Justin Smoak

[Colby]

I'm unbelieveably high on this kid.  With Davis's struggles this year, I'm hoping we see him by June of next year in the bigs.  Even nicer if he showed up this year for 50 at bats, doubtful in my opinion, though. :-(

If Jones starts to struggle again (I believe he is 0 for his last 15), and/or an injury occurs, then I could see Smoak coming up this year.  However, there is a fine line to walk with when you first bring up a player due to arbitration years and the Super-2 caveat for top minor leaguers.

[lp815]

True, but I think he'd have to be in the majors for..85 or 86 days I think this season to qualify.  Yeah, it'd be close.  I assume playoff experience counts into those days, so if they brought him up now, might be best they miss the playoffs this year? :-)

[Colby]

True, but I think he'd have to be in the majors for..85 or 86 days I think this season to qualify.  Yeah, it'd be close.  I assume playoff experience counts into those days, so if they brought him up now, might be best they miss the playoffs this year? :-)

It is never best to not make the playoffs...

[lp815]

Hmm..sounds like you should be managing that team over in Pittsburgh, Colby, they could use that reminder. :-)

[Colby]

Hmm..sounds like you should be managing that team over in Pittsburgh, Colby, they could use that reminder. :-)

The problem with that franchise is the losing stigma they have had for the past 17 years.  What they are doing now is actually right (sans the McLouth deal).  As you can see with my trades, I have made similar (albeit better) moves.

[lp815]

Yeah, I see where you are coming from.  Seems like when the Pirates are about to right the ship, then they make a questionable trade (McLouth) that even the Pirates' players themselves have issues with (LaRoche), affecting that stigma even more. 

But the goods news is that over the last few years, we've seen proof that when these low market teams right the ship (Rays last year, Marlins last 10 years), they can be right up there with the big boys.  Plus, the NL Central is usually pretty competitive, you usually don't see one team blow out all the others (the Cubs on occasion, I guess, only to waste it come playoff time), so there's always a chance that when the Pirates field a decent team, they will even out the rest of the division and give themselves a better shot at the playoffs.

[jcoombs16]

$8.5M

[lp815]

$9.0 mil

[Colby]

$9.0 mil

Bidding is closed.  Jake, please declare who you wish to release to make room for Smoak.

[lp815]

Colby, the Angels will release Mark Trumbo ($.5m P-n/a).