Cafardo: Denard Span remains on Nationals' radar.

[Riverbrian]

The Mariners are going through the rebuilding thing and in my opinion are on target. They traded Pineda for Montero because it looks like they will have three potential 1 or 2's currently in AA arriving in Seattle about the same time. Walker, Hultzen and Paxton will join King Felix who is signed through 2014 in a young talented rotation. Who will man the 5th spot is being competed for right now.

 

They will look to make any deal possible to improve the offense at this point to coincide with the arrival of the big Three... Hence the Trade for Montero. However, I doubt that they will part with any of the young pitching since their rebuilding plans seemingly revolve around these 3 arms.

 

The Twins have to get to where the Seattle Mariners are right now before they can start to get better in my opinion. Find a trading partner to move Span for a potential frontline starter. Forget about getting a current frontline starter. It won't happen unless the guy is a head case. The Twins need to start stockpiling arms and the scary thing is that the current stockpile is unstocked.

[Neinstein]

I wouldn't be happy trading Span for two guys outside of their own team's top 10 prospects. I don't know enough about MiLB stats to say Rosenbaum is a good player but I note that he hasn't been better in the EL than Liam Hendriks, despite being a year older when he was in it. (I don't know why the Giants Surkamp isn't a top 100 prospect based on his numbers, either). But people that know more than me rate Rosenbaum outside his teams top 10, which means, at best, he probably profiles as a #5 starter or long reliever, which I don't trade Span for. And I don't want the centerpiece of a Span trade to be a relief pitcher. So I'd pass on that deal unless the Twins thought Detwiler has a huge ceiling that I don't know about.

Scouts don't know what to make of Rosenbaum. He was drafted 22nd round, 2009 out of Xavier University Cincinnati Ohio. No one has ever come out of that school to provide anything remotely close to MLB level talent. His numbers are better than Hendrik's were in EL. At least bookmark his profile, revisit it later in the year. I'll bet you he climbs their list very quickly if he keeps pitching the way he has. In an organization with that weak of a minor league system, he'll be in their top 6 next year.

 

Remember when Blackburn basically wasn't on anyone's radar, then in 2008 he was their #1 prospect? Weird huh. Don't put all your scouts in one basket.

[Brandon Warne]

If a deal is done, wouldn't mind at all if Lombardozzi was the third piece (or 2nd piece with a bigger name).

 

But I think those of you throwing around names like Rendon will be pretty disappointed. I could see one top prospect for Span -- someone in the 75-101 range -- but I don't think a guy like Rendon fits that bill.

[Brandon Warne]

Span is 28, and already on the tail end of his "prime".

I don't think that's the tail end of anyone's prime.

[Shane Wahl]

I don't think that's the tail end of anyone's prime.

The tail end begins when his current contract ends. Seems pretty happily coincidental.

[gunnarthor]

If a deal is done, wouldn't mind at all if Lombardozzi was the third piece (or 2nd piece with a bigger name).

 

But I think those of you throwing around names like Rendon will be pretty disappointed. I could see one top prospect for Span -- someone in the 75-101 range -- but I don't think a guy like Rendon fits that bill.

Yeah, Rendon (injuries and all) would be nice but probably unlikely. I wonder if the Dodgers, flush with moola and stuck with Gordon leading off and Rivera in left would put together a package around Zach Lee (BA #62, currently in A+).

[one_eyed_jack]

I'm starting to come around to the idea of trading Span. He's our best trade chip, and thus our best chance to bring assets in return.

 

Terry Ryan needs to pull another AJ-for-Nathan/Liriano type trade, which obviously isn't easy, but trading Span is his best shot at it.

[syves]

I wish we could trade Span to the Rays if we had to trade him, and send him home. The Mariners aren't going to give up pitching for hitting in their park, they get more value from pitchers, as we should realize is the same for the Twins. We need to trade for Pitching and defense. Long term we'll trade Willingham and our veterans, and we'll have an outfield of Revere in left, Hicks in center, and Benson in right.

 

That is a rather fast outfield. Revere will get OBP figured out in the MLB too, just give him a little time.

 

Trading for Starting pitching needs to be the priority with Doumit and Span.

[Neinstein]

1 year later and this still appears a quite a huge haul.

 

Hows about Denard Span for Ross Detwiler, Tyler Clippard, Jeff Kobernus and Daniel Rosenbaum.

http://cache.blippitt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Evil-Laugh.png

[gunnarthor]

1 year later and this still appears a quite a huge haul.

 

A couple 25 yr old AAA pitchers, a reliever and a 25 yr old UI with 2 ML games? I'm pretty happy with the Meyer deal.

 

But man, was I close with my Lee idea. Instead of the #61 prospect they ended up trading for the #59. Nailed it.

[Pius Jefferson]

It's not even June but I wonder if the Nats regret not going a different direction with lead-off hitter? Denard Span is having another below average season. That's three in the last four years and last season he was barely above average.

[Neinstein]

You're so concerned about age. I'll post again next year, and we'll look at the outcome again.

 

A couple 25 yr old AAA pitchers, a reliever and a 25 yr old UI with 2 ML games? I'm pretty happy with the Meyer deal.

 

But man, was I close with my Lee idea. Instead of the #61 prospect they ended up trading for the #59. Nailed it.

[gunnarthor]

It's not even June but I wonder if the Nats regret not going a different direction with lead-off hitter? Denard Span is having another below average season. That's three in the last four years and last season he was barely above average.

 

Not sure, my guess is they are ok with the trade since he's probably better than he's played but you're right, he's not having a great year.