The question is, could AA get he and Greene with the right "spare parts" (if Wright or Wilson could be considered that way) - or would he be better off trying to get Stroman/Giles and maybe go after Smith?
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Don't think anyone questions that - just not sure you can always be as selective as you'd like to be.
Given the blurry reports we've gotten thus far, we can probably all agree that AA is targeting one SP and at least one pen arm. If both San Francisco and Toronto are considering packaging their four pieces, couldn't you make the argument that it COULD (not will by any stretch) actually cost you a bit more to break their pieces up so you get the two (Stroman/Smith) you prefer? If we're assuming everyone (including rival GMs) are aware that AA is going to add one of each and you're another GM, would it not be in your best interest to try to sell him on the idea that "overpaying a little to get my two guys will actually wind up costing you less than it would to get me to give up Stroman and the Giants to give up Smith"?
That'd be walking a tightrope like Miami did this winter if you really liked most of what AA was offering more than you did other offers, but can anyone really be sure that might not happen again? The closer we get to the deadline, the chances someone's going to overpay increase. If you're Ross Atkins, wouldn't it make a little sense to say "I'll take Wilson, Wentz, and filler for Stroman, but if you'll make it Wright and Muller instead I'll throw in Giles"? Would you pass that up in the hope that you could hold onto Wright and Muller and package lesser assets to get Smith and still need to go get a SP elsewhere?
:facepalm:
So the moral of the story, as always, is that AA should overpay at the trade deadline.
I think there is a second issue. If the idea is to improve the team as much as possible without a gross overpay it makes sense to target Stroman (aka the long islander) or Wheeler over Bumgarner and Smith over pretty much any reliever.
The Giants may try to bundle Smith and Bumgarner but it is in our interest to try to stay away from a trade of that sort.
Wrapping a poorly thought out “idea” with a bunch of ifs, maybes and coulds doesn’t make it any smarter.
Homer Bailey to the A’s
Prices for Cashner and Bailey have been minimal. Not a surprise. But for buying clubs slightly reassuring.