[shaunsinger]

Originally Posted by corkedbat02

Dang! I didn't realize that we received Scott Kazmir and BJ Upton for Todd Jones and a minor league OF! (DWIS) Hardball? For a couple of mediocre prospects? Puleeze!

I don't see that moving Todd Jones was that important unless he was included in a deal for an impact player. Like many have been saying - stand up to the contenders and make them pay. I'm not saying TJ was worthy of an A- Level prospect, but combine him with Wilson or Lidle or LaRue, etc. for a solid B which would be preferrable to the two level C's we received, IMO.

The remainder on his contract for this year was not that much, he was a great clubhouse presence (i.e. horsing around with the fans this evening) and while his 8-2 record/ 3.79 ERA and 51 apearances were not gaudy, hwe was a comparatively settling factor in a very shaky bullpen that now boasts Ryan Wagner and John Reidling as its top two RH setup options. Things have been ugly lately but don't bet they can't get uglier and that they can't carry over to next year.

Like I said earlier, I'm not that down on this trade, but to place this deal on a pedestal as a monument to DanO's perservernce and ability to play hardball is absurd.

In fact, my first impression of this deal is the same as my early opinion of DanO himself...ho-hum.

Coming up with just enough solid players and just enough winning months to keep this club in a perpetual 3rd-4th place cycle. Enough potential to give the fans some tenuous hope, but not enough hope to force the FO into a position of too much pressure to add to payroll.

DanO, like this deal, may well turn out better than it first appears, but as of yet, there's very little to make me believe.

Unfortunately, when you say we could have packaged him with Lidle, Wilson or Larue, this is real life and not MVP Baseball 2004 for Xbox.

When 2004 started we didn't even have Todd Jones on our team and now we have two prospects in retrun, say thank you to the Phils and go to sleep happy.

When I was crediting O'Brien's "hardball" I was only 1/2 serious. The fact he even said "we weren't gonna trade him" made me chuckle because it's like all of a sudden Todd Jones is untouchable?

I just meant he is playing this 'Hardball' thing out to the last hour and I kinda like it. Where does it help us to take the first thing out there? Our prize right now is Paul Wilson, you know that and I know that. I really think we might keep him just to anchor the staff and not embarass Mr. Lindner and Assoc., but I do think if we get bolled over by a great offer we will take it. And I promise you that offer won't be the same one we got a week ago I promise you that.

Dude, Victor Zombrano just netted an A++ Prospect. Paul Wilson can get us a B- to B by his lonesome in this market and I for one am excited!

However, If Dan O'Brien really stays pat, I'll know he is just an owner's whipping boy and not the GM that knows the proper direction of this team.