ZackAttack:1. Acquire a starting pitcher. You'll have Bush, Gallardo, Parra, and Suppan in the rotation. Getting a #2 will be crucial.
That's gonna be tough, without trading a stud like Fielder or Hardy. They will probably do digging on the scrap heap and get a couple of potenital back rotation guys for depth, but it's gonna be tough to get a front end guy. They need to try, but it's gonna be hard.
ZackAttack: 2. Acquire a real lead-off hitter. Acquire a real 3B, and a 2B who can hit. Brian Roberts is the ideal person to make a trade for, but who knows what Baltimore would ask if in fact they even wanted to deal.
Angelos has some wierd fixation with him, so he's not likely to move and he is a FA after 09 anyway.
They need to upgrade one of those positions. I'm thinking getting Blalock for third and keep Hall to play a utility role, unless you can unload him. Then you give Weeks one more chance to break out, moving him from the leadoff spot.
ZackAttack: 3. A new closer. I think you bring Gagne back for half of what we paid him this year. Villanueva was outstanding in the playoffs, as was Red. We're not that far off from being one of the top pens in NL.
Totally agree. There are useful parts there and in the minors. Also, they can bring back Mota or Torres for middle relief for 3.5 apeice for one year deals if they want. I like Torres as a middle reliever and I think Mota has his uses, if you don't have to rely on him all the time. Might be a good way to bridge to Pena, Aguillar and Dillard to bring those guys back to open 09.
ZackAttack: 4. If I'm not mistaken, Jason Werth is a FA. Bring him in and trade Corey Hart's sorry ass. After the way he let this team down the final month of the season and in the shameful way he did it by running his big mouth, I'd love to see his bags packed.
I have a very strong suspicion that you would regret that big time. Not getting Werth (though I think he's this year's Rowand/Byrnes, in that he's overrated) but just ditching Hart right now for pennies on the dollar.
I know you disagree and just cannot stand the guy at the moment, but there were very good reasons that everyone in this town liked the hell out of the guy a month ago, don't forget all at once what those were.
A salary cap won't solve anything, only revenue sharing can fix the underlying problem in Baseball.
