Manny trade idea (three way!)

[RedSoxRooter]

Haha. this should be funny, as I never post things like this because I don't think things out. But....... how about this?

 

Boston sends Manny (20 million, LF), Wells (4-5 million, LHSP) and Youk (300k, 3b/1b/utility) to Oakland for Barry Zito (6 million, LHSP).

 

Oakland keeps Wells and Youk and sends Manny (20 million, LF) off to the Dodgers for Derek Lowe (7 million, RHSP).

 

Dodgers send Boston Ledee (1 million, LF) and Jeff Kent (9 million 1b/2b) for 3 million dollars and a player to be named later.

 

In the end:

 

Boston gets (as 4th outfielder) Ledee, 1b/2b Kent, LHSP Zito - loses Manny, Wells, Youk. Key reason = Zito.

Reduces payroll by about 9 million

 

Oakland gets LHSP Wells, RHSP Lowe and IF Youk - loses Zito. Key reason = Lowe/Youk/Wells for Zito.

Adds to payroll by about 3 million

 

Dodgers get HOF LF Manny, 3 million dollars, PTBN - lose Ledee, Lowe (stunk last year), Kent (old). Key reason = Manny.

Even payroll

 

So am I the next Theo or what???? Thoughts?

[YanksHater213]

Theo? Nah. You're John Harrington.

[26 to 6]

Not a bad trade idea at all IMO. That is one of those trades that would take weeks and weeks to work out.

 

Also, as a Yankee fan, it would bring a tear to my eye to see Rickey Ledee in a Sox uni. BTW, isnt Ledee a FA anyway?

[RedSoxRooter]

Ledee is signed through 2006.

[26 to 6]

Ledee is signed through 2006.

Oh. I thought I remembered him signing a 1yr minor league contract last year. My mistake.

[ORS]

Oakland gets LHSP Wells, RHSP Lowe and IF Youk - loses Zito. Key reason = Lowe/Youk/Wells for Zito.

Adds to payroll by about 3 million

 

Thoughts?

You are definitely thinking outside the box.

 

Some things to consider, though:

 

Lowe is getting $9M, $9.5M, and $10M the next three years. Harden ($1M, $2M, $4.5M), Haren ($0.7M, $2.2M, $4M), and Blanton ($0.35M, $0.35, 1st year arbitration) over the next three years. All three of those pitchers are, if not better, just as good as D-Lowe, but at a much cheaper price.

 

Zito makes $8.5M and Wells, once the incentives kick in, will make $9M (assuming he makes the required starts/innings). The A's will lose either of those pitchers after the 2006 season. Wells will go due to retirement, while Zito will go via FA. The catch is that Oakland will get compensation picks for losing a FA, but would get nothing for losing a retiring player. Being on a budget, and having a history of good drafts, makes it clear which is the better option for Beane.

 

Loaiza has been signed for $7M per over the next three years. That gives them Zito, Harden, Haren, Blanton, Loaiza (5 starters) at $17.55M in 2006 vs. Wells, Harden, Haren, Blanton, Loaiza, Lowe (6 starters) at $27.05M. I can't see them paying an extra $10M for a 6th starter on their budget, especially if it means that they will lose the extra draft picks that Zito signing elsewhere will grant them.