Nationals assistant general manager Mike Rizzo, who signed Bonifacio out of the Dominican Republic as the Diamondbacks' scouting director in '01, says the infielder is the fastest player he ever scouted.

This isn't football. Speed is great, but shouldn't be the basis for signing a player.

I'll take Rizzo's opinion over yours, Larry. Twice on Sunday.

Robert S once called Bonifacio "another Herb Washington"....

Robert S once called Bonifacio "another Herb Washington"....

Great. We traded Jon Rauch for a designated runner.

Washburn is not worth quality prospects and he's not worth the money. Pass.

Moving Ramirez to SS seems like a bad idea looking at his fielding stats at 2B.

-12 runs/100 according to BP
.813 zone rating when average is around .820
4.75 range factor when average is about 5

But then again the boost Roberts brings may be worth it and Uribe could act as a late inning defensive sub.

I also wouldnt give up much for Washburn unless they ate some salary.

I'll take Rizzo's opinion over yours, Larry. Twice on Sunday.

I didn't say he's a bad prospect, I don't know #### about him (I've never studied prospects enough) -- but telling me that the guy's fast doesn't really excite me.

Can he play baseball?

I also wouldnt give up much for Washburn unless they ate some salary.

The Yankees won't give up anything for Washburn, period. I don't see them trading someone they strongly feel will help them in the future for a guy who *might* help them make the playoffs this season, especially when there are no players available who would make them a lock for October.

I figure the entire point of looking at Washburn is that they can, in theory, get him without giving up anybody of consequence. As the deadline approaches, the Mariners might decide dumping the salary is the primary goal, and Washburn might decide that going to a contender is worth more than squeezing a bonus out of it. That's probably what the Yankees are hoping.

I wouldn't want Washburn at all unless the Yankees are dumping a bad contract as well. I have no problem with them spending money, I'd just like them to do so on players that are actually good. If he was placed on waivers, I'd pass.

Just by watching Ramirez, it seems like he can play short. He's definitely got the arm for short, that's no question. Range-wise, he'd probably be about average for a SS. If there's one problem, he could work on his footwork. At times he looks a bit aloof out there at second. Overall though, I've been impressed with his 2B defense in general.

Anyway, I don't see what the O's would want in the Sox farm system to give up Roberts (.373 OBP, 128 OPS+, 27-37 SBs). Aaron Poreda & Jose Martinez are the only 2 players who I can see teams having interest in. Former 1st round picks Lance Broadway & Kyle McCulloch have been mediocre in Charlotte and Birmingham, and Clayton Richard & Justin Cassel are having good years but have never been considered top prospects. Outside of getting some bench help or a 5th starter, I can't see the Sox active in the trade market.

A middle infeld of Roberts & Ramirez would be nice though...

Also from the article:

The Yankees also have pondered trades for Blue Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett and Reds righty Bronson Arroyo, but ultimately could turn to internal solutions. Righty Ian Kennedy is again pitching with above-average command at Class AAA.

Am I missing something? I'm trying to figure out how someone can look at this roster and decide that what we really need is more shitty pitchers.

Burnett would be awesome. He actually improves the team, which I was led to believe is the purpose of trades for a team competing for the playoffs.

Am I missing something? I'm trying to figure out how someone can look at this roster and decide that what we really need is more shitty pitchers.

Yes, but they're looking to replace Ponson and Rasner, not Mussina and Pettitte. Let's not forget that Ponson has a 5.59 ERA since 2004. Arroyo and Washburn would both likely be an improvement over that.

Burnett would be awesome. He actually improves the team, which I was led to believe is the purpose of trades for a team competing for the playoffs.

Yes, Burnett would be awesome. But I like Phil Hughes, and wouldn't want to see him as a Blue Jay.

Moving Ramirez to SS seems like a bad idea looking at his fielding stats at 2B.

-12 runs/100 according to BP
.813 zone rating when average is around .820
4.75 range factor when average is about 5

BPro's defensive numbers are meaningless. Dial puts Ramirez at +.8 ... which is nothing to get excited about and doesn't necessarily bode well for a shift to SS, but is at least average.

But the White Sox shopping Cabrera is interesting. And, depending on the price, he'd be a good fit on the Dodgers at the moment.

This isn't football. Speed is great, but shouldn't be the basis for signing a player.

Even in football it's not everything. The fastest player the Patriots have had on the roster in the last 7-8 years was a wide receiver named Bethel Johnson. He sucked. He was really really fast. But he still sucked. Speed isn't everything in . . anything, except olympic sprint events.

Moving Ramirez to SS seems like a bad idea looking at his fielding stats at 2B.

If he's never played 2B before, an 0.8 might be downright good.

Speed isn't everything in . . anything, except olympic sprint events.

Bears fans still mourn the departure of Willie Gault, because even though he had terra cotta hands, wouldn't go over the middle, and couldn't block a toddler, he "stretched the defense". Yeah, whatever.

"Anyway, I don't see what the O's would want in the Sox farm system to give up Roberts"

Fields would make sense, if the Sox would give him up. Mora ain't gonna last forever...

Also, the thing about Oakland being in on Bay is interesting. I hadn't heard anything about that before.

Also, the thing about Oakland being in on Bay is interesting. I hadn't heard anything about that before.

I thought you were being sarcastic until I realized you hadn't written, "Also, the thing about Oakland being on the Bay is interesting."

Fields would make sense, if the Sox would give him up.

Seems to me the Sox would have to sign Crede first, but yeah, I wouldn't mind losing Fields if they could keep Roberts for a while.

Can he play baseball?

Well, obviously he plays well enough to reach the majors and be desirably enough to the Nationals
I think he'll struggle to post above average OBP for his first few years
But defensively he'll be very good and yes, he's phenomenally fast

I assumed he was the Italian Pedroia

"Seems to me the Sox would have to sign Crede first..."

That, or pick up another stray 3B from someone else (Colorado has a few lying around - maybe Baker?). The FA market there next year is pretty brutal.

Looking for a silver lining for the Nats, I've heard that Bonifacio is a very, very hard worker. As such, there's maybe a greater-than-usual chance that he'll learn to hit, even though he really can't do it right now.

That, or pick up another stray 3B from someone else (Colorado has a few lying around - maybe Baker?).

That would be fine if they weren't expected to compete. Right now they're only punting 1B. Punting 3B as well is a bit much.

Anyway, I don't see what the O's would want in the Sox farm system to give up Roberts.

I don't see it either. Maybe Kenny was going to pry some young talent from the Dodgers and pacakge it to the Orioles along with Poreda?

The O's would certainly be interested in guys like Hu, LaRoche, and McDonald, but I don't see how the White Sox could get any of those guys with Cabrera.

22: Yes, very hard worked and basically universally liked within the Dbacks organization. I think it was a tough decision to trade him, but given the recent mess in the bullpen, Rauch's abilities as a closer/high leverage reliever, and his team friendly contract through 2010, the Dbacks were forced to roll the dice. And hey, they did acquire Chris Burke, right?...

Fields would make sense, if the Sox would give him up. Mora ain't gonna last forever...

The Sun-Times speculated that Fields was on the trading block, so you're not alone with that hunch.

Yes, but they're looking to replace Ponson and Rasner, not Mussina and Pettitte. Let's not forget that Ponson has a 5.59 ERA since 2004. Arroyo and Washburn would both likely be an improvement over that.

Arroyo has given up 4.55 R/9 the last three years in the NL. I'm sure he'd be better than Ponson still, but with the league switch I'd still expect him to be awful. He's certainly not worth $22.5 million over the next two years.

Same deal with Washburn. Yes he's an improvement over Rasner and Ponson, but if you're willing to pay $10 million because someeone's better than those two...well, I'd just like to ask where I can try out. Again, if they can dump Igawa in the process of getting Washburn, that's a deal you make. Otherwise pass, because Washburn is not worth his contract.

Yes, Burnett would be awesome. But I like Phil Hughes, and wouldn't want to see him as a Blue Jay.

Santana, Harden, and Blanton didn't get a prospect as good as him, and the latter two had much better contracts than Burnett does. I don't think it'd take him -- there have been plenty of rumors the Blue Jays are afraid of him sucking and not opting out -- but if it did, obviously I'd pass.

"Punting 3B as well is a bit much."

Baker wouldn't really be punting, though. Kid's hitting .293/.341/.500 this year - that's a 112 OPS+ after you de-Coorsify it. Crede's carrying a 108 this year, and a 94 for his career.

About three years ago on another site, I made a reference to Hideo Nomo having had a "good career" (I think the discussion was Japanese players in general and another posters contention that Cuban players were better bets...)

My assertion was vigorously disputed, I asked him what was HIS definition of a good pitcher, he said someone like Jarrod Washburn or Freddy Garcia.

I said, well, since they are almost exactly the same caliber of pitcher that Nomo was, how could he say that they were good pitchers with good careers and Nomo wasn't and didn't?

Aside from the fact that my adversary was a moron, the answer was that while Nomo's good years were of the same caliber of theirs- that Niomo had had bad years that the other two had not...
Garcia actually held up as a good pitcher for two more years- before imploding, and Washburn has bene pretty indifferent, but trending badly- neither has had the catastrophically bad last 200 IP or so that Nomo did (Garcia could have I suppose, but the Phils wouldn't allow it)

In 19 starts this year, Washburn has given up more than four runs in three of them. He's a lefty with a career 2.82 ERA at Yankee Stadium. And he's always struck me as a gamer. I think he would win a lot of games for the Yankees if they were able to get him. He's definitely worth a less prospecty prospect or two given the state of their rotation right now.

Fields would make sense, if the Sox would give him up.

I would happily give up Fields -- the guy has 622 Ks in 553 games as a pro. Worry about 3B later (can Alexei play there? maybe then you just worry about getting a SS).

I like the idea of adding more speed, and I don't mind losing Cabrera and Fields plus whatever else anyone would want to get someone like Roberts. I doubt it's enough, though, since Cabrera will be a free agent. Who else do the White Sox have to trade?

Poreda (SP, 21 years old, holding his own at AA)
Chris Getz (2B, 24 years old, hitting .308/.369/.455 at AAA)
Clayton Richard (SP, 24 years old, 2.44 ERA between AA and AAA, great control [walking less than 1.5 men per 9 innings], not considered a prospect until this year, makes his MLB debut today)

There are a few other pieces at AAA, I suppose (starting pitchers Haeger, Broadway, Egbert; OF David Cook, but he's 27 years old).

Some more speed is key; figuring out what the hell is going on with Konerko and Contreras would also be nice.

Baker wouldn't really be punting, though. Kid's hitting .293/.341/.500 this year - that's a 112 OPS+ after you de-Coorsify it. Crede's carrying a 108 this year, and a 94 for his career.

You're right. But, well, with Crede, he's consistent, you know what you're going to get, LgAvg hitting, LgAvg fielding. Baker, not so sure. Not even so sure he's a 3Bman...at least the Rockies don't seem to be so sure, and his minors fielding suggests Braunian motion.

As options at third base, the Rockies have the incumbent third baseman, Garrett Atkins, who's hitting .303/.340/.476 this year; their third baseman of the future, Ian Stewart, who's hitting .292/.342/.569; and the guy in between the two, Jeff Baker, who's hitting .293/.341/.500. Baker is third on the depth chart at third base, but that's because they have two good options ahead of him. Clearly, something has to give here.

The current solution is, with Helton out and with no real solid option at second base, to play Atkins at first, Baker at second and Stewart at third. The fact that the Rockies have put Baker in the middle infield ought to tell you that they, at least, aren't scared by his defense.

Were it my team, I'd have Atkins on the block, in search of a young starting pitcher or possibly a centerfielder. Stewart/Tulowitzki/Barmes/Baker would make a fine infield until Helton comes back, at which point you can go Stewart/Tulowitzki/Baker/Helton, with Barmes as the supersub.

"he's always struck me as a gamer"

He's clutch, he wants the ball, he doesn't back down, he's a winner, the guy you want your daughter to bring home

The Red Sox pwn Washburn, go get him Cashman

The Red Sox pwn Washburn, go get him Cashman

Washburn v. Colon at Fenway. Season records broken in a single game.

I think he'll struggle to post above average OBP for his first few years

Bonifacio has to hit .300 to post a decent OBP, and he doesn't hit the ball hard enough often enough to do that.

I don't see what the O's would want in the Sox farm system to give up Roberts

Fields, Poreda, Adam Russell (maybe). I'm not sold on Richard; if he's off even the slightest bit he's going to get hit.

-- MWE

Again, if they can dump Igawa in the process of getting Washburn, that's a deal you make.

Why on Earth would anyone make that deal? Igawa is more expensive and has a longer contract. His ERA is horrid.

Again, if they can dump Igawa in the process of getting Washburn, that's a deal you make.

Why on Earth would anyone make that deal? Igawa is more expensive and has a longer contract. His ERA is horrid.

Ehn, maybe Seattle figures you can never have too many Japanese.

Again, if they can dump Igawa in the process of getting Washburn, that's a deal you make.

Why on Earth would anyone make that deal? Igawa is more expensive and has a longer contract. His ERA is horrid.

Per year, Igawa is $6 million less than Washburn. He's basically cheap for a flier--someone who several scouts apparently beliefed in. There are teams who like his arm and fancy him a reclamation project.

Why on Earth would anyone make that deal? Igawa is more expensive and has a longer contract. His ERA is horrid.

They shouldn't, nor should the Yankees take on Washburn's salary for next year. I brought him up because it's the rumored deal the Yankees are seeking, and Igawa is the only player the Yankees have under contract for next year I'd just want to dump for someone like Washburn. I really don't see any deal that makes sense for both teams.

"There are teams who like his arm and fancy him a reclamation project."

Getting out from under NY's craptastic defense probably wouldn't hurt, though Seattle isn't really going to help there.

Hey, at least NY's craptastic defense remembered how many outs there were all game today. Unlike, say, Minnesota's defense.

Getting out from under NY's craptastic defense probably wouldn't hurt, though Seattle isn't really going to help there.

If you saw any of Igawa's starts, either last year or this, you'd know that poor defense wasn't his undoing. The guy was giving up ropes all over the place.

"If you saw any of Igawa's starts, either last year or this, you'd know that poor defense wasn't his undoing. The guy was giving up ropes all over the place."

Let's compromise on it not being his ONLY problem.

Hey, at least NY's craptastic defense remembered how many outs there were all game today. Unlike, say, Minnesota's defense.

Watching Perkin's reaction to Casilla's lazy jog over to 2B was hilarious.

"Hey! Hey! First base! WTF?!?! One out, man."

I like the idea of adding more speed, and I don't mind losing Cabrera and Fields plus whatever else anyone would want to get someone like Roberts. I doubt it's enough, though, since Cabrera will be a free agent. Who else do the White Sox have to trade?

You have to remember that the Sox would be packaging what they got from the Dodgers (LaRoche, presumably?) into the deal for Roberts. And the only reason I bring up somebody as good as LaRoche is because I'm pretty sure Cabrera is going to be a type-A free agent at the end of this season and as such will bring back two first-round picks.

Moving Ramirez to short mid-season would be rather interesting. I'm fairly certain that he has the tools to stay there, but he's also had a bunch of mental gaffes this season that might be more magnified at the tougher defensive position. Take today's game for example... early in the game he bobbles (first on the catch, then on trying to pick the ball up) a relay throw but just a couple innings later he makes a phenomenal play coming in on a slow roller, going with a backhanded glove flip off the grass to get Blalock by half-a-step.

Francessa just said on WFAN that the Yankees are close to a deal that would basically be Igawa and a low-level prospect for Washburn and Vidro.

Forget Igawa, taking Vidro is an awful lot to give up for Washburn.

Vidro? Seriously? Luis Sojo not available?

EDIT: I suck. Sojo, not Soho. Duh.

I thought they already acquired Soho from the Indians.

Hey, at least NY's craptastic defense remembered how many outs there were all game today.

I guess they got a talking-to after Melky forgot the game was still going on while he was in the middle of fielding a ball.

Francessa just said on WFAN that the Yankees are close to a deal that would basically be Igawa and a low-level prospect for Washburn and Vidro.

Can a trade be a salary dump for two teams at once? But seriously, Washburn is an underrated player. Underrated not in that people think he sucks, but that people have forgotten that he exists.

Take today's game for example... early in the game he bobbles (first on the catch, then on trying to pick the ball up) a relay throw but just a couple innings later he makes a phenomenal play coming in on a slow roller, going with a backhanded glove flip off the grass to get Blalock by half-a-step.

You're absolutely right -- he makes brilliant plays and totally boneheaded plays, often in the same game.

Roberts would obviously help a lot, but I wish there was a way to get Konerko out of the lineup -- that might help even more. And I have to believe that the cost of a Ryan Freel would be comparatively low. (The other center fielders I covet -- DeJesus and Ichiro -- would probably cost just as much if not more than Roberts.) Swisher doesn't strike me as too bad in center, but he seems a lot more comfortable at first base.

I am becoming dangerously close to throwing my support behind a trade based around Konerko for Juan Pierre. Somebody talk me down!

*****
On a different White Sox-related topic: Crede is having back issues again? Oy. There's nothing worse than heading into a big road trip against Detroit, Minnesota, and KC with Juan Uribe as your third baseman.

"If you saw any of Igawa's starts, either last year or this, you'd know that poor defense wasn't his undoing. The guy was giving up ropes all over the place."

I don't think it's the Yankee defense's fault, but Igawa will probably be fine if he goes somewhere (anywhere) else. His minor league numbers aren't dominant, but good enough that he should be able to pitch in some role in the majors. For some reason though, he can't do anything right pitching for the Yankees.

He's not the first pitcher who can't handle NY either.

Igawa could probably be decent on the Padres. I know they've been interested in him in the past, too.

I would be very sad if Arroyo ended up a Yankee.

still on the "hometown discount" contract for the Red Sox, too.