Nothing wrong with trading them for minor leaguers. Lots of teams can use MLB-level cheap talent just to make the fans happy and the games competitive (not trusting the process, or not ready for the process). If Kemp could play CF and 2B well...damn, then that's a guy you hang on to and make roster room for. They're really not alike at all this offseason, or moving forward.
Hamilton was making good money, which is why he was non-tendered; that he signed for $5M as a free agent shows his value. If you say that White/Kemp/Marisnick are comped with Hamilton then they should actually have quite a bit of value since they are making less money and come with more years of control. To the right team I think White would be worth a solid grade 45 prospect from the 15-20 section of most teams’ prospect lists. Marisnick and Kemp I think are less valuable but still worth a lotto prospect; hell, Josh Fields was traded for Yordan Alvarez!
Their value is in being cheap controllable assets. Hamilton was the same thing until that price got too high for the Reds. Kemp and White don't hit arbitration until 2020. They are basically free in MLB money except now they take up a 25 man roster spot so that limits their value. Marisnick is starting to reach a level where his cost is catching up to his value. His arbitration estimate is 2.4 million. However, he is well liked and is an amazing defender. That will probably keep him around part of next season at the least. In my opinion Billy Hamilton at 5 million was a reach. He is fast and plays defense.... and that's it. He has ONE full season with an OBP over 300. Royals can afford the project. They aren't making any noise this year anyway, and they need a burner to cover that CF in KC.
They probably can reduce their talent a bit and still be division winners, I agree. But by doing so, they have even less chance of advancing beyond the ALDS. They also kinda reward the #1 seed (assuming they are 4th) a easy series. Might be a good idea to have the best AL record come 2019 playoff time. The Indians were around (below?) .500 outside of their division in 2018. If that falls further, remaining competitive will only apply to their woeful division opponents.
I’m not saying the teams are alike, just that their situations are. 2017 aside, the AL Central and West will likely be the 2 least competitive divisions. The AL Central is obviously waiting way worse right now, but both divisions are mostly comprised of rebuilding or retooling teams. The A’s could be competitive again next year, but who knows, and LAA is at least trying. MIN is CLE’s only “threat”, unless CWS jumps out of no where. Yup. Not saying I agree with the strategy, but an interesting one nonetheless.
Depending on what Cleveland does going forward this offseason, the Central could be crappily wide open.
As a division winner, they would be the 3rd seed at worst. Wildcard team is the #4 seed and would play the #1 seed. Similarly, the Astros had an easier road this year as the #2 seed and not having to deal with the Yankees.
I heard a KC beat writer on MLB Sirius today saying that they are willing to part with Whit Merrifield for a young arm. I've had him on my dynasty keeper league for 2 years and the guy can flat out hit. He had a 5.5 WAR last year with a .304 BA, almost 200 hits, 43 doubles and 45 SB along with 16 HRs and 60 something RBI batting lead off or 2nd. He also plays CF along with 2nd base. He is going to be 30 this year and is a FA next. Just throwing that out there wondering who is gonna tell me we would be stupid to trade for him. I enjoy looking stupid vs all of you stat, minor league brains and payroll guys in here and that's not an insult. I really only visit this site for the Astros forum and most of your insight. I've learned a lot from most of you.
He still has 4 years of team control, so that has a ton of value. On the other hand his value as a player is mostly tied to 2B, which he won't be playing here. As an outfielder his offensive numbers are just decent. If he can play CF that would change things. Somebody who can let him play 2nd would likely be willing to give up more than we would to have him play OF.
If he can play CF he can play LF. If Tucker is here we don't need him. If Tucker is not here (SP trade?) then he makes some sense, but he's yet another RH bat in a lineup full of them.
I figured DK's market would be significantly different from what he is asking. I'm sure they're touting his sub-3 ERA in 2017, and Cy Young pedigree...but teams aren't stupid. He's a 31 year old solid middle/great back of the rotation guy.
I think that’s underselling him a bit. He’s certainly not worth $100M (although he may get it). But he’d be a fantastic #3 SP for any contender and a #2 for a lot of teams. He’s very likely to put up at least $60M worth of value over the next 3 seasons. If somebody is able to sign him for less than $70M/4yr, they’re getting a good deal. $100M/5yr, while not a good value, probably won’t be a tremendous albatross; any team that gives him more than that is just stupid.
