I wouldn't trade Whitley, Tucker, Alvarez, Beer, or Corbin Martin. If we can make an upgrade to the team without giving up those guys then go ahead.
What would y’all think if Houston traded JD Davis, David Paulino, and Rogelio Armenteros for Machado? Those guys have value and adding Machado creates some issues getting guys in positions but all those prospects are pretty expendable and keeping a superstar off of another team may have more value than adding him to the current lineup. I doubt the price ends up being that low, but if it does end up that way it would be sick to see Machado in the lineup with Correa, Altuve, Springer, and Bregman.
You do that deal and never look back. Hell you deal him for any two players in the organization not in the top 5 and you don't regret it. We will only have so many WS caliber teams. If the Astros can add Machado for the playoffs at minimum damage, you do it every time. Springer Bregman Altuve Machado Correa Gurriel Reddick Gattis McCann I'll take my chances with that line up every single time.
I liked Hoyt, but there simply wasn’t room for him. I think this makes Cleveland stronger, at least slightly at worst. Props to Luhnow for sending Hoyt to a good team.
Disagree. BAL doesn't have much leverage at this point. Machado is a 2-month rental, and not likely to resign for 90% of the league. Everyone knows BAL is moving him, too. Davis/Armenteros/Paulino doesn't blow BAL away, but it may be more than what others are willing to trade. BAL isn't going to net a top 50 prospect or 3 top 100 guys. Their window for that is closed. Could they do better than that trio? Possibly, but that's a fair offer for 2 months of what everyone knows is an un-resignable player.
Baltimore blew their opportunity to get a viable return last season. They thought they were dealing under normal circumstances, now they may lose some of their talent and get pennies on the dollar back. Nixing an agreed upon deal with th Astros last year might be coming back and butting them in the rear... It was bad juju...
I do think a team will cave and give up a good (think Calhoun for Darvish) prospect. But it wont be a top 30 type, which means a quantity package like the one I described might be a better deal for Baltimore. There’s an argument that Davis and Paulino are fringe Top 100 guys. And those 3 plug holes Baltimore has been rumored to be looking to fill (2 major league ready SP and a replacement for Machado in the infield). I don’t think it’ll happen, but it’s not far fetched.
My breakdown of Machado's market: Most likely suitors [teams who think they have a chance to resign + have the need + in the hunt]: CHC, WAS, LAD, PHI Under the radar suitors [no shot of resigning, but have to add to close the gap]: SEA, CLE, MIL, ARI Wildcards: HOU, NYY, BOS, ATL The problem for BAL is that, out of (my) 12 viable teams, only 6 have above average farm systems (ATL, NYY, PHI, LAD, HOU, MIL). I'm no farm system expert, but the rest of the farms seem pretty bleak. Unless BAL can get one team to sell out their farm for 2 months, I just don't see one of the top farm systems taking a plunge and offering anything overwhelming. I think BAL's best option is going to be pitting the real contenders against each other. NYY is looking for a 1B, but maybe they pull the trigger to keep BOS/HOU at bay, and vice versa. Maybe CHC bites on the hopes of selling Machado long-term, but Theo has come out saying they need to rebuild the farm. Maybe PHI or WAS do the same--try to sell Machado long-term. FWIW (nothing), I think WAS is the most likely destination. I could see them letting Bryce walk and fully pursuing Machado, especially with Soto in the wings. I don't see ATL making the move. Who knows. Will be an exciting trade deadline. Adding Machado to our lineup is getting more and more enticing, especially when you consider the depth we have in our system. We could easily pull a 5-6 prospect trade for Machado and Britton.
Interesting that Baltimore is looking for MLB ready players. They looking to compete in the next couple of seasons?
They have to get at least a decent prospect. There alternative is to get a comped first round pick if Machado walks. A deal at least should be better than that.
FWIW (not much), I consider a package of Davis/Paulino/Armenteros to be far superior to a comp pick. Like I said, I think someone will end up giving them a firm Top 100 guy (like Calhoun for Darvish). But I personally think Davis/Paulino/Armenteros is more valuable than a Calhoun type. I don’t see any value in trading for Machado hoping to resign him. He’s gonna go to free agency and take the money either way. You only trade for Machado for what he can do for you in 2018.
So what would we be willing to trade Tucker for? Me personally: Trout Votto (Reds pay down most of his contract) Realmuto, Bour, AND Steckenrider Archer AND Kiermaeier DeGrom AND Wheeler Snell Bundy, Machado, AND Britton Hand, Myers, AND Hosmer (Padres pay all contracts) Abreu AND Giolito
I think Baltimore would not deal him and take the comp pick before they would do that deal. Not that I don’t think that is more valuable than the pick by itself, I just can’t see them doing that. LA will give more than that I think I do think if you were willing to go Bukauskas, Davis, Paulino and another low end guy you could probably get him. Before you pull the trigger you would have to make sure Alex is good with playing some 1B and LF though, cause you would have to be willing to use him like Marwin to make it work
Yes, Realmuto only has 2.5 years left. But, McCann could be out for the season, and even if he;s back, he has been terrible this year, He's very old and worn out, and may be retiring. Stassi has come back down to earth after a spectacular May. And Stubbs is probably too small to get a ton of work as an MLB catcher. And Realmuto is possibly the best catcher in the game right now. Great offense, defense, and especially his move for throwing out runners. If we trade for him he and Bregman would be the two I'd really look to lock up long-term (along with Altuve who is already locked up). I would, however, take Martin out of the trade (throw in one/two of Armenteros, James, Paulino, Fisher, Stubbs) and throw in Adam Conley, a solid lefty reliever with a decent amount of control left,
I would not go near tucker for anyone sorry. I would lean on Whitley and Alveraz for the wright player. Realmuto, Hand and maybe I mean maybe Iglesias. But after that it would be a crap shoot.
