Saw this - pure speculation - on MLBTR:

The Brewers are still searching for pitching, and the Blue Jays could be a potential match. Toronto likes Double-A infielder (and Canadian) Brett Lawrie, but the Brewers would be reluctant to trade him. They would have to consider it if he could land them someone like Brett Cecil or Shaun Marcum, though.

So - taking off from our recent discussion of potentially dealing Marcum (or Cecil) - would Lawrie get your attention?

My first reaction is to think that if you deal an above average SP for a position player (who's not a SS) he better be one heck of a player and while I like Lawrie, I'm not sure he's that - albeit doing very well in AA at 20 might kinda mean he is.

Another tangent on that point - let's saw we did acquire him, and he did pan out, it pretty much reboots the idea of shifting Hill to 3B when he's ready doesn't it? or even trading him?

Anyway, I figured it was a thought worth throwing out for discussion because Lawrie has to intrigue any of us.

Yeah, but Lawrie plays 2B in AA.

Now that is what I'm talking about - look for a team desperate for pitching who has good offense available.

Yes, Lawrie does play second. However, he is hitting 299/357/493 in AA at the age of 20. He'll probably be ready for AAA by August (he was in AA last year as well) and ready for the majors by mid-season next year with any luck. Hill has shown the ability to play third base and his offense last year suggested he can hit well enough for it. If Lawrie is strong defensively that could be a good combo.

I'd still ask for more (I'm greedy). This all depends on the Jays internal scouts opinions on Lawrie and Marcum and Cecil. If they feel Cecil or Marcum is on edge for long term success then go for it. If they feel Lawrie isn't likely to keep hitting at young ages then don't.

Checking Rotoworld I see Cito has stated Litsch is in danger of losing his slot in the rotation - two very ugly starts plus one very good one does that. Rzep, after allowing 5+ runs per start for his first 3 in AAA, has allowed over 3 in just one of his past 5 while going 6+ in all 5 for a 3.27 ERA. He is probably ready while Litsch needs a few more rehab starts.

Time for the ML-AAA shuffle unless Litsch can come up big in his next start I suspect.

I agree with trading 1 of our starting pitchers.

Rigth now Litch is our 5th and weakest SP. But at the start of the 2011 season it will be 22 months since his TJ operation. Forecasting a return to 2008 performance 3.58 ERA is IMO realistic and that is a "good" pitcher. Cito states his 1.92 ERA in his last 9 starts of 2008 put him "right there" with Burnett and Halladay.

So with someone traded we still have 4 very good SPs left. The 5th guy will have to COMPETE for that spot against very good candidates in Zep,Mills and Richmond.

Even if there is an injury to the top 4 we have 3 replacements.

Please let me state some personal opinions that may be nuts.
I would like to hear the thoughts of others on them.
1) For the next few years we should have 5 SP capable of 15-17 win with 3.5 ERA seasons if they play a full season. That is based on the current 5SP + Zep and Drabek/Alvarez by 2012. Also include recent high ceiling draft picks to keep it going.
2) Assuming successful development there will always be very stiff competition for the 5th SP spot. Don't you have to make room for a stud like Drabek and previously McGowan and IMO Alvarez when ever they are ready.
3) Assuming we always have about 3 minor league pitchers ready for the big team THEN our GM has to develop a very good ability to shop and trade 15-17 win SPs.

Injuries which of course will always happen to all teams could mess up the supply of stud SPs. But draft picks and trade returns can help negate this.

IMO we make this trade in the off season because:-
1) Giving up 1 strong SP will completely destroy our small playoff chances.
2) If they don't get injured Marcum is further away from the TJ surgery and Cecil has proven more. So they both should fetch more.

If the Brewers (33-41)are buyers then would B Lawrie be fair value for Marcum or Cecil from either teams point of view. Lawrie can also be flipped.

I would think a contender would prefer Marcum over Cecil, at least at the moment. Marcum has more experience, is a gritty competitor, seems to be healthy, and has been outstanding all year. He could be a difference-maker in a divisional race and in the playoffs.

I imagine that AA would consider dealing Marcum, but the price would be steep - probably close to the Halladay haul. Dealing top starters is always risky, because you never know whether the rest of your rotation will stay healthy and productive, and whether your prospects (Drabek, Stewart, Jenkins, Rzep, McGuire) will pan out. Conversely, if I'm the GM of a team that needs a #2 or #3 starter, I definitely make a bid for Marcum before the deadline.

regarding Litsch's holding his spot -

his next turn is at Cleveland...it's a fiar bet he'll do pretty well there and if he does he'll hold his spot until the break just because it won't make sense to make the switch before...but that will mean facing the Twins and Red Sox so there's still every possibility that the results of those two games will cost him his spot in the rotation.

If Cleveland spanks him, they will probably skip him the next time through (his turn falls on an off day) and call up Zep to pick up that one start against Boston before the break.

although, it's not impossible they will simply bite the bullet and let Litsch start that one two even though they expect he'll get beat upjust because they don't want to make the switch right before the break.

A Lawrie-centred deal for Marcum would make me quite happy provided the scouts felt he had a good opportunity to be a 3B. He seems to have the arm for it, and should have the feet for it (otherwise I don't see how 2B would be viable). The bat just seems like it's going to be special. If someone like Odorizzi were also coming back, I don't think I'd put down the phone until the paperwork were faxed to mlb headquarters.