I'm completely with the artist formerly known as b00bie...I am not in favor of trading any of our top prospects right now, unless a player becomes available who is too good to pass on...that's not Ryan Braun, by the way...
That being said, we still have a few young guys who are currently blocked at the MLB level and don't really have any longterm future with our team. One of those guys is Erik Gonzalez, who I think can be of some use this deadline in a trade that nets us a pretty solid player to help down the stretch.
Now...what do we need?
My first preference would be a bullpen arm. Someone who works late in games and is more reliable than McAllister, but not a major top bullpen arm or a closer or SU man. I like Shaw and Allen, but after that, I'm a little worried (Otero has been a pleasant surprise, however). Some names I wouldn't mind:
Boone Logan - LHP - Rockies
David Hernandez - RHP - Phillies
Fernando Abad - LHP - Twins
Fernando Rodriguez - RHP - Athletics
Ryan Buchter - LHP - Padres
Fernando Rodney - RHP - Padres
My next preference would be an OF who can hit LHP:
b00bie mentioned Raburn - Rockies
Jake Smolinski - Athletics
Justin Ruggiano - Rangers
And my last preference would be a 3B, but I doubt we would even think of adding a 3B at this moment.
Brantley coming back, being healthy, and remaining healthy would be like acquiring an All-Star OF, considering the amount he has played so far...so I would rather strengthen the backend of the bullpen or our OF vs LHP than try to find an every day guy at this point.
If/When Brantley is back, we are looking at a lineup like this:
vs RHP:
Santana (DH)
Kipnis (2B)
Lindor (SS)
Brantley (LF)
Napoli (1B)
Ramirez (3B)
Chisenhall (RF)
Gomes (C)
Naquin (CF)
vs LHP
Santana (DH)
Kipnis (2B)
Lindor (SS)
Brantley (LF)
Napoli (1B)
Ramirez (RF)
Gomes (C)
Uribe (3B)
Davis (CF)
Those don't look bad at all right now, but vs LHP we could use more depth...specifically in the OF (I'd love for Brantley to get a decent amount of rest after he plays a few games in a row...but we need OFs who can matchup to do that)...
I would much rather find someone to slide McAllister out of the 7th inning role than anything else at this point...a lot can still change before the deadline, however...
