The A's have made it clear.. they're looking for at least three young ML'ers.. In lieu of three of the best you have.. they'd take four..with the additional one being an overall top 100 type..
The trade structure is important, not only for the affirmative acquisition of Sean Murphy, but, also, the protection of the guys that will remain as they are crucial to the future of the Guardians over the next one to five years. The CleFO has set values on every player.. some are essentially worthless.. other are so cost prohibitive to the acquiring team as to make them virtually untouchable. Each Team/Organization has these "darlings" For the Guardians, that list is five players long.. with three added that would have to be extremely painful to the acquiring team is they're included in the deal..
Virtual Untouchables: Espino, Valera, Williams, Bo Naylor and Chase DeLauter..
Painfully Included: Rocchio, Bibee and Allen
Some ground rules and an absolute resolution to adhere:
-Unless it's a "one for one" of the Virtual's.. no deal..
<this will probably kill the negotiation>
Those five guys include the two best OF prospects this club has had in more than a decade.. I'd rather go into the 2023 season and beyond with Lavastida as the back up than allow either one of those two outfielders leave for a 3 season control of a catcher.. The Indians were a juggernaut in the 1990's because of the presence of Belle, Lofton and Manny (Giles, Sexton, Justice and Grissom to a less extent) patrolling the OF and providing power at the plate.. A return to that with the pitching the Guardians are developing will make the 'big spenders' wasteful..
..but that's just me.. Thoughts?..