Nobody wants to trade JBJ, I'm quite sure. The thinking is that to have any hope of obtaining a pitcher like Sale, we're going to have to give up some cheap controlled proven talent, and JBJ is the most likely candidate.
If it was me, that would be a real last resort. I would rather find some statistical tiebreaker than call it a draw and give it to the better-known guy. It's hard to imagine the stats being a perfect wash.
The best players in baseball can add about 10 wins to their team's record. That still only makes a 65 win team a 75 win team. One guy alone can't work miracles.
2008 was the year I realized exactly what 'range factor' was. For a while the left side of the infield consisted of two statues - Lugo and Lowell, who I think was playing with a bad hip. There was a very big hole between those two.
I don't have a big problem with awards, but I'm cynical about them. I think the biggest purpose they serve is as a promotional tool for the game.
I say that because there is often controversy about whether the award went to the right player. So you have some players feeling rewarded and others feeling ripped off.
I agree that stat geeks appreciate the human element. But given that the human element is impossible to measure, I'm not sure how stat geeks could do a better job determining who is 'most valuable', if the human element (Papi) is supposed to be factored in.
To the original topic: I am so indifferent about these awards. What they usually do is stir up controversy. This year is no different.
Where was Corey Kluber's wife in all this, by the way?
Here's why I think there's no comparison:
1. Pedro trade - benefitted us for 7 years.
2. V-Tek/Lowe trade - benefitted us for 14 years - or you can knock off a few for Tek's decline.
3. Dodger dump - benefitted us for 1 year, indisputably, but after that it's anyone's guess.
The trade certainly contributed to the ring. Claiming the long term benefits of the trade is the dicey part - especially since we finished last in 2014 and 2015, and guys like Napoli, Victorino and Drew were only good for one year.