Moves to look for
As I watched Zito wade through 4 innings, I wondered what the A's could get for him. Sure he is a former Cy Young Award winner, but that has to wear off at some point, doesn't it? And with two bad starts to begin the '05 season, one has to wonder whether this is a fluke or a continuation of his 3 year decline.
So after reading ACES by Mychael Urban, I decided that only the Mets would be willing to give up talent for Zito simply on the Peterson connection. He's an inside guy who has Minaya's ears when it comes to picking up pitchers; he would root the hardest to get Zito in Flushing. So I say, why not do the following three moves to bolster the team...
Zito to NY Mets
Cameron, Yusmeiro Pettit, cash
Cameron to the Orioles
Sammy Sosa and cash
Byrnes to the Pirates
Tom Gorzelanny and Brian Bullington
Reason for Mets: As I type this, the Mets are about to go 0-5 to start the season. The media hounds in New York will be foaming at the mouth after the Mets laid down 200 million dollars this offseason in player acquisitions. By sending Zito to a pitcher's park and to his former pitching coach, he can regain his form by being in a comfort zone. After all, he has stated that he wouldn't mind playing in the Big Apple. While Cameron has a no-trade to Oakland, he would be informed that it's not his final destination as he will be sent to Baltimore to play into the centerfield friendly Camden Yards. Zito is owed 5.5 million this year with an 8.25 million dollar option; 1 million dollars included in the deal would help offset the cost of Sosa being add to the team.
Reason for O's: Cameron is under contract until 2006 for 6.50 million with an '07 option of 6.5. Sosa is a free agent and is being paid by the O's for 8 million with 10 million coming from the Cubs. He had an 18 million dollar option for 06 but he voided it as part of the conditions of being traded to Baltimore.. While Cameron can solidify their center field situation, Sosa is very likely a one year deal. The cash would be the difference between the 05 salaries of the two players or 1.5 million dollars.
Reason for the Pirates: Byrnes hasn't seen a fastball he didn't like and with a move to the National League, he should see a great deal of 'em. Gorzelanny had some elbow inflammation and the Pirates were worried that he may have to undergo surgery. But James Andrews determined that everything was ok; which mean he's a good enough return for the defensive lapsed Byrnes. Bullington is a right-hander who is rated 6th overall by Baseball America in the Pirates system; a nice compliment to the lefty Gorzelanny. As they continue to see solid starting pitching but few runs scored, look for the Pirates to make a move for a right-handed hitter.
The issue with these trades is Hatteberg; via addition by subtraction; with Hatty gone, Swisher can be placed at first with Sosa moving to right. This allows for a two person rotation in left field with Thomas and Kielty. So he may have to be kept until a taker is found. And the net cost becomes 2.2 million for Byrnes and 5.5 million for Zito with Sosa costing 8 million but with a net cash addition of 2.5 million.
So after reading ACES by Mychael Urban, I decided that only the Mets would be willing to give up talent for Zito simply on the Peterson connection. He's an inside guy who has Minaya's ears when it comes to picking up pitchers; he would root the hardest to get Zito in Flushing. So I say, why not do the following three moves to bolster the team...
Zito to NY Mets
Cameron, Yusmeiro Pettit, cash
Cameron to the Orioles
Sammy Sosa and cash
Byrnes to the Pirates
Tom Gorzelanny and Brian Bullington
Reason for Mets: As I type this, the Mets are about to go 0-5 to start the season. The media hounds in New York will be foaming at the mouth after the Mets laid down 200 million dollars this offseason in player acquisitions. By sending Zito to a pitcher's park and to his former pitching coach, he can regain his form by being in a comfort zone. After all, he has stated that he wouldn't mind playing in the Big Apple. While Cameron has a no-trade to Oakland, he would be informed that it's not his final destination as he will be sent to Baltimore to play into the centerfield friendly Camden Yards. Zito is owed 5.5 million this year with an 8.25 million dollar option; 1 million dollars included in the deal would help offset the cost of Sosa being add to the team.
Reason for O's: Cameron is under contract until 2006 for 6.50 million with an '07 option of 6.5. Sosa is a free agent and is being paid by the O's for 8 million with 10 million coming from the Cubs. He had an 18 million dollar option for 06 but he voided it as part of the conditions of being traded to Baltimore.. While Cameron can solidify their center field situation, Sosa is very likely a one year deal. The cash would be the difference between the 05 salaries of the two players or 1.5 million dollars.
Reason for the Pirates: Byrnes hasn't seen a fastball he didn't like and with a move to the National League, he should see a great deal of 'em. Gorzelanny had some elbow inflammation and the Pirates were worried that he may have to undergo surgery. But James Andrews determined that everything was ok; which mean he's a good enough return for the defensive lapsed Byrnes. Bullington is a right-hander who is rated 6th overall by Baseball America in the Pirates system; a nice compliment to the lefty Gorzelanny. As they continue to see solid starting pitching but few runs scored, look for the Pirates to make a move for a right-handed hitter.
The issue with these trades is Hatteberg; via addition by subtraction; with Hatty gone, Swisher can be placed at first with Sosa moving to right. This allows for a two person rotation in left field with Thomas and Kielty. So he may have to be kept until a taker is found. And the net cost becomes 2.2 million for Byrnes and 5.5 million for Zito with Sosa costing 8 million but with a net cash addition of 2.5 million.
posted by Genaro at 5:00 PM
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