Let's Try for Hill
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 10:52 pm
Billy Beane continues to underperform as a general manager and the A's are again languishing in the standings in a generally weak AL West Division. Beane, however, continues to be an often unconventional GM.
Thus, I suggest that the Pirates propose a somewhat different type of trade with the A's for Hill, who most regard as one of the best arm's likely available. Hill, despite his recent spat with injury concerns, is having a very good season, he is signed to a very reasonable 1 year deal, and he is a lefty.
My suggestion:
Pirates send Niese to the A's and agree to pay all of his remaining salary except the major league minimum and his option amount. Clearly Niese is no where near the pitcher that Hill is, but perhaps Beane, like the Pirates, is willing to take a risk on his reasonable option amounts for the next 2 years if he starts to perform. Niese also offers Beane some additional flexibility to move him for other talent.
Pirates offer the A's the opportunity to select a total of 3 players from what most would consider the second tier of the Pirates prospects, which would include some nice talent. Prospects on the available list would include:
Position players: Folks like Ramirez, Diaz, Garcia, Hanson, and perhaps Newman. My suggestion keeps the top 5 off the trade list: McGuire, Bell, Meadows, Tucker and Hayes.
Pitchers: No to Glasnow, Tallion, and Kuhl. This leaves some good pitching prospects available; Keller, Holmes and Brault to name a few.
A week ago I would not have considered trading away 3 decent prospects. But --- with the team's improved bullpen performance and some of the younger starters showing some spark, adding a LH pitcher like Hill could be the equivalent of this year's Happ.
Thus, I suggest that the Pirates propose a somewhat different type of trade with the A's for Hill, who most regard as one of the best arm's likely available. Hill, despite his recent spat with injury concerns, is having a very good season, he is signed to a very reasonable 1 year deal, and he is a lefty.
My suggestion:
Pirates send Niese to the A's and agree to pay all of his remaining salary except the major league minimum and his option amount. Clearly Niese is no where near the pitcher that Hill is, but perhaps Beane, like the Pirates, is willing to take a risk on his reasonable option amounts for the next 2 years if he starts to perform. Niese also offers Beane some additional flexibility to move him for other talent.
Pirates offer the A's the opportunity to select a total of 3 players from what most would consider the second tier of the Pirates prospects, which would include some nice talent. Prospects on the available list would include:
Position players: Folks like Ramirez, Diaz, Garcia, Hanson, and perhaps Newman. My suggestion keeps the top 5 off the trade list: McGuire, Bell, Meadows, Tucker and Hayes.
Pitchers: No to Glasnow, Tallion, and Kuhl. This leaves some good pitching prospects available; Keller, Holmes and Brault to name a few.
A week ago I would not have considered trading away 3 decent prospects. But --- with the team's improved bullpen performance and some of the younger starters showing some spark, adding a LH pitcher like Hill could be the equivalent of this year's Happ.