Burnett being shopped for a Shortstop

[evilRyu]

maybe it was just a smokescreen, so that his value isn't perceived very low.. I do'nt think I've really seen a GM/owner just come to the public and announce they are shopping some player (who isn't causing locker room problems)..

[evilRyu]

you know i think we should just keep AJ, and hope that he opts out of his deal and signs with a contending team.. this way, we get their draft pick, AND a sandwich pick just for letting AJ go...... I think obtaining 2 first round draft picks is better than what we might be able to acquire in a trade anyways......

[evilRyu]

According to the wiretap, seems like Burnett still has his sights set on St. Louis.. if you recall, when he was a FA, it was between St. Louis or Toronto..... but the Jays offered the contract, and he's now with us...
http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... _st_louis/

[whiterasta80]

If St. Louis wants to send Ludwick our way I'm in

Seriously though, the return for Downs is probably going to be equivalent to what we'll get for Burnett at this stage. I'm fine with keeping him, I'm even fine with trying to re-sign him given our recent injuries in the rotation (I've heard rumours of us bumping him 4 mil to remove his player option). But if we go another trade deadline without unloading someone I'll snap. I mean, even if its just to dump the salary we should move Downs, Eckstein and Stairs and take the B-level prospects.

[evilRyu]

If St. Louis wants to send Ludwick our way I'm in

Seriously though, the return for Downs is probably going to be equivalent to what we'll get for Burnett at this stage. I'm fine with keeping him, I'm even fine with trying to re-sign him given our recent injuries in the rotation (I've heard rumours of us bumping him 4 mil to remove his player option). But if we go another trade deadline without unloading someone I'll snap. I mean, even if its just to dump the salary we should move Downs, Eckstein and Stairs and take the B-level prospects.

Check out my post just above, about letting AJ walk in the off-season. I think this might be a better alternative, giving us two first rounders (1 sandwich pick) if AJ signs with contending team. Or am I the only one who feels that way? Our farm system needs help in the worst way!

[whiterasta80]

I don't have a problem taking the picks, and certainly see it as a better option than accepting B- prospects for Burnett, but I'm open to him coming back as well (unless it precludes us from signing a bat).

The other thing about taking the picks is if he goes to a team that signs another type A free agent (say, for example, the Yankees sign Sabathia and Burnett), or if he goes to a bottom 6 team. IMO there is a big difference between a first round pick and a sandwich pick.