That's what the TDL is usually comprised of. The biggest position trade last year was Naylor. Most trades look like O'Hearn or Bader, with teams trying to pick up one additional win at a very modest cost. And I don't think a single big name position player was in 2024.
And the backlash from fans expecting Soto, Schwarber and Judge can safely be ignored.
This is what I hate about the 20/20 trade reviews. No team in baseball is ever going to get a player unless they give up a player that might make the pros. Last year, Tibbs projected to 5 HRs and 200 Ks in AA. We have to give up guys like that. It doesn't matter if they do well later. If not, we might as well not pick up the phone.
Most TDL trades don't require top prospects. I think a lot of folks look at the top-100 list, but it is kind of arbitrary. Two top-125 guys are probably a good bit more valuable than the #100 prospect.
You can get modest upgrades for modest prices. Ward shouldn't cost much, and would be a solid upgrade over Duran, currently. And has been pounding LH pitching the past few years. Arraez would be a very good upgrade at 2B. He'll cost more, but not a premium prospect. Steer should be good, multi-position ability, and not cost a premium prospect.
I have plenty of names I'd like to see. I have very few names that I want to grossly overpay for. I wanted Burns, Chandler or Seth Hernandez pre-season, but with the recognition that they weren't being traded unless we gave up half the farm, and maybe not even then. That's just a fact of life.
Same here. I've liked Breslow's previous drafts, but this seemed a bit meh. But the dollars are starting to make sense. FWIW, ESPN had those three guys ranked #51, #57, and #80. If this was FB, that trade-off would be profitable.
He probably doesn't mention him at all. Basically:
"If you even mention Mayer's name, I am hanging up on you. But just for chuckles, what did you have in mind?"
I was looking at his BR page, and it is lit up with bold numbers. Leads MLB in hits, HRs, RBIs, OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+, rOBA, Rbat+, and TB. He's certainly worth a considerable package.
You're probably right on adding an SP. I can see an innings limit. This is part of me wanting some clarity on Crochet. Crochet, Gray, and Suarez is a huge 1-2-3, and I think we can muddle thru on a 4-5.
It depends on whether or not they think Story's abysmal hitting was the result of his injury. He had a .741 last year. If they think he can even supply a .700, they will stick with him, imho.
The rotation is decimated? The RS are #1 in ERA and OPS+ over the past 28 days. Suarez should be back, and hopefully Early. I'm not concerned about our rotation at this point.