OK, with the rumors that we've now intensified our pursuit of Hudson almost coinciding with us being willing to part with AJ, this sort of makes sense:

 

AJ and Encarnacion and Stokes to the Yanks for Javier Vazquez and $10 million and either Navarro or Duncan.

 

Olsen, Duncan/Navarro, Castillo (hopefully not, but it works) to the A's for Hudson.

 

Then, the Yankees likely try to turn AJ into RJ, but that's a whole different story.

 

Under this scenario, we keep a rotation of Beckett, Hudson, Javy, Leiter, Willis, free up $12.5 million by trading Castillo AJ and Juan, and take on $14 by getting Javy and Hudson. Easley becomes our second-baseman (ugh) and it likely means Willingham or Aguila slides into the lineup in left/right.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

Oh, and PS: I know that it weakens our offense, but we're not really going to improve it, and Lo Duca serves the team much better as a 2-hole hitter than 3 or 5. Besides, it does give us a spot to perhaps offer Magglio a one year incentive deal... :shifty

your giving up way to much for a rental(Hudson) and an over-rated pitcher.

I don't get why your sig has a "keep AJ", but you keep bringing these AJ for "put name here" ideas. What gives?

It strengthens the starting staff but it severely weakens the offense, plus we are doing the same thing as before, losing a star pitcher at the end of the season. The difference here however is that while AJ is affordable if we work it right, Hudson is beyond unaffordable.

So no offense and no defense but a helluva pitching staff.

 

I can't imagine Castillo being traded and didn't the A's already fill their need at second base? I'll give you this it is creative.

 

Aren't we in the same boat with Husdon as with AJ regarding free agency come 2006 season?

First trade is good, that second thing is horrible.

Aren't we in the same boat with Husdon as with AJ regarding free agency come 2006 season?

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I'd argue it's worse for us, because Hudson is absolutely not returning, while AJ can be worked into it.

Bad trade

I don't get why your sig has a "keep AJ", but you keep bringing these AJ for "put name here" ideas. What gives?

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Oh, I want to keep him, but I threw this scenario out there because (to me) it's the logical progression from where we were two days ago.

 

I mean, AJ's rumored to be traded, then we suddenly step up our pursuit of Hudson? Something's gotta give there.

 

 

And, let's just assume that AJ's already made up his mind that he's out the door, wouldn't you rather have at least a one year rental of Hudson and Vazquez? And besides, we can at least try to see if Hudson wants to come back...who knows?

I don't get why your sig has a "keep AJ", but you keep bringing these AJ for "put name here" ideas. What gives?

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Oh, I want to keep him, but I threw this scenario out there because (to me) it's the logical progression from where we were two days ago.

 

I mean, AJ's rumored to be traded, then we suddenly step up our pursuit of Hudson? Something's gotta give there.

 

 

And, let's just assume that AJ's already made up his mind that he's out the door, wouldn't you rather have at least a one year rental of Hudson and Vazquez? And besides, we can at least try to see if Hudson wants to come back...who knows?

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he does live here...

 

and he's much less of a baby than AJ, methinks