[torpidbeaver]

Thanks for the thoughts.

If I decide to trade Morales, what's the best way to go about that? I know if I Shop him, his morale will suffer. But is shopping a player a good way to get offers? Should I put him on the trade block instead?

I made a couple of lateral moves before the break to lower salary and make room.

Traded C Kelly Shoppach (.216, 3 HR, 10 RBI -- $1.5M backup catcher) to LAA for 3B Scott Rolen (.279, 5 HR, 26 RBI -- $910K)


My original plan was to look for a weak prospect, but I couldn't hardly get anyone to bite unless I paid them for the trade or threw in another piece, so I shopped him around and was offered Rolen. My presumptive everyday 3B, Kyle Seger, has been struggling with a .249/.296/.359 line, so I figured I'd try to kill two birds with one stone by platooning them at third and opening up the spot for Zunino. But now I've got three third basemen, so...

Traded 3B Robert Andino (.190/.240/.270 -- $1.3M infielder & backup 3B) & $580k Cash to Boston for 19-year old 2B low-A prospect

My scout had him rated at 4-stars, OSA had him at 1. He had an... okay line. After I pulled the trigger, I realized I had no one on the bench who could back up SS, so I demoted a backup outfielder and promoted a craptastic AAA player who'd started the year on the 40-man who could play 5 positions.

So, in all, I feel like I strengthened the offense (even if I hurt my bench), while dumping a little salary and avoiding an all-in push toward winning or capitulating.