» Philip Hughes

I had a friend text me again. He asked what I thought about the following trade:

He would give up Alex Rodriguez/3b; Kyle Lohse/sp; Stephen Drew/ss and receive Ian Kinsler/2b; Joba Chamberlain/sp>rp; and Mark Derosa/if.

I told him there were a few contingencies:

1) Is it a keeper league? If so, go for it because I’d definitely keep Kinsler + Joba over Arod + Drew. Kinsler’s younger and cheaper than Arod (even in fantasy depending on how your keeper league might work).

2) Is his middle infielders killing him?

3) Does he have a solid 3b/corner infield to back up for A-rod’s absence (hoping Derosa isn’t it)

4) Finally, I told him to attempt to wait it out and see if Joba will become a reliever since the Yankees have Wang back and the young Philip Hughes. My opinion is that he will becuase he was much more dominant there and Wang’s stuff is meant to start and Hughes is a stud.

Therefore, I told him the only player straight up I’d trade A-rod for is Pujols and maybe Hanley. Unless he believes Joba will remain a starter and so long as it’s not a keeper league, I suggested him not to do it. 1+ Months out of baseball, and A-rod is still on pace for 45+ homers.

Who has the most home runs on the Brewers?

Ryan Braun?

Prince Fielder?

Mike Cameron?

Corey Hart?

JJ Hardy?

Nope… It’s 2b, Rickie Weeks – the Perennial 20hr/30sb candidate, however his sub .240 avg keeps him out of the top 10 rounds and out of the top 5 2b’s. He’s a solid 25/20 candidate this year now. His sb’s need to pick up a little though and they should.

Free Agent Watch: 2 Guys I’m somewhat passionate about -

*Chris Coghlan/3b (and maybe 2b/of) -Florida Marlins. If anything happens to Uggla/Hermida/Ross/Bonifacio this kid could stud it up. They want him in the lineup bad. He just hit his first career homerun. Keep watch!

*Philip Hughes/sp-Yankees. I know he had a horrendous start against the Orioles and not a great start against the Red Sox, but this guy is an aboslute stud and could be better than Joba for the rest of this year. His fastball moves and his curveball is sick. If he’s dropped in your league, pick him up and at least stash away until he keeps hot. I understand Wang may be back up – hopefully the Yankees understand they need Joba in the bullpen so Hughes can start. I’m assuming he’d have to string together 3 solid starts before that happens, but if it does – Jump.