23 GM Thread

[petes999]

So, as we prepare for the trade deadline and even McK/Morris coming off 60-day over the next few weeks, thought I would spark the trade discussion. Let's go through the top contenders for who needs what.

First team up - Tampa with 36-15 record. They have hitting out the wazoo. Even Siri is supporting a 140 OPS+. And, people were laughing at them for that trade. I normally wouldn't want to trade with them for how they fleece other teams, including us. Their starters are not bad even with the TJS injuries to Baz and Springs. Glasnow is about ready to come back and Rassmussen was having a fine season. What is bad is their relievers (top to bottom) where Kevin Kelley is one of their better ones right now. They also just added our old Ben Heller but have Armstrong coming back. So, they like how our pitchers have been groomed.

This is where maybe a Civale or Plesac could be very good in their system as an opener/reliever type for several innings. As they have a loaded farm system, finding someone should not be a problem. Yet, their top of system are infielders where we are mostly set. Their 1B, Manzardo is good but a lefty and thus blocked for now by Naylor. And, their top OF in Auer is struggling in AA right now. And, their catchers, Pinto and Hunt are nothing to write home aobut. Keegan who is at A ball but may get a mid-season A+ promotion, is relatively new to catcher and thus may not be high on Guardians d-first list. But, we can alway hope to salvage the Caminero trade and get him back. Or, on that note, a Naylor for Diaz trade would balance both of our line-ups better L/R but you know Rays wouldn't do that.

Thoughts??? At first, it looked promising with need for relievers, but I don't think adding one of their MIFs is what we need. First name that pops up that I would look at is their power lefty Montgomery - who I would take if the Please take Plesac (but doesn't line up on BTV - Plesav 5 vs Montgomery 8.9). So maybe settle for Brock Jones another lefty OF that Guards like so well.

 

[petes999]

Next best team is Baltimore Orioles at 32-17 (a team is on the rise). As someone said, Bieber would be the perfect piece for them as their other vet pitcher is Kyle Gibson. If they do the playoffs (as they are on track on), they will need an Ace. Bieber isn't quite what they want, but a solid #2 if one of their younger guys steps up like Rodriquez. They are also probably looking for an OF/SS but with Cowser and Westburg getting close, they can fiddle around with plug holes that way (and Ortiz may take over the SS role too).

From them - I would look at Bassalo. Still under radar a bit and bit young but a really good bat at A ball this year and a cannon arm. Will need time to figure out the rest though. With Bieber there, Hall becomes available but with his walk rate (hair under 3:1 but 17 walks out of 32 innings, it is a Hentges type floor but how high of an upside is there? I would love Cowser but another lefty bat and they may want to keep him. Kjerstand would be a great 2 or 3rd piece but not the center piece. Holliday would be too much and not really a position of need for us. And, our extras like Rosario are not of interest to them to sweeten the pot for him. Yet, they may want a reliever -- maybe a Plesac or Civale again.

And, if we trade Bieber are we going after a Santander or Hays??? Probably not. Mountcastle is a nice young 1B but then you got to get ride of Bell. But, again not a center piece with 1.6 WAR last year and 0.1 WAR so far this year.

 

[Gson]

Next best team is Baltimore Orioles at 32-17 (a team is on the rise). As someone said, Bieber would be the perfect piece for them as their other vet pitcher is Kyle Gibson. If they do the playoffs (as they are on track on), they will need an Ace. Bieber isn't quite what they want, but a solid #2 if one of their younger guys steps up like Rodriquez. They are also probably looking for an OF/SS but with Cowser and Westburg getting close, they can fiddle around with plug holes that way (and Ortiz may take over the SS role too).

From them - I would look at Bassalo. Still under radar a bit and bit young but a really good bat at A ball this year and a cannon arm. Will need time to figure out the rest though. With Bieber there, Hall becomes available but with his walk rate (hair under 3:1 but 17 walks out of 32 innings, it is a Hentges type floor but how high of an upside is there? I would love Cowser but another lefty bat and they may want to keep him. Kjerstand would be a great 2 or 3rd piece but not the center piece. Holliday would be too much and not really a position of need for us. And, our extras like Rosario are not of interest to them to sweeten the pot for him. Yet, they may want a reliever -- maybe a Plesac or Civale again.

And, if we trade Bieber are we going after a Santander or Hays??? Probably not. Mountcastle is a nice young 1B but then you got to get ride of Bell. But, again not a center piece with 1.6 WAR last year and 0.1 WAR so far this year.

reply to both Tampa and Baltimore...

Tampa has some interesting prospects that could be considered.. Cole Wilcox, when available for the draft was very highly rated and had all the tools and pedigrees you'd want from a high end TOR SP candidate.. (btw.. he went to SD & like so many SD prospects, only stayed long enough to have a uniform measured before he was traded).. Otherwise.. it's been a good practice to stay away from the Rays in trades.. No reason to change that tact, now...

Baltimore's catching situation is pretty much a roadblock for a guy like Basallo. Adley is there for the duration.. and that's six plus years.. Basallo is in a situation that portends little chance at making it to the ML's (blocked both at C and at 1B with the O's) but has the kind of profile that says.. make a deal for him... The Guardians have a number of "tweener/opener" types that might be of interest to the O's: Guardian spot starter or relievers: Eli Morgan, Zach Plesac, Hunter Gaddis and others..

Good posting(s)...

 

[Mott the Hoople]

reply to both Tampa and Baltimore...

Tampa has some interesting prospects that could be considered.. Cole Wilcox, when available for the draft was very highly rated and had all the tools and pedigrees you'd want from a high end TOR SP candidate.. (btw.. he went to SD & like so many SD prospects, only stayed long enough to have a uniform measured before he was traded).. Otherwise.. it's been a good practice to stay away from the Rays in trades.. No reason to change that tact, now...

Baltimore's catching situation is pretty much a roadblock for a guy like Basallo. Adley is there for the duration.. and that's six plus years.. Basallo is in a situation that portends little chance at making it to the ML's (blocked both at C and at 1B with the O's) but has the kind of profile that says.. make a deal for him... The Guardians have a number of "tweener/opener" types that might be of interest to the O's: Guardian spot starter or relievers: Eli Morgan, Zach Plesac, Hunter Gaddis and others..

Good posting(s)...

Basallo is an interesting guy. But he's still an 18-year-old lottery ticket. If I had to target a guy in the O's system, I like OF Colton Cowser. Of course, the price would be much higher, but we have plenty of ammunition.

 

[Gson]

Basallo is an interesting guy. But he's still an 18-year-old lottery ticket. If I had to target a guy in the O's system, I like OF Colton Cowser. Of course, the price would be much higher, but we have plenty of ammunition.

well.. name the ammunition you'd use and then everyone can like/dislike the proposed deal (well, not everyone.. we all know who won't like whatever the proposed deal is).... Cowboy or k-Jer.. both fit the corner OF'er need.. no?

 

[CDAV45]

Next best team is Baltimore Orioles at 32-17 (a team is on the rise). As someone said, Bieber would be the perfect piece for them as their other vet pitcher is Kyle Gibson. If they do the playoffs (as they are on track on), they will need an Ace. Bieber isn't quite what they want, but a solid #2 if one of their younger guys steps up like Rodriquez. They are also probably looking for an OF/SS but with Cowser and Westburg getting close, they can fiddle around with plug holes that way (and Ortiz may take over the SS role too).

From them - I would look at Bassalo. Still under radar a bit and bit young but a really good bat at A ball this year and a cannon arm. Will need time to figure out the rest though. With Bieber there, Hall becomes available but with his walk rate (hair under 3:1 but 17 walks out of 32 innings, it is a Hentges type floor but how high of an upside is there? I would love Cowser but another lefty bat and they may want to keep him. Kjerstand would be a great 2 or 3rd piece but not the center piece. Holliday would be too much and not really a position of need for us. And, our extras like Rosario are not of interest to them to sweeten the pot for him. Yet, they may want a reliever -- maybe a Plesac or Civale again.

And, if we trade Bieber are we going after a Santander or Hays??? Probably not. Mountcastle is a nice young 1B but then you got to get ride of Bell. But, again not a center piece with 1.6 WAR last year and 0.1 WAR so far this year.

Someone sure did say Bieber would be the perfect piece for them and what they have fits our needs nicely. Give me Bradish, Cowser and Westburg and they can have Bieber. I'd be perfectly fine with giving them another piece that isn't detrimental to Cleveland's future contention starting next season as well.

If you don't like Bradish like I do then ask about Hall. Either way it's a return that would be hard to beat. Both Westburg and Cowser are ready and would take over our corner OF's. Both are good athletes and have the type of bats this team needs.

If I'm the O's in the midst of a playoff run I'm hanging onto Hays. He's a rock in that lineup.

We have other resources to deal for a more advanced C and I'm avoiding Tampa.

 

[petes999]

Someone sure did say Bieber would be the perfect piece for them and what they have fits our needs nicely. Give me Bradish, Cowser and Westburg and they can have Bieber. I'd be perfectly fine with giving them another piece that isn't detrimental to Cleveland's future contention starting next season as well.

If you don't like Bradish like I do then ask about Hall. Either way it's a return that would be hard to beat. Both Westburg and Cowser are ready and would take over our corner OF's. Both are good athletes and have the type of bats this team needs.

If I'm the O's in the midst of a playoff run I'm hanging onto Hays. He's a rock in that lineup.

We have other resources to deal for a more advanced C and I'm avoiding Tampa.

Wouldn't mind Bradish and with Means coming back from TJS mid-Summer, they may around then be more inclined to give up their young MLB pitching. But, I wouldn't really call Westburg an OFer as he has only played there a few games but would assume you just want that power bat which I get.

As for catching, I would like someone in that A+ to AA range as well, but I think it will be harder than what you imply. But, we will see. Just thought Bassalo would be just a hair above Lopez and Mejia (who is losing time now due to injury) and would thus be okay as a 3rd piece before he gained more value.

 

[petes999]

Okay, so let's look at the next two teams Texas and Atlanta.

Texas doesn't have too many holes other than LF for Grossman and their relief pitchers. They are relying on Leon as their back-up catcher over Huff but Garver should be coming back any day now. Yet, it also tells you about Huff as a reliable back-up catcher as he is still down in AAA. Don't know if their CF Taveras will continue his career year in CF (.300 BA) but being a switch hitter, not like we can pull a Brennan for one of their top pitching prospects either.

They do have some pitching (lieter, rocker, and Porter) but for Plesac??? Their mid-range OF is Zavala, Harris, Morrobel and Guttierez (mostly lefties other than Harris) and struggling a bit so far this year. With no catching depth either other than Huff, other than buying low on Rocker, I don't know if they are the best match for us (as biggest need is relievers that is usually a plenty in July). I would do Porter for Civale but I doubt they would.

For Atlanta, you can take them out of the Rosario sweepstakes with Arcia having a career year. The only weakness really is with CF and Harris (like they would want Straw to update that .169 BA). They also have a hit-and-miss bullpen (15th in ERA but 7th in FG reliever WAR). And, with a bunch of pitching on the DL, their staff can be reinforced soon (and take a starter like we would propose in trading Civale and Plesac for them to put in the pen). With their minor league strength being pitching, they are also not a really good fit for us. Baldwin is the only little piece as an A+ catcher that peaks some interest as a defensive first catcher but hitting has been hit and miss. With Lavastida having a bit of resurgence in AA (at an older age than I prefer though), I don't think this is the right fit either to force a trade. Plus with Travis age, he would be a good back up for them in 2-3 years.

 

[petes999]

Just because I want a trade to happen, as others suggested Dodgers could be a good mix. Yet, Rosario is probably off the table unless he starts to heat up soon. Their relievers could definitely use an upgrade (23rd in ERA but 11th in FG War -- shows how going into a game with big lead and not blow it counts more than blowing a closer game like us that costs WAR). Also they will be looking for OF help as Outman has started to slip from his hot start (part due to an unlucky BABip) - so has he been figured out? Yet, either way, Peralta and Hayward could be upgraded.

Even though, I don't think they would say no to Bieber trade talks, they will neither go overboard (yet) as some of their rookies are pretty good to (like our Bibee and Allen). And, with Buehler may be coming back for the playoff run, they have a stocked pitching staff already with Kershaw, Urias and if they can get back Buehler. Dustin May will be dependent if a PRP shot avoids surgery on forearm strain. If healthy, Bieber is probably not in the conversation. Yet, they are neither always healthy either which will depend on May.

Of course if they need to trade for Bieber, you can pull good talent from them. However, if it is just a reliever in Civale or Plesac who can fill in as a starter, the talent diminishes of course. I wanted Rushing last year but probably out of the range of a reliever trade. Same as Pages for a right handed power hitter (just got promoted to AAA to with more doubles this year and only 3 HRs so far). And, after Rushing, there isn't really a good fit for us at catcher (Fernandez is a fringe defensive catcher at A+ that can hit while Galiz would be an interesting piece at A ball but not much further ahead of Lopez and Mejia). DeLuca would also be an interesting piece to a trade as a relatively cheap - potential power RH OF bat with speed.

 

[CDAV45]

Wouldn't mind Bradish and with Means coming back from TJS mid-Summer, they may around then be more inclined to give up their young MLB pitching. But, I wouldn't really call Westburg an OFer as he has only played there a few games but would assume you just want that power bat which I get.

As for catching, I would like someone in that A+ to AA range as well, but I think it will be harder than what you imply. But, we will see. Just thought Bassalo would be just a hair above Lopez and Mejia (who is losing time now due to injury) and would thus be okay as a 3rd piece before he gained more value.

They've been working with Westburg in the OF in order to get his bat in the lineup. There are more ways to get reps than just playing games. You can expect a similar or better transition for him as it has been for Arias. I'd say Gabriel has done a damn good job and there is time for Westburg to get acclimated. Westburg's bat likely helps us immediately. He's a very well rounded player. If you made me choose between Cowser and Westburg I'm taking the latter, but I'd be ecstatic getting both.

Bradish has the potential to be very damn good. What better organization to get the most out of a pitcher's abilities than our very own?

We took 3 catchers in last year's international draft. If they deal for a C it should be in the upper levels IMO. I'd target someone like Quero who is in the Angel's system and they need SP. Rushing would be a good target as well.

 

[petes999]

They've been working with Westburg in the OF in order to get his bat in the lineup. There are more ways to get reps than just playing games. You can expect a similar or better transition for him as it has been for Arias. I'd say Gabriel has done a damn good job and there is time for Westburg to get acclimated. Westburg's bat likely helps us immediately. He's a very well rounded player. If you made me choose between Cowser and Westburg I'm taking the latter, but I'd be ecstatic getting both.

Bradish has the potential to be very damn good. What better organization to get the most out of a pitcher's abilities than our very own?

We took 3 catchers in last year's international draft. If they deal for a C it should be in the upper levels IMO. I'd target someone like Quero who is in the Angel's system and they need SP. Rushing would be a good target as well.

I am fine with Westburg (as I didn't realize that was the transition plan), but at same time I am fine if they try to convert Freeman (who was going to play RF in Columbus) - thus on a similar transition but maybe not the arm -- nor the power -- that you want. Yet, I was thinking Freeman would be that super utility role that Arias is playing now anyways (except 1B) with Rocchio coming up soon.

And, I agree with Quero but haven't seen too many other C that fit our timeline needs too well (but why I am going through this). Rushing from Dodgers would be good (and Cartaya excellent) but I am not sold that Bieber to them which can pry this level of talent away is on the table for LAD (as they sort through their pitching injuries).

 

[PIP]

Delicious

 

[CDAV45]

I am fine with Westburg (as I didn't realize that was the transition plan), but at same time I am fine if they try to convert Freeman (who was going to play RF in Columbus) - thus on a similar transition but maybe not the arm -- nor the power -- that you want. Yet, I was thinking Freeman would be that super utility role that Arias is playing now anyways (except 1B) with Rocchio coming up soon.

And, I agree with Quero but haven't seen too many other C that fit our timeline needs too well (but why I am going through this). Rushing from Dodgers would be good (and Cartaya excellent) but I am not sold that Bieber to them which can pry this level of talent away is on the table for LAD (as they sort through their pitching injuries).

Why would you want to put Freeman in RF? His arm is questionable for LF and he has no power.

If Rocchio is coming up soon it's probably to be the SS with Arias remaining in RF which I'm not sure I'm a fan of. I've watched them both play a lot and by my witness Arias is the better SS. Anyway, Freeman would then be the utility as you're suggesting. Personally, I would look to use Freeman and Brennan in trade. They are 2 very nice, young ML players. One would think that there has to be a team or 3 out there that would like to acquire a player like that, but who in the hell actually knows. Who needs a good 2B and a good CFer?

It's hard to say what any team is willing to give. Values are determined in house and neither the pundits nor us are privy to that inside information.

 

[CDAV45]

Just because I want a trade to happen, as others suggested Dodgers could be a good mix. Yet, Rosario is probably off the table unless he starts to heat up soon. Their relievers could definitely use an upgrade (23rd in ERA but 11th in FG War -- shows how going into a game with big lead and not blow it counts more than blowing a closer game like us that costs WAR). Also they will be looking for OF help as Outman has started to slip from his hot start (part due to an unlucky BABip) - so has he been figured out? Yet, either way, Peralta and Hayward could be upgraded.

Even though, I don't think they would say no to Bieber trade talks, they will neither go overboard (yet) as some of their rookies are pretty good to (like our Bibee and Allen). And, with Buehler may be coming back for the playoff run, they have a stocked pitching staff already with Kershaw, Urias and if they can get back Buehler. Dustin May will be dependent if a PRP shot avoids surgery on forearm strain. If healthy, Bieber is probably not in the conversation. Yet, they are neither always healthy either which will depend on May.

Of course if they need to trade for Bieber, you can pull good talent from them. However, if it is just a reliever in Civale or Plesac who can fill in as a starter, the talent diminishes of course. I wanted Rushing last year but probably out of the range of a reliever trade. Same as Pages for a right handed power hitter (just got promoted to AAA to with more doubles this year and only 3 HRs so far). And, after Rushing, there isn't really a good fit for us at catcher (Fernandez is a fringe defensive catcher at A+ that can hit while Galiz would be an interesting piece at A ball but not much further ahead of Lopez and Mejia). DeLuca would also be an interesting piece to a trade as a relatively cheap - potential power RH OF bat with speed.

What did we give for Miller? A good prospect is not out of the question for a RP. It depends on the RP.

How ironic would it be if all of Bieber, Quantrill and Civale were dealt and Plesac kept. Kind of makes me chuckle, but he the most easily dumped when one of the kids are ready to replace him. Maybe he pitches well and creates some value. I'm not suggesting this is what they do, it was just a funny, random thought.

 

[Gson]

I am fine ...I agree with Quero but haven't seen too many other C that fit ....

jeferson or edgar? either/or.. both?