Let's send Finley to Boston

[The Genius]

http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/k.../20020602.html

...says a starting pitcher is the Sox #1 priority. Now is the time to see what we can get for him, and unload the $4mil+ in deferred salary he is owed AFTER this season.

[viper123]

I couldn't agree more!

[The Genius]

Thank you. You get four stars! (Everybody who agrees with me gets four stars). Only our founder gets five stars.

[the teacher]

Are you ready to give up on the season?

I have been a primary anti-Finley guy for the past few years so I a bit surprised to advocate keeping him, but we actually have a shot at winning this crappy division we're in. If that happens all bets are off.

Chuck has pitched great ever since the blow up with his wife. He's separated from her now and maybe that's what he needed. Who knows what his life has been like living with a woman like that.

If Chuck and Bart keep throwing like they have been the last few starts no one would want to face us in the playoffs.

[The Genius]

Finley has pitched very well his last few outings, but overall, he has been a tremendous waste of $27 million. I would rather save what is left on his contract and see what Rodriguez/Phillips/Drew can do.
As to winning the division - I don't think so, but I may change my mind if we take at least two from the Twinkies. But they will be tough when they get Radke, Mays, and Rivas back.

[Swanny]

I don't think any team's are inquiring yet about Finley's availability. I don't doubt that if he continues to pitch well Shapiro's phone will ring. I'm sure other teams don't have to be told that he is probably available. Why trade him now when there is a good chance he will increase his trade value? As the teacher pointed out, if we stay in the race and actually win the division, Finley would come in pretty handy in the playoffs. The only problem is I don't see that happening unless we add a bat and that might mean trading Finley to get one.

[Hawaii007]

Exactly...that is why for me trading Finley to the BoSox has two problems.
Considering Finley is a true 7 inning high 3 ERA for the rest of the season, do we have anyone that can step up and replace those quality innings?
The second issue is, the BoSox have nothing in their farm system, considering they signed Henderson and Baerga (granted they are playing well now, but if they had a deep farm system in positional players, I doubt they would have had to sign them) so who do the BoSox have to offer?

[Alex]

Well, I found this topic and the responses in it quite hilarious because both sides seem to be right!

Remember when we almost traded for Finley back in 1999, but Hart thought the asking price by the Angels was too steep?

I seem to recall Branyan, CC or Baez, Enrique Wilson, Johnny Mac, ARAM...some combination of those players was what the Angels were asking for.

Anybody remember what the Angels actually wanted for Finley? It might give us perspective as to what we can expect for him this year.