Generating trade proposals are fun but I think one thing is clear: If you have the chance to get a big bat or arm at the deadline then you do it. Even if you have to slightly overpay. You never wanna look back and think damn we shoulda pulled the trigger. Especially after the sting of 2019 and 2021. Don’t gut the farm but if you have to overpay a little then do it.
While I don’t doubt that it would be extremely unlikely (which is why I referred to it as a “dream scenario”), a lot can change in a year. After watching Kelenic fall flat on his face last year, I would’ve asked for Julio Rodriguez too. Hoping that the Mariners would bite on a proven commodity over potential superstar prospect. Obviously, J-Rod is looking like an absolute superstar in the making. A couple other things to consider are that the Pirates approached Reynolds with an extension offer this past year, which he declined, and that the Pirates window to potential contention is still multiple years away. I do agree that a trade is very unlikely. Just not as unlikely as last year
Complicated and unlikely, but I think this addresses some needs for all teams involved.... To Nationals Royce Lewis Alex Kirilloff Luis Garcia Pedro Leon Colin Barber To Twins: Korey Lee Michael Brantley To Pirates: Jake Meyers Hunter Brown Chayce Mcdermott Luken Baker To Cardinals Jake Odorrizi To Astros Juan Soto Bryan Reynolds Josh Bell Patrick Corbin (10 million on Astros per) Zack Thompson
Nats get Proven major league starter in Garcia. Two opening day starters in Lewis and Kirilloff. Then Leon and Barber to develop. They also get some cash savings. Twins get A possible long term answer at catcher where they are terrible and lack prospects. They get an everyday leftfielder who is proven for the stretch drive. They have a hole at a corner outfield spot. Lewis is Correa insurance next year so there is some risk, but he is out this season and not helping them. Pirates get A stud pitching prospect, an immediate replacement under control and cheap. They have need at 1B where Baker can step in right away. Mcdermott at worst should be a good bullpen arm. Cardinals get #3 starter for a blocked aging prospect and a relief arm. Astros get 3 playoff runs with Soto, cleared out rotation spot for Javier, a short term 1B option, and two lefty arms, one of which can start.
2B Altuve (R) CF Reynolds (S) LF Soto (L) DH Alvarez (L) 3B Bregman (R) RF Tucker (L) 1B Bell (S) SS Pena (R) C Maldonado (R) Rotation Verlander McCullers Valdez Javier Urquidy Bullpen Pressley Montero Stanek Neris Thompson Corbin Martinez Bench Gurriel, Castro, Diaz, Siri, McCormick Best roster by far... pure fantasy I'm sure...
Yes, a 5 team trade where the Twins send out 2 elite young talents in exchange for Korey Lee and Michael Brantley is indeed pure fantasy, and that’s putting it lightly.
I don't disagree that it's the weakest part, but Lee for Kirilloff is a wash. The issue is Royce Lewis stepping in next season to replace Correa. It's the gamble of Brantley upgrade now for the playoffs at the risk you're shopping for a Correa replacement. Given Lewis' injury history his value isn't peak right now.
My trade deadline thoughts/musings: Don’t love the idea of trading a whole lot for Castillo with our rotation where it is… but to think what our organization could do with him is reeeeeeallly intriguing, especially if our FO is expecting a serious regression for other starters. Speaking of, while we all absolutely and obviously love our rotation, maybe it’s it’s time to sell high of some folks? I wonder if our FO knows something that the casual fan doesn’t and is expecting a regression, leading to a surprise trade or two. I don’t see us majorly tweaking the roster, but the receiving end of the deal will dictate and it’ll be interesting to see how Click prepares this roster for October. Either way, no matter who we get or don’t get, I’ll support Click…outside of a few low leverage deals, he’s navigated this mess as well as any of us could have hoped. Crane has really established the ‘Stros as the top of the line organization. Never would’ve guessed it would be *this* impressive a decade ago.
What would you guys think of Rhys Hoskins? The Phillies are in position to make a playoff run that the front office desperately needs. They are holding on despite Bryce Harper out, limited pitching, and terrible defense. One of their starters Zac Eflin has a bad knee and is not progressing like the team hoped. They really only have 2 above average SP and the rest of the rotation is very suspect. They have Castellanos and Schwarber as corner OF so you know their CF is busy !!! And likely tired. Schwarber played 1B for Boston last year and can take over there from Hoskins. They also have a young 1B/DH type Daric Hall who has done well in small sample. They are also 6th in MLB in runs scored so can afford to give up a producer. I suggest sending McCormick and Odorizzi or Urquidy to the Phillies for him. McCormick is league average hitter so not much drop off but far superior defender. Obviously Urquidy or Odorizzi improves thectotation instantly becoming their #3 starter. And Hoskins has another year of control. He is a part time rotational bat for this year and can play 1B next year.
A team trying to make the playoffs is not going to make a trade to make their lineup significantly worse in order to add a rental BoR SP.
I would still target Luis Castillo, Andrew Chafin, and Garrett Cooper unless the Nats indicate they want to dump salary with Soto (meaning prospect cost would be lower), then I go all in on that.
You may be right that McCormick and Odorizzi / Urquidy may not be enough. But I do think it's reasonable for a team in the playoff hunt to trade a bat, even a big bat if they rest of their lineup can absorb the loss and it helps the pitching and defense. That just may not be the right deal.
Remember, while you're depleting prospects in such a deal they would be making Brantley expendable and would sti have Odorizzi to flip. Both will fetch prospects to replenish partially what is lost... That would give you completely locked down for next year and the following: LF RF DH 2B SS C (Lee) That means having a prospect is great but they are blocked unless a 1B or CF which we don't have one of those to trade anyways. We have plenty of pitching coming after Hunter Brown. If Verlander leaves we have money then to sign someone. Then with McCullers, Valdez, and Urquidy we have one spot open for whoever is left behind in a Soto trade. That gives time for Mcdermott, Solis, Whitley, or Arrighetti to emerge...
I'm still holding out hope for Josh Bell and sign him to a decent deal. I think he would be the missing link to the offense . We also should need a OFer type maybe with Urquidy and Odorizzi we can find one.
