Steven from FJB and I have done a couple of podcasts. One focuses on the trade deadline and the other on interim GM Mike Rizzo.
Natmosphere in Your Ear
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We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future – FDR
#1 by AlexVA - July 29th, 2009 at 16:06
The comments on PJ Dean were puzzling. He certainly seemed to display ability at Vermont. Hard to believe he would not even get a shot somewhere in FLA’s system.
#2 by Wallyball - July 29th, 2009 at 16:11
Hey guys – interesting podcasts. One note that you may have heard before, but it is sometimes hard to hear Brian speak.
I agreed with most of your comments, with a few exceptions. Since it is the web, I thought that I would share them! I disagreed with Brian’s point that the Nats damaged Dukes trade value by demoting him to the minors (I think that was it). He either has trade value or he doesn’t due to his off field issues, but the demotion shouldn’t have affected it much, at least not negatively. I think that it is easily explainable for a young player that wasn’t going to get regular ABs that had options left to send him to the minors (especially since he wasn’t tearing it up), rather than an overt comment by the organization that they have given up on him. Also, the fact that he handled it without blowing up may have helped. I tend to think that teams will also look past the off field issues if he can continue to put distance from them. If Jose Guillen, Milton Bradley, and Bret Myers can get passed their histories and have value, I think Dukes will too, providing he produces on the field. In the Rizzo podcast, it seemed like maybe the view on Dukes was different, so if I misheard it the first time, my apologies.
As for trading philosophy, 2 years ago I would have been in yours and Steven’s camp that you trade anyone that you can’t see as a productive part of your first winning team in 2011/2012 and record between now and then be damned, getting three or four Top 5 picks in a row, but after absorbing the last two seasons, I have changed. I now see a difference between a 75 win team and a 55 win team. Hopefully that doesn’t condemn me to a forever mediocre team, but this level of MLB incompetence can be so hard to overcome that I think keeping within striking distance of mediocrity has some value to me as a fan.
When you talked about trade ‘untouchables’, I was surprised that neither of you mentioned Jordan Z’mann. I think that he is easily the best of the non-Strasburg pitchers in the organization, including Lannan (whom I like a lot, so don’t kill me). I really see him with an Oswalt/Peavy ceiling, and he is far enough advanced that he has taken away a lot of his downside variability.
Lastly, count me in the camp of hiring Rizzo. I like what he has done, and feel like he has proven enough to merit the job. I can see the desire for an experienced hand, especially with regard to improving the int’l FA signings, and it is kasten’s MO from Atlanta, but I would go with Rizzo. But please God, no Chuck LaMar. That may finally cause me to say Uncle and give up.
Look forward to the next podcast.
#3 by Berndaddy - July 29th, 2009 at 16:31
Brian just wanted to put in my 2 cents and say that I look forward to the podcast. I like the interaction between the two of you. You’re the logic man to Steve’s snarkiness. Keep it up.
#4 by NatsandTribe - July 30th, 2009 at 10:07
Love the podcasts and the website Brian, thanks for all you do. It is REALLY hard to hear you though on them, just my 2 cents.