Comments on: Nationals Acquire Gio Gonzalez

By: S.FloridaMetsFan

S.FloridaMetsFan — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:39:52 +0000

We got Johan for a bag of garbage. Only one that produced anything was Humber, and didnt and wont last. The only reason we got Johan at all was due to the Skanks and Sox not wanting to give up the prospects and sign him to a huge contract. The Twins were screwed and we bailed them out

By: S.FloridaMetsFan

S.FloridaMetsFan — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:35:30 +0000

He’s good, but he has LOLiver part 2 written all over him unless th Nats can fix his walk rate.

By: S.FloridaMetsFan

S.FloridaMetsFan — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:34:34 +0000

Beltran for Wheeler was a great trade. Sandy got a Top 30 prospect for a few months of Beltran, who wouldnt return any picks(Thanks Omar).
This is totally different, Gio is a yound lefty starter that is cost controlled for 4 more years. Of course Gio would return a huge haul.
Would you be ok with giving up Harvey/Familia/Wheeler/Havens/Puello for Gio? I wouldnt due to the fact our upper minors is a bit thin on depth.

By: Donal

Donal — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:47:57 +0000

It’s mainly guys who focus on prospects like Keith Law who mention it and only briefly. Like I said, because he’s 25 and been in a the league for about 3 full years, the idea is what we see is what we’re getting.

His pure physical talent is at it’s peak, most likely. He can refine it and focus it more, but outside of a Pedro/Dickey type transformation, don’t expect anything radically improved from what we saw this past season.

I don’t think the Nats got robbed, but they over payed.

By: Vinny B

Vinny B — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:30:39 +0000

Well, I haven’t seen it being discussed. And nobody on here seems to be talking about it, so I thought I’d bring it up.

By: Donal

Donal — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:22:36 +0000

No, in fact, that very idea is addressed frequently. What do you think baseball writers mean when they refer to ceiling? Hint: it is not the structural integrity of his house.

The thing is, 25 is when we should see it all come together. Can he improve? He probably will. Experience will help refine his talent into ability. But, we’ve probably seen how far his talent is going to take him.

By: Vinny B

Vinny B — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:14:16 +0000

The thing is, he can be an ACE. He was what? 25 last year? He could still get better, a lot better, and that’s something nobody seems to be taking into account.

By: Donal

Donal — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:10:48 +0000

Oh, I agree he’s good. I like him a lot. He definitely improves the Nats (or any team he would have ended up on).

I’m just saying they did over pay for him. It seems the only question amongst the writers I follow is by how much.

But hey, if he puts them over the top and makes them legit contenders, it is not a bad trade.

By: Donal

Donal — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:53:31 +0000

Will Carroll tweeted this and it’s been RT by most of the baseball writers on my feed

@injuryexpert Scout: “When the ____ did Gio Gonzalez become an ace?”

By: Alex68

Alex68 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:52:39 +0000

you know, i like how you try to weasel your way out of things, at some point you need to come out like a man instead of looking for someone to defend you… i despise everything you comment on. seriously, are you a mets fan?? because you’re the only person in here who always defend someone other than a met and gloat about other team’s and their players.. you’re the worst person this site has, with your articles and comments i do not understand how joe D keeps you around, seriously, there’s not a single person in this site i’d like to meet in person more than you… and no, i will not wish you merry christmas.. whenever you see my name don’t even reply or anything ok… i stop commenting on your articles for the same reason..

By: jessep

jessep — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:48:06 +0000

Vinny: It’s not the worst thought in the world. Gio can become a top tier starter, I just don’t think he’s that guy. I think he’s a very solid #2 which there is nothing wrong with.

I think odds are more in Cahill’s favor “to become” an Ace simply because he’s 2.5 years younger than Gio.

The thing is, Oakland in their mind got 3 guys back who could be legit aces for 2 guys they feel will not be.

I think all 3 teams in these deals did well, I just think Washington gave up a little too much

By: Donal

Donal — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:18:58 +0000

“just spoke to 2 major league scouts who agreed that this was about as bad a deal as could have been made for Gio.”

No, you didn’t. Don’t even try that garbage.

By: Ghost of omar

Ghost of omar — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:14:33 +0000

Wow! DC gave up a catcher…. did they need another young catcher. No…. They gave up something they didn’t need to get better. SHOCKING….. Telll us wwhen lord snady will do something to make the Mets better. Oh here comes he got one whole A ball pitcher for Beltran. Well based on jessup’s logic that was a rotten deal because jessup is telling the world that the A’s were great to get three of these maybe’s while lord snady only could get one.

By: Ghost of omar

Ghost of omar — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:10:27 +0000

just spoke to 2 major league scouts who agreed that this was about as bad a deal as could have been made for Gio. The A’s fire sale is worse than the old Marlins. The A’s are just tying to humiliate MLB and force them to get the Giants to break on the San Jose territorial rights.

By: jessep

jessep — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:05:31 +0000

Donal: gio is good don’t get me wrong, but an Ace he is not. I’d put him in that 2nd tier though. His control is a big issue. You can’t be an Ace in today’s MLB in my view and walk 91 batters in 32 Games.

The other issue with Gio is his performance against top teams outside of his division. The guy was owned by Boston, NYY and Tampa.

For Gio to be a true Ace, those BB have to drop in my view. The Nats aren’t pegging him as an Ace. Strasburg is their ace, their hopes and dreams rest on Strasburg’s arm.

By: jessep

jessep — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:55:25 +0000

Alex: Thanks for all of the support. Your Christmas spirit is shining through every word you type. I look forward to being called an idiot by you when I’m clearly correct about something… it makes every day feel like Christmas morning.

By: jessep

jessep — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:27:39 +0000

From Boston Herald:

Another major league scout said he understands the A’s position.

“How valuable are Andrew Bailey or Gio Gonzalez with the current core they have?” the scout said. “Why not load up with the most good young players you possibly can for when this (stadium) situation is resolved?”

“If two of the four reach the level (the A’s) think they are, it’s a fair trade,” one scout told this newspaper. “If three reach the level they think they are, it’s a plus for the A’s. And if all four reach that level, they did great.”

Another major league scout said he understands the A’s position.

Ghost of Omar: You should contact the major papers and provide your “two sources,” but I don’t think “Bert & Ernie” would qualify as MLB scouts

By: jessep

jessep — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:22:24 +0000

Ghost: Please don’t come here with fake sources as an attempt to make yourself look connected.

You spoke with 2 MLB scouts “who agreed that this was about as bad a deal as could have been made for Gio”

I mean who do you think you’re fooling with that?

By: jessep

jessep — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:15:13 +0000

Alex: Sometimes I wonder why you even hit “post comment”

First of all, you calling me an idiot and buffoon, I hope that gets deleted per yesterday’s comments from Joe.

You clearly do not understand quantity versus quality. Let me explain.

When the Twins traded Santana to the Mets, they settled for what they got because the 2 teams they wanted to work with caved and they knew they had to deal Johan. Did they get some “prospects”? Yes. But they didn’t get 3 guys who were not only top prospects but top performers in the minor leagues.

The Mets farm system at the time of the Johan deal couldn’t stack up to the Nats farm system at the top if your life depended on it.

It seems every time you call me an idiot, I teach you something… whether it be about the Posting System, or Minor League Baseball. So keep it coming, maybe one day you’ll know what you’re talking about.

Have a merry christmas

By: Alex68

Alex68 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:13:32 +0000

Agee, are you seriously telling me, that houston did well on any of the trades with philly??? seriously?????? the best player they got was traded away last year, that is ALL you need to know!!!!!!!!!!!