For my fellow Royals fans on the board, I just saw the AP is reporting the Royals traded Damon in a three team trade. The only specifics available at this time are Damon to the A's, Ben Grieve to Tampa Bay, and Roberto Hernandez (TB) and A.J. Hinch (OAK) to the Royals. It's also on http://www.espn.com.

I would have liked to have gotten a younger closer, although Hernandez is old, he has being doing well, and apparently the Royals got a young catcher.

There's more specific info here:

http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/ce/multi/0,1329,3325613_52,00.html

[Edited by spe_725 on 01-08-2001 at 06:55 PM]

It looks like a horrible trade to me.

Damon is one of the best all around players in the league.

Cannibal,

It may be a bad trade, but I don't think it was horrible. We have needed an everyday closer for 3 years. Hinch is a legit prospect. Baird was really hamstrung by Damon and Borras. I think Baird did allright all things considered. I wish he would have traded him to the NL though.

Baird should've held out longer IMO.

I guess the days of franchise players are gone for the poor (small market) teams. Looks like Brett will be our first, last and only one.

Screw Johnny Damon and screw Scott Boras. May the owners screw them over come the next work stoppage.

I think we did the best under the circumstances and filled two holes at once. Damon or no, he would have been gone after this year. I'm not sure what we realy could have gotten out of a team that knew he'd be around for less than a full season. Cartainly not top class prospects. With spring training around the corner, this baby needed to get done.

Hopefully Beltran returns to form and Dee Brown gets a shot. And we better be able to get something done with Sweeney and Dye...

I think DaWolf hit the nail on the head--as soon as Boras announced Damon wouldn't even sign a long-term deal this year with a team he got traded to, he really hurt KC's baragaining power. He goes from a possible cornerstone of your team to a possible rent-a-player.

I don't know how a player could give up a LT contract with the possible (more than likely) work stoppage coming up. Seems to risky to me.

Boras is ruthless..
He also lies..
(He represents A-Rod too)

Class A California League
Top 20 Prospects

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/00caltop10.html

18 ANGEL BERROA, ss, Visalia Oaks (Athletics)

http://www.oaksbaseball.com/img/lock...oom_Berroa.jpg

Oakland already has a young, exciting Dominican shortstop in Miguel Tejada. The Athletics now have a second one on the way in Berroa.

Berroa made his mark with power, both offensively and defensively. His occasional opposite-field bombs were a prelude of more to come, and his cannon arm at short was topped only by Castro’s.

"There have been a lot of errors with him this year, but I know he's going to get better by watching how much work he puts into the game," Navarrete said. "Plus, he already owns the tools of speed, range, arm strength and power. And there's more power in him, you just know it.




http://sports.excite.com/mlb/news/00...rts-mlb-998730

Others who could help the A's or another major-league organization in 2001 include catcher A.J. Hinch and infielder Mark Bellhorn, who resurrected his career with a PCL-leading 111 runs.

Visalia shortstop Angel Berroa (.277-10-63) has quick hands and feet, and has "Tony Batista upside" in Lieppman's words.

The A's have a great young team, and a fairly low salary...They will be tough for the next decade IMO.

This pains me as a Mariner fan...

DaWolf, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I was figuring we'd get like Halama or his sister the way Boras was talking. Thanks also for the Berroa info. I think this is a great trade as long as we can keep Hernandez for a while or we can deal him for GOOD prospects at the line. Hinch was under the tutilage of Mike Mac for around a year, so maybe Mac will come back and coach for us. Getting a quality closer and a catching prospect for a guy we were going to lose anyway is a great deal IMO.

What the Royals got in this trade was pretty amazing given the status of Damons contract and his agents position on negotiating a long term deal before the season.

Do not look for Hinch to play more than a backup role to Zaun. He is a decent backstop, but has minimal offensive weaponry. He was low on the A's prospect list, and they felt he should have made a move to the Big's as early as 1999. He flared out early and stayed at the minor league level. He's serviceable, but not a long term solution.

Hernandez is an excellent transitional player for the Royals until a young closer can step up. No, he will not play for this team more than 3 years, but he will allow them to pick up as many as 10 to 15 more wins/year by closing out wins in the 9th instead of completely imploding, ala Ricky BLOWTALICO. Nice addition, and will make an impact early.

The real pickup in this deal is Angel Berroa. This kid has all the skills that you want at shorstop, including power. He will fill a huge offensive void that we have had in this organization for years, since UL Washington, IMO. If nothing more, the Damon deal will be remembered for the pickup of Berroa. Damon was gone no matter how much we wanted him to stay.

Great move Allard! Let's get some more middle relief pitching, and we can be competitive in 2001.

Chi Town,

Definitely agree with you, it was amazing they could with the contract status of Damon. If Hernandez plays like he has in the past, I do believe the Royals will contend for the wild card spot. With a little luck the Central. :)

This is better than I thought we would get,can't complain at all! Could be a very good year for the Royals!