Lillian

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 08:41 PM) Ever since Quinary called you out for constantly suggesting LH bat for the Sox, I noticed this is a theme in just about every post of yours. In a perfect world, your logic would make perfect sense. But baseball isn't a perfect world, there are many variability that will negate your advantage. Starting with late game situations, do you really want to stack your team with players who are absolutely useless when the opposing team brings in a loogy? What about when your team faces a left handed starter, then you will have 3 regulars, LaRoche, Gillaspie, and say Ethier that have to be benched on that given day. There is a reason you didn't see the likes of those 3 guys competing for batting titles, they are bound to face lefties, which will regress their BA over time. The purpose of having LH in your lineup is to avoid teams from stacking pitchers with a specific handedness against you, but you do not have to do it to the extreme if you want to win games. I'd rather have reliable hitters who can consistently hit pitchers of either handedness, who you can rely on late in games, and who can stay on the field every game. At this point, I think the bigger need is defense for our LF. We already have a question mark in Avi in RF, we can't cripple ourselves by targeting a LH bat only guy like Either. If we can get a good fielder who also happens to be a good LH bat, great. But that LH bat shouldn't be our top priority at this point. It's a "theme" in my posts, because we are having a discussion about it. When the discussion is over, I'll be happy to change the subject. In the meantime, to continue the discussion, and address your specific comments: It's very difficult for an opposing team to counter all of the good LH hitters, with LOOGY's, late in the game. How many good LH Relievers do most teams have? Moreover, when it comes to the critical final inning, how many closers are left handed? The same argument that you're making could be applied to a team that is "stacked" with right handed hitters. If Avi performs up to expectations we have our RH hitters in Abreu and Garcia. At the moment we have 1 dangerous LH hitter in LaRoche. I do agree with you that ideally we could find either a switch hitting, good defensive outfielder, or at least one who hit acceptably well vs. LHP.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 05:00 PM) I wouldn't assume it's for lack of trying, though. OK. Then, let's try a little harder!!! We need one more potent LH bat, to fill the remaining OF slot.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 03:32 PM) I think that's how everyone already feels and has always felt though. People look at Eithier and have their worries because of many flags in many areas of his game. I think baseball teams in general have operated under the principle of "get guys who can mash RHP" forever. Maybe I don't understand your hypothesis. Yes, you would certainly think that would be the case. However, apparently our organization has not shared our embracement of this principle. We haven't had much left handed, potent hitting, in quite a while. I often think that this team was constructed upside down, with almost all Left handed pitchers, and almost all right handed hitters. It has always seemed very perplexing to me.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 02:28 PM) If there was any "tongue in cheek" to it, it was just because you asked someone to compile a list that I thought you had literally already compiled, haha. I'm sorry. No, you misunderstood me. Tongue-in-cheek, refers to my comment; "we have most of the good lefties". It's obviously not true that we actually have most of them. It just seems that way. That's what I meant by "tongue-in-cheek". So, now that we have clarified our intentions with these comments, what would be the best way to statistically examine my hypothesis? The hypothesis is; There are significantly more right handed pitchers, and they represent the vast majority of the pitches thrown in games. Therefore, employing hitters who are productive vs right handed pitchers, provides a generally more effective offense. The practical application of this principle is that, although a hitters composite stats may not be that impressive, if he is very good vs. RH pitching, he is going to be good in many more at bats, because he naturally doesn't face LH pitchers nearly as often. Of course, the ideal hitter is one who is good vs. all pitching. However, short of obtaining that ideal, I would prefer hitters who are good vs. RH pitching, over those who are relatively better vs. LH pitching. I'd appreciate all constructive comments, as this is a simple, but very important concept. A team is going to lose a lot of games, no matter how good they are. The objective is to be as effective as possible, for as much of the time as possible. Since RH pitching is by far the most common, it only makes sense that it is advantageous to have a lineup that is effective vs. that RHP. This is what has bothered me so much about the Sox having been so conspicuously void of any left handed offensive force in their lineup. Oh sure, we have Eaton and Gillaspie, but I'm talking about middle of the order hitters. Adam Dunn was a failure, and he was the only viable LH option, for the entire time he was in Chicago. Perhaps now some of you can understand why I want a player like Ethier to join LaRoche, in the heart of the order. Even if the team doesn't do that well vs. LHP, it's worth it to have a better chance to win in those majority of at bats and games, when facing RHP.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 01:39 PM) I wasn't being sarcastic, I feel like I've read posts from you where you illustrate that there aren't any strong left-handed starters in the Central, except for ours. No, but you're right about my having commented a few times that most of the good southpaws are on the Sox. Of course, it's a little "tongue-in-cheek".

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 11:13 AM) Do you really want Ethier now, after we just added a left handed hitter who rakes against RH pitching but who can't hit lefties? The short answer is YES. Look, it’s common wisdom that most hitters hit pitchers from the other side better. Since most of the good pitchers, and in fact, most pitchers, are right handed, there is an inherent advantage to a lineup consisting of several good left handed hitters. Therefore, yes, I'd love the Sox to be able to put a lineup on the field, on those typical days when they are facing a RH pitcher, that had Abreu, LaRoche, Garcia and Ethier hitting in the middle of the order. It's the same reason that I'm a little intrigued by the potential of Juan Diaz, who also seems to hit RHP pretty well, for a good defensive SS. If Alexei is traded, it will be interesting to see if he figures into the mix, for the SS competition.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 12:07 PM) I think you've made that list for us several times. Your sarcasm aside, no I haven't.

Would someone please provide a list of the good Left Handed starters in our Division? Without compiling such a list, my impression is that most of the good southpaws are on the Sox. Therefore, I still think we could use one more middle of the order type left handed bat. Ethier is still my favorite candidate, as he absolutely rakes vs RHP. I'd love to see him sit on days that a southpaw is starting for the other team, and have him available to pinch hit against a tough RH reliever, in the late innings. At any rate, if someone can provide that information, I'd be grateful. While you're at it, if you can list how many good LH relief pitchers there are, that would be interesting as well. Off hand, I would guess that the number of both LH starters and relievers, is very small.

No one really responded in depth to my request for some scouting information on Juan Diaz, and there seem to be some here who consider him nothing more than a "Minor League filler", and therefore of no interest, or consequence. Nevertheless, it's still worth trying to get some better insight into what kind of player he is, so here are some quotes from various sources: SS Juan Diaz (Age 24, AAA) - With legitimate prospects at the three lower full-season levels and Asdrubal Cabrera in Cleveland, it's going to be tough for Diaz to stick around in this organization long. He's a big guy, but still a decent to good defender at shortstop. His bat has been what's holding him back, but he's always been young for his level. Short Stop: This may surprise some...but Juan Diaz is my everyday SS. If you read scouting reports, everything written about this kid said that if his bat ever catches up to his glove, he's good enough to be a major league SS. Well, he's 23 years old and he hit .306/.342/.458 in Columbus this year. He's not as good as Asdrubal offensively, but he is much better defensively. He's not the long-term answer at short, but let's give him the season while guys like Rodriguez, Paulino, Lindor, etc. develop in the lower levels. Juan Diaz, ss, Indians ..... He's a plus defender who covers the gaps in Oct 2, 2014 - New Orleans' Juan Diaz (Marlins) has a plus arm he used to lead ... a two-year track record for strong performance and glowing scouting ... Scouts regard him as an above-average defender with a good arm and plus instincts Juan Diaz (SS- Akron) .966 PCT, 127 G, 172 PO, 391 AST, 20 E, 583 TC, 83 DP Diaz had a very solid year and was one of the most consistent defensive middle infielders in the Eastern League this year, and finished with the most assists and double plays in the league. He also went up to Triple-A Columbus and took over the shortstop duties in the playoffs and was unfazed by the pressure of the playoffs or by the call up itself. Phone call away: At 6-4, Juan Diaz looks more like a shooting guard than a shortstop, but he made his big-league debut last season and will open the year at Class AAA Columbus. He hit .306 (22-for-72) in a brief look at Columbus last year and the Indians believe the right-handed hitter is improving offensively. They think he can play defense in the big leagues right now, thanks to a strong throwing arm that helps him slow the game down. That's all I was able to find. Finally, I had posted this before, but note that vs. RHP, he hit .316 with an OBP of .338 and a SLG% of .483, in 348 at bats, last year at AAA. Unfortunately, he was terrible vs. LHP.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Nov 24, 2014 -> 03:13 PM) No, I value him. I am sure it'd take something to get him but I am not sure what. I'd look to acquire him without trading Alexei Why when anyone questions your posts you ask them if they read the last fews posts? It's a strange defense mechanism. Why don't you quote me the posts on Diaz's defense or splits and I'll dispel them if they exist. I'd love to make a signature bet on Jirschele playing in Chicago next year too. I see. Thanks for clarifying that for me. That would indeed be quite a coup if the Sox could get Kemp and money, without offering something of value, that the Dodgers want. That seems unrealistic to me. "Roostifier's" inquiry as to whether or not you had read the posts, seems reasonable. When one misquotes or ignores previous posts, I often wonder the same thing; "did they read what was just posted?". While we're on the subject of the posting decorum, please accept this observation in the spirit of friendly criticism: Perhaps less hyperbole would make for a more cordial atmosphere. As a moderator, I hope that you can appreciate my point. Language such as "lunacy", and suggestions of betting on someone's idea ever happening, seem a little unnecessary. For my part, I've developed a pretty thick skin, posting on this board. I've taken plenty of scorn and humiliation for my "crazy" obsessions with Grady Sizemore, and the like LOL. It just seems to be the standard protocol on Internet message boards. I often wonder if people talk to each other this way in person. I'm 70, and it is not the way I comported myself, my entire life. Having been in business, that kind of adversarial posture wouldn't have been very beneficial. I guess things just aren't like they used to be. This board is actually pretty tame, compared to what I find on Youtube and other social media. It's really quite shocking. It's just so much more fun when posters are cordial and don't attempt to belittle their fellow Sox fans. Hey, we all root for the same team, right? I'd like to save my jeers for the Tigers, Royals and Twinkies!! At any rate, keep up the good work as moderator, and please keep posting, as they are always interesting. Thanks for entertaining my suggestion.

Here are some stats for both Ethier and Kemp, whose numbers are right below him, vs. RHP. Of course Kemp is a much better hitter vs. LHP, but RHP is what hitters face most of the time: YEAR PA .AVG .OBP SLG BB SO 2008 441 .326 .392 .560 44 64 2008 470 .260 .309 .416 30 112 2009 498 .302 .390 .571 59 77 2009 513 .278 .329 .453 36 122 2010 407 .318 .396 .564 46 66 2010 498 .233 .299 .444 41 134 2011 400 .321 .410 .468 51 62 2011 524 .319 .380 .560 44 130 It should be noted that Kemp batted cleanup, behind Ethier, who was on base a lot. I wonder how their comparative SLG% would have looked, if they traded places. 2012 379 .325 .398 .546 39 61 2012 311 .276 .341 .477 26 75 2013 393 .294 .394 .460 52 60 2014 434 .295 .355 .524 38 116 I substituted 2013 with last year, because of Kemp being injured for most of 2013 I just thought that it was interesting

QUOTE (raBBit @ Nov 24, 2014 -> 02:39 PM) I think it is interesting how many people are shooting down the idea of Kemp. I wanted to trade from him last year, assuming the Dodgers paid for half his contract, and buy low on a top 15 bat in baseball. Yes, his defense blows and he's supposedly a douchebag, but he could change the face of this offense. Away from Victor Martinez, Kemp is the only player available who can change the face of the offense. Matt Kemp 2nd half in 2014: .309/.365/.606/.971 Kemp away from LA in 2014: 300/.373/.479/.852 Jose Abreu full year in 2014: .317/.383/.581/.964 Imagine those two, along with LaRoche, in two of the 3-4-5 spots. Hanley Ramirez, who just signed for a year 4 year 88 million dollar deal also sucks at defense and hasn't been the offensive player Kemp has been. So a 5 year 107 million is probably close to what the market would have given Kemp if he were a FA this season. Make the Dodgers throw some money in for the back of the deal and you're really in great shape. Kemp and Abreu could be the best 3-4 in baseball. I hope Kenny Williams loves Kemp as much as I think he would. Are you suggesting that the Dodgers would just "give" him to the Sox, and pay a portion of his salary, without demanding a player in return?

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Nov 24, 2014 -> 01:22 PM) Personally, I think you are underrating Eithier a good bit. Part of a platoon isn't that big of a deal when you are talking about a LH OF. He will still get an easy 500 PA's if he stays healthy. I'm not putting much stock in his #' in 2014 because of the situation he was in...in 2013 he hit .294/.394/.460 against righties in just under 400 PA's. Even if you want to say he's regressed a decent amount since then I think it would be hard to argue that he could give us a .280/.360/.420 type of season while playing at least adequate D in LF. That's a pretty valuable player if you ask me... And Semien better learn how to play 3B and 2B at least adequately or he's going to have a hard time finding any playing time at all. I think he will be fine there playing against LH pitchers only though. There isn't anything that I'm aware of in his skill set that should keep him from being able to at least hold his own at 3B. He was a young guy playing a position he's unfamiliar with, errors are going to happen. I agree, and the following stats will illustrate just how consistently terrific Ethier has been vs. RH pitching, which after all is what hitters face most of the time: YEAR PA .AVG .OBP SLG BB SO 2008 441 .326 .392 .560 44 64 2009 498 .302 .390 .571 59 77 2010 407 .318 .396 .564 46 66 2011 400 .321 .410 .468 51 62 2012 379 .325 .398 .546 39 61 2013 393 .294 .394 .460 52 60 That is 6 consecutive years, in his prime, when Ethier was as consistently good as anyone facing RHP. Last year would appear to be an outlier and the reasons are well known. By contrast, Kemp has feasted on LH pitching most of his career. He is not nearly as consistently good vs. RHP. Add in the injury free history and character/leadership factors, as well as the cost, and it is easy to see why one might prefer Either to Kemp, who would provide more HR's, but that's about all. As he ages, he could use the rest vs LH starters, which would make him available as a pinch hitter off the bench, in the late innings vs RHP. Wouldn't that be a great asset to have?

QUOTE (LDF @ Nov 24, 2014 -> 07:06 AM) while it look as you worked hard on this, many thanks for sharing, but there is a problem or 2 in this. finding a 3 rd team with 1. salary room to absorb that big of a salary. 2. there are only getting Kemp for this trade 3. why would they want to do this. Team X would be exchanging a high salaried RH starter for a much needed RH middle of the order bat. After moving said pitcher, the addition of Kemp would not cost them a prohibitive amount on money. Seattle is a team that really needs and wants a big RH bat, however I don't think that they have a pitcher who matches the profile, in my scenario. Another alternative would be for the Sox to take a younger, inexpensive RH starter from Team X, and agree to send that team some cash to help them pay for Kemp's contract. I just think a scenario like this is better than trying to outbid teams for free agents, at extraordinary costs, while losing draft picks.

Could we change gears, for just a moment, on the Alexei to the Dodgers trade? What if the Sox went back to the original idea of acquiring Ethier, which was the more likely trade, before they got the left handed bat of LaRoche. We know that Ethier is not a good hitter vs. LH pitching. In fact, LaRoche's split stats aren't that great either. But they're tolerable. Therefore, that would make three guys who should sit vs. LH pitching, if you include Gillaspie. That's a problem, which would need to be addressed. However it would finally give the Sox a formidable lineup against RH pitching, which is after all, what they face the vast majority of the time. What percentage of good pitching, especially in our division is left handed? Hell, most of the good lefties are on the South Side! The Dodgers really have to break up their very crowded outfield, and it is believed that they prefer to move a couple of veterans. They may be motivated enough to include another player, with Ethier. I had originally thought about Schebler, but then I thought maybe the Sox could get a young, potential RH starter for the rotation. However, in looking at their organization, it doesn't appear that they have a surplus of RH pitching prospects. However, there might be a better solution. Maybe Hahn and Friedman could find a third team, which would take one of the other veteran Dodger outfielders, in exchange for a pitcher, whom L. A. could then include in the deal with the Sox. Who are the outfielders they most want moved? I would guess that the Dodgers view Van Slyke, Pederson and Puig as their preferred outfield, which means that Kemp, Ethier and Crawford are the guys they would like to move. Perhaps a deal for Kemp, which involved swapping another team's high salaried #2 or 3 starter, would net them the starter the Sox need. Although, in that scenario, the Sox would have to pick up an expensive contract, it might cost less than a free agent, and be for fewer years, as well as avoid the loss of a draft pick. Moreover, it could net the Sox an established, proven #2 or #3 RH starter. So, what team has a RH starting pitcher with a contract that we could afford to take, and needs a right handed, middle of the order bat, like Kemp, but would have to move salary, in order to afford him? I know that it gets complicated, but isn't that almost always the case, when a third team is involved in a trade? The reason such a scenario might be realistic is that the Dodgers need to move 2 expensive, veteran outfielders, and the Sox only need one. By trading one to the Sox and the other to Team X, the Dodgers might have a better chance. Of course, L. A. could simply do a separate trade with Team X, and keep the player who comes back to them in that trade. However, the Dodgers are really more interested in moving the two outfielders and their salaries, than they are in adding a relatively high priced pitcher. So, here is my fantasized trade scenario: Alexei to the Dodgers Ethier to the Sox Kemp to Team X Team X's RH Starter Y to Sox Team X also includes a player, whom the Dodgers want (I inadvertently left this element out of the trade) Such a deal could be feasible, providing the net cost of both Ethier and Starter Y were around the $25 Million per year, that the Sox appear willing to take on. That would, of course, be after dumping Alexei's $20 Million, over the next 2 years. The lineup vs. RHP would be terrific: Eaton CF LH Gillaspie 3B LH Abreu DH RH LaRoche 1B LH Garcia LF RH Ethier RF LH Flowers C RH SS ? Sanchez 2B Switch Hitter Then, the question would be, who do the Sox have to platoon with Gillaspie, and Ethier? Semien for Gillaspie has been discussed, but at the moment, the best candidate to spell Ethier would be Shuck. Yikes!!! Well, actually he has hit lefties pretty well, in his short career, even though he bats from the left side, himself. At any rate, my head hurts. Maybe one of you geniuses can come up with some actual names for Team X and Player Y.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 11:52 PM) Maybe we get Pablo now for 3B? Maybe not It's probably much more likely that Sandoval returns to the Giants, or signs with San Diego. That's fine with me. I wasn't enthused about giving him a big fee agent contract. Moreover, a left handed hitting third baseman is not one of our big needs, now with LaRoche. Gillaspie will be fine at 3B, if he improves his defense a little, and we let someone else take his place vs lefties.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 11:44 PM) I say keep alexei no one will over pay The consensus strategy has always been to only trade Alexei if some team "over pays". Although the Dodgers made Hanley Ramirez a qualifying offer, it seemed as though they never intended to have him play SS again. Therefore, his signing doesn't affect a potential deal with the Sox for Ramirez. It could however have some impact on other teams seeking a SS.

Thanks for the insight on Diaz.

Thanks. I do hope that is doesn't offend anyone. That is certainly not my intention.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 09:17 PM) And Diaz is not an acceptable major leaguer starter. Defense is obviously important from the SS position, but not at the complete expense of offense. Don't let some PCL stats fool you, there's a reason Diaz was a minor league free agent and not on a team's 40 man roster. Also, where Carlos Sanchez is better suited doesn't matter if the alternative is Diaz being our starting SS. And I'm not yet convinced that Semien can't be a passable major league SS defensively. He only played three games there for us last year, but it's still his natural position. The Sox played him at 3B & 2B a lot last year because they wanted a way to get his bat into the lineup. Yes, he struggled last year at those less familiar positions, but that's not unusual for a young player who is still learning but also trying to make an impression. IMO, it seems like certain posters are overreacting to his high error totals and automatically assuming he's a bad defensive player. I think it's way too early to jump to that conclusion. Perhaps you're right, but we don't know that much about Diaz yet, nor the intentions of the front office. Moreover, the Sox probably need Semien to platoon with Gillaspie at 3RD.

While we're all having fun with this discussion, it would be so much more helpful and interesting, if people would substantiate their arguments with some sort of evidence. It's one thing to read and quote a scouting report, or to site actual statistics. It's quite another to just reject, out of hand, a player simply because you've never read or heard, much less seen, anything about his actual performance capabilities. Case in point is this Diaz acquisition. I'm trying to ascertain how good, or bad, Diaz is defensively, and some people offer nothing more than snide comments about what a Joke, or disaster it would be if he were to actually be given playing time on the parent club. To label him a AAAA player, or an organizational fill in is nothing more than an off hand opinion, with nothing to support it. How do any of us know what the front office's motive is in acquiring a guy like Diaz? What is even more off putting than the lack of information to substantiate an opinion, is the condescending way that some people express those opinions. I don't mean to offend anyone, and there hasn't been anything really antagonistic in this thread, but it often does degenerate into personal insults and worse. I think most readers here know that it is not my style to try to belittle, or insult anyone. I understand that this is a common practice on the Internet. Let's hope that this stimulating discussion doesn't dissolve into that kind of discourse. In the meantime, if anyone really has any insight into the defensive prowess, or lack thereof, regarding Juan Diaz, please share it with us.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 09:00 PM) 100% agree. Maybe an infielder or two gets injured next year and Diaz becomes a reserve for us, but giving him a starting job!?! Wow is all I have to say. If the Sox lineup included Abreu, LaRoche and Kemp as the heart of the order, and Eaton, Gillaspie and A. Garcia as significant contributors, doesn't it seem reasonable to focus on good defense at SS? If you agree with that concept, then what exactly is the problem with Saladino, and or Diaz at SS, with Sanchez at second? Have you seen a scouting report that contradicts what I have read about him being a pretty capable defender, with a plus arm at SS? Note, his split stats suggest a potentially decent bat, at least vs. RH pitching.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 08:52 PM) Saladino vs. Diaz for the starting SS job?? Dude, it's not shaping up that way at all. Diaz was added for AAA depth, nothing more. Saladino projects as a useful utility guy once healthy. I seriously doubt Hahn considers either guy a starting caliber player. And I'd be completely shocked if Hahn preferred either guy as a temporary SS fill-in over Semien or Sanchez. In fact, if he's willing to deal Alexei after signing LaRoche, then I'm guessing he's confident one of Semien & Sanchez can handle the SS job. He's not going to give a AAAA player or a fringe prospect 600 plate appearances if they're trying to compete. And what track record are you referring to when you mention Semien's minor league SS defense? I'm just curious. Have you read the all of the recent posts in this thread? Sanchez is far better suited for 2ND, and the Sox will likely need him there, as Micah Johnson is not a Major League defensive second baseman. Semien is not an acceptable MLB defensive SS.

QUOTE (Al Lopez's Ghost @ Nov 23, 2014 -> 08:30 PM) Trading Alexei, which is fine by me, will define Hahn, far more than the Peavy trade, the Abreu acquisition, the Rios dump. He's gotta be right on this one, and I think he will be. Meanwhile i can't stop obsessing over it. I can't either!!! It's so interesting, intriguing and fun, especially with someone else's money.

Both Saladino and Semien were much better vs LH pitching last season at AAA. Semien was also much better vs. LH pitching in his Big League at bats. Diaz was fine vs. RH pitching, last year at AAA: .316 AVG .338 OBP .483 SLG It wouldn't be a bad idea to consider platooning Diaz with Saladino at SS Semien could platoon with Gillaspie at 3RD. I'm starting to feel like the Sox could likely get by nicely by trading Alexei. In a couple of years Anderson and Rondon can compete for the SS position. (If Anderson doesn't stick at SS, the Sox might be able to move him to the outfield. Until then, if Saladino and Diaz can provide high enough quality defense, they won't need to do that much on offense, with Abreu, LaRoche and Kemp in the middle of the lineup. Trade Viciedo and his salary for another young bull pen arm. Alexei and Viciedo represent probably $14 Million, so the addition of Kemp costs $6.5 more net, for next year. Sign a RH starter, and maybe a closer, with the balance of the $20 to $25 Million, we speculate is available, which would be about $14 to $18 Million. Better yet, trade Danks for a slightly better RH starter, perhaps a #3, with a more expensive contract, on a team trying to reduce payroll. It would likely cost a few $Million more, but less than adding a free agent starter, and keeping Danks, plus losing a draft pick. It's the same strategy as the proposed Alexei for Kemp deal. You take on additional salary, but less by trading some salary, and you avoid losing a draft pick. So what team would like to shed salary, and has a RH starter, who is making more than Danks? Someone like Homer Bailey of the Reds might work, but not with quite that big of a contract.