Did Brad Lidge Just Shape the Royals' Off-Season Plans?
Written by Clark Fosler   
Monday, 02 November 2009 10:11

Brad Lidge imploded in the ninth inning of Game Four of the World Series last night and harkened back to a series previously written on this website.  About one month ago, I speculated on a possible trade of Joakim Soria to the Phillies.   Did Lidge's continuing problems just make this idea, rampant speculation that it is, more relevant?

On Wednesday, I will finish off our review of the American League Central:  focusing on, you guessed it, the bullpens.   For now, I pose this question:

If the Royals actually do put Joakim Soria on the market, is he the most desirable closer out there?   If so, would you as the Royals' general manager (not as a fan, mind you) pull the trigger on the deal I proposed or a different one or not at all?



Digg! Reddit! Facebook! Technorati! StumbleUpon! BallHype: hype it up!

Comments

avatar gbewing
0
 
 
closers matter in post season, it was inevitable Lidge would blow
Monday 02 November 2009, 07:49
Post Reply
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
Cancel
avatar CollininCalifornia
0
 
 
I don't think so... the Phillies would have to make a better offer than the one you presented for us to trade Soria, imo. Could they use Soria? Yes. Can they get Soria? I dont' think so.
Monday 02 November 2009, 09:13
Post Reply
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
Cancel
avatar keith
0
 
 
not even close to enough. Mayberry and Concepcion are basically wastes of time. Mayberry is an RH Shane Costa and Concepcion is no better than our Eduardo Paulino. Taylor is a nice start, but it's not enough for, when considering contracts, arguably the most valuable closer in the game.
Monday 02 November 2009, 09:57
Post Reply
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
Cancel
avatar Clark Fosler
0
 
 
Keep in mind, guys, the potential return from the Phillies was based at least in some part on what other closers netted in trades over the past couple of years.
Monday 02 November 2009, 16:37
Post Reply
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
Cancel
avatar kcghost
0
 
 
Under no circumstances do you trust GMDM to trade Soria. He has been screwing the pooch for two years now and cannot be trusted to turn a real asset into something even better. Also, the following veteran relievers will be available this off-season which weakens Soria's trade value: 1) Rafael Soriano, 2) Mike Gonzalez, 3) Fernando Rodney, 4) Jose Valverde, 5) Kevin Gregg, and 6) Billy Wagner. Whether any of these guys is good as Soria is a moot point. There availability weakens what teams will pay to get Soria.

Lidge has been a disaster all year and even what appeared to be an uptick during the playoffs was fool's gold.

Wait for someone to come to you with an overwhelming offer.
Tuesday 03 November 2009, 04:05
Post Reply
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
Cancel
avatar gbewing
0
 
 
none of those guys ghost are near Soria's league. Risky closers are easy to find- they have that, but I agree we likely don't get what I think we need. My view in trading Soria is I have Mariano Riveria in his 3rd season and trade from that mindset, maybe it's not true but it could be and that's my mentality trading him. Closers are a fickle group and the lifeline is 3-4 years usually EXCEPT for the really good ones like Riveria, Hoffman L Smith etc. Soria not being a power pitcher makes me feel he has a chance to be one of those guys.
Tuesday 03 November 2009, 06:40
Post Reply
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
Cancel
avatar Eric
0
 
 
My question is with a team like the Royals is, at some point a team needs to stockpile Major League talent, not just minor league talent. Are the players that we are likely to net in return for Soria Major League talent... maybe, but truly not very likely. Could we replace Soria? Maybe, but not very likely. I understand the desire to use players as chips to get better, but trading a player who is on an upswing with a club-friendly contract is not the best way to do that. The Royals need to focus on value plays, getting rid of bad contracts, developing young players and then keeping them. Now, laying out a plan like this is relatively easy, but the likelihood of the Royals actually following it is next to zero. Look at last year... Value plays: Farnsworth...I think not, Getting Rid of Bad Contracts: Betancourt...they actually took one on!!!, Developing Young Players: Not much to report from the DM era, but Butler was nice to see, Keeping the Young Talent: Greinke's contract looks better and better. So 1 for 4, and that is why the Royals stink, and will continue to stink unless something or someone changes.
Tuesday 03 November 2009, 07:56
Post Reply
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
Cancel
avatar Toby V
0
 
 
So why not throw a dart at the wall by trading Soria and see if you get something to help jumpstart a turnaround? I agree DM has been poor with his player moves. But as you have said, we are going to continue to struggle even with Soria. To me the issue among fans is not trusting the GM to make the right move if we do trade Soria. We are so starved for talent, people are scared of losing one of a couple good players we do have. Rather than looking at the big picture.
Tuesday 03 November 2009, 10:13
Post Reply
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
Cancel
avatar Eric
0
 
 
But, the big picture is are we going to get good value in trading Soria? I think the answer in this case is no. Yeah, we could throw a dart a a board and see if we get lucky, but is it a good risk in this case? Is Soria likely to decline any time soon? Most would say no. Is Soria's contract too much for the Royals? No. Are we going to get a can't miss prospect who just needs time to progress. Looking at the analysis to this point, I would say no. Yeah, we might...might get lucky. If Soria had a 10 million/ year contract and was 33 years old, then I would say go ahead. But why do we always rush to trade young talent just when they start to produce b/c we might be able to get the new flavor of the month? To me, we would likely end up with the new Mark Teahan... Who would you rather have?
Tuesday 03 November 2009, 11:28
Post Reply
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
Cancel
avatar Toby V
0
 
 
If his value is a Mark Teahan in return...then I agree don't trade him. But, I believe his value is more then that. The fact that he has such a good contract makes his value even higher as a trade piece. I don't want the new flavor of the month. But, I do believe his trade value would be worth 1 impact starting offensive player and a high end prospect. Or 2 high end prospects. Even if his value via trade is only worth one top end young offensive player and you have to fill Soria's spot with a fill-in closer...I think that improves the team overall by having an everyday player opposed to a player that only comes in in close situations.
Wednesday 04 November 2009, 12:14
Post Reply
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
Cancel
B
i
u
Quote
Code
List
List item
URL
Name *
Code   
Submit Comment
< Prev   Next >
 

Search

Latest Forum Posts

Rule 5 Update
by cfos 2009/12/10 08:06
Brad Thompson...
by cfos 2009/11/19 11:11
Re:Meche Likely Done For The Year
by cfos 2009/09/10 12:56
Re:Meche Likely Done For The Year
by cbrown 2009/09/10 11:50
Meche Likely Done For The Year
by Craig Brown 2009/09/10 11:35

About Bloguin

Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics.

Advertisers

The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.

Bloggers Wanted

The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site.. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.

The Bloguin Login

The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!