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Some additional Trade ideas

Another bat that can hit lefties would be nice, here are a few more names:

Franklin Gutierrez  Indians - has what you would want if his bat develops, probaly not quite ready for us at this time

Josh Willingham  Marlins - just coming back from injury and could fit in good for us but we have never done well in dealing with the Marlins FO

Nelson Cruz  Rangers - is he putting it all together now or is he just a AAAA type player that grabs your attention in the minors but struggles in the show?  He might be worth a try especially since he won't cost much.

Now comes my favorite dark horse gamble of all time:

Jeff Francoeur  Braves - This year his hitting has been so weak that he was recently sent down to AA Mississippi to try to get his act back together (was only there for 3 days before recalled due to a 25 man injury and his clearer head)  Since he was demoted it seems like his love for the Home Team Braves has been tarnished to a certain degree and until this year it was virtually impossible to imagine that he would ever play in his prime anywhere but Atlanta.

Cons: He is maybe 15 pounds too heavy this year resulting in less outfield range, his hitting has been quite the struggle with a noted loss of power, his mental approach to the game has been talked about in that this is the first time ever that he has struggled at baseball but that has been mitigated some with the time in AA to get his focus and mental rest restored, he is revered in Atlanta and would the Braves even consider making him available even though they have alot of needs to get back in the race this year.

Pros: He is young and is a power hitter corner outfielder that when on is a young stud that can rake with the best of them, he is an above average corner outfielder on D and has one of the best arms in the NL, He is a model citizen, loved by his teamates, does more community service than anyone on the Braves and is loved by his hometown fans, since he is so young and has just faced his first bump in the road maybe he becomes even better as he works through this first challenge, his attitude so far has been good and reasonable (he voiced disapointment but did not make any personal attacks when sent down) considering his frustrating year. Could he be acquired because of his current situation?  who knows for sure but I think he would be worth the gamble.  The Braves have alot of outfield talent that is coming up and may want to move a fan favorite for pitching when the outrage would be tempered by his struggles this year.

None of the above may be possible or advisable but it looks like this years market is shaping up to be an expensive one so maybe a surprise is in store?

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Hell yes!

Cruz would come cheapest of all and he can actually play the field. He can mash.

Using the minorleaguesplits.com MLE converter, taking Cruz’s AAA numbers in PCL and normalizing the MLE’s to MLB numbers, Cruz gets a .278/.359/.520 with 16 steals in 24 attempts.

by Jason Collette on Jul 15, 2008 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Nelson Cruz

Don’t mean to lurk but I thought I would throw this idea out there. What is the story on Juan Salas these days? I know he had the suspension last year and then had visa problems this spring, but it looks like he has done well in Durham. Is there a reason he has not yet been called up? Has the org soured on him? Would a Nelson Cruz for Juan Salas swap be pallatable for both clubs? I don’t follow the Rays as closely as you all do, so I could be off base here.

by clark on Jul 15, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Jon Daniels, is that you?

If so, please call 888-326-7297 and ask for Andrew Friedman

Our pen is full of guys out of options so they can’t send anyone down without waiving them. That should not stop the team from doing that with Glover, but it has.

by Jason Collette on Jul 15, 2008 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

Cruz is worth the small investment

It probaly would only take a reliever and maybe just an average one at that and I think we all would agree that we need to do something. So unless Andrew has something big working that he thinks would be the homerun type of deal why not get Nelson Cruz now?
Also, the big difference between Jeff F. and Delmon Y. is Power and attitude!

SC raysfan

by SC raysfan on Jul 15, 2008 3:30 PM EDT reply actions  

The other upside with Cruz is defense

He is not a slug in the outfield and moves well for his size and has a very strong throwing arm. He is not facing a lot of lefties in AAA – only has 69 at bats against them this year. However, he is hitting .406 with a 1.193 OPS against them in the PCL. 17 walks and only 8 K’s in that span. Most of his strikeouts come against righties (36/62 split)

by Jason Collette on Jul 15, 2008 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'm on board with the Nelson Cruz move

I wonder what the Rangers would ask for.

Franklin Gutierrez is a sick fielder - he’d be solidly above average even in center - but I’m sure the Indians know that. If his bat doesn’t improve he’s wasted in a corner spot and the Indians should look to deal him to a team in need of a center fielder.

by Sky Kalkman on Jul 16, 2008 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions  

I think he is their new Jason Botts and view him as a AAAA player

He hasn’t done that well in his other trials but maybe he could be turning a Josh Willingham corner here. Clearly there is nothing left to prove for him in AAA.

by Jason Collette on Jul 16, 2008 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions  

How much of a potential upgrade does Cruz represent over Ruggiano? Any stat projections?

Longlorious.
Free Kila Kaaihue!

by RATW on Jul 16, 2008 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

ruggiano>cruz

i still dont understand how ruggiano is in AAA and should really replace jonny gomes some time soon because ruggiano can hit for power and average and is good defensively in RF

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2008 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think I really want Murton.

Even if it’s without Street packaged I would be happy with Murton.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 15, 2008 3:37 PM EDT reply actions  

Good ideas.

Francoeur, Cruz and Gutierrez make sense.

As for Willingham, I don’t see the Marlins trading him. Remember they are in a Pennant Race and will likely be buyers, not sellers. Also, they got rid of the faces of the Franchise in the offseason and Willingham now has that role. It’d be bad PR to move him.

by floridaroar on Jul 15, 2008 4:37 PM EDT reply actions  

wat are our chances of getting back Josh Hamilton???

Do u think he would even consider being a ray again?

Hello Kitty, #1 in your fantasy league. =p

by Boricua on Jul 15, 2008 7:17 PM EDT reply actions  

He would consider us

but I don’t think the Rangers would trade him for anything less than Price + another top prospect. Remember they traded Edison Volquez for him and he has been one of the best pitchers for the Reds.

by Dbullsfan on Jul 15, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

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