Need a Right Fielder?

[barzilla]

I wanted to see what the Braves interest would be in Richard Hidalgo:

1. 12 million dollar salary that expires after 2004 (1 million club option buyout for 2005)

2. Led MLB in outfield assists with 21


3. Hit over .300 with 20+ HR and 90+ RBI in a little over five months (missed three weeks with mono)

[Fragmentsofme]

Good player, but who or what would we have to give up for him? Seeing as how the Braves are on the verge of a rebuilding era, I hope to heaven they don't give up their best prospects. And I know they don't want a 1 year rental

[barzilla]

The Phillies did not surrender their best prospect for Wagner and he was infinitely more valuable. Right now I would give y'all both Hidalgo and Geoff Blum (could be a regular third baseman if no one else is available) for a few mid-level prospects (A to AA pitchers). The Astros just want to dump the salary. If the Braves like him then they can pick up his option for 2005.

[Fragmentsofme]

How 'bout a single A pitching prospect, AA or AAA hitting prospect and Ray King for Blum and Hidalgo?

[Yellow Dog]

If the Braves are hell bent on cutting payroll down to around $80 million, I say they should go with Ryan Langerhans in right. Sooner or later they're going to have to find out if this guy can play at the major league level. Why not go ahead and find out next year?

As far as third base goes, I think they need to find a place for Mark DeRosa to play on a daily basis. And being a natural SS and a good athlete I believe he could be a very good every day third baseman if given a chance. In fact, I thought he won the job last year during the spring but Cox decided to stick with Castilla.

But if the team is going into a cost cutting mode, they don't need to be trading any prospects.

[Fragmentsofme]

Where have you heard of this 80 million number? I've heard rumors, but nothing concrete.

[Yellow Dog]

Everything we are hearing at this point in time would have to fall under the heading of rumor. I've heard the payroll will be anywhere between $80 million and $90 million. I was just planning for the worst case scenario and hope the figure doesn't get any lower.

[Fragmentsofme]

Gotcha. I believe at this time, we are right around the 65 million mark, which would leave us with about 15 million left for free agents. And I see most of that money going towards a starting pitcher and a reliever or two. So that leaves Hidalgo out of the picture :notme:

[barzilla]

If I were the Astros GM I would take that trade offer for Hidalgo and run. If Hidalgo is out of your price range then maybe we could swing a Ray King for Geoff Blum deal. Blum will make between 2-3 million, can play 3B, SS, and 2B well, so if Mark DeRosa is your third baseman Blum can easily be the first infielder off the bench.

I understand about the cost cutting. Everyone seems to be doing it right now. Even though it makes it tougher to dump certain players, it almost seems worth it just to watch guys like Scott Boras squirm when no one offers big money to his guys.