I would love to have Dunn, but I wouldn't want him anywhere near the OF in the K. He'd have to be a 1B/DH... I believe that's pretty much what he does now anyway.

If that's the case, and I'm fine with this, you sell Butler for a SP or some other stud(s). We have enough players in the system that I can guarantee we'll find a first baseman/Dh from that pool.

Why wouldn't you want Markakis? Thats just silly.

I think it's more about what you'd give up in prospects and future salary.

He's never been able to play the OF at an acceptable level. He's always been atrocious. He reached Guillen like levels recently.

Can't see them trading Butler to make room for Dunn (Kila, yes. Butler, no). I would be hot if they traded Butler in that situation...

Anyway, on Markakis... he's in the second year of a six-year, $66 million contract that so far has paid him a shade over $10 million. That leaves 4 fours, $56 million ($14 million/per average). I am not sure he's worth that, and also giving up someone like Lamb (not saying "NO", just not sure about targeting him specifically.) But I must admit, I thought he fell off last year more than he actually did.

So far, he looks like a lefthanded Billy Butler. I'd be fine with that... at the right price (say, Duffy, Giavatella and a fringe/crap guy).

I would rather give Markakis that money than Ludwick or Werth.

Wouldn't worry about Lamb's 0 k game....Josh Johnson had a 0 k game in 6ip in may

If it was just "Who do you want to pay $11 million a year" yeah, Markakis is the easy choice (though I think Werth will make well above that, not sure about Ludwick).

But throw in talking about prospects, and I become less interested. Especially if it involves any of the top five guys.

no one had a bad day in the minors today. Colon had a good day with 2/3 and 1 or 2 walks. Mike Montgomery went 5 and 2/3 with no earned runs 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.

Definitely do not want Ludwick compared to any of the other guys we are talking about...Dunn, Crawford, Markakis, Werth etc. I don't see how Ludwick is going to make as much as those dudes. 33 years old next year, and will likely end with another declining season this year. He has to hang his hat on his one good yr in 2008. Honest to god it's probably a toss up if you made me pick between Ludwick and Dejesus at least for the next 3 yrs.

The market for Ludwick - who's only a year and four months older than Dunn and 10 months older than Werth - is not going to be the same. That's why I was projecting 9-10 million/per rather than the 15-18 Dunn and Werth will command. Of course, with free market bidding, those might be low estimates.

I wouldn't pay Ludwick equal money. But He will command about half as much as Werth and is nearly the same player. He's also a better fit for the Royals than Dunn, doesn't play as an everyday OF. Unless, of course, KilA is given up on ...

If Markakis was on the open market, he'd be a bargain and a perfect target. I don't know that he's a serious candidate, anyway, as Rany is he only person I've seen mention him.

If we're able to get Ludwick for 10, after paying Guillen 12, that would be tremendous value.

I'm just guessing, based on his age, the others in the market, his track record and etc. I think that's where his value is. Whether it is enough to get him, who knows? Guillen was an $8M a year player, and we know what his contract was...

This is interesting:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=9527

Royals Sign Venezuelan Shortstop Arteaga For $1.1 Million

Posted Aug. 10, 2010 2:47 pm by Ben Badler
Filed under: International, News

The Royals have officially signed Venezuelan shortstop Humberto Arteaga for $1.1 million.

Arteaga, 16, is a 6-foot, 160-pound shortstop from Valencia who has stood out for his abilities in the field. Rene Francisco, the Royals' special assistant to the general manager in charge of international operations, said Arteaga's defense, work ethic, intelligence and feel for the game were among the qualities that caught the organization's attention.

"He's a surehanded shortstop," Francisco said. "(His range is) enough to play shortstop and make the play from the hole. His quickness, his anticipation at shortstop, how to position himself—it's really, really good for his age."

Richard Castro, a Royals scout in Venezuela, has followed Arteaga since he was 13 and scouted him in international tournaments. Castro and Orlando Estevez, the Royals' international supervisor, became close to Arteaga and his family and followed him over the years.

Arteaga began switch-hitting within the last year, though Francisco said he will likely bat exclusively righthanded as a pro. An average runner, Arteaga doesn't project to hit for a lot of power but the Royals believe he will hit.

"It's more of a contact, line-drive type bat," Francisco said. "It's a simple, compact stroke. We think he's going to make a lot of contact."

Arteaga is the sixth confirmed seven-figure bonus this summer since the international signing period opened on July 2, joining Venezuelan righthander Adonis Cardona (Blue Jays), Dominican outfielder Ariel Ovando (Astros), Venezuelan third baseman Renato Nunez (Athletics), Dominican outfielder Phillips Castillo (Mariners) and Venezuelan outfielder Danry Vasquez (Tigers).

Shortstops Esteilon Peguero (Dominican Republic) and Rougned Odor (Venezuela) and Dominican outfielders Eskarlin Vasquez, Vicmal de la Cruz and Wilmer Romero are among the other players who could also be in line for seven-figure deals but remain unsigned. Mexican righthander Luis Heredia should also sign for seven figures, though he can't sign until he turns 16 later this month.

minors today

AAA Omaha

no one of note played today. (no Moustakas, 2 days in a row)

AA NWA

no game today

Advanced A Wilmington

Colon 1/4, 1K
Myers 2/4, double