Nick

July 18th per MLB Traderumors "The Red Sox, Rangers, Orioles, Blue Jays and Dodgers are all expected to be in the bidding for Athletics ace Rich Hill, as are the Tigers, who have been calling around and asking about rotation upgrades, per Passan. The A’s, however, haven’t been willing to hold any meaningful talks about Sonny Gray, whose stock is at a low point right now in the wake of some highly uncharacteristic struggles. Passan also notes that Josh Reddick is “very unlikely” to reach an extension with Oakland at this juncture, though if the A’s were really only open to a three-year deal even as recently as July 9, I’d contend that it was never really a possibility in the first place." Are we still after Hill?

Per MLB Traderumors "Clubs that were pursuing Brad Ziegler were stunned by what the D-backs accepted in exchange for him, according to both Passan and Peter Gammons of the MLB Network (links to Twitter). Passan writes that the Guardians, Blue Jays and Cubs all expressed interest in Ziegler and were all met with asking prices of Top 100-type or even Top 50-type prospects in return. Arizona, however, acquired a pair of prospects that weren’t nearly that well regarded in return. One NL GM who spoke to Gammons wondered if Dave Dombrowski’s close relationship with Tony La Russa impacted the negotiations." Good for DD

He reminds me too much of tommy 'payne' layne...production wise

I just missed him.....I'm old...I can't remember everything off top of my head...lol He has much right as Pedey to be included....the point I wanted to make was signing Encarnacion and a starting pitching depth will cement our success for next several years. We maybe able to get away with doing neither but I think we'll have the resources to make it happen.

I think the Pomeranz deal was made not only for this year but for next two years. I have a feeling he'll be with us for awhile. We're definitely competing for 2016, 2017 and 2018 playoffs.

Peavy was acquired due to Clay Buchholtz getting 'hurt'.....come to think of it, Clay has COST US a FREAKING TON...it's always covering up for the guy.

I just can't believe we wasted 25 freaking starts on Kelly in 2015....AND we still didn't know what we were going to get out of him...

I agree.....no offense to 30/40 somethings on the board here, but in DD we have a grown up running the baseball side of things

Trade Pedroia. Fire Farrell. Put Buchholz on waivers well played sir.....at least you're upfront about it!

Yes, I was on board. So were the players (obviously).

Moon I think we're on the same page..... There are moments in franchise history that with just couple of right moves the team can go on a sustainable playoff run for several seasons. It takes several players reaching their peak years at the same time. We are at such moment. We have either cost controlled players or under team contract players for next two to three years and longer. Obviously we'll have to pony up with some free agent money as these players go beyond arbitration years. The whole idea is not to dismantle the core group. It starts with Betts, Bogaertz and Bradley. You have to throw in Pedey since he's under contract until 2021. Shaw also has to be in the mix unless someone comes along who is actually better. That has not happened. He may grow into an elite hitter with some power. I'll give him credit for learning to play 3B like a major leaguer. I know that you see Swihart as a major trade bait but for now I'm perfectly content with the trio of Swihart, Leon and Vazquez calling the pitches. If Leon can hit .270 range than we have a very good major league catcher. There will be a big hole at DH. My preference is to go get Encarnacion but other options are available and perhaps more urgent. We'll have Young back along with Swihart to patrol left field as we wait on Moncada and Benintendi. I'd prefer to keep Holt around as a super sub. With him we can go with 13 pitchers if we need to since he can play all 7 positions. We have a good starting point with Price (6 more years), Porcello (3 more years), Pomeranz (2 more years) and cost control pitchers in Wright and Rodriquez. I'm all for acquiring another #2/#3 type but it has to be done without breaking up this group. Kimbrel will return for 2 more years (club option in 2018). My guess is Ziegler will return to west coast. It seems money is secondary to him (good for him). Koji can return but he has to take a huge pay cut. Tazawa may get a better deal elsewhere, maybe not. It's encouraging to see Barnes and Hembree steping up. I still like Ross Jr. He's a fun loving guy that can pitch. If Kelly can accept his new role and is able to throw strikes he can be a very good reliever. Maybe we can still acquire a low cost pen help next year for an upgrade. The whole point is that we have a good team assembled. We also need to remember that we've benefited from the last two drafts because we did finish dead last.(Benintendi and Gomes). It was also a major coup to sign Moncada. Our draft position hopefully won't be optimum going forward due to success in standings. Getting Encarnacion and another top flight pitcher will cement our success going foward. (maybe Pablo will shed his fat man costume and earn some of his money)

Yes.....because ultimately what your house is worth is NOT determined by you but by the buyers. All you have to do is to look at the Florida housing market. One can not determine the FMV without all the factors taken into account, the economy, world unrest, etc It's a Seller's Market in major leagues and most people would understand it just from their own life experiences. Alternative would have been for DD to proclaim hey it's on the players and keep trotting out Kelly/Buchholtz. Is that responsible management? DD has credibility with the 25 players on the roster right now. They all know that he will do what it takes to give the group the best chance to get into the playoffs. Wouldn't you want a boss like that?

Based on your logic we better trade for Hill right now. We don't have enough pitching. It took an epic failure by Kelly and Buchholtz along with injury to E Rod to get us to where we are. Throw in regression from Owens and Johnson along with overvaluing Elias further reduced our starting corps.

Price is hard to watch...too many pitches. 9 hits in 5 innings.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/red-sox-fans-stadium-clear-signal-yankees-brass-article-1.2714453 Here's a good article you might enjoy....someone should tell the writer that Sandy Leon is now the starter, not a backup.

I guess it's only a blister but they can linger especially on your middle finger throwing hand. Baltimore lost today so we have a chance to pick up a game.....maybe losing to Sox will motivate the Yankees when the Orioles come in next.

Espinoza's value today is only good for what we can get in a trade for him...Pomeranz...otherwise it's Zero. Everyone wants to value the kid at wat he might be at 2021. As in any investment, future value is discounted for time.

We are on the verge of assembling a kick ass team for next few years. Benintendi, Moncada, say big bat in Encarnacion, another SP and couple of more relievers...all doable in my mind.

Maybe we're looking to sign him as a free agent. I don't see Athletics not trading him because I doubt that they will want to make a qualifying offer to Hill. Price seems too high for the Athletics. If we sign him as a FA after he's traded than we don't lose a draft choice. It just costs us money. I rather pay Hill big bucks than say Encarnacion (we need top line pitching help). Obviously it would be a gamble. Now if we could sign both, that would be a bold move. It's just money.

Our 2nd half schedule is brutal with hardly any days off.....here's to our starting five staying healthy and not have a huge letdown

On the heels of 2 last place finishes in a tough baseball town, even John Farrell senses urgency to get to the playoffs. Good fortune is that we have a wave of talented young players arriving on the major league stage at about the same time. Starting pitching can get better but the five starters are all under team control for at least 2 more years. Offensively we can probably get by with what we have coming back. Bullpen will need to replace Koji, TazaWa and Ziegler. It's doable. As long as we stay healthy, we should be contenders through 2018 and beyond if we can sign or extend our young kids.

So basically we will need to replace #2, #3 and #6 relief pitchers in Koji, Ziegler and Tazawa....technically we have $12m plus to sign 3 relievers. Is there an internal candidate? It's also very possible that Barnes, Hembree and Kelly could easily get better to line up behind Kimbrel, no?

Watching Sandy Leon contribute offensively reinforces my inclination to field a respectable hitting line up 1-9 without any black holes. I'm reluctant to give up on Swihart catching at such a young age.

I actually like Ross better than Layne...never a big fan I'm also high on Ziegler....probably a long shot to get him to leave Arizona next year.

Yep....this Yankee team is hard to watch...too many veterans and it's hard for them to get up with nothing to play for it....you can see it.