Would you trade 
Jair for Ryan Braun?
Check out the Hebrew Hammer’s ’09 numbers: .320-32-114, .937 OPS, 20 steals. He’ll turn 26 in November.
This isn’t an official rumor, though it’s a trade that makes sense for both teams. And it’s doable financially. I’d have a hard time pulling the trigger, but it’s tempting.
Your thoughts?
–CB
No way. Braun appears to be an outstanding young player from what I have seen, but JJ is special. We will never win anything if we keep trading our young pitchers. NO NO NO. JJ was near the top of the league in quality starts. That is not easily replaced. Would you trade Hanson for, e.g. Andre Ethier?
No. Ethier is not Braun’s equal, and if I HAD to choose one pitcher to keep, it would be Hanson. Plus, Ethier is near free agency, so the finances wouldn’t even out.
I doubt Milwaukee would pull the trigger. From everything I’ve ever read, they love him and intend to hold on to him for a long time.
I agree. Just something to ponder.
No. While Braun may contribute an equal amount of production to his team, pitchers like JJ are rarer and thus harder to replace than hitters of Braun’s calibre. We do NEED to get someone like that; however I think it should be done without giving up JJ, Hanson, or Vazquez.
Problem is, you won’t get someone like Braun without giving up someone like JJ.
I wouldn’t do it. No. 1 quality starters are so rare. I wouldn’t trade JJ or Hanson for any one player, except maybe Pujols.
I think we just trade Jo Jo Reyes and Kelly’s Johnson for Albert Pujols and Adam Wainwright! There, that was easy enough.
Aren’t about to get Braun-like talent via our own minor league pipeline?
Absolutely not. We’ve been a player charity for the rest of the league for too long, now.
JJ would not take such a stupid looking picture.
What is going on in that picture, anyway.
ATLPaddy, your trade scenario is unrealistic. We would need to throw in Brandon Jones and the Cards would need to pay part of Fat Albert’s salary!
NOOOOOOOO!!! The Heeby Hammer has put up some good numbers but someone of Jair’s quality is much harder to come by these days. I’m going to have to second ATLPaddy’s trade suggestion – only difference is that I’m willing to throw in Norton as a sweetener.