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James Schwartz's avatar

If we are manning the left field position by trade Jarren Durran is the guy they need to get. Great glove, better speed,& better bat. Hit 18 hrs last year plus 11? Triples. Drove in 86 but stellar glove. I believe he stole 25 bases but I could be wrong. It will cost prospect capital of course but it might not be as bad as Kwan. I gotta believe Stearns is surely considering him.

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Harvey's avatar

Too much ink is being spent on an outdated 'run prevention' scheme. That was likely Plan A early on when Stearns thought Pete's bat would be in the lineup. But when Pete took his bat to Baltimore, Stearns signed a guy who played part of one inning at first base in his career as a replacement. Replacing Pete's analytics with two guys gets them even with 2025. But 2025 wasn't good enough. I'm not an analytics guy, but I don't see any way 'run prevention' can replace the loss of Pete's bat, especially when the rotation is Steve Cohen's version of The Magical Mystery Tour. This team, this year (2026), is not going to morph into the White Sox 'Hitless Wonders', so Mr Stearns had better figure a way to score runs if he wants asses in all those seats ... while still keeping an eye on the future.

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Joel's avatar

I don't care for the "run-prevention" slogan that pundits love to repeat endlessly. I have a hunch that Stearns is waiting to see what develops in the Bellinger/Tucker market and pounces when the price becomes less outrageous. Don't give up yet. About your other post, I can't see them trading Semien.

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Harvey's avatar

"run prevention" is being repeated because Stearns is the one who first used it. Way back in September he said, “Run prevention is where we fell short this year, It’s where we need to get better.”

I don't see them trading Semien either, but they should if they can. His glove isn't going to do much to offset Pete's bat, and my eyes tell me Acuna plays a nifty 2B at, I think, under $1 mil.

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Joel's avatar

I know that was stearns' slogan that they seized upon. I like acuna too and he should get more of a shot unless he's a component in a big trade.

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Kyle Faraday's avatar

Man this offseason sucks

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Joel's avatar

Well, it sure is different. Got a ways to go. Ask me in April if it sucks.

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JL's avatar

If I remember correctly, Kwan was already under the radar at the deadline last season.

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Harvey's avatar

"The Mariners are aggressively looking for a second baseman, and are pursuing Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte and Cardinals 2B Brendan Donovan"?

Great. Trade them Semien and whatever else it takes for Julio. Solves O and D holes.

No, I'm not joking ... just dreaming ... but I'll pay for the phone call from Stearns to the west coast. 🤞

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Harvey's avatar

In reply to me, MLB Trade Rumors reports, "The Giants are known to be looking for upgrades at second base". Whatta they got to offer for Semien?

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Chris Brewster's avatar

I'd prefer a righty in one of those spots but you could sell me on a Kwan-Bellinger-Soto outfield.

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Joel's avatar

Good player. It all depends on the price. Willing to part with Tong and Williams and Acuna and Vientos? Tucker can be had for money. Average fielder but lots of production year in and year out. Remember, we just saw 125 rbis head out the door.

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