crzyjournalist03
08-01-2007, 09:29 AM
There was a time not so long ago when we wondered -- heck, when even the teams dealing with the Rangers wondered -- if Texas GM Jon Daniels was going to be able to get either Teixeira or Gagne traded, let alone both of them.
But give him credit. Daniels did indeed deal them both -- plus Kenny Lofton -- and came away with nine prospects, just about all of whom project to play in the big leagues. Here are some reviews of the most notable prospects he obtained on Deadline Day:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia: "I don't know about the defense, but he's a man-child with that bat," said a scout who has watched him since high school. "He's going to put up big, big numbers. I'm not sure how good he's ever going to be behind the plate. But I think his bat is so good, they won't mind suffering with his defense."
Elvis Andrus: "He's a damn good player," said one AL executive. "For me, he's like an Orlando Cabrera. He won't be a superstar, but he'll be a real good, competitive, every-day player in the big leagues."
Neftali Feliz: "I think this guy is a potential closer," said one scout. "We're talking big-time power stuff, mid-to-upper 90s."
Matt Harrison: "Probably a No. 4 starter type, but with more upside," said a scout who has raved about Harrison for a couple of years. "He's 21 years old with a good feel for pitching and an out pitch. I'll take that every time."
David Murphy: "I know not everybody loves him, but I'm a David Murphy fan," said one NL executive. "At worst, he'll be a hell of a fourth outfielder. But I love the way he plays. I bet, if they put him out there every day, they might really like the results."
Kason Gabbard: Mixed reviews on him. One AL general manager said, "I think they might have sold that stock high. He came up, pitched well and they moved him. And it enabled them to keep a bunch of arms who are going to be even better than Kason Gabbard." But a scout we surveyed had a different view, saying: "He's just a No. 5 starter. But he turns the ball over and sinks it. He's the kind of guy you've got to have pitching in that ballpark."
Not all of these guys are going to play in an All-Star Game like Teixeira did. In fact, it's possible only Saltalamacchia -- or none of them -- will. But on balance, given the position he was in, we'd give Daniels a solid "A" on his trade report card.
taken from: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2956465
But give him credit. Daniels did indeed deal them both -- plus Kenny Lofton -- and came away with nine prospects, just about all of whom project to play in the big leagues. Here are some reviews of the most notable prospects he obtained on Deadline Day:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia: "I don't know about the defense, but he's a man-child with that bat," said a scout who has watched him since high school. "He's going to put up big, big numbers. I'm not sure how good he's ever going to be behind the plate. But I think his bat is so good, they won't mind suffering with his defense."
Elvis Andrus: "He's a damn good player," said one AL executive. "For me, he's like an Orlando Cabrera. He won't be a superstar, but he'll be a real good, competitive, every-day player in the big leagues."
Neftali Feliz: "I think this guy is a potential closer," said one scout. "We're talking big-time power stuff, mid-to-upper 90s."
Matt Harrison: "Probably a No. 4 starter type, but with more upside," said a scout who has raved about Harrison for a couple of years. "He's 21 years old with a good feel for pitching and an out pitch. I'll take that every time."
David Murphy: "I know not everybody loves him, but I'm a David Murphy fan," said one NL executive. "At worst, he'll be a hell of a fourth outfielder. But I love the way he plays. I bet, if they put him out there every day, they might really like the results."
Kason Gabbard: Mixed reviews on him. One AL general manager said, "I think they might have sold that stock high. He came up, pitched well and they moved him. And it enabled them to keep a bunch of arms who are going to be even better than Kason Gabbard." But a scout we surveyed had a different view, saying: "He's just a No. 5 starter. But he turns the ball over and sinks it. He's the kind of guy you've got to have pitching in that ballpark."
Not all of these guys are going to play in an All-Star Game like Teixeira did. In fact, it's possible only Saltalamacchia -- or none of them -- will. But on balance, given the position he was in, we'd give Daniels a solid "A" on his trade report card.
taken from: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2956465