Jair Jurrjens and Mike Pelfrey could also be interesting possibilities if they are non-tendered. Jair has been inconsistent to say the least but potential is there. Pelfrey is done for the year after have surgery but also has potential. If either improves given opportunities they could have here both could garner a decent return or possibly be kept around as both are still in their 20s.

We're not ready to compete next year, so yes, it really should still be about trade chips. Having a guy throw 200 innings for us next season and then leaving for some other team while we get nothing in return...gains us what in the long run?

:::It is not in my nature to be rude and direct, I leave that up to the amphibian. :::

Shut your piehole, chump.

Whatever Pig <Fucker

That would be a reason I would like to get a couple free agents. If they do well they would be great trade pieces come July.

You don't have to sign a pitcher to a 1 year contract. Any return on a pitcher willing to sign a 1 year deal probably won't be very much anyway. A 2 or 3 year deal at a reasonable price wouldn't kill us. No reason you can't flip that player in the second or third year of the deal.

In the long run, signing a veteran inning eater may help us not be the laughing stock of baseball 3 years in a row. Theoretically it should help us avoid 4-30 stretches. Less innings out of our awesome bullpen. And it shouldn't jeopardize our top 5 draft pick.

Or we could sign a guy like McCarthy and hope he stays healthy so we could trade him for a couple of C prospects in A+ ball.

If McCarthy was to sign with us and pitch like he is able to we could get better then C prospects in A+ ball.

That would be my plan though if I am Luhnow, sign a few mid tier guys for decent contracts. If they perform well trade them for prospects, if there value isnt very good then we can just keep them on the team. The guys we sign could make us competitive while also possibly getting more prospects.

"Or we could sign a guy like McCarthy and hope he stays healthy so we could trade him for a couple of C prospects in A+ ball."

Consider what we got from Toronto with a package centering around J.A. Happ and then tell me we'd get C prospects in A+ ball for McCarthy, who currently has a 128 ERA+ and 3.98 K/BB during 2011-2012.

128 ERA+ and 3.98 K/BB during 2011-2012.
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and has made just 12 Starts in those 2 years.

He will be 30 years old with a recurring shoulder injury. He doesn't even have a strong history that you hope he reverts back to. He is an injury plagued player with one decent season under his belt and he will be 30. I'm all about selling low, but he hasn't proved he can do anything special in his prime.