I really go both ways on this issue. I could make an argument for a trade with Boston but I think we should demand the farm.

If we keep Adrian we are talking about adding a FA RF, which is doable. Bobby Abreu would be a great fit. Gwynn would make a great fourth OF and could start at any spot in the OF. Venable or Headley are showing some promise.

I think the argument to keeping A-Gon would be to construct a team built to protect his bat in the lineup. This is completely doable with the right pieces.

Anyone else with thoughts who we could pickup to protect A-Gon's at in the lineup?

I would go in a different dirrection:

1:Trade Bell and maybe Kouz for a ready for prime time center field prospect.
2: Go out and get one solid starting pitcher to anchor the rotation.

just curious... who do you think, in their right mind, would trade a "prime time" centerfielder for heath bell or Kouz. Bell could get you maybe a few good prospects and kouz has virtually no value. I'm hoping i'm wrong, but who knows.

That is not what I said. I said "A ready for prime time center field prospect." The key word is prospect. By targeting a player who is ready to make the jump, but is still unproven, they can increase their leverage.

I like the idea but, whom do you suggest?

People keep throwing around Abreu when it's really not a realistic idea. He's a type A free agent and the Padres are not going to sacrifice a top draft pick to sign a mid 30's outfielder to a 2+ year contract. Hoyer already said they are going to focus on drafting and player development.

The offense is not the most important problem. The most important and I hope number 11 realize this is that we need starting pitching. Looking at our rotation right now for 2010, we have nothing but <crap or unproven players. Young is hurt and his time has past him. Latos showed some brilliance, especially that one hit game against the Braves, but he's still shaky. Stauffer also showed a lot of good pitching in September, but who knows how he'll be in 2010. The only reasonably good guy in the starting rotation is Correia. We still need a #1, 2, 4, and 5 starters. I bet if we somehow get two or maybe 3 decent starters we could finally see our Pads competing. Our bullpen is great with Gregerson, Adams, Bell, Thatcher for lefty specialty.

I would not start with a specific prospect in mind. I would wait for a team to come after Bell, then decide if they have the apropriate player in their system. Otherwise, no deal. No deals just to make deals and no more low leverage deals.

If they trade Bell who should close for us?

Adams is my first choice, Gregerson is my second. Regardless I am not expecting a playoff run, I am expecting a season where they firmly develop their core.

There are other options in FA that won't require that we break the bank for a player....

Adams has pitched better than Bell so if he's healthy he's the obvious choice.

Lets hope we model ourselves after the Rockies. If this is the case we could be in the playoffs sooner than later. If we are going to play the kids than they need to be developing them at the major league level, something Towers was woeful at doing. If E-Cab can make the jump from low A ball than why let our kids waste time in the minors. I say everyone gets a shot next year, sans the Marlins. Put the best team together with the best resources you have.

The Pads are getting picks in the top 15th, its draft picks are protected. Doesn't matter if they sign Abreu.

Yes it does. They don't give up their first round pick but, they lose their second round pick.

Actually, they are allready giving the kids a chance. The thing they need to stay away from is engaging in respectability signings. Those types of signing might get you a few more wins today, but they set you back in the long run.

Couple of things, not every player can make the jump from A ball. It happens, but it's rare.

Also, let's not forget a former manager of the team that refused to play the kids, even at KT's insistance.

" I say everyone gets a shot next year, sans the Marlins. "

'sans' means 'without'

Bell proved to be one of the top closers in the league and Kouz played Gold Glove level 3rd base.. Yep no trade value at all..

Kouz really does have virtually no value, as much as I hate to admit it. Third base is typically a position where you want offense. Kouz had the second worst obp in all of baseball. Now for a catcher or maybe a middle infielder you could deal with that, but not from a third baseman. He is also due for a significant raise, which decreases his value even more... this is why non-biased reporters and even media in san diego have said that we need to beg someone to take Kouzmanoff this offseason.

Regarding Bell, he is a great closer...no doubt. But closers really are not worth that much in trades, even very good ones. If you think we could get a cameron maybin type cf prospect, i think that is crazy. I think he could get you some pretty good prospects, but not an absolute elite top 15 or 20 baseball america prospect. You are allowed to disagree with me though, no need for sarcastic comments