I don't think the 'centerpiece' of the deal would be some cash throw in? I'm almost certain that you're wrong and it will be some C level prospect.
No faith in the man who pulled off the Lowrie and Weiland for Melancon trade just a few short months ago. He's in 2008 Daryl Morey mode, the element of surprise.
I am not trying to be "right" about anything, just wondering about the discretion in details. In the end, it was an insignificant trade that cost us a 4th outfielder and defensive catcher for a prospect and something else. I am a big Luhnow fan so I am not worried what the "something" else is. I am merely wondering about the possibility of that "key centerpiece" being an expensive tablelamp or really nice riding lawnmower....which would be pretty funny. Forgive me for not aimlessly wondering which 2011 KC draft pick it is.
I love this trade even if the PTBNL isn't anything special. Having a catcher like Q on your team is a luxury if you are close to being a contender or have a really, really young pitching staff. The Astros don't fit either of those profiles. If some of the kids on the Royals roster start to blossom this season, they might find themselves in the race and a veteran, defensive-minded catcher like Q will help. Bourgeois is a really nice player because he has plus plus speed and can play multiple positions, but he is no longer a prospect. He is what he is and that's a role player you can spot start, but not really someone you want to be playing full-time. Again, for a team like the Royals that might sneak their way into playoff contention, having a late-inning pinch-runner or a guy that you can slip in as a defensive replacement in a few places is an asset.
Hit submit too early...finishing that thought....Chapman is a hard-throwing lefty that is still young enough to have some room to grow. I could see him being a bullpen piece when things get turned around. And if the PTBNL is anyone that has a shot at making a big league roster in the next several years, Lunhow really pulled one off.
There's usually a reason for a PTBNL being included, as opposed to just naming the player. During the trade deadline, often it's due to 2 clubs who can't quite close terms on a deal (need more scouting time, etc.) but are close enough where they want to get the deal done. The most likely reason, in this case, is that draft picks aren't allowed to be traded within their first year of signing. That's why people are speculating about 2011 KC draft picks. It's far more likely than your "humorous surprise" scenario, which you've now posted 3 times.
Any update on the potential player we may get back to finish the Bourgeois & Quintero trade? Sorry if already posted.
It's definitely looking that way. D'Andre Toney would be my guess. Darn, I thought Dayton Moore was going to have a mental lapse and end would end up making Cheslor Cuthbert the PTBNL.
Good call <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Trade completed: Astros acquire OF D’Andre Toney from Royals as player to be named in the 3/20 trade that sent Bourgeois and Quintero to KC.</p>— Alyson Footer (@alysonfooter) <a href="https://twitter.com/alysonfooter/status/211834402978799616" data-datetime="2012-06-10T14:57:12+00:00">June 10, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Toney, 20, had been at Extended Spring Training. He hit .340 with 12 2b, 5 3b, 5 HR, 29 RBI & a .432 OBP in 43 games last year w/AZL Royals.</p>— Alyson Footer (@alysonfooter) <a href="https://twitter.com/alysonfooter/status/211835493103566849" data-datetime="2012-06-10T15:01:31+00:00">June 10, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> He was their 14th rounder last year.
http://royalrevival.blogspot.com/2012/01/prospect-countdown-30-dandre-toney.html [rquoter]D'Andre Toney was drafted a year and a half ago in the 33rd round by the artist formerly known as the Florida Marlins. However, after not receiving an offer that he believed was up to snuff, Toney elected to accept a baseball scholarship to Gulf Coast Community College. By pursuing the junior college route for the 2011 season, Toney was able to reenter the draft. Fortunately for the Royals, this decision enabled them to select Toney in the 14th round. At Gulf Coast Community College Toney played alongside Terrance Gore, who came in at #31 on the Royal Revival Prospect Countdown. After the pair were drafted they were both assigned to the hitter friendly Arizona League. There the two's batting lines were extremely similar. (Gore: .340/447/.404). Of course the major difference between the two is that unlike Gore, Toney displayed a good amount of pop in his bat in his first professional stop. This was evident in Toney's significantly higher ISO of .247 (league average: .131). Also, while a huge percentage of Gore's hits came off ground balls, Toney obtained success in a different manner. Toney's groundball percentage was less than half of the percentage Gore posted, while his line drive percentage came in at 15.4% (league average: 14%) and flyball percentage came in at 37.4% (league average: 29.4%). Thanks in large part to Toney's quick success with the bat, Toney is already garnering some greater attention. Hipster prospect guru Kevin Goldstein even labeled Toney as his sleeper prospect for the Royals system, citing his tools, average power potential, and plus speed as notches in Toney's belt. In addition to Goldstein's scouting report Toney is said to have a plus arm. Thanks to Toney's toolshed, I've seen him comped to Mike Cameron and even Ron Gant. Toney is just one of the toolsy outfield prospects that the Royals have compiled in the lower levels. If there is a spot in Kane County, then the Chicago suburb will likely be his 2012 destination. However, if the Royals decide to take it slow with him I expect to see him in Burlington, NC. This would be the same path that the Royals took with Michael Antonio.[/rquoter]
I'll answer that. I'd place him in the 15-20 range including 2012 draftees who are likely to sign. He might slip into the back end of the top 15 without 2012 draftees in the mix.