UCB Roundtable: Final Question

The question: What is one moveyou'd like to see Mozeliak do during this offseason?  Could be a trade,could be a free agent signing.  Realism is nice (of course, we'd all lovefor him to swap Tyler Greene for Hanley Ramirez, but I'm guessing that's notgoing to happen) but realism is also in the eye of the beholder.  :)

Pip (Fungoes): Inhis dispatch about the Braves' imminent re-signing of Tim Hudson, Ken Rosenthalnoted that Atlanta may be interested in jettisoning one of its higher-paidstarters, such as Javier Vazquez. Although Vazquez is under contract only for2010, his salary, while not cheap ($11.5 million), represents a likely bargain:the league's xFIP leader produced a value of $29.5 million in 2009 with 6.6WAR. If the Braves are primarily looking to dump salary, the Cardinals may nothave to give up as much in trade as would otherwise make trading for a33-year-old soon-to-be-free-agent an unwise strategy. Also: If the team didacquire Vazquez but didn't get him to return in 2011, they'd almost certainlyreceive draft picks.

On Monday's UCBradio show, Bill DeWitt III noted that the team would spend the chunk ofpayroll putatively allocated for Matt Holliday somewhere else if he doesn'tsign. $11.5 and some low-level prospects for Vazquez might actually be a bettervalue than Holliday, who'll command at least $15 million next year. The Bravesaren't stupid, though, so it may take more than picking up the tab on Vazquez.

John (TheCardinal Virtue): I'd like to see a long extension for Pujols. That would makeme the happiest. But to branch out a bit, I was hollering for Brad Penny lastyear. But now we can get him even cheaper. If we wind up getting Holliday thanwe'll need some cheap pitching. Penny is exactly the type that would benefitfrom Duncan. Add in Smoltz and think we'll be smokin' in the rotation.

Trey (TheCardinal Virtue): My vote would also be to find a talented starting pitcher onthe cheap.  In previous roundtable discussions, we all agreed that it'stough to expect such fantastic years from Carp and Wainwright again, so we needto improve the back-end of the rotation.  I would be like to see usgo for Ben Sheets.  I think we could get him for a 1-2 year deal at 5-6mil per coming off the injury.  When healthy, he's been as good as thereis in the National league.

Eugene (TailgateCrashers): There have been some great ideas here; I really like the Vazquezdeal, but the Braves are looking for MLB ready hitting (most likely anoutfielder).  I think we'd had to give up Ludwick to get him, so we'dcreate a hole to fix one.  Sheets is a good idea as well, but I don't knowwhat his market will be like (I could see the Astros throwing some money athim). 

My one movewould be to sign Billy Wagner as closer.  I don't think Ryan Franklinshould be our closer; he had a great half season in the role, but was horriblefor the last month and a half.  He also cost us Game 2 of the NLDS (yes,Holliday takes some blame, but Franklin gave up 2 hits and 2 walks thatinning).  Wagner is leaning towards retirement, but I think a contender couldconvince him to play for at least 1 more year if they make him thecloser.  I don't think we'll re-sign Holliday, so we'll have money toburn.  He can also be a mentor for Eduardo Sanchez, Francisco Samuel, andFernando Salas (all guys that have been dubbed "Future Closer" atsome point in the minors).

Michael (Whiteyball): Billy Wagner wouldbe a fantastic addition, I'd echo that idea. 

Obviously, the "one" move would beHolliday but if we are looking on a smaller scale, Rocco Baldelli would be aperfect fit for this team.  He owns a .346 OBP/ .485 SLG/ .831 OPS versusleft handed pitching (610 plate appearances), can play all 3 outfield positionsand has some upside (UZR has him above average in center his entirecareer).  Even last year in a down year he hit .290/.343/.441 versus thesinister side (102 PA).  We need someone that can play centerfield nextyear to spell Colby against the tough lefties and he will only be 28 yearsold. 

Mike (StanMusial's Stance): Lots of good suggestions here.  Can I say one thing Ihope he doesn't do instead of one I'd like to see?  I'd hope he doesn'tpay Trever Miller/Dennys Reyes type money for a right handed reliefpitcher.  The club has enough good arms suitable for bullpen duty; there'sno reason to panic because of slumps (Franklin, McClellan) last year and overpayfor a journeyman.

Great suggestions from everyone.  I think I'd most like to see a Pujols extension, of course, but having Billy Wagner to help out Franklin and others would not be a bad move at all.  Thanks to all the guys for helping out!