2023 Trade Targets

The Cards might do that deal…without including Donovan. Montgomery is likely to be the most effective SP on the market if he’s traded. Donovan has posted 4.2 fwar in 198 games, he’s not a utility bench player, he’s a versatile everyday guy who falls just short of Ben Zobrist level production. They would ask for multiple Drew Gordon level prospects for Donovan by himself.

 

I get that the market is bleak for buyers

I may even be severely under valuing Donovan since he has not been able secure a regular starting position. He has hit very well which is why I liked him for the Astros.

However if a rental SP costs the teams #5, #10, #11, and #13 top prospects then the market is crazier than I thought.

Justin Verlander with another 2 years on his contract only cost the #3, #9, and #11 prospects.

Randy Johnson only cost 3 prospects, but I don't know if there even where top prospect lists back then.

 

JV was considered washed up when Houston traded for him. He passed thru waivers. But Houston’s farm in 2017 was among the best in baseball, now it is average or slightly below average.

Houston gave up 3 elite level prospects for Johnson.

Ullola, Tamarez, and Melendez are not among Houston’s Top 20 prospects. They are in the 20-30 range assuming you are higher on them than most sites. (I really like Melendez, but he is hurt.)

 

According to mlbpipeline ( mlb.com) Ullola is #10, Tamarez is #11, and Melendez is #13.

The Astros have little pitching in the system but I specifically picked those 3 because they are 10-15 in those rankings.

I think those 2 players help thiscroster a ton. It would be nice if the Cards needed OF but I am intentionally staying away from those to be realistic.

Let's say the Cards turned down my offer. I can accept that. Did they counter? I still don't think those 4 prospects for Montgomery would be considered by either side.

But let's say my deal is way low.

I come back with: Korey Lee, Pedro Leon (he can play inf.), Colton Gordon, Misael Tamarez, and Jayden Murray.

 

If you are still proposing a trade for both Donovan and Montgomery that’s still way short. The Cardinals would demand Gilbert in any trade including both Donovan and Montgomery. If they relented on that, they’d demand at least 4 from Houston’s next tier (Lee, Melton, Clifford, Barber, Arrighetti, Loperfido, Leon, Dezenzo, Corona, Baez, Gomez).

 

I am mot disputing You. I'm just not being realistic I guess. Typical fan overvaluing my teams players and under valuing other teams players.

That's why the Cardinals don't match up well as trade partners. They already have more and better position players, even outfielders.

What they want and need is pitching and unfortunately the ones in the Astros system just aren't very attractive.

Oh well.

 

I agree it’s hard to find a match. A Montgomery trade built around Arrighetti and 2 other prospects might be something that they’d consider. Maybe Arrighetti, Whitley, and France for Montgomery and Hicks? That’s assuming the Cards really like France and Arrighetti. Both Montgomery and Hicks are rentals. But I doubt that would be enough. Houston would probably have to swap Whitley for someone like Melton or Clifford. France and Arrighetti would give the Cards 2 potential long term effective arms for their rotation starting next season, which is really their only hole.

 

The Cards might do this deal if you put a guy like Blanco in the deal instead of Murray. How much time does Donovan have left before FA?

 

He was a rookie last year so1 pre arb then 3 arbitration seasons.

 

Sign me up for some Padres' pitching.

 

Sign me up for this.

And bring Hicks home

 

So, what about Alex Verdugo for Forrest Whitley and Chas McCormick.

Then flip Cory Julks, Jacob Melton, Pedro Leon, Miguel Ullola, Rionel Blanco and Rafeal Montero plus we retain some of Monteros salary not alot 30%
To the Royals for Prospect Nick Loften, Aroldis Chapman and Amir Garrett?

 

The market really hasn’t opened up yet. There are some feelers, but it really has too many potential sellers that are not sellers yet.

 

I think Whitley has negative value.

I like Verdugo a lot, and Chas is probably a player the Red Sox would like, but I just see any team laughing if we try to include Whitley in a deal.

The Red Sox are never in a full rebuild, so want MLB ready players to help them compete next year more than high ceiling prospects thatcareca year+ away.

They need a RH hitting OF who can handle CF and cover for a weak defensive LF, a 1B, and middle infield help.

I would offer Chas, France, Matijevic, and Kessinger, Whitcomb, or Hensley for Verdugo and Paxton.

I would give the Royals a random prospect to keep Chapman.- He would be a PR nightmare for the Astros but I don't want a competitor to get him either.

 

Dana Brown keeps talking about adding a bat as a priority while also mentioning Alvarez AND Brantley coming back. That really makes me wonder where he expects to add a bat. My guess would be CF. Bellinger, Carlson, Nootbar, and Robert would be my guesses as to potential CF upgrades available. Luis Robert would obviously be the ultimate get but I can’t envision any Houston package that really gets there. Maybe Drew Gilbert, Chas McCormick, Korey Lee, Pedro Leon, and Spencer Arrighetti? Even that probably isn’t even close to what it would take. But oh my what a lineup:

CF Robert
LF Brantley
2B Altuve
DH Alvarez
3B Bregman
RF Tucker
1B Abreu
C Diaz
SS Pena
Bench: Maldy, Dubon, Meyers, Julks/Salazar/Kessinger

 

I agree with this. If Brantley and Yordan return, then CF is the only lineup spot without a set starter, and Chas/Meyers are not the reason this team is not winning or scoring runs.

As long as they are coming back, forget about a bat and help the pitching!!

Also, I do not see the White Sox trading Robert.

They are on record stating they will only trade rental players, they have an old owner who is running out of time to win another WS and never rebuilds, and despite their record, they are only 5 1/2 games back of their division.

 

Maybe not a trade for this year but what about trying to get and fix Manoah?

Would the Blue Jays take Kenedy Corona, Jaime Melendez, and Jimmy Endersby for him?

 

HE gave up 11 runs the other day in his rookie league start, which is quite frankly amazing. That's an interesting fall from grace

 

I highly doubt the Jays are going to give up on him anytime soon, but even in his current condition I think he has quite a bit of value. Swap Endersby for Arrighetti and assume the Jays are lying about what they think about him and you're probably close.