Giles, A-Ram and Lofton Rumors

[3-2 Changeup]

ESPN Insider and LA Times are reporting that Littlefield has stalled a deal that would send Giles to LA for Odalis Perez by asking for LA's two best pitching prospects. Other sources report that LA and Boston are talking about a Johnny Damon for Perez deal. Just doesn't seem like enough to me.

ESPN Insider reports that the Cubs have inquired about Ramirez to play 3B. And continue talks about Kenny Lofton.

[GiveHyzduashot]

Who are LA's best pitching prospects? And are they top of the line pitchers, or just more of what we have in the minors?

But in no possible way do I trade one of the best players in baseball for more pitching ... young position players is what the Pirates need, not more pitching.

DL's obsession with pitching concerns me. If the time comes that he does deal Giles, I fear it will be for pitchers only .. maybe a marginal hitting prospect.

The Pirates may have one dominant pitching staff some day if this trade happens ... but what good does that do if ARAM is the core of the offense?

I'd trade ARAM ... but I would want A LOT for him, like Kelton and two good pitching prospects. We have no options at third, so that means DL has to hold out for a good bit.

[Rick]

If you were assuming that Kelton then would be the 3B, forget it. He was having so much trouble over there trhat he asked to be switched to the OF, which the Cubs did. They are still high on him as a hitter.

[GiveHyzduashot]

I wasn't assuming Kelton would play third (I knew of his switch to the OF) ... just figured Kelton would be able to give the Pirates offensively part of what ARAM can.

No idea who replaces Ramirez.

[Greymire]

I think DL is firmly entrenched in the Marlins philosophy of build around pitching. While it has worked to an extent for Florida, it has really just made them a .500 team hat can compete. They are always lacking big run producers. I fear we could end up the same way here if we trade Giles and Aram. The prospects that LA has are superb from what I here, but consider this! Simon, Stairs, Lofton, and Sanders can all leave after this season. Take Giles and Aram away and wht kind of offense do we have? I think that DL figures that D'Amico and Suppan will want too much after this year to keep them so he is considering bolstering the staff with youth. That is not a bad idea, but not at the expense of depleting all of our offense.

[Blue56]

wasn't there a deal of Nixon for perez.

[GiveHyzduashot]

Suppan has an option for 4 million next year ... if he continues to pitch as he has so far (look at his career trend ... seems to tail off in the summer months), I wouldn't hesitate one bit to pick up that option.

I do agree that D'Amico wil price himself out of coming back ... too many pitching prospects to sign him anyway. So trade him while he is pitching well, but before his arm falls off (doesn't it always?).

[3-2 Changeup]

There was talk of a Trot for Odalis trade but the Giles talks squashed that.