League

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Dec 30, 2009 -> 01:19 PM) I thought the same thing about Bobby Abreu last off season, and what did he end up signing for? Good point. If Vlad is still out there in late January, I'm sure his price will drop right into our range.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 30, 2009 -> 11:34 AM) Here's my big fear. Anyone else remember how, in 2008, the Cubs ripped up the NL, then got to the playoffs, and suddenly faced a team throwing 3 RHP out against them, and their RH-dominated lineup keyed by Soriano, Lee, Soto, DeRosa, and Ramirez found themselves shut down, to the point that they traded away DeRosa to save the money to sign Bradley, making them worse throughout? Unless Teahen has a big season where he could legitimately hit 5th, I could see us in the same boat; guys putting up good offensive numbers but we'd be vulnerable to teams that throw out several good RHP in a row. Vlad crushes righties, in his career his line against them is: 5942 PA, .320/.380/.561, 301HR, 315 2B, 460BB/678K. Edit: Also, CQ is pretty damn good against righties too: .270/.356/.508 career, .303/.401/.574 in '08.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Dec 29, 2009 -> 04:40 PM) I think what you'll see is a sacrifice of the batting average (hit .294 last year) for more long balls. In the end, an .850 OPS out of our DH and some much needed power. I don't think so, getting out of Anaheim and into the Cell would be good for him. He was dealing with a chest injury IIRC, which was probably not so good for his swing. In '08 he hit 27 homers and 31 doubles, good for a .218 ISO. Vlad is really the best DH option left on the open market for us.

QUOTE (Buehrlesque @ Dec 29, 2009 -> 03:34 AM) By this logic, wouldn't a Tyler Flowers for Nick Punto (or some utility bench player) trade be a "win" for the Sox because Punto's major league stats, (even though they're not great) are infinitely better than Flowers' zero major league line, and thus Punto contributed more to the big league club than some minor leaguer who was never on the team in the short run and may never pan out in the long run? Not necessarily, I understand what you're saying, but generalizing any situation like that is the problem with that. Carlos Quentin provided an MVP type season, Carter has put up good numbers in two seasons and one with enormous power; however, every scouting report you read about the guy is pegging him as a AAAA type player. Generalizing any trade like that would be a mistake, but when you've got a player whose had a season the magnitude of Quentin's 2008 and showed that he still had his power last season despite his injury, you don't trade that for a single prospect with as many questions as Carter.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Dec 28, 2009 -> 07:06 PM) The very article I quoted also listed him as a 1B-OF type, not a 1B-DH type. Defensive questions doesn't mean he'll only be a DH for the most part of his career.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Dec 28, 2009 -> 06:45 PM) Because I fear injuries will eat up his career. I have yet to see anything that tells me Carter can't play 1st or a corner OF spot adequately yet. The very article that you quoted said that he had defensive deficiencies.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Dec 28, 2009 -> 06:35 PM) Which Carter may do as well...We're not talking about a guy who just put up 5 above-average season for us. That would be a different argument altogether. Quentin has put up just one good year so far and Carter has immense potential with his bat (as does Quentin). I just don't understand at all why you would want to replace a guy who has proven his minor league numbers were a true indication of his major league talent and replicated them at the ML level, while playing acceptable defense in RF for a guy who has yet to hit in the majors or prove that he can play any defensive position adequately.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Dec 28, 2009 -> 06:28 PM) Is your best argument that Carter's not in the Majors yet? Come on now...Carter may very well turn out to be more talented than Quentin in the long run. You use Quentin's numbers in the Minors as a key point. Look at Carter's numbers in the Minors and tell me you're not impressed. My best argument is that Carlos Quentin is, in fact, Carlos Quentin. The things he have accomplished in the major leagues are incredible. Yep. Carter has impressive numbers; however, outside of slugging, Quentin was better at everything in his minor league career and has replicated them in the major leagues.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Dec 28, 2009 -> 06:19 PM) - Okay. Please tell me his "one freak injury" has nothing to do with his history of injury with the D-Backs and since coming over from them. - Show me another good season from Quentin in the Majors then we'll talk. How many one year wonders have there been in baseball - Carter is in the high Minors and could contribute in 2010. I can say very confidently that Carlos Quentin breaking his wrist by punching a bat has nothing to do with the shoulder problem he had in Arizona. Show me one season from Carter in the majors. For a guy with one great season in the minors, I can show you a guy with an MVP season, an injury marred season in which he was still on pace for 30+ home runs, and three spectacular minor league seasons as well. Quentin is in the major leagues and will contribute as the opening day right fielder in 2010.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Dec 28, 2009 -> 05:59 PM) "This thread/poll is ridiculous." The way I see it, it means, this thread and poll are ridiculous, as is the poster who posted it. My points as to why I'd prefer Carter: - I'm not much of a Quentin believer. I wonder if he'll ever be fully healthy. - K's aside, look at Carter's power numbers. - Carter is cheaper and will be for a while. - He fills some of our current needs. - Not that it really matters much, but it'd definitely boost our system up right now. Or maybe the notion of trading CQ for Chris Carter is ridiculous? That's what I would read that as, considering that's what it says. -Okay. One freak injury from punching a bat and a foot problem makes a guy injury prone. Gosh darn CQ's rickety old bones. -Once upon a time there was a boy named Carlos Quentin. He would grow up to hit 36 home runs, drive in 100 runs, post a .288/.394/.571/.965 line along with a .283 ISO along with a .414 wOBA in 130 games. -Carter is in the minors and won't contribute to the line-up for awhile. -What does this team need? Power? Let me tell you a story: "Once upon a time there was a boy named Carlos Quentin. He would grow up to hit 36 home runs, drive in 100 runs, post a .288/.394/.571/.965 line along with a .283 ISO along with a .414 wOBA in 130 games." Isn't that special? -Did you know that there is also a major league system? It is generally considered more talented and exciting than the minor leagues, and Carlos Quentin is a MVP contender there.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Dec 28, 2009 -> 05:47 PM) Differing opinions? You took a personal shot at me for making this poll when a legitimate question. Carter vs. Quentin is a good argument, IMO. I don't see a personal shot in my comment at all. I merely stated my opinion, which was vastly different than your own. I cannot imagine why you would want to take a player who has succeeded at AA over a player who was only denied an MVP award because he punched a bat. Carlos Quentin is very reminiscent of a young Vladimir Guerrero in that he strikes out around the same amount of times as he walks, hits for huge power and still can post an average of around .300. Carter K'd over 150 times in AA and hasn't even sniffed the majors yet. When the kid smacks 36 homers in 130 games in Oakland, then I'll consider it a bad trade. But, hey, if we're talking about Charlotte winning the AAA pennant next season, then I'm all for it!

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Dec 28, 2009 -> 05:40 PM) The only decent answer so far! Edit: Besides JPN's. So only the differing opinions that don't make you feel bad about yourself for posting this poll are decent?

QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 27, 2009 -> 12:11 PM) This and recently, the MLBTR one. Only because I like making fun of stupid trade ideas. I'm having fun over there as well, the A's board seriously has a proposal landing them both Peavy and Wright for like 2 prospects and every scrub on their team.

This thread/poll is ridiculous.

Considering the reports that have been coming out of the clubhouse the past couple years, new chemistry is something that we need.