Wild Possibly Plausible Trade Ideas

[brett05]

So a fair trade is one that at least 50% say it's plausible. It doesn't mean you would do the trade but you could see it.

Starlin Castro for Craig Kimbrel? Do you do it and get the lock down super stud future top 5 closer of all time?

 

[JosMin]

So a fair trade is one that at least 50% say it's plausible. It doesn't mean you would do the trade but you could see it.

Starlin Castro for Craig Kimbrel? Do you do it and get the lock down super stud future top 5 closer of all time?

Nope. Don't want to pay a volatile position with such a high turnover more than what we're paying Castro. I'm just fine with Rondon, Strope, Ramirez and Grimm for now. And I don't see the Cubs FO entertaining a deal that gives away a player with Castro's value for a closer. A starter, sure. Maybe even a premium LF. But not a closer. And I don't see the Braves going after a SS considering the commitment they made to Andrelton Simmons.

The real thing is -- are Sox fans mad that they're paying Dave Robertson more than the Braves are paying Kimbrel?

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Yeah, I don't do that deal either. I think the Cubs like what they have and have an inkling that Jason Motte can get back to his former self as well. Kimbrel is a stud, I just don't see the immediate need or the extra value you'd get. The benefit in WAR would likely be negligible.

 

[brett05]

Nope. Don't want to pay a volatile position with such a high turnover more than what we're paying Castro. I'm just fine with Rondon, Strope, Ramirez and Grimm for now. And I don't see the Cubs FO entertaining a deal that gives away a player with Castro's value for a closer. A starter, sure. Maybe even a premium LF. But not a closer. And I don't see the Braves going after a SS considering the commitment they made to Andrelton Simmons.

The real thing is -- are Sox fans mad that they're paying Dave Robertson more than the Braves are paying Kimbrel?

If he pitches like last year...no. He was worth like an 88-74 record last year considering how awful our closers were.

I say Castro as the team has depth there and Kimbrel is one of the very few lock down year in and year out players and he happens to be a closer.

 

[JZsportsfan]

The Braves would do that deal today IMO. Closers are only needed when a team is truly ready to contend. No need for the Cubs to trade away a 3x All-Star to get a closer when they still look 1-2 years away from title contention

Braves would do that and move Castro to 2B, Simmons is far superior with the glove.

 

[brett05]

ok, Castro for Posey?

 

[JosMin]

If he pitches like last year...no. He was worth like an 88-74 record last year considering how awful our closers were.

I say Castro as the team has depth there and Kimbrel is one of the very few lock down year in and year out players and he happens to be a closer.

IMO, I wouldn't feel comfortable downgrading the shortstop position when the team has an opportunity to stay in the hunt all season. I'd rather keep Baez's bat at second during his adjustment period. Once Russell gets closer to the bigs, then it'd be easier to considering trading Castro for a luxury position like closer. Again, plenty of solid teams don't don't have shutdown closers. Castro took a step forward defensively last year, and if his stick stays true to what we've expected, we need him in the lineup, especially since we're going to have full seasons of Soler, Alcantara, Baez and more than likely 120+ games of Bryant.

 

[brett05]

The Braves would do that deal today IMO. Closers are only needed when a team is truly ready to contend. No need for the Cubs to trade away a 3x All-Star to get a closer when they still look 1-2 years away from title contention

Kimbrel is a four time AS, four time top ten Cy, and three time MVP vote recipient.

 

[brett05]

IMO, I wouldn't feel comfortable downgrading the shortstop position when the team has an opportunity to stay in the hunt all season. I'd rather keep Baez's bat at second during his adjustment period. Once Russell gets closer to the bigs, then it'd be easier to considering trading Castro for a luxury position like closer. Again, plenty of solid teams don't don't have shutdown closers. Castro took a step forward defensively last year, and if his stick stays true to what we've expected, we need him in the lineup, especially since we're going to have full seasons of Soler, Alcantara, Baez and more than likely 120+ games of Bryant.

So you would say no, but plausible?

 

[JosMin]

So you would say no, but plausible?

In 2016, maybe. I can definitely see it from the Braves perspective in the sense that they certainly don't look to be an AL East contender this year. Unloading salary and adding farm depth is their primary goal for when the new stadium opens. For the Cubs, I just don't see trading for a closer as part of the philosophy until they have more of an idea what Baez, Alcantara, Bryant, Soler, etc., will offer them. It appears like they're comfortable with the bullpen as currently constructed, especially with the addition of Jason Motte.

 

[brett05]

ok, so what about moving Castro for Posey?

 

[JosMin]

ok, so what about moving Castro for Posey?

I think Posey is a Giant for life -- he's on a Hall of Fame path. To me, there's a 0% chance the Giants would deal him. He's the best all-around catcher in the game (slight nod over Molina due to age).

 

[beckdawg]

So a fair trade is one that at least 50% say it's plausible. It doesn't mean you would do the trade but you could see it.

Starlin Castro for Craig Kimbrel? Do you do it and get the lock down super stud future top 5 closer of all time?

I think closers are overrated personally even great ones like Rivera. I'd rather have Castro.

 

[beckdawg]

ok, Castro for Posey?

I *think* I'd take Posey but the problem is a lot of his value is tied to being a C and if he's not that going forward who knows.

 

[brett05]

I think Posey is a Giant for life -- he's on a Hall of Fame path. To me, there's a 0% chance the Giants would deal him. He's the best all-around catcher in the game (slight nod over Molina due to age).

So not plausible. What if the Cubs offered Bryant for Posey?

 

[brett05]

I think closers are overrated personally even great ones like Rivera. I'd rather have Castro.

I agree they are overrated, but you would rather have a top 100 all time SS than a top 5 closer of all time?

 

[JZsportsfan]

ok, Castro for Posey?

Easy, yes

Catcher is a weak position around MLB. Cubs have a surplus at SS. Would allow Bryant/Russell to get a shot at their natural positions. Not to mention the intangibles that Posey brings are top notch. When Jeter retired many people said Posey was the "New Jeter". He's a winner and comes up clutch when his team needs him.

Only problem would be when Posey got old. Can't just shift him over to 1B Mauer. Rizzo seems to have that spot locked down for awhile.

I agree they are overrated, but you would rather have a top 100 all time SS than a top 5 closer of all time?

It is tough, I just think looking at how the Cubs team is currently constructed a closer isn't really a need per say. Closers should be like the finishing touch on a championship team IMO. If you aren't in the WS race, then paying for an elite closer (in this case in terms of money and Castro) doesn't make much sense

 

[beckdawg]

I agree they are overrated, but you would rather have a top 100 all time SS than a top 5 closer of all time?

Well if you go by WAR, Rivera who's top 1 all time never had a season as a closer higher than 3.3 fWAR. He had 4.3 in 1996 with way more innings than any other season(almost 2x). IIRC, that was the year or one of the years he was a setup man for Wetland. Conversely, Castro's basically been a 3 fWAR guy all his career. The thing is, it's pretty hard to find a decent SS and you can patch together a fairly effective closer. I mean look at Rondon last year and where was he prior?

 

[JosMin]

So not plausible. What if the Cubs offered Bryant for Posey?

Still think the Giants would ask for more, probably Castillo as a replacement and another prospect. People forget -- Posey is 27. A once-in-a-generation talent behind the plate. He's a 3-time World Series champion, a former Rookie of the Year, a former MVP, a catcher with a career OPS over .860 and has a positive dWAR for his career, meaning he makes an impact both offensively and defensive. It would take a lot to land him. Other than that fluke ankle injury when somebody slide into him, he's been healthy his entire career. He should figure to remain an elite catcher for 5-6 more years before a shift to first or DH would be necessary. And who knows, he could be one of those guys like Pudge who can catch well into his late 30s.

 

[brett05]

Well if you go by WAR, Rivera who's top 1 all time never had a season as a closer higher than 3.3 fWAR. He had 4.3 in 1996 with way more innings than any other season(almost 2x). IIRC, that was the year or one of the years he was a setup man for Wetland. Conversely, Castro's basically been a 3 fWAR guy all his career. The thing is, it's pretty hard to find a decent SS and you can patch together a fairly effective closer. I mean look at Rondon last year and where was he prior?

True, but this points out two things. A consistent lights out closer is extremely difficult to come by. And #2, WAR has it's issues with this being one of them