slotting position and need over talent.

I don't like to think about Teixera.

Walker? He's only 22 and was just named MVP of the AAA club. I've heard in less than 2 years at the position he has become a plus fielder at 3rd. I'm sure he could probably field 2nd with his athleticism and arm as well. I think Prospectus ranks him as a 4 star prospect. Why give up?

I would like to say that I'm looking forward to a busy offseason, but I'm not that optimistic!

I suspect we would have to really overpay to get anyone (with other choices) to come in at this point, and trading will be difficult (we won't get anyone good unless we give up someone good), so we are pretty much stuck looking forward to the draft.

It has been reported that the Twins are looking to add a reliever and a middle infielder. Would it be possible to give them Freddy and Grabow for 2-3 prospects and one of their young pitchers from their starting staff from last year? Then we could also trade McLouth to NY for Kennedy and prospects or maybe even Hughes and a lesser prospect? It's also been reported that with not many decent available CFers, that the Yanks will not say Hughes is untouchable anymore. That would give us an ace in Hughes, and a solid 2 or 3 guy from the Twins, to go along with Maholm, Snell and Gorzo. I'd also consider moving Snell at the right price and adding a Veteran free agent starter to go along with all those younger guys in the rotation.

Does it make sense/do we have the propsects to go after Peavy????

I don't think so - and it doesn't make sense; thinking with my heart not my head, but an interesting thought....

It would make all the sense in the world to go after Peavy with several if's attached.

1. If he would wave his no trade to come to the Pirates.
2. If the Pirates had the right number and available prospects (we don't, and the ones that could maybe get him here are off limits probably (ie - Andrew McC, Tabata, Morris, etc., probably 2 of those, one major league quality arm, and a minor prospect)
3. If they decided to extend him. He is a major arm at a cheap price (relatively cheap), you don't go spending all of those prospects and not lock him up, ala the Brewers and CC.

In other words, the PBC shouldn't and won't go after him.

I would love to trade with the Twins to get some of their arms and/or prospects. I would think they may want a SS (Jack), and Grabow makes sense for a couple of reasons. But would the PBC want Guerra, probably, and I don't think the Twins are willing to trade him.

If the PBC can get Hughes here I don't really care what major league talent we have to give up to get him. Package McClouth and LaRoche for a package back that included Hughes.

Peavy won't waive the no-trade clause to come to Pittsburgh. The Pirates are exactly the kind of team he would want to avoid, hence the purpose of having the clause to begin with. Getting Hughes might be a little unrealistic, but Id say offering Nate and big Laroche would be a good start for a Package including Hughes. I'd guess that Jack will be traded at or around the time of the winter meetings. But to which team? We may have to wait until Furcal and Hardy's futures are decided, then make a deal with one of the teams that missed out on those higher level SS's. Freddy needs to go to. But Im not sure there will be any solid offers for him, at least none that Neal will feel are worthwhile. Maybe if Freddy is hitting over .300 by July, there will be more of a reasonable market for him.

Lots of reports saying that's a serious destination for him. The Braves may have a package that will work. Atlanta is as close to his home as Peavy can get, but he made it clear he was only interested in going to a contender if he was traded. So what has happened to the Braves to make them a contender? They were only slightly better than the Bucs in '08.

There have been a couple of recent posts about possible trades with the Twins. IIRC, mlbtraderumors made mention of a deal with Jack possibly going there a couple of weeks ago. The Pirates in return were to get a pitcher. The Twins are also said to shopping an outfielder, pretty much take your pick except for Young. With the Pirates looking for a corner outfielder, could they be a good trading partner?

With the Cardinals releasing Mulder, is he a candidate for an incentive based contract? A one year deal to show he's fully recovered and ready for another deal?

I got laughed off the other board when I mentioned Mulder before, but if he's healthy, he's a horse. Love the idea for the right price.

Yeah, Peavy is going to be out of San Diego, I just don't understand it. Most teams wait and wait for someone like him. And they "can" afford his contract. Just doesn't make any sense at all. The owner must really want to pare down the payroll.

I have read that he would accept a deal to Houston, and I assume the Braves. Houston just doesn't have the prospects to back up the deal. Atlanta does.

Also, why would the Brewers trade Hardy? I don't like him that much, but to get power like his, streaky as it may be, out of the SS position is such a plus. They must love that kid in the minors. Forget his name.

Yes, the Twins are a good trading partner. I've read any outfielder is available, Young included.

Mulder is a great low risk signing. The pirates should definitely pursue that. The guy is still relatively young, and if he can regain his previous form we at least have a valuable trade commodity, and a best a 'horse' for the rotation. I never thought of Jack to the twins. I would love to get any one of their young starters (Boof Bonser included). I think if there is a deal on the table take it.

Two other trade thoughts I had:
1) If the braves lose out on Peavy or the price is too high, would they settle for Snell? What kind of package would Snell garner?
2) I really like the idea of shopping Maholm, and especially to the rangers. They are loaded with young talent.