What is everyone's thoughts on the guys we are "rumored" to possibly be getting back in the Young deal? When I first heard Lopez's name I thought, well that's not bad, he's 8 years younger than Young and I know he had a good 2009. A closer look at the numbers though shows that he doesn't really hit for much average and his OBP is terrible as well. He did have a good 2009, but every other year has been pretty bad. Maybe some of that is due to Safeco, but any thoughts on whether he could be useful for the Rangers. Is he good enough on defense to avoid having to carry Blanco so that we can keep an extra arm in the pen? Could he be passable if Kinsler or Beltre went down for an extended period of time? I actually don't think he'd be a bad addition. He hit in the middle of Seattle's lineup (as terrible as it was), he's only 27, and can play a few infield spots. Maybe he'd come alive being at the bottom of a lineup, rather than being counted on as a run producer.

Cook. I guess he's another arm, but his numbers looked pretty terrible last year as well. Seems like he doesn't strike anyone out so not sure how helpful he would be either at what seems like a pretty high price tag ($9 mill)? Didn't look deeper at his numbers, but seems like a worse version of Feldman to me.

Anyway, I know we can't expect to get much back for Young, but was curious on you all's thoughts about either of these guys and also any other guys you think we might realistically be able to get from them. It would be nice to get a helpful player in return.

Wasnt Lopez the one that had the most errors at 3B? or he was tied with MY if its who i think he is

I don't have much interest in either. I'd rather pick up a couple of young prospects.

Maybe someone can explain this to me.

Why are people saying we would trade for Lopez and then dump him before the year starts?

Why would we trade for him if he was worthless to us?

I must be missing something, I just don't get it.

The Rockies are the ones pushing for Lopez to be part of the deal. They are trying to get out from his bad contract, even though it isn't nearly as bad as MY's.

But why would we trade for him if he is worthless to us, if we are going to dump him. In that scenario why wouldn't we just trade MY simply to offload the salary and take no one in return? Is the idea we would trade him once we released him for someone else? Can't imagine what we would get.

Lopez has a no guarantee contract, so if he does not cut it here,
we have to pay him $660M at release. That's a loser proposition.

I thought the rumor was starting to be Young + Cash for Lopez, Esmil Rogers, and one other minor leaguer. On most prospect lists, Esmil Rogers was in the 4-6 range for Colorado last year, and he lost rookie eligibility last year. Dude was plagued by a .400 BABIP and a LOB% of 60. horrid luck. Mid rotation ceiling maybe?

I hope the other minor leaguer is a centerfielder named Charlie Blackmon. Fantastic speed and a good glove with 10-15 HR pop, but he's old for his level. From what I've read, probably a solid regular in any outfield position, probably ends up a really good 4th OF

I'd be all for adding Esmil Rogers. He has plenty of potential and would be useful even if he only ends up a bullpen piece. He's yet another converted shortstop, so he certainly fits a profile that's often targeted by the Rangers. I'd be willing to eat >50% of MY's salary if they'd part with Wilin Rosario. I'm certainly in favor of adding Rogers and another high risk/high ceiling prospect even if it means including 10-15 million dollars and taking back Jose Lopez.

I don't know a lot about Lopez, but from what I can gather, he isn't bad defensively - probably better than Young, likes to swing for the fences, and isn't a disciplined hitter. But he has had some seasons where he puts up good numbers in doubles, homers, and rbi, and I think that all happened in a pitcher-friendly park.

Here's his contract info from Cot's. He was acquired in a trade in December 2010:

Jose Lopez inf
* 1 year/$3.6M (2011)
o signed by Colorado 12/3/10 (avoided arbitration)

I don't think it's fair to say Colorado is "trying to get out from under his contract" - they traded for him to be a starting infielder on a 1 year deal. The only reason they want to move him is if Young comes in, Lopez is redundant, and a waste of 3.6 million bucks. Or so the rumors indicate...

Young, Feldman for Byrd and Zambrano. Also, Murphy to the Cubs (who look for LH outfielders who have some power) for minor leaguers Marquez Smith and Welington Castillo.

Goodasgold - last night I was trying to rack my brain to think of all the dead-weight contracts out there we could possibly swap with - in an area where we have needs, obviously - and I also thought of Zambrano.

I don't know though... he seems pretty "done" to me - and then you also have to worry about the meltdowns. He seems highly excitable and unstable.

But I think you are onto something. They are either going to have to swallow most of Young's contract, or they are going to have to be willing to take on someone like Zambrano, methinks.

One small thing - Zambrano really needs to be in the NL, though - his hitting is awesome.

Let Z hit, and DH for Blanco while he fills in for Andrus or for Treanor, if he is on the team, filling in for a catcher. The rest of the time, he is a threat to hit as a power hitting switch-hitter.

He has a full no trade and has said hes not going anywhere