G'day, first post :-)

We need hitting - FACT.

Our kiddie pitchers are showing us a bright, shiny near-future - FACT

So here are a couple of hitters I think Billy should trade for, stat, that I think he can get for less then they are worth.

#1. Dan Uggla, Marlins.

The Marlins hate this guy. He took them to arbitration this year (that bastid). Most likely he'll be wanting to be paid far more then the frugal Marlins are willing to pay in 2010 too. They have a viable (but obviously not as good) replacement in Chris Coghlan for 2B.

Before you say it, yes he is terrible at 2B this year. But I don't want him for that. Uggla is our (for the next 2+ years at least) 3rd baseman. Using UZR, he was decent in 2006 and 2008 in the field.

Hitting-wise in 2009 he looks like he is stinking up the place. But if you look deeper, his BB/K has improved radically from 2008 (77-171 to 52-81) and his BABIP is a low .254 so far, down from a career .299 - meaning he's probably been pretty unlucky so far.

This is a text book profile of a tasty buy low.

What will he cost?
Well the Marlins need a bit of OF depth and some relief pitching. If they truly think they can contend this year, maybe they'd like Holliday + a RP (pick one) + cash for Uggla +  1 or 2 prospects. If they don't want Holliday, maybe there is some sort of OF/RP package that they would like. (Eric Patterson?)

#2. Kila Kaaihue, KC Royals

The Royals don't want him in the majors. Why in blue blazes do you trade for Mike Jacobs to start over him?

Why we want him:

- Team controlled for 6 years
- Last year - .314/.456/.628, 104-67 BB/K. Wow!
- Rotting on the vine, so might be in our price range.

What will he cost?
I have no idea. Most likely some sort of SP, or a catcher. Maybe Dayton Moore will fall in love with one of our lesser players a'la the Betancourt deal and give us a bargain.

Anybody agree or disagree with me? I'd love to have both of these guys on the A's.