FanPost

Three Players I Would Not Trade.

Sure, Slingin' Dave will listen to offers on all players. Even a few of our prospects could be packaged in if ever we were getting a starting pitcher, if ever that would happen. But Arcia and probably 3-4 others in the minors would not be traded.

Here I single out 3 players it would be to our advantage, to the clubs advantage to have them around at least in the medium, if not longer term.

1. Will Smith. Recent contracts on middle to late inning relievers and lefties, not even in the closer role, indicate a boom on effective hard throwing relievers. Smith is already one of the best in the game and we have him an unbelievable 4 full years, Four years in arbitration, which will not come anywhere close to Ryan Madson, 22 M x 3 years with the A's, or Darren O'Day, now reported to be staying with the Orioles, 31 M x 4 years. O'Day has better peripheral numbers, better ERA, more appearances. But he is 33-34 and Smith could probably hit that level of salary in 4 years at age 29.

2. Martin Maldonado. Career back up catcher. Could be replaced by a similar level defensive specialist, but that player would have no knowledge of our pitching staff and no long term ties to the organization. Marty fits well because his salary will never escalate high. And he would not be a highly sought after Free Agent. So we can go old school and keep him with the organization for life or the longer term. His hitting will not improve. But he can fill in full time and play long stretches of games without hurting the club defensively.

3. Domingo "Sunday" Santana. This player can also be a bust with his high strikeouts. But he also has a big upside with even 40 HR potential. He plays 3 positions, and although not a natural in CF, he can cover the position in the interim. Given the upside and his age and his near 5 tool potential, quite simply we must keep him.