New Idea for 08/09

by gibbyfan on Aug 13, 2007 1:31 PM EDT

Ok so we are about to face some major decisions in the outfield so here is a quick idea I had at like three in the morning that is kind of growing on me so I'll throw it down, let you guys ripe it apart, and then I'll forget about it.
So here is the problem, we have four very good young outfielders, and only three postions to fill. As we've already seen Juan has discovered this and is the first out the door. Here is my idea. We put Tricky Rick in right field, Rasmus in Center, and Lud in left. Not so hard to follow yet, don't worry it get's better.

Next we package Rolen and Molina and send them to the Angels for Figgins and Santana. The Angels will get the third baseman they want, and another Molina can say he was a Angel. They don't lose much so they should be willing to go for this trade.
So with the catcher spot open we call up Anderson. Now comes the part I'll get ripped hardcore on. Gulp, here goes, we move Pujols to third. He has played there before, and although he may not win a gold glove there, but he is a natural and won't be a defence problem. Duncan can then fill in first base where he played in the minors. This would lead to a 09 lineup something like this

Figgins SS
Rasmus CF
Pujols 3B
Duncan 1B
Ludwick LF
Ankiel RF
Anderson C
Ryan 2B

Rotation looking something like this
Carpenter (If healthy)
Wainwright
Reyes
Santana
Wells/Thompson/Looper/Whoever

Not a bad lineup. We gain defence in left, center, and 2B. We do lose defence at 3B, 1B, C.
We stay about the same at SS, and RF.
So there it is rip it apart so I can stop thinking about it.

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Comments

isn't Pujols' throwing arm still a problem?

I know he can throw in the few chances he gets at first, but wouldn't that be an issue if he were at third?

Not that it matters ... none of this will ever happen.

by jeff abs on Aug 13, 2007 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

AAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

We can't callup Rasmus or Anderson yet, And i'd rather move Dunc to third than Albert. And Molina traded? NO NO NO. Keep Rolen and Molina. God if we brought up Rasmus and Anderson up than we would be screwed, because they don't have all of the tools to be Major League Outfielders, Rasmus's Average in AA is still hovering around .250 right? Yucky :(

by kyle man on Aug 13, 2007 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Um...

no.

With his arm problems, the organization has already made clear that Pujols isn't moving to 3rd.
The Angels would never do that deal.

by JMedwick on Aug 13, 2007 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

Hasn't Santana

been terrible this year? They sent him down to AAA not too long ago.

And... yeeeeaahh, if the title of your diary was "New Idea for 09/10," then you MIGHT be on to something, but I'm still 100% against trading the Yadster. I've always been of the belief that catcher is one of those positions that you want superior defense, and any offense you get is a plus. Also known as the "Mike Matheny Theory."

by Jhusk on Aug 13, 2007 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

Pujols to 3rd

If it weren't for Rolen, then it would be quite interesting. Our IF defense would be much worse with Pu at 3rd and Dunc at 1st, but we have a glut of young OFs so it is interesting. However, I'd rather stick with Scotty and hope he comes around rather than selling low on him.

"The right-hander is throwing up in the bullpen." -Mike Shannon

by DJ87 on Aug 13, 2007 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Much simpler...

Duncan to the Angels for Aybar & (another prospect)... It makes a lot of sense. Duncan can be replaced by Ankiel/Ludwick/Encarnacion. The Angels could really use a power hitting 1b/dh type. Aybar is, I believe an upgrade over what we are likely to get from Miles.

I really don't believe PU is going to 3b.

by OCCardsFan on Aug 13, 2007 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

By Miles, I meant to say

Miles, Ryan, or another year of Eckstein. This is not a slight on Ryan, who I have like so far, but I think Aybar would be a really nice pickup.

by OCCardsFan on Aug 13, 2007 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Aybar

Maybe I'm missing something, but Aybar looks like just another all-glove no-hit shortstop to me, surely Ryan could give you a reasonable approximation of his production without having to give up Dunc.

by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Aug 13, 2007 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't agree with just about anything that you

said. For one, we should not make Ludwick a starter. Yeah, he is decent, but we don't want a guy who hits close to .250 all year with a little power, and a whole lot of strikeouts. Rasmus should definitely not be in the majors next year. How in the world can he be better defensively than Edmonds?! He needs another year to make his hitting even better , and barring some miracle, he should be in AAA next year. The same goes for Bryan Anderson. I also don't think they should give up yadi that easily. He is a great trading chip, and we could probably get santana & figgins just for him or Rolen, but then we wouldn't have a reliable enough catcher and 3rd baseman for next year. Plus, figgins isn't that great of a player, therefore he would not do that well in a whole new league. You do NOT want to move your star player to another base, unless completely necessary. as it is, he has been complaining of aches recently, so you want to keep him as safe as possible.

Stop being cheap & bring in Zambrano!!

by dunc4life on Aug 13, 2007 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

Rasmus>Edmonds

I'm not comparing Colby to Jim in his prime I'm saying right now, and right Hollywood plays way to shallow to be a steller fielder. Also Figgins hsa speed, and in the NL centeral speed kills. He would be the fastest kid in the division. Also you are over selling Yadi. Yeah I love him, but he isn't the best catcher in baseball for crying out loud. I'm also pretty sure about two weeks ago we where willing to trad Rolen for whatever we could get so there you go.

Save the Kipper don't make him go back out there.

by gibbyfan on Aug 13, 2007 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you serious?

Colby Rasmus can't hold Edmonds jock strap. He's barely hitting .250 in AA, IN THE TEXAS LEAGUE!!!!!!!! and has struggled with multiple strikeout games almost all year. At minimum he needs at least another year in the minors.

You need less sugar in your diet.

by Big Red on Aug 13, 2007 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Ludwick

It seems to me Ludwick is more valuable off of the bench. He's like the ideal 4th outfielder - a power hitting pinch hitter who can play all three OF positions. Sort of like how Franklin is more valuable in the 8th inning role than as a starter, I think Ludwick is more valuable as a 4th OF than as a starter.

I'd be pretty comfortable with an 08 outfield consisting of Duncan, Edmonds, Ankiel, Ludwick, and Shumaker. Maybe give Mather a shot if he keeps tearing it up in Memphis. In 09 Edmonds leaves and Rasmus arrives. If all the kids keep performing well, then we've got a cheap and serviceable outfield. Find a way to dump Enc's salary, in another year we've got Jimmy off the books, and can spend that money in other areas of need. Like, say, pitching.

by stl tyler on Aug 13, 2007 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

Molina?

Why do you speak of trading Molina? You notice how NO ONE runs against us? We don't have a running game, might as well eliminate theirs. Plus, hes really not that bad of a hitter for being a catcher... and is real young. I say trade Anderson for another prospect. Great way to get a young shortstop.

No one is going to take Rolen. Aging 3rd basemen with constant injuries, loss of power, and a huge contract?

Ludwick is a great 4th outfielder, but not a starter. Hes among the best in the National League in pitch hits. For outfield I like Duncan, Jimmy, and Rick from left to right. When Colby is ready, we have a good young outfield for cheap. I like Juan, theres just no room for him. Give him away to whoever in the offseason.

We can't afford a shortstop. I think Ryan is our only chance for next year until we lose Jimmy off payroll.

Give Jose a chance!

by warpig2003 on Aug 14, 2007 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

Molina

Molina is a very poor hitter, even for a catcher. Among all catchers with at least 200 PA, he ranks 23rd out of 31 in VORP this year. Yes, his BA is up a bit this year and he's taking a few more walks, but his ISO is down to a miniscule .050, he's not even hitting doubles any more. Anderson is only 20 years old and holding is own at AA, no small achievement, and has a pretty decent arm himself. He's not Molina defensively, but he ain't no Piazza either.

by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Aug 14, 2007 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions