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Users: A's in line for wild card; KC will Dye out | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Oakland Athletics took a big step toward the postseason in acquiring hard-hitting outfielder Jermaine Dye from the struggling Kansas City Royals in a three-team trade. Hitting .272 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI, Dye joins a playoff contender -- and his old buddy Johnny Damon -- for the stretch run. The Royals pick up Colorado shortstop Neifi Perez, and the Rockies nab three minor-league prospects in the deal. ESPN.com users agree that Oakland and Colorado will benefit from the deal, while Kansas City can write off the rest of this season.
Here are your thoughts on the three-team trade:
Three's a crowd for deep A's outfield As an A's fan, I'm really happy we've picked up a great player like Jermaine Dye, but I'm confused about what we're going to do with him. Johnny Damon and Terrence Long aren't going anywhere and Jeremy Giambi might be our sharpest hitter right now. With Ron Gant installed at DH, I don't see any place for Dye right now. I guess this means he'll go to left field and Giambi and Gant will platoon at DH. Dye's a great hitter, but it's too bad that every time Jeremy gets hot, he loses his starting spot. However, if this means I never have to see Olmedo Saenz play again, it could be the best deal Billy Beane ever made. Dan Berkeley, Calif. Royals throw in the towel The Royals have made it all but official. The Kansas City Royals shall now be called the Omaha Golden Spikes. Major League Baseball has now dropped from 30 teams down to 29. The Kansas City Royals are officially a minor-league team. There has been talk that they'll build a new stadium, but Kansas City should just tear off the second level of the K and make it a minor league park. Maybe we can get the Montreal Expos to move to Kansas City since they, too, will be a Triple-A ball club. Jim Kansas City, Kan.
Wow. I'm so glad I'm not a Royals fan. Jermaine Dye for Neifi Perez? Allard Baird is an idiot. The last thing the Royals need is a slick-fielding shortstop who can't hit. You might argue that this trade will allow KC to go out and trade Rey Sanchez for someone useful, but come on. Of course, the two teams with real GMs made out much better. Oakland (and its emphasis of strike zone control) is probably the best place Dye could have gone since his decline in OPS over the last three-and-a-half seasons directly parallels his declining walk/strikeout ratios over the same period. And Colorado will probably love the production from Jose Ortiz. Turning a paperweight SS into a slugging 2B is always a nice trick. Stuart Los Angeles M's must take notice of trade Oakland made a great move for several reasons. First, they added tremendous depth to their lineup for very little cost in acquiring Jermaine Dye. Second, they blocked any deal the M's may have had for Dye. Third, they rejoined Johnny Damon and Dye (best friends from KC), which more than likely will help Dye to improve on this year's numbers. The A's have brought in a young, solid, power-hitting gold glove outfielder to their lineup. Seattle will win the division this year, but there are no guarantees they will get to the World Series. They desperately need an every day leftfielder for now and the future. As a long-time die-hard Mariner fan, I am disappointed with this move (or lack of move by the M's). Chris Bellingham, Wash. An unlikely victor The big winner in this deal is the Rockies. With Uribe waiting in the wings and Neifi Perez making ridiculous salary demands, Perez clearly was not in their plans. In his place they get some very good young talent who is close to being major-league ready. What are the Royals thinking? If I were them, I would have cut out the middle man. Kansas City needs to stockpile young talent and not worry about what will happen at SS when they deal Rey Sanchez. Despite his good glove, Perez's offense will more closely resemble Sanchez's production than his numbers with Colorado. Matt Colonia, N.J.
I think the Athletics' acquiring Jermaine Dye really shows that they believe they can win the AL wild card. It sends a message to the rest of the team as well. I still wouldn't be surprised if they make a "sale" (Izzy Molina or Johnny Damon). This trade also goes to show that nobody in Kansas City has any clue. How could you trade Dye and only get Neifi Perez in return? His stats are hugely inflated by Coors, much like Mike Lansing's, Jeffrey Hammonds', Vinny Castillo's, etc. The real winners here seem to be Colorado. I think Jose Ortiz will be a star at second base and will fill in nicely after the Todd Walker trade. Greg Albany, N.Y. Dye puts team over the hump The Oakland A's were already a "legitimate playoff contender" with their recent run. This gives them a good defensive outfield, and if Dye plays in the second half like he did last year, it's another great bat in an already potent lineup. I just don't understand why KC didn't get the three prospects from the A's, including a preseason Rookie of the Year candidate. Looks like the A's and Colorado improved themselves here, while KC continues to stagnate. Robert Sylvania, Ohio Oakland aiming for a wild October Trader Dan (O'Dowd) strikes again. The Rockies got three excellent prospects for Neifi Perez, who is something of a sham as an offensive player. His numbers are good, but they are inflated by the ballpark he plays in. Kansas City got themselves a legitimate starting shortstop, but he's hardly a star. In Jermaine Dye, the A's get the power-hitting outfielder they've been missing. It is a clear signal to me that they have no intention of trading Jason Giambi, and Yankee fans will most likely have to be content with Tino Martinez at first base. The A's are going for the wild card. Don't expect them to unload any contracts. Scott North Brunswick, N.J.
This trade is bad news for everyone who has to face the A's. In my estimation, this makes them the favorite for the wild card. Hitting in this new lineup, you can bet that Jermaine Dye's numbers are going to improve over the rest of the season. And what did the A's give up? Very little. Between their top-notch three starters and their strong lineup, the A's are looking very, very scary. And in the postseason, this squad will be very tough to beat. Scott Seattle Beane is finishing playoff puzzle Billy Beane is a magician. How many times now has he thwarted the likes of Seattle and the New York Yankees and pulled of blockbuster trades under their noses? Let's just hope this is the final piece the A's need for this season. KC fans, you must hate Oakland now, seeing Jermaine Dye, Johnny Damon and Jeremy Giambi playing for the A's while you get nowhere near their quality in return. Jeff Pleasanton, Calif. |
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