23 Comments

I'll put this in both of today's threads. They added Ashcraft and Cheng.

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Today might be a good day for a trade. Some of you have advocated for bringing in an established player for 2B and MLBTR reports that the Reds are looking to trade India. Assuming they'd also like to open a 40-man spot, how about something along the lines of Harrington and Kennedy or Mueth for India? I'm skeptical about the trade values listed at Baseball Trade Values, but according to that site, this would be a fair trade.

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I would jump all over India! He's got at least 3 years under control, and all he may need is some new scenery. But in-division trades like this don't normally happen, I guess GM's don't want to face the music 11 times a year (which is much better than 19 times a year it used to be).

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Two years ago I would have said yes in a heartbeat. The last 2 years I have not been a fan of India and I think the Reds organizaton has soured on him as well. Personally, I would rather give the at bats to Peguero, Triolo or Nick to see how it turns out as opposed to giving them to 4th year player India to see if he improves. That's just me though.

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Because the Reds are blacked out where I live, I don't ever get to see them in action, but going be the stat line I'd jump at a 100 OPS+ and 14/16 stolen base rate out of a second baseman with a chance to be better than that. But I can't argue with giving ABs to Peguero, Triolo, or Gonzales, though I hope we settle on one fairly quickly so that they can get the regular ABs they need to develop.

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Reply part 2 - Regarding Triolo/Gonzales/Peguero - I do think you can go with a 2 man job share and that is enough at bats for the two chosen to stake their claim. That was kind of the Bae/Castro model but Cruz injury changed that. They don't have a natural platoon which I actually prefer. Basically play them every other day so they can count on their AB's and not worry that one bad game or good game by the other will cause their benching.

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The MLBTR folks say India really grades out poorly on defense. Given his poor 2022 and poor last 2/3 of 2023 I tend to say pass particularly if those listed in the BTV trade values are needed to make it happen. I know I overvalue prospects, but given India's recent showing, I would rather roll with what we have.

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OT but I looked MLBTR's likely trade candidates and Top 50 FAs and here are SP candidates from both lists plus James Paxton as an honorable mention:

Likely Trade Candidates:

Corbin Burnes

Shane Bieber

Tyler Glasnow

Dylan Cease

Bryan Woo, Emerson Hancock, Bryce Miller from Seattle

Paul Blackburn

Alek Manoah

Top 50 SP FA Candidates:

Yamamoto

Snell

Nola

Montgomery

Gray

Imanaga

ERod

Giolito

Stroman

Lugo

Flaherty

Wacha

Maeda

Cuban Yariel Rodriguez

Clevinger

Lorenzen

Manaea

Mahle

Montas

Severino

James Paxton

I think we've got to take a shot at landing one of Imanaga, Erod or Paxton in that order of preference. Would be nice to land one of Flaherty, Montas or Severino. Would be good to swing a trade for someone with control like Bryce Miller, too.

Paxton, Montas and Miller would likely cost us 1/$11M + 1/$13M + maybe a Triolo, Moreta, Harrington trade package for Miller so that's the likely floor. I'd be willing to bet that—if healthy—Paxton pitches better than Imanage in 2024 but it's a big if.

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Miller had enough success at the major league level he would be hard to pry from Seattle. I think they'd have to go after a lower ranked starter or one who struggled in their first taste of the majors like a Gavin Stone.

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You might be right there but was going off of this from MLBTR:

16. Mariners SP

We initially had Bryan Woo in this spot. It could just as easily have been Bryce Miller or Emerson Hancock, so we’ll cheat and just mention the Seattle rotation in general. They’re almost certainly not going to trade George Kirby. It’d take a lot to pry away Logan Gilbert. Moving any of Woo, Miller or Hancock could be more appealing for a front office that is looking for ways to add long-term offensive upside.

None of that trio has even reached one year of major league service. Hancock only has three big league starts under his belt. Miller and Woo spent more time in the rotation this year, starting 25 and 18 games respectively. They both turned in mid-rotation results. Other clubs probably have differing opinions on which right-hander they prefer. (The Mariners likely have their own slight preferences.) They’d all have significant value if president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto decided to move one for a bat.

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What happened to yesterday's article?

There was discussion comments about Oviedo's injury. Kinda an important topic you think?

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If you go to the archives it's the second article down.

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I guess you need the app for that? I don't have archives option.

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Scroll to the bottom of the home page, it might be down there.

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Bingo! Thanks man.

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I would definitely protect ashcraft, with maybes for the other two that AM mentioned.

For bowen, can he cut it in CF/how good is he? Im probably only considering on protecting him if he's an above average CF and even then is he just another matt gorski?

For Cheng, I want some more info on his exit velos. I know he's more of a singles hitter with some signs of power at 'boro, but was that 'boro influenced or was it really bump in exit velo? Don't want him to be another marcano

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With us drafting lower this year, I don't think we should plan to make a pick. Hernandez was a good pick, but even then he didn't provide anything better than what we could find on waivers later or through a low-profile trade like with Moreta or Falter.

So in theory, that's one less spot we need to keep open on the 40-man and so I'd protect all three of Ashcraft, Bowen, and Cheng. If Bowen hadn't had such a strong AFL, I'd be less inclined to protect him. But with that performance and what I've read about his work ethic, why wouldn't a team take a flyer on him?

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We don’t know if the Bucs are drafting lower yet, do we? Couldn’t they end up top 5 again?

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Because most clubs are actually trying to win baseball games, not hoard mediocre prospects.

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Most is not relevant here as all it takes is one to think Bowen or Cheng is worth a roster spot. Most clubs would have likely passed on Sabol last year. Will Sabol offer much value to the Giants? Doubtful but they do have a highly regarded FO who must think so.

But, I also have some emotional attachment to Bowen (loved the pick at the time and so have followed him closer than most prospects) and Cheng (fondness for Taiwanese players going back to when they were the only league playing during the shutdown).

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I think they'll protect Ashcraft, Bowen and Cheng. I hope they leave a space open on the 40 man just in case a player they really like makes it to them. Probably doesn't matter but I'd rather have the option to take someone than not have the ability. There's still a few players that could easily be removed from the 40 man.

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And they might as well leave 2-3 spots open because they'll ultimately need that spots for free agent signings or trade acquisitions. Of course there is the timing of trying to pass guys through waivers, but now would seem to be as good a time as any as every team is looking to create/leave open spots on the 40-man in anticipation of signings and the Rule 5 Draft.

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Yep, and there should be several players dropped off 40 man rosters today, might be a diamond in the rough. It's also a good day to trade with teams looking to make room or move a blocked player. (Example) St. Louis may be open to move Luken Baker at a low cost.

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