Colangelo ain't hitting his projections.

I'd trade both of them if it could net me something solid.  As it is Colangelo isn't bad cheap filler at 1B, OTOH it seems unlikely that you'd regret trading Herndon based on his D + the fact that he'll never be a great hitter.

Dean, I think he's got one more year of 4 pt gains (2 in power)  and then a point here and there.  Get's him close.  Am I wrong?

Would you trade Colangelo and a #5 guy for Nichols ?

Interestingly, since i posted the first note, just over an hor ago, i got an offer on Herndon.  I was offered a utility/speed/CF-2B type guy.  I said no.

I can't say with certainty that you're wrong, but generally speaking I would expect him to have a point here and there starting this year.  Or maybe like 2 points of gains this year- every player has a different progression curve but from what I've seen hitting ratings almost always hit a plateau in the 5th pro year (and often even earlier).  The only ratings that I trust to continue to grow during season 5 are glove + arm accuracy, I'm sure somebody out there has bucked the trend but I would wager on this guy topping out soon.  He only added 5/4/5 in contact/vL/vR last year, seems unlikely that he replicates that for another season.

I snap accept the Nichols trade.  Nichols is sort of sexy, he may not be great and he doesn't fit in well with a running team since he'll run into a ton of outs.  But on a team where SB's are turned off, he's a pretty nice piece.  Switch hitter + 100 speed will make him nicely outperform his hitting ratings, should provide OKish D at 2B or gold glove D in LF (he can hit well enough to justify using as a COF).

Not sure how much I'd add to Colangelo to seal the deal for Nichols, but it'd prob be a decent bit.  I couldn't really see myself turning down Colangelo + Herndon + #5 guy for Nichols.

You would trade that much for Nichols Deano?  I have to disagree wit ya there man.  Nichols is already 23, his BR of 23 will limit him a fair bit.  And his def MIGHT improve enough to be a low end 2b with what could be a decent bat (for 2b) but for COF Id never consider a dude with his bat.  But that might just be me.  Hes certainly not worth trading the 2 1Bs listed above PLUS a #5 SP.  maybe Herndon and a #6. 

you can sign a #5 SP for like 1.5M on the FA market, who cares about losing him?

true, #5s are a dime a dozen, but I MIGHT say that  Colangelo by himself is going to be equal in value of Nichols.  His bat is already good enough to be a COF and besides his GL his def is easily good enough to be either.  Id say he would be a perfect fit at RF and with that bat Id already be happy with him...  he will be always be cheap too, what with the 70 dur, he will never get more then 400-425 ABs, and with an OA of about 70 he should always re-sign at 3mill or so.  very good value.

Is his glove good enough to play RF?

rec for glove @RF is 50.  37 isnt that far off... and when you think about how often RF actually touches the ball you can go weak on glove there and not make any real difference in games won or lost over a season.  IMHO he is a keeper for RF.  His defense will improve a pt or 2 before he is done improving, as will his bat, so yes a keeper.

I would keep Slash.  Batting eye is one of the highest rated numbers for me in all my players.  If you can stock 1-9 with guys that get you .400 or above OBP, it doesn't matter what their splits or power is.