Yeah, the Giants have some young talent that. For some reason, they insist on playing old guys in this, a rebuilding year. I think it's definitely worth a shot... but could Chris Duncan get us Velez or Valdez? I doubt it.

I wouldn't take Merkin Valdez in trade. His time as a top prospect ended at least two years ago. Velez would be more interesting at least.

And I wouldn't undersell Duncan, either. A .280 hitter with 30 HR power definitely has trade value enough for a team that is as run-starved as the Giants. He'd slot in immediately as their #4 hitter. I mean, this team is batting their catcher - Bengie Molina, no less - fourth, and the ragged bones of Ray Durham 5th.

If you want to overpay, toss in Brendan Ryan.

Eugenio Velez listed by Baseball Prospectus as falling "just outside" the Giants top 11 prospects.

Dunc has been kicked around as a trade possibility with the Giants for as long as I remember on this site, and for good reason. The Giants are a horribly GM'ed team that has the oldest roster known to man and no offense to speak of.

The thought in the past has been to pry away a pitcher from them. However, I guess a position player would work too. Problem is that I'm not sold on any of their position players. The Cardinals need MIF talent at this point, and I don't see how Velez helps the BOB. The guy is 25 and hasn't exactly busted the cover off the ball at AAA. In fact, he's really only been impressive at one level, as a 24-year-old in A ball.

The other issue is that Duncan isn't going anywhere with his dad sitting in the dugout. Right or wrong, that's just how it's going to be. And if Mozeliak were to trade Duncan, it better be for a good package. 30+ HR hitters aren't commodities that grow on trees.

As Barton continues to look good, we have 4 other outfielders right now, and one in the waiting with Rasmus. That makes 6 outfielders with Duncan (Lud, Ank, Skip, Barton, Dunc, Rasmus). We really don't need that many, but we do need young, healthy pitching. Also, Duncan would be a considerable improvement in SF, so I'm sure they'd consider a deal.

I don't care if Duncan is the coach's son; he simply can't measure up to the all around game of our other outfielders. He's a valuable bat, but he gives a pretty substantial portion of that value back with his glovework.

I wouldn't be overly interested in Merkin Valdez or Velez, but if Mo could pry away a guy like a Tim Alderson, (whom I wanted the team to draft last June) I would start a fan club for him.

I think Duncan is great trade bait, and the Cards need to take advantage of that value. He simply doesn't improve the team in the outfield over the other players the team can run out there, particularly once Colby is ready to join the big squad. Or, technically, once the team is ready to allow him to join. He's probably ready now.

As much as like duncan's bat in the lineup, his best suited role is 1b, and he makes it hard for him to increase any value he has when hes constantly hurt with all these strains or sitting versus every left-hander. Tell me how you learn to hit left-handed pitching if you hardly ever see it? If duncan can't be traded due to his dad, then both should be shipped out of town. No one is bigger than the team, isn't that what TLR said about pujols, so duncan can say who is traded or not because he is related to them, ludacris.

only for a solid return in value. When Mr. Duncan gets healthy, he will be the team's single best trade chip. He is an honest 30+/90+ guy in the majors. Maybe that is what Rasmus will be. Maybe Ankiel will continue to tear the cover off of the ball. Maybe Glaus will make the adjustment back to the NL. Those things aren't assured, yet. They need to hold him until they can get what they need from another club. If the perfect situation arises earlier, then make the deal. I think the pitching situation is going to come up much sooner, and that will have to be dealt with by mid to late May. There aren't many trades that happen this time of year, as teams are still trying to identify what they have.

If the Cards were 1-5 instead of 5-1 everyone would be wondering when Duncan would get back in the lineup. Duncan has his limitations, but the man can hit the ball. He will eventually help this team more than a third string SS.

Understatement followed by and overstatement.

And I was getting used to respectable defense in the outfield.