But everyone else is available. Rays fans are thinking something like Brignac and Niemann (and maybe something small) for Bay and Marte, fyi.

The return the Pirates are expecting for Bay is dead on: two premium top 100 prospects and one 2nd tier prospect. Two premiums for Nady is high though I think he could get one and a 2nd or 3rd tier throw in (high upside hopefully). We can expect a 2nd and 3rd tier prospects for Marte. For Wilson, I have no idea. It all depends on what someone is willing to pay but if we could get Hu and McDonald we should be extatic. I truly believe Bay is going nowhere which is why Huntington is asking for the world for him. So I guess under this context I propose the following (mine list is not a dream trades but represents what I think would be best case scenario).

Wilson and Pearce to Dogers for Kemp, Hu and McDonald – Colleti is desperate and NH is playing hard ball. The inclusion of one of our premium prospects makes the deal pallatable for Coletti. I’m thinking I’m one of the few that sees Pearce with limited upsdied and getting Kemp should make Pittsburgh forget about him quickly.

Nady to Rays for Nieman and Ruggiano. Niemann because I don’t see the Rays parting with Hellickson or Davis and MgGee’s injury makes him a huge question mark. Ruggiano is a little old for a AAA prospect at 26 but he hits for power and will make it a little easier to stomach the loss of Pearce. He and McCutchen will provide the OF with depth next year as we start Bay, McClouth and Kemp. Ruggiano would also see more at bats if Bay is traded by next years deadline. Ruggiano also appears to be blocked in Tampa and I’ve read some Rays blogs that believe he could be had.

Marte to Yankees for Kennedy – there was a rumor that the Rockies were asking for Fuentes and the Yankees said no. But Kennedy’s stock is down and the two draft picks the Yanks will get when Marte leaves may be enough to enable Cashman to pull the trigger. Some may think Marte is worth more staying with the Pirates and getting two draft picks but I think if you have a chance to get a 23 yrd old starting pitcher for a RP you do it. Plus I think Kennedy will benefit from being in the NL and out of NY.

Grabow to St. Louis for Reyes. Again I think this is a need trade for both teams. Reyes has worn out his welcome and I think the Cards would be more than happy to get rid of him while picking up a solid lefty relieveer. I think Reyes is a classic change of scenery guy. He’s a hard throwing strike out pitcher who fits the NH pitching profile. It wasn’t winning games in the world series.

I think those are the deals that could be made. Those moves deplete our bullpen but provide some much needed SP depth while landing a potential superstar in Kemp. I believe we go out and sign a relief picther in FA and do our usual scouring the scrap heap for a couple of more hoping one sticks. This would be the best case scenario for the “have our cake and eat it too” strategy the front office is employing. We add some depth to the system but can still put a competitive team on the field the season. If one our two or starting pitchers has a strong second half we still have the offense to win a few games and make a run at .500. Of course we’ll need a healthy Capps, Yates and Batista to continue pitching better than expected, Burnett continuing to get lefties out (and occasional righty) while cutting down on the strikeouts and hopefully getting at least one more reliable arm as we continue or merry-go-around of picthers between the MLB and minors.

I do have to end this by saying that I feel there is about a 10% chance of the Dodger deal going down with Kemp though I do think we can still get Hu and McDonald for Wilson and should pull the trigger.

That’s my “semi” wish list. We pick up:

P: McDonald, Neiman, Kennedy and Reyes
OF: Kemp, Ruggiano
IF: Hu

We lose:
P: Marte, Grabow
OF: Nady, Pearce
IF: Wilson

We get seven players for five, we get younger while picking up a couple high upside players with one of them being a potential star.

You guys gotta keep this up. That was sweet.