Brett Myers

Not only would I not give up that set of prospects for him, I wouldn’t take him for free. His 11 million dollar salary this year compares unfavorably to the projected salary of Roy Oswalt, who is easily the better pitcher (ironically, Myers was a piece in the Oswalt trade).

The one I would look at is Gavin Floyd, whose FIP and xFIP have been under 4 each of the last three years. In those seasons, his ERA was above 4, but he had BB rates under 3 and K rates over 7. Add that to the fact that he pitched over 180 innings in each of the last four years. I would give up that set of prospects for him, although technically I don’t think Bradley can be traded until he has been signed for at least a year (unless the new CBA changed that).

But America’s pastime is a kids game, and must continue to be so if it is to survive, much less thrive. The pro players are heroes to these kids. It’s part of the package that gets parents to involve their kids, to act as coaches and serve on league boards, etc. Its also a factor in high school ball and Legion ball. A sport in which the most successcul and public figures (MLB) are considered immoral or amoral will wither within a generation. Baseball MUST, like all elements of civilized society, protect itself by policing itself against the Mannys, Sanduskys and Cansecos.