Let me do some quick math regarding our situation from now until July 30th.

 

 

We are 25-37. There are 24 games left until the all star break. We are 14-6 in our last 20(.700 W%). If we continue to play like that, however likely it is or not, until the all star break, we would be 42-44 heading into the break(.488 W%).

If we get to .500 (obviously a lofty goal anyway you look at it), does the FO make a move for a CF (or other) with an expiring contract?

 

You have to think that will invigorate fans and help out Loria's ultimate cause.

 

thats impossible

I'd much rather see us do a trade that follows the plan of building a core for the future...something like Scott Olsen, an Anibel Sanchez or even a Ricky Nolasco for Elijah Dukes.

 

Dukes has great potential, is young, would be a core player and would start for us at CF right away. Dukes at age 22 is an obvious improvement over Abercrombie or Borchard in defense and offense and he could devolop into a Grady Sizemore type. I'd trade any of our pitchers except Dontrelle or JJ for him.

I wouldnt trade Scotty O for Dukes either. Lefties of his ability are rare.

 

But as I've said before Dukes has an attitude, but IMO it can be attributed to scrubs like Gathright and Hollins getting chances over him. I think he'd thrive here.

I wouldnt trade Scotty O for Dukes either. Lefties of his ability are rare.

 

But as I've said before Dukes has an attitude, but IMO it can be attributed to scrubs like Gathright and Hollins getting chances over him. I think he'd thrive here.

 

And so begins the official Petit for Dukes campaign

Petit might not get it done, but you never know. The fact that he has MLB experience should help(and the D-Rays do have some talented pitchers coming through their system as well).

I wouldnt trade Scotty O for Dukes either. Lefties of his ability are rare.

 

But as I've said before Dukes has an attitude, but IMO it can be attributed to scrubs like Gathright and Hollins getting chances over him. I think he'd thrive here.

 

 

 

You don't get the type of "attitude" critics have claimed he has from having scrubs ahead of you on the depth chart. That has nothing to do with his makeup problem, but with the talent that Dukes possesses, I don't care about makeup issues unless they are drug related.

 

 

To get talent, you have to give up talent. If it takes a Scott Olsen to get our CF of the future, a guy who could hit .280, .390 and .480 in the bigs while hitting 25 + Homeruns and playing great defense at a premium position.......I take that everyday.

Well then we disagree. Because from my point of view, you dont give up a lefty with Olsens potential and current ability for a guy who could(could being the operative word) be a good CF.

I'd much rather see us do a trade that follows the plan of building a core for the future...something like Scott Olsen, an Anibel Sanchez or even a Ricky Nolasco for Elijah Dukes.

 

Dukes has great potential, is young, would be a core player and would start for us at CF right away. Dukes at age 22 is an obvious improvement over Abercrombie or Borchard in defense and offense and he could devolop into a Grady Sizemore type. I'd trade any of our pitchers except Dontrelle or JJ for him.

 

Dukes has amazing talent.

 

I don't know if I give up Olsen for him though, but if you could get him then go after him.

Well then we disagree. Because from my point of view, you dont give up a lefty with Olsens potential and current ability for a guy who could(could being the operative word) be a good CF.

 

 

 

I agree somewhat because I would not give up Olsen for Dukes either in most situations. The fact that we have stockpiled so much pitching in our system though, allows us to move some of the more talented arms for premium position guys.

 

If the goal really is to compete by the year 2008, having an uber-talented centerfielder is more important than having two lefty aces on the staff. Look at it like this - if we did a move like this, pitching won't be a problem in two years, but CF could still be.

Well then we disagree. Because from my point of view, you dont give up a lefty with Olsens potential and current ability for a guy who could(could being the operative word) be a good CF.

 

 

 

I agree somewhat because I would not give up Olsen for Dukes either in most situations. The fact that we have stockpiled so much pitching in our system though, allows us to move some of the more talented arms for premium position guys.

 

If the goal really is to compete by the year 2008, having an uber-talented centerfielder is more important than having two lefty aces on the staff. Look at it like this - if we did a move like this, pitching won't be a problem in two years, but CF could still be.

I don't think I'd give up Olsen. I love the guy too much, and he's one of our own. I'd sooner give up Gaby or Anibal.

The thing is I bet the D-Rays would bite on Sanchez and or Petit. If they demanded Olsen I'd hang up.

 

I guess I should point out I would never, and I mean ever, advocate trading Scott Olsen. For anyone.

If you haven't guessed already in the past few months, I'm all for trading Petit. I don't see him fitting into the roto.

I guess I should point out I would never, and I mean ever, advocate trading Scott Olsen. For anyone.

 

 

 

That's foolish. Probably 50-75 guys I would trade Olsen for, and I mean 50 prospects or 1st,2nd, or 3rd year players.

Well then you dont agree with me on that issue, and I'm cool with that.

 

But I think the long term effects of keeping Olsen in the front of a rotation alongside Willis and JJ far outweighs the benefits of trading him for another position.

Kool Aid hasn't really hurt our lineup...at least not the way Eric Reed did and Ross has been very good off the bench. Cf will work itself out. Yes We can make a late season trade of some sort but it should be maybe for a quality prospect. We have Borowski, Mitre and even Petit we can move.

 

I don't know if I would trade for Dukes he is a major headcase from what i understand...very talented though

This team won't be .500 at the break...

 

We are still talking about a team full of rookies and they are going to have their ups and downs the entire season. They are playing great right now and I'm loving it. I'll be happy if they play .500 ball from here on out. I guess nice to dream though.

 

They'll take care of the CF position this offseason. No reason to overpay for a CF at the all star break when there is very little chance of actually making the playoffs