Another two weeks, another prospect list. This week we have added something new, we are ranking the graduates of the list on their projected rank on this list. Obviously it is not an exact science, but ranking them will help simmer the discussion on the format of the lists and focus more on the content of the lists (risers and fallers). Please note that the list was completed before the recent signings of draftees (a la Zuninio), so they will be included in next listing! Without further ado, enjoy!
Rank. Name - POS, Team (Change) Comment
1. Jurickson Profar – SS, TEX
2. Wil Myers – OF, KC (+2)
-On a tear, hit 3 HR in the last two nights
3. Dylan Bundy – SP, BAL
4. Gerrit Cole – SP, PIT (+1)
5. Trevor Bauer – SP, ARI (-2)
-A rocky MLB debut and few starts has sent him back to Reno to refine his stuff
6. Travis d’Arnaud – C, TOR (+1)
7. Oscar Taveras – OF, STL (-1)
8. Taijuan Walker – SP, SEA (-2)
9. Danny Hultzen – SP, SEA
10. Zack Wheeler – SP, NYM
11. Francisco Lindor – SS, CLE (-5)
12. Nick Castellanos – 3B, DET (+8)
-How long until the power comes around?
13. Jameson Taillon – SP, PIT
14. Manny Machado – SS, BAL
15. Billy Hamilton – 2B/SS, CIN
-Billy Hamilton SB Tracker: 116 (12 in AA)
16. Xander Bogaerts – SS, BOS (+6)
-I was very wrong about him starting the year, has really shown a ton of talent and is a hitter beyond his years
17. Tyler Skaggs - SP, ARI
18. Jose Fernandez – SP, MIA
19. Shelby Miller – SP, STL (-6)
-Never a good sign when you’re “more available than ever” at the trade deadline
20. Anthony Rendon – 3B, WAS
21. Jonathan Singleton – 1B, HOU (+9)
-Reminding everyone why he was such an elite talent in the Pence deal
22. George Springer – OF, HOU
-First 20HR/20SB player in professional baseball this season. Rumor is AA in August
23. Christian Yelich – OF, MIA
24. Julio Teheran – SP, ATL (-9)
-Many mixed reports on his off speed stuff have come back
25. Byron Buxton – OF, MIN
26. Carlos Martinez – SP, STL
-Since returning from injury, he has looked awfully much like a GB pitcher, the K’s are yet to return
27. Nick Franklin – SS, SEA
-Would you rather have Franklin/Hultzen or Bogaerts and Barnes?
28. Miguel Sano – 3B, MIN
29. Carlos Correa – SS, HOU
30. Archie Bradley – SP, ARI
31. Jake Odorizzi – SP, KC
-Awaiting the Royals FO to make a move to pull him up
32. Gary Sanchez - C, NYY
-Started off pretty bad so far. Will the hit tool and power come around to complete him as a player?
33. Bubba Starling – OF, KC
34. Javier Baez – SS, CHC (+6)
-Aside from the walk rate, he’s clearly ready to move up a level
35. Mike Olt – 3B, TEX (+10)
-Rumors were swirling about him going everywhere, but looks to stay put until the off-season at minimum
36. Matt Barnes – SP, BOS
-When does the “polish” from college stop mattering and talent/skill kick in?
37. Kolten Wong – 2B, STL
38. Noah Syndergaard – SP, TOR
39. Nolan Arenado – 3B, COL (-12)
-Has been very mediocre this year in AA, average has dropped nearly 40 points from last year
40. Jake Marisnick – OF, TOR
41. Jacob Turner – SP, MIA (-6)
-Moved in the Anibal Sanchez trade to Miami, where hopefully he can re-ignite his TOR potential
42. Jean Segura – 2B/SS, LAA
43. Anthony Gose – OF, TOR
44. Trevor Story – SS, COL
45. David Dahl – OF, COL (+14)
-Pretty clearly the most impressive player from the 2012 class to date
46. Max Fried – SP, SD
47. Starling Marte – OF, PIT (+8)
-I don’t remember anybody’s prospect status jumping so high on the first pitch of their MLB career
48. Yasmani Grandal – C, SD
49. Aaron Sanchez – SP, TOR
50. Matt Harvey – SP, NYM
-Had a fantastic debut, recording 11 K’s and setting a Mets record
51. Jedd Gyorko – 2B/3B, SD
-With no Headley deal, when will Gyorko come up?
52. James Paxton – SP, SEA
53. Eddie Rosario – 2B/3B, MIN
54. Mason Williams – OF, NYY (+8)
55. Jackie Bradley Jr. – OF, BOS (+23)
-Looks to be Ellsbury 2.0 in the leadoff spot for the Sox
56. Robert Stephenson – SP, CIN (+38)
-Stuff has been electric, earned a promotion up to Low-A, and has been flat out dominant. For sure has TOR potential
57. Daniel Norris – SP, TOR
58. Kyle Zimmer – SP, KC
59. Jorge Soler – OF, CHC
60. Rymer Liriano – OF, SD
61. Brett Jackson – OF, CHC
62. Cory Spangenberg – 3B, SD
63. Tyler Austin – 3B, NYY (-10)
-Has struggled a bit with the injury bug and a concussion
64. Justin Nicolino – SP, TOR
65. Rougned Odor – 2B, TEX (+7)
-Still very excited about him
66. Zach Lee – SP, LAD
67. Cody Buckel – SP, TEX
68. Jesse Biddle – SP, PHI (-10)
69. Alen Hanson – 2B/SS, PIT (+18)
-Still showing great tools, needs to find a defensive home though
70. Gregory Polanco – OF, PIT (+31)
-The second PIT prospect to “explode” onto the scene this season
71. Michael Wacha – SP, STL (+14)
72. Gary Brown – OF, SFG
73. Lucas Giolito – SP, WAS (+28)
-The biggest risk/reward play IMO, I think he ends up a #2 starter
74. Jose Campos – SP, NYY
75. Taylor Lindsey – 2B, LAA
76. Manny Banuelos – SP, NYY
77. Leonys Martin – OF, TEX
78. Kevin Gausman – SP, BAL (+23)
79. Yordano Ventura – SP, KC
-Many describe him as a future RP, could he stick as a starter?
80. Matt Davidson – 3B , ARI
81. Wilmer Flores – 3B, NYM
82. Mike Zunino – C, SEA (+19)
-Tearing up rookie ball, but that’s what should happen for a college player, right?
83. Joey Gallo – 3B, TEX (+16)
-Continues to impress with the loaded AZL Rangers club
84. Tony Cingrani – SP, CIN (+-16)
85. Austin Hedges – C, SD
86. Albert Almora – OF, CHC (+15)
87. Robbie Erlin – SP, SD (-21)
-On his way back from injury
88. Oswaldo Arcia – OF, MIN (+13)
89. Taylor Guerrieri – SP, TB
90. Hak-Ju Lee – SS, TB (-11)
-Has improved, but still serious doubts linger about his ability to be a fantasy-relevant SS
91. Derek Norris – C, OAK
92. Mikie Mahtook – OF, TB
93. Martin Perez – SP, TEX
94. Alex Meyer – SP, WAS (+7)
-Great height at 6’8, but some project him into the bullpen
95. Jorge Alfaro – C, TEX (+6)
96. Ronald Guzman – 1B, TEX (+5)
-Part of the AZL Rangers club with Gallo, Brinson, Williams, and Mazara among others
97. Tommy Joseph – C, PHI (+4)
-Dealt to PHI in the Pence deal, I think he starts as their best prospect
98. Tyler Thornburg – SP, MIL
99. Trevor Rosenthal – SP/RP, STL (+2)
-Received the call but then was sent back down after a few games, should be interesting with him and Shelby in the same rotation, headed opposite directions this year
100. Trevor May – SP, PHI (-23)
HM: Taylor Jungmann, Josh Bell, Luis Heredia, Daniel Corcino, AJ Cole, Miles Head, Garin Cecchini, Jose Vinicio, Tyrell Jenkins, Matt Szczur, Nomar Mazara, Dan Vogelbach, Joe Ross, Jorge Bonafacio, Allen Webster, Aaron Hicks, Brandon Nimmo, Delino DeShields, Brian Goodwin, Blake Swihart
Newcomers on the List
Lucas Giolito (73), Kevin Gausman (78), Mike Zunino (82), Albert Almora (86), Oswaldo Arcia (88), Alex Meyer (94), Jorge Alfaro (95), Ronald Guzman (96), Tommy Joseph (97), Trevor Rosenthal (99)
Fallers off the List
Josh Bell (76), Taylor Jungmann (82), Brad Peacock (83), Tyrell Jenkins (89), Tyler Thornburg (91), Daniel Corcino (95), A.J. Cole (96), Gavin Cecchini (97), Jeimer Candelario (98), Jonathan Schoop (100)
Graduates (Projected Ranking in Parenthesis)
Bryce Harper (2), Mike Trout (1), Matt Moore (4), Jesus Montero (12), Devin Mesoraco (20), Drew Pomeranz (32), Jarrod Parker (29), Yonder Alonso (54), Randall Delgado (60), Will Middlebrooks (37), Joe Wieland (92), Wilin Rosario (51), Zack Cozart (81), Drew Smyly (99), Lance Lynn (100), Drew Hutchinson (UR), Matt Adams (95), Addison Reed (88), Nathan Eovaldi (UR), Andrelton Simmons (71)
Injuries (must be out for season)
Arodys Vizcaino (68), Michael Choice (70)
Thanks for reading, comment below!
Gotta defend Kyle on this one, Jim. I don’t think Kyle is claiming certain information would not change his opinion or his opinions are based on that sports almanac from Back to the Future 2. It’s fine if you don’t like a ranking, but it’s better to provide a few things you don’t like and why.
@Jim
Sure is. Can I have a look at yours to see how it’s done?
This list is a complete joke
oh and peavy is my last keeper – forgot to put him in above.
Another one for you guys: 14 team AL-only Leauge – I’m in first place and I want to win this year. H2H league with the standard 5X5 cats.
I trade: Jesus Montero, Brandon McCarthy, my 7th round pick in next year’s draft
I get: Joe Mauer, Dustin Ackley, his 13th round pick next year.
(We have to keep at least 3 pitchers.) Here are my tentative keepers at the moment: Montero, Prince Fielder, Mike Moustakas, Alexei Ramirez (only b/c SS is tough to find in AL-only), B.J. Upton, Josh Hamilton, Mike Trout, Felix Hernandez, Matt Moore.
Obviously I’d swap Mauer for Montero and then maybe Ackley for Ramirez as keepers.
My current rotation has Dempster, Peavy, Moore, King Felix, Gavin Floyd, (David Phelps), and (McCarthy unless traded).
My current 2B is Kelly Johnson. Util player = Ryan Doumit. That’s all that start so Ackley would be rotated with these two.
#1 objective is to win this year. #2 objective is to keep my keepers strong. Should I do this deal?
@Andrew
Cautiously buying on Jay and Frazier, not buying anything but SB from EYJ. Jay might have a struggle for PT soon when Taveras comes up, and there’s Beltran/Holliday in the OF and guys like Adron Chambers on the bench with speed. Frazier was an older prospect, but I’m not sold that he’s this good. I think he could end up as a ML Regular. His projection before this year was always a super utility guy, so he’s just taken one more step that nobody foresaw.
I’d leave Beckett alone, I think he bounces back to a degree, but I don’t think he’s ever a sure-fire fantasy starter weekly for the rest of his career. A change of scenery would do him well. For keeper purposes, I’d just flip Holland first and then Miley, but the rest looks right.
@Sean
You have a point, as his stats have risen so has his stock. However, I think as he’s done better more information has come out about him. People starting to look at him as having a similar tool set to Buxton, when pre-draft Buxton was far and away better. I think with production people tend to focus in on you more, which leads to them realizing things that they hadn’t before. Such, in my opinion, can be said about Dahl. He’s jumped up a bit in the newest rankings (posted today).
Coming from last question: please rank Wade Miley, Patrick Corbin, Ben Sheets, Dan Straily, Derek Holland, and Beckett as keepers for the next 3-4 years.
Mine would go:
1. Miley
2. Holland
3. Beckett
4. Straily
5. Corbin
6. Sheets
Is this accurate in your opinion? Thank you in advance for any responses.
Josh Beckett – does he turn it around or have injuries taken their toll and he’s done 32 years old? (at least done being productive)
Thanks kpulek. Looks like I’ll hope that Zunino falls to me at 3rd.
Anyone buying the recent production of Todd Frazier, Jon Jay, or Eric Young Jr.? If buying any of them – how would you rank them in a keeper league where they are kept indefinitely at no cost?
Regarding Dahl, I wonder if some of you aren’t chasing his stats a bit. I just don’t think very much can fundamentally change in the first few weeks after a draft so unless you think all these teams were nuts to pass on Dahl and let him go 10th, it’s weird to see him listed in the top handful and 45th with Almora (who went 6th) nowhere in the conversation, and 86th.
Hey Bradley,
What a total haul for the ‘Stros…highway robbery against the Jays for spare parts!!
P Kevin Comer (ptbnl)
P Joseph Musgrove
C Carlos Perez
P Asher Wojciechowski
Enjoy the farm depth!
@GRees
The 5 year contracts change the game a lot in the draft. My board would be:
1. Mike Zunino
2. Kevin Gausman
3. Kyle Zimmer
4. Carlos Correa
5. Byron Buxton
You might get 1-2 years out of Correa/Buxton where as Zunino could be up in 2013.
@Brian
Not sure because I haven’t really done a lot of research into Morris, but the first thing that jumps out to me is that he’s a 1B. And unless a 1B has elite power, he’s going to be set to the way-side on fantasy terms (hello James Loney). So I think that as much as one can draft a 1B, the guy has to be of the caliber of Rizzo or Singleton in order to be an impact bat at the position (where as Kolten Wong will get away with being an above average to good 2B, with nowhere near the numbers).
@Joe
If I had my choice I’d take Myers still. Less risk in the hitter versus the pitcher. And the value of the hitter is that when Myers comes up he won’t be restricted to 350 PA or something, where as Bundy might be held to 160-180 for his first 2-3 seasons in the majors. And still long term I’m a believer that hitting prospects carry less risk than pitching prospects. Hitters come back from injuries in 9 months tops (ACL tear) versus pitchers can literally suffer for 13-18 months (TJ Surgery) that they lose from development. And no, Stephen Strasburg isn’t a good or fair argument on how quickly a pitcher can come back because he’s a freak and a top tier arm in the MLB. I just wouldn’t buy a pitcher if there was an equally good hitter available.
@Andrew
Yes, I sell Phillips and Parker for Lincy. Parker has been bad as of late and is in danger of losing his rotation spot. And right now that rotation is as cloudy as can be. Anderson, Griffin, Straily, Colon, McCarthy and Milone are all starters along with Parker, and then there’s always Peacock waiting in AAA for an open spot. Too cluttered for my liking. And I think Lincy comes back to being at least 85-90% of what he was before, which is still a solid #2 fantasy starter.
Our new list will be out later tonight or tomorrow, technical difficulties have made it difficult to comprise the list. Sorry about the wait.
if gregory polanco was a bear, what kind of bear would he be?
Ah, I see Jed has already asked pretty much the same thing. So probably Buxton or Zunino then? Only knock on this league is that all drafted players have 5 year contracts that all start in 2013.
Who are the best of this year’s draft class?? I have the 3rd overall pick in a dynasty league where we can only draft players from the 2012 first year draft (luckily we are changing it to all prospects next season) and I’m wondering who I should pick that won’t take 4 or 5 years to finally be called to the show. I’m thinking maybe Buxton or Zunino if they are available. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.
Jed:It is common knowledge that Gyorkos’ power is greater than Headley at the same age…..and he is now a 20-25 guy even with 81 in Petco.
Everyone I have spoken too are certain he will be a 20-25 guy even with the Petco factor…only time will tell.
Think of it this way,the Padres are in desperate need of offense yet they were trying to trade a top 3 guy offensively at 3B,playing GG caliber defense, to make room for Gyorko.
He’s for real…trust me.I realize only time will tell for you guys.
On Portillo….wasn’t trying to compare him to Fried,just saying he is on the rise as he matures and someone to consider for this list going forward….much as I predicted for Rymer Liriano before he was even in the honorable mention.
However,you are right.He could very well end up as a Closer but only if the rest of the Padres SP prospects pan out….there may not be any room in the rotation and he may be the best candidate to Close.
Sorry for all the Padre talk….most aren’t used to it…lol
Thanks you guys for the work you all put into this. Its great. Will there be update today or soon?
I could buy the argument against Gyorko due to Petco/power if it weren’t for Wong and Segura both ranked Top 50 and will both hit less than Jedd even with half his games at Petco.
Also,Gyorko has more power than Headley,yet even he will hit 25+ this year playing 81 in Petco.
Lastly,Wolf Stadium in AA is notoriously tough on OPS,doesn’t surprise me Gyorkos numbers would be somewhat lower there.
@ Jed
Correa – has been average, has looked better in the APP
Buxton – not a strong start statistics wise, but has time to mature
Russell – Power, speed, average…fantastic start!
Zunino – will climb Seattle’s system quick
Dahl – probably the best all round numbers this draft class so far
Almora – Hitting is finally maturing of late
If any of these are available at 5, take them! I think you’ll get 1 of either Dahl or Russell at 5. I’d take Dahl over Russell IMO.
Where is Hunter Morris? YOu think those numbers at AA are a fluke?
The best 2B player available on waivers is Kyle Seager, but he likely won’t be eligible there next year. Aside from him it’s the likes of Ruben Tejada, Jemile Weeks, Gordon Beckham, Jeff Keppinger, Darwin Barney, and Maicer Izturis. I think I still have to do the deal for Timmy and trade for a 2B afterward. Right?
Yes, Anonymous was me – guess I forgot to type my name in. My bad. Thank you for your thoughts. Referring to the roster I posted below – would you trade Brandon Phillips and Jarrod Parker for Tim Lincecum? I think I have to do that deal. Right?
You may need to divide Polanco’s ranking by 3. Top 30 prospect in my eyes.
Bundy easily over Myers as well.
@MrPadre
You bring up great points about Gyorko, but I disagree about the label on the system affecting them. It seems as though they do, but I think the rank is more based on the PADRES and PETCO than it is on the specific player. If Yonder Alonso was playing in the bandbox in Cinci, he’d be hitting FAR more dingers.
2011 in Cinci: 5 HR in 98 PA
2012 in Petco: 6 HR in 448 PA
So I think the park plays a huge number on how they get ranked. Michael Choice isn’t in my top 50 for similar reasons. If you moved Choice to Yankee Stadium he’d be a top 40 guy for me because of the pop, but in OAK that power won’t play as well.
BTW, looking at Gyorko’s line is pretty scary because the only two places he’s hit is the CAL league and the PCL, both amazingly good hitters venues. 35 of his career 55 HR have come between the two levels. And the PAs are half of his career (713/1425).
OPS by League:
AAA PCL: .955
AA TEX: .786
A+ CAL: 1.068
A MIDW: .755
So it’s not showing me that he’s been elite throughout his career, his numbers have really spiked when playing in the hitter friendly venues. Don’t get me wrong, a .786 OPS isn’t bad but it’s not as good as his career 0.908 would suggest.
The knock on Gyorko is not that he isnt a good hitter but like all other San Diego hitters their power numbers severely suffer in Petco.. he is at tops a 10-15 HR a year guy who plays 3B.. if he moves fo 2B then he has more value but even then no 2B should ever be in the top 50 unless its a given he is the next Robbie Cano..
Portillo comes off as a guy with a Yovani Gallardo type ceiling .. so #2 starter.. i also like Kyle am high on Fried.. i think he is their #1 prospect and like the comp to Kershaw.. although thats some pretty high praise. Hell be solid and at worst a #3 starter some day. Portillos floor is much much lower than Frieds as i can see him ending as a closer too if he has control issues. Always take the lefty over the righty!!
Question for you….as someone who ranks prospects,do you think the Padres system has been pegged as one that is deep but with no top prospects so no matter how a player does he won’t be ranked that high?
It seems this is the case.
For instance,what is the knock on Jedd Gyorko?
The guy hits at every level and has a .950 OPS since his promotion to AAA yet he can’t crack the top 50?
As an example,what is it that puts him behind guys like Segura and Wong?
I’d bet the house Gyorko hits at a much higher level than either of those two………easily.
Just curious?
Thanks for the hard work you put in!
I disagree on Portillo.
He is young for AA and has struggled a bit out of the gate but he has #1 stuff.
If he continues to progress as expected he can easily be a solid # 2.
The Padres could be looking at a 2014 rotation of :
Luebke
Cashner
Fried
Erlin
Portillo
Kelley/Sampson
That still leaves Wieland and Ross.
Pretty exciting stuff for long suffering Padre fans!
@MrPadre
Typo on Spangenberg’s position, will be corrected soon (and in our next update).
However, I’m a firm believer in Fried and I absolutely support the notion that he’s the best pitcher in the system, and the best prospect overall. I don’t consider Grandal or Alonso as prospects, and Fried ranks above the rest of the field. I’ve heard Kershaw comps, which I feel are a bit of a stretch but I do see him as one of the higher upside arms in the class. I don’t see the class of 2012 producing a #1 MLB starter type guy, but I do see Fried coming out as the best PITCHER of the class, probably as a solid #2/3 starter. That’s a very valuable piece. I think Casey Kelly comes out as a #3 guy as well.
Portillo is an interesting case of a guy who has shot up charts this year. I knew of him before but I never really considered him but he should at least receive consideration for the back end. I see him as a #3 guy like Kelly. He’s definitely one to keep an eye on for sure.
@Jed
My list would look like:
Correa
Buxton
Soler
Zunino
Dahl
@Anonymous (whom I assume is Andrew referring to the Gordon/Venters deal)
I still make the deal. I’d rather have depth with a good bat off the bench than a holds guy in my RP stable (and Venters has struggled relative to 2011). You never know when someone goes down with an injury and you have to replace them, I still nab Gordon.
At the end of the year, I cut Griffin, Straily and Sheets because I think they’ll be the least talented guys on the roster. I would look to deal Perez before the keeper deadline if possible to a team with a need at catcher. Maybe package Perez and one of the other three for a better arm.
Also,you have to start considering Adys Portillo as a top arm in the Padres system.
Throws in upper 90′s and has learned to be a “pitcher” instead of a thrower.
Check out his numbers…….
Thanks
You seriously think Max Fried is the Padres #1 prospect?
I hope you’re right but personally have him in the teens on their list as he obviously hasn’t accomplished anything yet.
Even when he does,better than Grandal,Gyorko,Liriano,and the arms in AAA?
Also,why do you have Spangenberg listed as a thirdbaseman?
Typo or do you suspect a position move?
I’m currently in 3rd place. It’s H2H weekly. Right now I actually have the 2nd best record, but Division winners get the top two spots in the playoffs and I’m one game out of 1st in my division. If I make the deal I obviously have a finite number of roster spots, so I won’t be able to add anyone without dropping someone and I think I’d need a 2nd holds guy for the playoffs. Drop or trade Straily? He and Perez are the only guys I see that make sense. I’m guessing that my roster is irrelevent and you’d still make the deal, but for more info
Here is my roster:
C Salvador Perez
1B Miguel Cabrera
2B Brandon Phillips
3B David Wright
SS Jose Reyes
LF Carl Crawford
CF Yoenis Cespedes
RF Hunter Pence
Util Drew Stubbs
Util Allen Craig
Bench Anthony Rizzo
DL Carlos Ruiz
P Jonny Venters
P David Robertson
SP Stephen Strasburg (too bad he’s getting shut down)
SP Cole Hammels
SP Doug Fister
SP Brandon McCarthy
RP Craig Kimbrel
RP Kenley Jansen
RP Tyler Clippard
RP Ernesto Frieri
Bench Yu Darvish
Bench Jarrod Parker
Bench Dan Straily
Bench Ben Sheets
DL Michael Pineda
DL A.J. Griffin
Minors: Jurickson Profar, Oscar Taveras, Javier Baez, Travis D’Arnaud, Shelby Miller
Still make the deal?
Also: at the end of the year I’ll have to not keep 3 major league guys (unless I can pull off some 2 for 1 trades). Right now I’d go with Straily, Griffin, and either Perez (if he cools off) or Venters (if Perez keeps hitting) or maybe Sheets if he comes back to earth. Is that what you would do at this point? Thanks for your help.
Guys im looking for a little advice..
I am planning for my next years Prospect Draft (where only this years signed draftees and this years international signees) are eligible.
Heres a list of my top 15 guys.. of these 15 guys who do you guys think i should take with my 1st pick.. #5 out of 20 teams
Mike Zunino
Jorge Soler
Kevin Gausman
Kyle Zimmer
Carlos Correa
Byron Buxton
Addison Russell
Joey Gallo
Max Fried
Lucas Giolito
David Dahl
Lucas Sims
Franklin Barreto
Yasiel Puig
Albert Almora
Stryker Trahan
Clint Coulter
Lance McCullers
JO Berrios
Chris Stratton
Nick Travieso
Daniel Robertson
Courtney Hawkins
In a 12 team league, I think there is enough on a WW (especially in a 25 man roster league) to dig up some RP. However, you won’t find Gordon on the wire. Much easier to land a spark up pitcher (Dickey, Fiers, etc.) than a great hitter. I wouldn’t worry overly much about the at bats right now, you can always turn around, deal Craig or Rizzo or someone for a solid SP or top of the line closer and have a hole for Gordon.
The only reason I would pass on the trade is if you know that this is your one and only year, and you’re down 2-3 holds (or close enough in striking distance) that you can make a move in holds to win this season. If you are anywhere but in the top 3-4 in the league and have a realistic shot at winning the title, I make the deal.
My take is that if there’s ever a chance for a run to the championship (realistically) you take it. Maybe not as the 8 seed in the playoffs, but if you can find your way to a #2 slot or #3 with some talent, I see no issue in giving up some upper tier prospects for a good hitter if it brings you that much closer to the title. For example, dealing someone farther away like Marisnick, Starling, Buxton, Correa, etc. for a player like Gordon or packaging some other prospects for Bourn would be something I’d do to win a title.
“If you’re not first, you’re last.”
@Harley
I was also one to think Machado was overrated. I hope I am wrong and he turns out to be a fine player, but 4 games is not a good measuring stick. Heck half a season isn’t either.
Look at Brett Lawrie on the Jays as an example…Last year he lit the MLB world on fire in his 150ABs of play. Everyone had SUPERSTAR and trade offers were insanely one sided to get him. This season, Lawrie has been average but no where near the numbers of last season!