Who has made the most improvements this offseason?

[Colby]

 

Howe's Rockies have been quite busy!

[lp815]

I voted for the Rockies.  Landing Hudson, Haren, and especially Justin Upton, while holding onto Hawpe and Tulo, should ensure his team will contend in that division next year.

[Dan Wood]

Jay Bruce has hit over 20 homers in two shortened seasons in the Majors, most guys are still in A, or AA ball. Given his pace he would have hit 30 homers last year. Hardly an "ouch" year for a 22 year old. His BABIP last year was around .200. So his low batting average was due to extremely bad luck. He is never going to put up an OBP of .400, that is not the type of hitter he is, not even when he was destroying the minor leagues. No one is bagging on you for making the trade, but most people, quote un quote experts as well, feel that Gordon Beckham will be a star for many years to come, and from an middle infield position. And as far as Gamel goes, the guy could not play third base at all. Not even barely like Ryan Braun could before he got shipped to left field. The Brewers had no room to move him to the OF. Plus IMHO - Gamel will never be the player everyone thought he was going to be.

[h4cheng]

I also think the A's has improved the most as they have so little to work with to begin with. Brewers also improved but they already have a good team to begin with.

[BHows]

As you should... It was a swap of some great young players - only time will tell how it works out, and the consensus view on a prospect is hardly an exact predictor (neither Beckham nor Feliz are sure things).

Exactly. Speculation on prospects is scary. Jay Bruce came thru the system and was MiLB POY. Had a good rookie year and then 2009...ouch. I had an asset and, I think, turned it into two assets. Time will tell.

[Canada8999]

I'll stand by the trade.

As you should... It was a swap of some great young players - only time will tell how it works out, and the consensus view on a prospect is hardly an exact predictor (neither Beckham nor Feliz are sure things).

[Canada8999]

I don't understand the infatuation with Gordon Beckham. Absolutely a good infielder. Compare with McGehee:
  G    AB  R    H   2B 3B  HR  RBI    TB    BB   SO  SB  CS     OBP      SLG     AVG   
 116 355 58 107  20  1   16   66   177   34    67   0   2      .360     .499     .301

Beckham:
 103 378 58 102   28 1   14   63   174   41    65   7    4     .347      .460     .270
Pretty much comparable and McGehee fended off Gamels who was supposed to be the Brewers top 2 or 3 prospect. Yes, I'm thrilled to get him a N.Feliz for Beckham and a 2A pitcher

If you compare their stats for 2009, definitely very comparable players.  For McGehee to put up that season, even at age 26 and with significant high-minors development time, is impressive and he has a reasonable chance at a good future.  For Beckham to do it at age 22, one season in the minors is just much more impressive IMO, and gives reason to think his ceiling is much higher.  How will it play out?  Who knows...

If you're going to evaluate based on 2009 stats alone, Daniel Hudson is no 2A pitcher...

[BHows]

 How many players over the years were late bloomers? Gamels and his pedigree was killin' it in 3A and McGehee started in front of him in Milwaukee. Plus I got a top 5 pitching prospect. I'll stand by the trade.

[KDoc09]

I would have to say the Oakland A's have made the greatest strides in improving their team both for the now and the future. While the Brewers may have made the biggest splash by grabbing the best player in the sport without weakening his already potent base, the A's have have made themselves a relevant club once again by grabbing up contributing talent using limited means (somewhat depleted farm system and low payroll). And he has done all of this without weakening himself for the long term thanks to his ability to add players without losing Anderson, who in my opinion is one of the real rising stars in the sport and also by shrewdly adding Justin Smoak, who should give him a CI to build around for years to come. The Bay Area is on the rise so beware!!!

[Dan Wood]

Because Casey never did it in the minors until his final AAA season. He was more or less an also ran prior to this year. He doesn't come with the pedigree that Beckham does. Plus Beckham is one year out of college, and he has a sweet head of hair.

HR     RBI     SB     CS     BB     SO  BA  OBP     SLG     OPS     
3     23     2     3     10     46  .272  .302  .391 .693   Age 20  A
10     66     2     1     33     69     .261  .310  .394  .704 Age 21 - A -adv
8     72     2     2     43     64     .297  .354  .422  .776 Age 22 - AA
11     68     0     3     41     70     .280  .336  .406  .742 Age 23 - AAA
10     59     1     3     43     83     .261  .325  .404  .729 Age 24 - AA/AAA
12     92     0     3     40     89     .296  .345  .429  .774  Age 25 - AAA
16     66     0     2     34     67     .301  .360  .499  .859  Age 26 - Majors - MIL

One of these things (years) is not like the other...

Beckham
 HR     RBI     SB     CS     BB     SO     BA     OBP     SLG     OPS
3     8     0     1     5     7     .310  .365  .500  .865 - Age 22 A
4     25     2     0     14     26     .326  .378  .526  .904 - Age 22 AA/AAA
14     63     7     4     41     65     .270  .347  .460  .808 - Age 22 Majors

What you have is a decent 26 year old player and a 22 year old burgeoning star. One is Jeff Kent one is Mark Loretta. And it ain't even close.