Since They're Talking About Him

[thewupk]

Trades at the deadline are always going to be a different animal. If you have a shot and need X player then I am fine with overpaying (to a degree) for that player. Especially if the market in general is overpaying (as was the case with relievers last year). Torres was #27 prospect in baseball when he was traded and the Cubs were going for it and needed a shutdown closer. That's fine but also different than trading for said shutdown reliever at the start of the season. I would consider one an overpay and the other highway robbery.

[Enscheff]

Trades at the deadline are always going to be a different animal. If you have a shot and need X player then I am fine with overpaying (to a degree) for that player. Especially if the market in general is overpaying (as was the case with relievers last year). Torres was #27 prospect in baseball when he was traded and the Cubs were going for it and needed a shutdown closer. That's fine but also different than trading for said shutdown reliever at the start of the season. I would consider one an overpay and the other highway robbery.

The reason trade prices go up at the deadline is because at that point teams have a good idea that they will be participating in the postseason.

The entire exercise of calculating surplus value is based on the fact that a "win" is worth ~$8M. In the playoffs "win" is worth MUCH more than $8M. Knowing you are going to participate in an environment where a "win" is likely worth 10x changes the calculus significantly.

That's what the ChiSox are banking on with Q, and is why they are now holding him until the trade deadline.