Rosenthal on the possibility of a Lidge trade

[homer]

Rival executives are contacting the Astros about right-hander Brad Lidge, but one club official says the team would need to be "blown away" to trade the reliever now that he has returned to form and regained the closer's role.

The Astros probably would want a premium young catcher and promising young pitcher for Lidge. Some teams would regard that as too high a price, considering the financial commitment that such a trade also would entail.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6911370

[dirty steve]

the Braves were sold, right?  or are they still operating under the same financial constraints that they incurred pre-sale?  the Hudson extension would lead me to believe the pocketbook would be open.

i am not sure if wickman is a certainty to be back in 2008 and gonzalez had TJ surgery.  unless they regard soriano to be the heir apparent (his extensive look in the position this year might lean that way), lidge would be nice piece to have.

[Noe]

The Astros probably would want a premium young catcher and promising young pitcher for Lidge. Some teams would regard that as too high a price, considering the financial commitment that such a trade also would entail.

Two prospects for one reliever/veteran/closer with nasty stuff?  Sounds about right.  Why are GM's worried about money?  Have they noticed how insane their bosses have been in the offseason spending money like drunken sailors on shore leave?  Me no understand the financial commitment part so unless they're speaking of *one* particular organization (*cough, BRAVES, cough*) or most of the spending challenged (*cough, DEVIL RAYS, cough*) teams, if most teams want Lidge, they can make it happen.

I just don't think Houston is ready to make the deal, if they were so inclined to begin with, just yet.

[homer]

Tim Brown at Yahoo! seems to think Jason Jennings is in play as well. He has nothing to back this up.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/mlb_experts/post/Five-and-Fly-Roiling-Rangers-spiral-downward?urn=mlb,36380

[dirty steve]

Tim Brown at Yahoo! seems to think Jason Jennings is in play as well. He has nothing to back this up.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/mlb_experts/post/Five-and-Fly-Roiling-Rangers-spiral-downward?urn=mlb,36380

pallilo blew the same horn yesterday--i guess they have the same sources as those who thought we should move kent and beltran pre 36-10 in 2004.

[MusicMan]

Potential partners, judging by the BA Top 100 prospects:

Braves - Saltalamacchia.  Easily the best fit.
Mariners - Clement.  He's not going to unseat Jojhima, but the Mariners aren't looking for bullpen help.
A's - the Suzuki kid we saw last night.  Billy Beane is not in the business of trading for closers.
Rockies - Iannetta - not happening.

Yes, the Braves are defintely the best fit.  Who blinks first?

[dirty steve]

Potential partners, judging by the BA Top 100 prospects:

Braves - Saltalamacchia.  Easily the best fit.
Mariners - Clement.  He's not going to unseat Jojhima, but the Mariners aren't looking for bullpen help.
A's - the Suzuki kid we saw last night.  Billy Beane is not in the business of trading for closers.
Rockies - Iannetta - not happening.

Yes, the Braves are defintely the best fit.  Who blinks first?

what about dotel in 2004?

[homer]

Astros scout was at the Reds-Angels game Monday, with "some people" speculating about interest in Dunn.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2007/06/12/ddn061307dunn.html

[MusicMan]

what about dotel in 2004?

Don't go throwing facts in my face.  I'll go JackAstro Wikipedia on your ass and make that deal disappear.

[dirty steve]

Astros scout was at the Reds-Angels game Monday, with "some people" speculating about interest in Dunn.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2007/06/12/ddn061307dunn.html

when asked of his thoughts, Dunn replied:
Unofficially? I think it'll happen," said Dunn.

i wonder what the reds asking price might be. 

[MusicMan]

i wonder what the reds asking price might be. 

Based on their recent history?  Nieve, White, and Lane.

[dirty steve]

Based on their recent history?  Nieve, White, and Lane.

krivsky has made some nice under the radar moves like brandon phillips and arroyo, but the deal with the nats last year and the milton contract really have seemed to blow up in his face.

[utastro]

Based on their recent history?  Nieve, White, and Lane.

Wait a minute, Lane is not injured ... nevermind.

[Uncle Charlie]

Potential partners, judging by the BA Top 100 prospects:

Braves - Saltalamacchia.  Easily the best fit.
Mariners - Clement.  He's not going to unseat Jojhima, but the Mariners aren't looking for bullpen help.
A's - the Suzuki kid we saw last night.  Billy Beane is not in the business of trading for closers.
Rockies - Iannetta - not happening.

Yes, the Braves are defintely the best fit.  Who blinks first?

Don't forget about the Indians.  They don't have a C, but they do have a 3B which the Astros obviously need.  Marte could fill in nicely at 3B and an OF.  They have plenty of OF to choose from.

[Kent's Moustache]

Don't forget about the Indians.  They don't have a C, but they do have a 3B which the Astros obviously need.  Marte could fill in nicely at 3B and an OF.  They have plenty of OF to choose from.

Shoppach?

[Alkie]

Shoppach?

We already have MusicMan.  The hell good does that do us?

[MusicMan]

We already have MusicMan.  The hell good does that do us?

Just let me clearly state two things:

1.  I've never even been to Cleveland.
2.  I am NOT a catcher.

[Alkie]

Just let me clearly state two things:

1.  I've never even been to Cleveland.
2.  I am NOT a catcher.

Growing up, one of our friend's fathers had just been caught cheating, with a man, on one of his business trips.

Your argument was, word for word, what he told his wife.

[MusicMan]

Growing up, one of our friend's fathers had just been caught cheating, with a man, on one of his business trips.

Your argument was, word for word, what he told his wife.

You owe me a new laptop.

[JimR]

Growing up, one of our friend's fathers had just been caught cheating, with a man, on one of his business trips.

Your argument was, word for word, what he told his wife.

blue star.

[Taras Bulba]

blue star.

Yep.  Buy that man a Blue Ribbon.

[utastro]

Growing up, one of our friend's fathers had just been caught cheating, with a man, on one of his business trips.

Your argument was, word for word, what he told his wife.

Lucky for you that fish tacos didn't originate in San Francisco.

[ValpoCory]

Potential partners, judging by the BA Top 100 prospects:

Braves - Saltalamacchia.  Easily the best fit.
Mariners - Clement.  He's not going to unseat Jojhima, but the Mariners aren't looking for bullpen help.
A's - the Suzuki kid we saw last night.  Billy Beane is not in the business of trading for closers.
Rockies - Iannetta - not happening.

Yes, the Braves are defintely the best fit.  Who blinks first?

Tim Hudson pitches 7 1/3 shutout innings and Bob Wickman blows a 2-0 9th inning lead and the Braves lose 3-2.

I bet the Braves could be got if an offer came tonight.

[Zac D]

Shoppach?

Scuttlebutt is that he's the catcher of the future and Victor Martinez is ultimately a first baseman, I believe..

[Jacksonian]

Can anyone show me where Purpura has stated an interest in dealing for a young catcher?  Or where another GM has said the Astros inquired about a young catcher?

The Astros have spent a great deal of money lately on young catchers.  Two of them are doing fine at low-A.  One is succeeding at AA.  I'm suspicious of anyone passing rumors that the Astros are looking for a young catcher.  Young 3B or pitchers or even outfielders I can believe.