2022 Hot Stove

[Gson]

Wouldn't
Seeing as he is only 1 year younger than Amed but very uncertain, I think the Sox have to add something. Would be better off finding a different trade, as quality should matter more in return for Amed than quantity, seeing as the farm system is loaded and the 40-man is bursting at the seams.

The different trade should be a defense minded SS (so they can move Xander to 2B).. and that aint Amed.....

 

[sportscoach]

The different trade should be a defense minded SS (so they can move Xander to 2B).. and that aint Amed.....

Durran still makes no sense for the Guardians... I'd rather have Amed in LF/RF than Durran...

 

[Mott the Hoople]

If we have the ammunition to trade for two years of Olson and a rental of Contreras, we have the ammunition to acquire just about any long term acquisition that is reasonably available.

I think we have the the ammunition to acquire either of those players, but probably not both.
Of the two, my choice would be Olson. You would have to have the stomach to make that kind of deal. But Olson is one of the finest 1B around. If we are successful, and make that deal, we have to be prepared to go all in. Because there is no guarantee we can keep him more than 2 years.
While Contreras would be valuable, we have one or two catchers that should be ready in about a year.

 

[CATS44]

The part in bold is the sticking point.
Reasonable for you or me or even the CLE FO might not be a match for the other club involved in the trade. I am not suggesting that CLE should not explore trades (I have every confidence/ belief that the FO is making inquires & having discussions), but I will not scream that it is the end of the world if a trade is not completed.

Don't make a bad deal to just make a deal...

Be prudent and wise..

A bad trade is losing a player/prospect with even a little value for nothing.

Losing Nelson for nothing was a bad trade. Losing Wittgren for nothing was a bad trade, as was Moss. Losing Mejia for next to nothing was a bad trade.

We need to add a vet catcher to the 40 man. If we don't make a trade to clear roster space, we will be losing another player for nothing. We need to add at least three pitchers to the 40 man. Without a trade to clear more spots, we risk losing more players for nothing. If we go into the season with the present outfield candidates, we move backwards.

One third of our 40 man is made up of MIFs, with several more that have to be added next year. That ratio is unsustainable for a team expecting to contend.

Tis better to over pay for roster upgrades than to give value away.

We either move forward or we go backward. Treading water in a current always means going backward.

 

[Gson]

Durran still makes no sense for the Guardians... I'd rather have Amed in LF/RF than Durran...

Amed hasn't played RF/LF.. but he'd be your selection over an experienced OF'er?.. your choice..

 

[CDAV45]

Durran still makes no sense for the Guardians... I'd rather have Amed in LF/RF than Durran...

You know how I feel about Amed playing a corner OF, but I completely agree with you here. I want nothing to do with Durran. They're likely trying to trade him before his value completely tanks.

 

[sportscoach]

Amed hasn't played RF/LF.. but he'd be your selection over an experienced OF'er?.. your choice..

Duran honestly doesn't have a ton of OF experience so it's not like he is a proven defensive OF. His power was never there until this season and the only thing he does better than the OF candidates we have is a plus speed, which Amed already has, so I think in 22, the production of Amed would be greater than the production of Duran... if we were actually rebuilding, you would do the move, but we aren't. We want to compete so we are keeping Amed until we are out of contention in 22...

 

[CATS44]

If you are looking for an under the radar MLB ready corner prospect, Juan Yepez of the Cards is interesting...and somewhat odd.

A RH (which we need more than yet another LHer) corner player who has played all four corners, probably best suited for 1B.

24 yr old dead pull fly ball hitter...27 homers in 2022. He doesn't hit many grounders. His wRC+ was 154 in AAA....and he didn't do it with BABIP. The odd parts are that as his power has increased his K rate has trended down and his walk rate has trended up. Also interesting for a dead pull power hitter is that he has reverse splits.

The Cards are set at all four corners and they also have three other RH corner prospects that are also blocked. There may not be room for any of them, let alone all four.

 

[sportscoach]

If you are looking for an under the radar MLB ready corner prospect, Juan Yepez of the Cards is interesting...and somewhat odd.

A RH (which we need more than yet another LHer) corner player who has played all four corners, probably best suited for 1B.

24 yr old dead pull fly ball hitter...27 homers in 2022. He doesn't hit many grounders. His wRC+ was 154 in AAA....and he didn't do it with BABIP. The odd parts are that as his power has increased his K rate has trended down and his walk rate has trended up. Also interesting for a dead pull power hitter is that he has reverse splits.

The Cards are set at all four corners and they also have three other RH corner prospects that are also blocked. There may not be room for any of them, let alone all four.

The question is what could we get him for then?

 

[Gson]

The question is what could we get him for then?

Yepez is about the same value as Jose Tena.. and probably not a bad trade even if the Cardinals throw in Ali Sanchez with the deal..

 

[CATS44]

Yepez is about the same value as Jose Tena.. and probably not a bad trade even if the Cardinals throw in Ali Sanchez with the deal..

Agreed, but this is what I meant when I said that we may not get the best baseball value for all our prospects.

In a vacuum, I like Tena better than Yepez, but we are talking which one makes for the best overall roster. A RH MLB ready corner bat fits our roster better than the 8-9 ranked MIF prospect that isn't close to getting a shot in Cleveland...and probably never will.

On paper this would be an intelligent move for both teams.

Now, who knows if Yepez can play at the MLB level, but his profile fits our situation to a T.

RH bat capable of playing corner OF plus serve as a backup plan/platoon partner at first.

 

[CDAV45]

I like the idea of Yepez in the same way I like Vientos. Both are blocked and RH mashers. There are your corner OFers and they both have options should they struggle. They both offer some versatility as well. Neither will require "an arm and a leg" which would leave plenty of salary and prospect room to improve C and 1B as well. I'm thinking someone along the lines of Olson for 1B and maybe Campusano or Langliers for C?

 

[CATS44]

Yepez and Vientos are prospects, as are Kwan and Palacios. Vientos isn't even MLB ready yet. Vientos is also a high strike out guy.

Yepez and Vientos are defensively limited.

Thats not the basis for a contenders outfield.

Campusano and Langliers are also prospects, and Langliers is not MLB ready yet.

We already have a 40 man with 24 players that have no or very little MLB experience. We are not gonna add three more.

 

[CDAV45]

Yepez and Vientos are prospects, as are Kwan and Palacios. Vientos isn't even MLB ready yet. Vientos is also a high strike out guy.

Yepez and Vientos are defensively limited.

Thats not the basis for a contenders outfield.

Campusano and Langliers are also prospects, and Langliers is not MLB ready yet.

We already have a 40 man with 24 players that have no or very little MLB experience. We are not gonna add three more.

Vientos also gets on base at a very good clip and can mash the ball. His numbers are quite similar to Yepez's and he's a year younger. I view Kwan as a good 4th OF candidate and late inning defensive replacement. He's also good insurance in the event Straw gets injured. Either way you have the makings of a very potent OF with Yepez, Vientos, and Jones as options. Are they ready? There's only one way to find out

I like Campusano a little better than Langliers, but what do the Padres need?

How do you know "that's not the basis for a contender's outfield"?

Did you not read all of my post? I mentioned using the prospects to upgrade C and 1B. I specifically used Olson and Campusano as examples. Neither of those guys will come cheap and certainly a few prospects on the 40 man will go in those deals. I'm not concerned about the 40 man. If we acquire better players then those on the fringe can just go away for all I care.

 

[sportscoach]

I think I am intrigued with Yepez, cause he is a right handed hitter who seems to work hard plus he can play 1B, 3B and Corner OF... he is limited experience wise in the OF (RF over LF out there).

His numbers in 21 went the right direction and it was a big enough change that you can see the hard work he put in. BB rate went up, SO rate went down at AAA while putting up his LD rate and lowering his GB rate... Thats not something you see very often honestly.

On paper we should be able to get Yepez plus Ali Sanchez for a reasonable price...

I am thinking Tena with two AZL players for Yepez and Sanchez...Reason why two AZL (lotto prospects) is cause they have a log jam in 23 I believe for prospects, so getting a good MIF prospect plus two guys that don't need protected soon should make them better long term on paper...

Then it's likely we cut Zimmer since he is the lefty thats out of options plus we may be able to sneak him through waivers...

@CATS44 @Gson @CDAV45 what do you guys think of that deal?