2016 Trade and Roster Move Speculation thread

[Dojji]

Figured it would be a good time to set one of these things up, just to provide people one place for all the crazy trade ideas that are going to start flying around here as the weather heats up. Wouldn't be a baseball forum without some crazy trade notions.

 

If I could request one additional ground rule for this thread -- please don't ridicule anyone else's trade suggestions beyond some variant of "that is improbable." People are going to get caught up in an idea beyond the point of reason and need to get it off their chest sometimes, that's one of the reasons I want this outlet to exist. We all get the mad trade theory bug from time to time so be gentle when it's someone else's turn, alright?

 

Well with that said, I'm'a kick things off with this suggestion.

 

To the Giants

 

Marco Hernandez

Brian Johnson

 

to the Red Sox

 

Gregor Blanco

 

I think Blanco would be a great fit for the organization. his offense appears limited but what he does have is geared towards OBP and speed, which are two strengths the organization seems to value at the moment, he could take over the table setting job or just provide some additional speed to the lower part of the lineup, and he plays 3 outfield positions. He wouldn't be an ideal starting LF, but he's been good enough to take regular playing time in San Fran, so he's worth taking a risk on to expand our roster depth. Grabbing Blanco would allow Holt to go back to the all important supersub role as well, which would be a nice plus.

 

As for what we're sending the other way, Johnson and Hernandez are both valuable pieces that I feel we can spare, that I also feel the Giants would be intrigued by. Everyone can use a young utility infielder who's hit well in the upper minors, heck that's pretty much where Brock Holt came from, and Hernandez is blocked here. And I feel our rotation has the depth to allow us to part with Johnson who has some command concerns, while I feel the Giants would be interested in adding to their LHSP depth. I think though that that trade would be a decent fit giving both sides something they want.

[Palodios]

My bet is still on Andrew Cashner for middling prospects like a Brentz/Coyle type.

 

He produces a lot of groundballs, has some high strikeout numbers this season. He's on the last year of his contract on a last place team. He's had some injury history and a meh start to the season, so he could be a good get for a somewhat low cost.

 

Julio Tehran would also be awesome, but he's going to cost way more than a back-end starter should.

[Dojji]

I'd like to point out that Coyle and Brentz in particular have no value at all.

 

Also... umm.. how can I put this? i feel we can do better than Cashner, who's putting up below average numbers in San Diego. When healthy, which if Price, Eddie, Wright, Porcello and Buchholz are you going to replace with Cashner?

 

I feel that this trade is improbable.

[Palodios]

I'd like to point out that Coyle and Brentz in particular have no value at all.

 

Also... umm.. how can I put this? i feel we can do better than Cashner, who's putting up below average numbers in San Diego. When healthy, which if Price, Eddie, Wright, Porcello and Buchholz are you going to replace with Cashner?

 

I feel that this trade is improbable.

 

We can throw in better middling prospects, players with low ceilings and somewhat high floors. I am worried about this team's starting pitching depth.

 

Buchholz is one bad night sleep away from the DL, and Owens/Kelly haven't looked like MLB pitchers. After Johnson, who replaces the next injury?

[Dojji]

the problem is cashner is kind of the worst of both worlds right now. He's pitching poorly, but used to pitch very very well so a team would ask for more based on that.

 

Also the fact is that Cashner is a guy who gives up a lot of baserunners and a lot of base hits, that's a poor fit for a smaller park like Fenway that can turn those hits into doubles more easily than anywhere else.

 

I do agree that we could use an additional starter. I do feel we should look for someone else however.

 

How about Jorge de la Rosa? He's off to an execrable start in Colorado this year but he's been above average each of the previous 3 years, he might be a good guy to take a chance on.

Edited May 7, 2016 by Dojji

[Station 13]

You want to give Johnson for a 30+ journeyman? This team is loaded with OF, including Benintendi who could be knocking on the doors very soon.

Get a real LF and not play some half-assed product there instead.

[Dojji]

Believe it or not, Blanco is an above average offensive player. Kinda puts Holt's performance in LF in a new light doesn't it?

 

Brian Johnson is nothing special. dime a dozen LHSP with control issues.

[Station 13]

Believe it or not, Blanco is an above average offensive player. Kinda puts Holt's performance in LF in a new light doesn't it?

 

Brian Johnson is nothing special. dime a dozen LHSP with control issues.

 

Someone who has a 97OPS+ career is not even average. If you talk about his recent years, it's still awful for a corner OF.

[moonslav59]

My bet is still on Andrew Cashner for middling prospects like a Brentz/Coyle type.

 

He produces a lot of groundballs, has some high strikeout numbers this season. He's on the last year of his contract on a last place team. He's had some injury history and a meh start to the season, so he could be a good get for a somewhat low cost.

 

Julio Tehran would also be awesome, but he's going to cost way more than a back-end starter should.

 

Brentz and Coyle are DFA candidates.

[moonslav59]

I'd offer Swihart, Holt, Devers and two from Johnson, Owens, Kopech and TBall for Kluber.

[Dojji]

I doubt Kluber is available, he's under contract to a poor team at a very affordable rate for 5 more years, that's too much control to walk away from without a mammoth offer.

[harmony]

Gregor Blanco will be a free agent at the end of the season. I doubt a few months of the 33-year-old outfielder has much trade value. I'm not a huge fan of Marco Hernandez and Brian Johnson but I would not trade both for Blanco.

[moonslav59]

I doubt Kluber is available, he's under contract to a poor team at a very affordable rate for 5 more years, that's too much control to walk away from without a mammoth offer.

 

Yeah, they'd insist on a Benintendi or Moncada addition. How about adding Kelly to my original offer.

I'd hate to add JBJ, but I think that's who Cleveland wanted last winter.

[Station 13]

Shields is someone the Padres are looking to get rid off. I wonder if they take Owens/Johnson+, and expect the Red Sox to pay for that contract.

[harmony]

Yeah, they'd insist on a Benintendi or Moncada addition. How about adding Kelly to my original offer.

I'd hate to add JBJ, but I think that's who Cleveland wanted last winter.

A Cleveland club that many expect to advance to the postseason is highly unlikely to trade its ace (especially with the recent injury to Carlos Carrasco):

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/coolstandings.aspx

[southpaw777]

Honestly, besides needing a little pitching depth, right now I think were doing ok. They are seeing how Swihart does in LF. From all reports hes very natural out there. Probably because OF was his main position in HS. They have Benintendi, who should be in Portland any day now. Making a trade involving JBJ now that his bat has woken up some could be a reality. Come to think of it, involving Swihart could be as well seeing that BOTH have someone to step right in, swihart more than JBJ for the time being until Benni is ready...

Come the trade deadline or by the end of June im sure we will have a very clear idea of what we need to make a playoff run.

[moonslav59]

I've been saying for years that we should get our young players some reps at new positions that are more likely not blocked, but I have to wonder if Swihart's trade value as a catcher is greater than his value to us in LF.

[StephenCurry30]

I would imagine with the lack of good catcher in baseball, especially ones that can hit, Swihart would definitely have more value in trade then playing LF for us. Is Swiharts bat really that much better than Holt? I doubt it.

 

Also, I wouldn't trade JBJ, now that he's finally hitting, we trade him? Why?

[S5Dewey]

I would imagine with the lack of good catcher in baseball, especially ones that can hit, Swihart would definitely have more value in trade then playing LF for us. Is Swiharts bat really that much better than Holt? I doubt it.

 

Also, I wouldn't trade JBJ, now that he's finally hitting, we trade him? Why?

 

I'm with you. If some other team had a young GG caliber CF who was hitting .277/.838 we'd be salivating if we had a chance to get him. Now some folks want to trade him? If they want to trade someone who's good why not Bogaerts? Why not Mookie? Why not Vazquez? These are four guys you build teams around. It makes as much sense to trade one of them as it does to trade JBJ.

[Jasonbay44]

I remember when everyone wanted to dump JBJ for nothing when his value was at an all time low. Good times. I wouldn't trade JBJ, I value his defense very highly and he has really come along with the bat. He is great fielder/base runner, and now that he's hitting his value to this team is awesome. I've always wanted to keep JBJ for his glove and now that he's finally come around with the bat, I want him to stay even more.

[S5Dewey]

I remember when everyone wanted to dump JBJ for nothing when his value was at an all time low. Good times. I wouldn't trade JBJ, I value his defense very highly and he has really come along with the bat. He is great fielder/base runner, and now that he's hitting his value to this team is awesome. I've always wanted to keep JBJ for his glove and now that he's finally come around with the bat, I want him to stay even more.

 

The thing about a great defensive player is that you don't realize how good he is until he's gone, and even then you can't quantify it.

[moonslav59]

I always had faith that JBJ would at least become an average offensive CF'er. I expected him to eventually be better than average, and I hope that this year is the year to show plus offense.

With his defense, that makes him a huge plus.

The fact that other GMs were asking for him shows just how most GMs look beyond recent BA when placing value on players. Some posters should take note.

[cp176]

I would imagine with the lack of good catcher in baseball, especially ones that can hit, Swihart would definitely have more value in trade then playing LF for us. Is Swiharts bat really that much better than Holt? I doubt it.

 

Also, I wouldn't trade JBJ, now that he's finally hitting, we trade him? Why?

 

 

it's possible that JBJ is going to be "that" player that made letting Jacoby slide on down the line easy to do. Like many others he looked like a can't miss prospect just yesterday. He is just 26. I would not like to see him traded at all. Swihart's value is behind the plate if he learns what needs to be learned. I think that there still is a real question as to whether or not he will be the hitter that he is projected to be. No way his bat is better than Holt's right now. No rush to trade anyone for anybody right now but he still appears to have some trade value.

[southpaw777]

I've been saying for years that we should get our young players some reps at new positions that are more likely not blocked, but I have to wonder if Swihart's trade value as a catcher is greater than his value to us in LF.

 

Of course his value is as a catcher with his potential with the bat. His D still needs a bunch of work, but I believe he can become a solid all around catcher. If his OPS in LF is north of 800 id be happy. First Id like to see his bat wake up a bit in AAA before bringing him back up...but yes, bottom line is his trade value is as a catcher, no doubt.

[sk7326]

I've been saying for years that we should get our young players some reps at new positions that are more likely not blocked, but I have to wonder if Swihart's trade value as a catcher is greater than his value to us in LF.

 

They do. Ultimately positions block or unblock themselves. His value as a catcher >> that as a LF - this is pretty obvious.

[billge]

So now that JBJ is getting to where we want him, we should trade him ? I guess in that case we could trade most of the lineup and start working with a new set of kids.

[southpaw777]

So now that JBJ is getting to where we want him, we should trade him ? I guess in that case we could trade most of the lineup and start working with a new set of kids.

 

I dont think that its we should trade JBJ but rather we COULD now because his value is rising. In both Swihart and JBJ we do have some depth, with JBJ being the safer of the two for now since Benni is about to make the move to AA and Vaz is already here. Although I could see Benintendi here as a Sept call up or even sooner ala Mookie Betts.

Personally, i always thought JBJ would be at least good enough offensively to warrant him a starting job, just like Vaz. I value catcher D more than any other position, and for many obvious reasons, but I think JBJ's offense will improve more than I once thought. Makes it tough to move him unless what is coming back is well worth it, ie; A Chris Sale or any TOTR type guy under some control. Thats really the biggest need moving forward with this team.

[mvp 78]

I dont think that its we should trade JBJ but rather we COULD now because his value is rising. In both Swihart and JBJ we do have some depth, with JBJ being the safer of the two for now since Benni is about to make the move to AA and Vaz is already here. Although I could see Benintendi here as a Sept call up or even sooner ala Mookie Betts.

Personally, i always thought JBJ would be at least good enough offensively to warrant him a starting job, just like Vaz. I value catcher D more than any other position, and for many obvious reasons, but I think JBJ's offense will improve more than I once thought. Makes it tough to move him unless what is coming back is well worth it, ie; A Chris Sale or any TOTR type guy under some control. Thats really the biggest need moving forward with this team.

 

Betts started that year in AA. Benintendi is still in A right now. He's not playing in Boston this year. No chance.

[Kingface]

I've been saying for years that we should get our young players some reps at new positions that are more likely not blocked, but I have to wonder if Swihart's trade value as a catcher is greater than his value to us in LF.

 

Agree 150%!!!!!! Moncada will probably not ever be our 2B. Pedey has it for awhile.....and after that I seriously would not be shocked if Betts is moved back there. Moncada needs to get reps in the OF where he'll probably be used. Same goes for Devers. I could see Devers sticking at 3B more than Moncada at 2B though.

 

Obviously I agree on Swihart. I really do not see a spot for him on this team. Great kid....great work ethic and solid player....but what we NEED is NOT converted catcher LF'r. Right now I consider him trade bait......and his biggest value is at catcher.

[billge]

agree