Trades/acquisitions

[clvclv]

That’s a 40, a 35+ and a nothing.

Pirates gave him away.

50’s point sums it up pretty completely, and it’s a little surprising to hear that take from you when you were one of the first ones to point out - All-Star game appearance aside - that he’s an around the edges type of add. High BABIP, soft contact guy having a career year.

Does he improve your team? Sure.

If AA had given up Shewmake, Estes, and a throw-in for him, people here would have been *issed.

They didn't get a "haul" for him - but the question is, should they have expected to?

 

[UNCBlue012]

50’s point sums it up pretty completely, and it’s a little surprising to hear that take from you when you were one of the first ones to point out - All-Star game appearance aside - that he’s an around the edges type of add. High BABIP, soft contact guy having a career year.

Does he improve your team? Sure.

If AA had given up Shewmake, Estes, and a throw-in for him, people here would have been *issed.

They didn't get a "haul" for him - but the question is, should they have expected to?

Who the hell would be pissed if we gave up Shewmake, Estes and a throw-in for him? LMAO

 

[Carp]

I mean it’s not out of the question TDA could be dealt. If a team was good on his health he’d just need a couple weeks to finish coming back.

Yes, but it's unlikely we get anyone of consequence for an injured TDA. Probably something similar to what the Indians gave up for an injured Donaldson a few years ago (which was nothing)

 

[CJ9]

Heyman's latest tweet: Almost all contenders are prioritizing starting pitching (possible exceptions: White Sox, Astros) meaning prices will be steep for the few available SP. Position players generally won’t bring as much, tho it helps to be a star (Story, Bryant) or versatile (Bryant, Merrifield)


Even more reason to deal Morton and Smyly.

 

[Carp]

Yes, not as many big trades….but we were a top three team in baseball with massive holes in the rotation and we traded for Tommy Milone. Let me say that again for the people in the back…we were a top three team in baseball WITH the massive rotation problem and that was the ONLY move made. Horrid.

This year, they can trade expiring contracts and it won’t matter. These trades might give us some extra ammo for any off-season trades needed. It needs to be done (well except for Freddie).

I think the only issue last year was the unknown with COVID. A big outbreak could have ended the season completely. Also, money might have been a little tight too.

 

[Carp]

Who the hell would be pissed if we gave up Shewmake, Estes and a throw-in for him? LMAO

I would have been pretty mad. But then again, I don't want us to be buyers. I'm also pretty high on Shewmake. He's one of our best position prospects in a system that doesn't have that many.

I also believe Frazier is due for major regression so, giving up decent prospects for a guy that likely won't make a major impact isn't a move I would be happy with.

 

[thethe]

Heyman's latest tweet: Almost all contenders are prioritizing starting pitching (possible exceptions: White Sox, Astros) meaning prices will be steep for the few available SP. Position players generally won’t bring as much, tho it helps to be a star (Story, Bryant) or versatile (Bryant, Merrifield)


Even more reason to deal Morton and Smyly.

Salivating at what Morton could bring back.

 

[Carp]

Heyman's latest tweet: Almost all contenders are prioritizing starting pitching (possible exceptions: White Sox, Astros) meaning prices will be steep for the few available SP. Position players generally won’t bring as much, tho it helps to be a star (Story, Bryant) or versatile (Bryant, Merrifield)


Even more reason to deal Morton and Smyly.

Even though we should be selling, I would absolutely take a shot a adding someone with control who could be a difference maker in 2022, sort of like what the Dbacks did when they traded for Zac Gallen in 2019 despite being under .500 at the deadline. If the cost of Merrfield is low enough, I would trade for him. Same goes for Keppler or Gallo. If it's a good value trade, go ahead and make it now.

 

[Tapate50]

Heyman's latest tweet: Almost all contenders are prioritizing starting pitching (possible exceptions: White Sox, Astros) meaning prices will be steep for the few available SP. Position players generally won’t bring as much, tho it helps to be a star (Story, Bryant) or versatile (Bryant, Merrifield)


Even more reason to deal Morton and Smyly.

LOL... position players not likely to bring back as much unless they are good. In other news, grass is usually green.

 

[Carp]

Don't discount what Smyly could bring back too. He's pitched to a 3.26 ERA over his last 12 starts. Should have 1 more start before the deadline unless someone picks him up before then. His next start should be against the Mets on the 29th, so a good matchup for him given the Mets' struggles vs LHP this year. Would be nice to see him go at least 6-7 innings with a dominant performance.

 

[TheBravos]

I think the only issue last year was the unknown with COVID. A big outbreak could have ended the season completely. Also, money might have been a little tight too.

Didn’t stop any other contenders from adding a few pieces.

 

[thewupk]

Didn’t stop any other contenders from adding a few pieces.

Each team has different finances. I think money was the culprit.

 

[UNCBlue012]

Didn’t stop any other contenders from adding a few pieces.

Other contenders have owners who give a flip. On the other side, AA has openly said he went out and paid a steep price for Morton and Smyly because he expected to have a lot more money coming his way. I think the Braves will have some money to play with moving forward.

 

[CJ9]

Don't discount what Smyly could bring back too. He's pitched to a 3.26 ERA over his last 12 starts. Should have 1 more start before the deadline unless someone picks him up before then. His next start should be against the Mets on the 29th, so a good matchup for him given the Mets' struggles vs LHP this year. Would be nice to see him go at least 6-7 innings with a dominant performance.

Agreed, especially since Heyman and others have mentioned the lack of starting pitching on the market. Keeping either would be insane at this point unless we win 4 or 5 from the Mets.

 

[Carp]

Didn’t stop any other contenders from adding a few pieces.

Not all contenders made major upgrades. The Dodgers didn't make any big trades either.

We did reportedly make a push for Clevinger before he ended up with the Pads (and we dodged a bullet there). We were also connected to Lynn and Minor at different points. Seems like the asking price for Lynn was too high because he wasn't moved at all. And Minor wasn't much of a factor for Oakland.

 

[50PoundHead]

Who the hell would be pissed if we gave up Shewmake, Estes and a throw-in for him? LMAO

I wouldn't have been pissed, but I think a lot of folks are really overrating Frazier. Actually, I think the Pirates would have asked for either Pache or Waters and a mid-range pitching prospect if they were dealing with us.

 

[UNCBlue012]

I wouldn't have been pissed, but I think a lot of folks are really overrating Frazier. Actually, I think the Pirates would have asked for either Pache or Waters and a mid-range pitching prospect if they were dealing with us.

Folks around the league seem to really value the Pads prospects. And not that it’s wrong but it’s interesting.

 

[50PoundHead]

Folks around the league seem to really value the Pads prospects. And not that it’s wrong but it’s interesting.

They are the prospect factory du jour right now. It seems every era has its team that is viewed as having the best guys in the minors. When I was a kid, it was the Dodgers and Orioles. In the 1990s, it was Braves' pitching prospects. Now it's the Padres. You're right in your assessment that the prospects may turn out to be good players, but they are riding a bit of a hype train.

 

[Carp]

Agreed, especially since Heyman and others have mentioned the lack of starting pitching on the market. Keeping either would be insane at this point unless we win 4 or 5 from the Mets.

Yup. Gotta take at least 4 of the 5 games from the Mets to have a shot moving forward. We'd be like 2 games behind the Mets if that happens. I'd say it would be worth going for it at that point.

Going 3-2 only puts us at 4 games back and still having a losing record. The Mets are also getting back Lindor and Carraco this week. Degrom should be back soon as well. Then Snydergaard potentially in late August/early Sept. If we have any hope of winning the division, it's gotta start this week. And going 3-2 vs the Mets simply isn't gonna get it done.

 

[clvclv]

Heyman's latest tweet: Almost all contenders are prioritizing starting pitching (possible exceptions: White Sox, Astros) meaning prices will be steep for the few available SP. Position players generally won’t bring as much, tho it helps to be a star (Story, Bryant) or versatile (Bryant, Merrifield)


Even more reason to deal Morton and Smyly.

Again, Toronto is in the perfect position for a blockbuster - they can take on money (short OR long-term commitments), are REALLY close, and have both needs AND pieces that line up really well with us.

They need a top flight starter - Morton. They need a Closer - Smith. They could stand to become a little more left-handed in their lineup - Pederson.

Groshans is just about ready, and he'd be that piece that would allow you to trade Dansby to one of the contenders in dire need of a SS right now because you could play Arcia there the rest of the year as an audition/showcase. You could offset some of the money they'd be taking on by swapping Smith's salary for Grichuk and replacing Grichuk's power bat with a LH power bat in Pederson. Grichuk becomes your right-handed LF/DH "protection" for Freeman going forward. You pick up extra close-to-ready prospects (one from Toronto, one from Oakland or Cincy) so this is NOTHING like a rebuild. You've cleared Smith's overpay, and the only long-term salary you take on is Grichuk - who is pretty cheap considering what he provides for you. You have Smyly/Martin/d'Arnaud/Ender off the books to add a veteran SP, Closer, and left-handed DH/OF type this winter.

2022 Roster

RF- Acuna, 2B- Ozzie, 1B- Freeman, LF- Grichuk, DH- ???, 3B- Riley, SS- Groshans, C- Contreras/Langeliers, CF- Waters/Pache

Nench- Contreras/Langeliers, Waters/Pache, Arcia, ???

SP- ???, Fried, Anderson, and two from the group of Touki/Ynoa/Muller/Davidson/possibly Soroka at some point

That leaves plenty of funds available to chase a veteran SP, Closer, and DH type, plus you'd probably have added an arm or two that's close enough to ready that they'd factor into the pen mix very least next season.