The state of the trade market

In a trade helping both teams, the Oakland A's sent soon-to-be-free agent Sp Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astro's for C prospect Jacob Nottingham and Rhp prospect Daniel Mendes. Kazmir has quietly had another excellent year for the A's, going 5-5 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.09 Whip, and holding batters to a .217 avg. He should comfortably take the #2 slot in the Astro's rotation behind Keuchel, taking pressure off the somewhat-struggling Collin McHugh and exceptionally talented rookie Lance McCullers, Jr.. The Astros will not receive a draft pick for compensation.

For the A's, who are out of contention for the division and fading in the Wild Card race, they receive a solid offensive C prospect and mid-range pitching prospect for a starter they most likely wouldn't have been able to afford. Nottingham has been tearing up lo A and Hi A ball this year with 14 hrs and a very impressive composite .326/.383/.558 line. Mengden doesn't throw too hard, but he has done well with a 3.46 ERA in LoA and HiA ball.

So, the Astros get significant rotation help for their playoff run without giving up one of their best prospects, and the A's--who don't have good catching depth in their organization--get a solid catching prospect for a pitcher they didn't particularly need and wouldn't be able to sign. So, it looks like a win for both clubs.

BTW, still stings to see Kazmir in a uniform other than the Mets. The deal that sent him away for Victor Zambrano, was one of the worst in the franchise's history.

The Nolan Ryan and Leroy Stanton (47 HR as an Angel) trade to the Angels for Jim Fregosi who played less than a year for the Mets and hit a paltry .233 is quite a bit worse.

BTW, still stings to see Kazmir in a uniform other than the Mets. The deal that sent him away for Victor Zambrano, was one of the worst in the franchise's history.

The Nolan Ryan and Leroy Stanton (47 HR as an Angel) trade to the Angels for Jim Fregosi who played less than a year for the Mets and hit a paltry .233 is quite a bit worse.

Joe Foy for Amos Otis. That one worked out well!

l.strether

could you email me at akindian@comcast.net? I have a question I need to ask. serious inquiry.

The three little moves that followed the Kazmir trade all seem like win wins. Uribe/Johnson for a couple of minor league arms ,Cishek + his salary for a minor league arm, Aramis to the Pirates for a relief prospect. Little baby moves that help the contenders and shed salary for the pretenders while providing minor league depth. Good to see movement beyond the headline deals, and good to see teams being realistic about where their season stands.

The three little moves that followed the Kazmir trade all seem like win wins. Uribe/Johnson for a couple of minor league arms ,Cishek + his salary for a minor league arm, Aramis to the Pirates for a relief prospect. Little baby moves that help the contenders and shed salary for the pretenders while providing minor league depth. Good to see movement beyond the headline deals, and good to see teams being realistic about where their season stands.

I agree and at least in the case of the Mets and Pirates deals, they may be precursors to splashier moves. Pittsburgh rumored to be unhappy with Alvarez and may be shopping him and/or looking to replace him. And the Mets now have the flexibility to include Flores or Murphy as a piece in a deal to acquire a bigger bat. Be VERY interesting to see how things shake out. At least one of the Mets beat reporters is indicating they are willing to part with Wheeler in the right deal (now's the Giants chance to get him back Strether, oh wait they are in the chase too and looking for immediate help as well, sorry ).
Also they have apparently spoken with Treller in San Diego, about Justin Upton, but the price is said to be too high. Frankly I'm not an Upton fan, too streaky so not sure he's who I'd want them to persue. Maybe Cespedes from Detroit would be better.

The Mets will definitely have to do better than Murphy or Flores to get a bigger bat. Neither of those two players are going to attract much. Rosario is definitely the one for whom teams are asking. As to Wheeler, I would think he'd be the one of the big 5 the Mets would most be willing to trade. Fully healthy, he's got the ability to be a dominating #2; he doesn't have the command to be a #1. However, the pitcher he'll be when he returns is up in the air, making Matz probably more valuable. The Giants would love to have Wheeler back--the trade reportedly broke Tidrow's heart--but they don't have the prospects to get him.

The Upton deal is supposedly over. Preller apparently demanded Rosario or one of the big 5, which is a ludicrous demand for 1/2 a year of Upton. Preller apparently forgets that, unlike him, not all GM's are willing to send out their best prospects. And while Upton isn't the perfect player, and is streaky, I still think he would be an excellent pick-up for the Mets as a free-agent. He's the best 2015 free-agent position player, a legitimate 5-tool player, and would do nicely manning Rf for the Mets for 5+ years. Cespedes would also be a solid addition, but he's even streakier than Upton and doesn't like Rf, so he would displace Conforto who can't play it.

The Mets will definitely have to do better than Murphy or Flores to get a bigger bat. Neither of those two players are going to attract much. . Rosario is definitely the one for whom teams are asking. As to Wheeler, I would think he'd be the one of the big 5 the Mets would most be willing to trade. Fully healthy, he's got the ability to be a dominating #2; he doesn't have the command to be a #1. However, the pitcher he'll be when he returns is up in the air, making Matz probably more valuable. The Giants would love to have Wheeler back--the trade reportedly broke Tidrow's heart--but they don't have the prospects to get him.

The Upton deal is supposedly over. Preller apparently demanded Rosario or one of the big 5, which is a ludicrous demand for 1/2 a year of Upton. Preller apparently forgets that, unlike him, not all GM's are willing to send out their best prospects. And while Upton isn't the perfect player, and is streaky, I still think he would be an excellent pick-up for the Mets as a free-agent. He's the best 2015 free-agent position player, a legitimate 5-tool player, and would do nicely manning Rf for the Mets for 5+ years. Cespedes would also be a solid addition, but he's even streakier than Upton and doesn't like Rf, so he would displace Conforto who can't play it.

Uh, No $#!+ that's why I said a PIECE of a deal regarding those two.

They aren't looking for a RF, they want a LF so Cepedes fits. They would prefer to send Conforto back to the minors and only brought him up because they finally realized Cuddyer was to hurt to play and their hands were basically tied. Their current RF Granderson has been the best offensive player on the team, which I realize isn't saying much but they are happy with him there.

Uh, No $#!+ that's why I said a PIECE of a deal regarding those two.

They aren't looking for a RF, they want a LF so Cepedes fits. They would prefer to send Conforto back to the minors and only brought him up because they finally realized Cuddyer was to hurt to play and their hands were basically tied.

Lighten up, Niners...no need to get all worked up into vulgarity and all-caps...

Whether or not those players are pieces of a deal or not, they aren't going to be difference makers. And sure, they could send Conforto to the minors. But if they think Conforto is ready to contribute, it would be better for them to acquire a player who wouldn't replace him so they could have the contributions of the new player and Conforto.

Uh, No $#!+ that's why I said a PIECE of a deal regarding those two.

They aren't looking for a RF, they want a LF so Cepedes fits. They would prefer to send Conforto back to the minors and only brought him up because they finally realized Cuddyer was to hurt to play and their hands were basically tied.

Lighten up, Niners...no need to get all worked up into vulgarity and all-caps...

Whether or not those players are pieces of a deal or not, they aren't going to be difference makers. And sure, they could send Conforto to the minors. But if they think Conforto is ready to contribute, it would be better for them to acquire a player who wouldn't replace him so they could have the contributions of the new player and Conforto.

Merely pointing out where you seemingly, misread what I wrote and I wanted to be sure you didn't misread it this time.

And I disagree that Flores will bring back minimal return, he's only 23, still some upside there paired with something else, I think they can expect a better piece and it clears a log jam in the infield. Murphy? yes we know what he is and what he'll do he would not bring back much.


As for Conforto, you are assuming he is ready to contribute at the major league level and team brass didn't think so as little as two weeks ago. The only thing that changed was Cuddyer's worsening condition which forced their hand. I beleive if they can find a full time bat for LF or even a platoon mate for Kelly Johnson ( who I realize doesn't really need one, but you know how managers are) then Mr Conforto head to either Vegas or back to Binghamton for more seasoning.