The best ideas so far...

[Stradling]

I wonder what it would take to get Javier Baez from the Cubs for 2B? Probably something like Newcomb, Santiago, Kubitza and Jahmai Jones. That'd be a tough one to swallow, but 2B would be covered for the next 6 years and we'd have the middle of the order bat we were looking for. We'd also have Aybar's eventual replacement at SS.

I wouldn't give up that package for anyone other than possibly Bryant.

[totdprods]

No. Richards gets the ball rolling on Baez, but Soler is untouchable at this point. Cubs would be selling low after the terrible year he had. Still, I'd prefer not to trade Richards or Newcomb. I'm just simply commenting on how much young offense the Cubs have and dreaming.

I would think Richards would fetch at least Baez, or Castro and another high-level prospect (plus maybe a lotto ticket low-level starter with upside) - what would Heaney get from the Cubs?

 

The Cubs also could be dark-horse candidates to sign one of the Big 4 OFers, especially if they acquired good starting pitching by trade (such as Richards) and that could create some redundancy in their OF.

Edited November 11, 2015 by totdprods

[wopphil]

Yeah, I don't think "Richards gets the ball rolling on Baez." More like "Baez gets the ball rolling on Richards."

[nikkachez]

Yeah, I don't think "Richards gets the ball rolling on Baez." More like "Baez gets the ball rolling on Richards."

Yep

[SoWhat]

Yeah, I don't think "Richards gets the ball rolling on Baez." More like "Baez gets the ball rolling on Richards."

This

[totdprods]

I'd think the Cubs would have to at least consider something even as bold as Richards for Schwarber/Soler and Baez.

Richards slots in nicely into the rotation, possibly to the point where they don't need to sign Price for 200m. They instead sign Heyward, making Soler/Schwarber even more expendable.

[Cdaniel]

If this is the case than the Angels need to explore this. We can then sign Cueto and be fine along with Aoki for LF plus a pen piece or two

[Angel Oracle]

Baez has the power and enough speed.    But where does he project to play ultimately, SS or 2B?

He still appears to be a high Ks/low BBs guy, meaning he will need to put up a rock solid BA to have a solid OBP.

 

Do we want to trade a big package of players for someone who may end up at 2B anyway, when SS is crying out for a replacement not long from now?

[marcosantinia12]

Sign Aoki for LF

Sigh Oday BP

Sign another BP piece

Sign Cueto

Trade Bedrock and piece to MN for Plouffe

Trade Santiago for Walker

LF Aoki

2B Walker

CF Trout

1B Pujols

RF Calhoun

3B Plouffe

DH Cron

C Perez

SS Aybar

SP Cueto

SP Richards

SP Wilson

SP Heaney

SP Weaver

SP Skaggs

SP Trop

That's a strong starting 5 with really good depth at starting pitching. We upgrade LF and 2B with top of the order guys but we still get pop with Walker and Plouffe. We don't have that MOTB but we balance the power throughout the lineup. Cueto gives us a SP to lead the new generation of starters after the Weaver era. On top of all that we don't lose a draft pick......thoughts?

This is one of the best looking wish lists that I've seen. Others mentioned we get older, that's true, but we also have very minor commitments with Aoki (maybe 2 years- FA in 2018) , Plouffe (2018), and Walker (2017). With Weaver and CJ leaving in 2017 and Hamilton in 2018 we get a lot of flexibility in investing into those positions at the time of their departure. More so than now and certainly a lot more than if we lock with a big bat/pitcher right now. And even Cueto who is a big signing, is at a very cheap value right now and we are going cheap on everything else. Its even possible that we are able to develop in house options for those positions and they are ready come 2018. Maybe trade for a couple B level position players within the next 2 years.

More importantly, we are able to stay competitive into 2018 during the first part of Trout's tenure and then be able to have the money and the youth (by then) to sign an impact player or 2 and really make the last 2-3 years w/ Trout special. I'm talking about signing a 27 y/o Machado or around something those lines, someone truly special to pair with Trout.

Edited November 11, 2015 by marcosantinia12

[totdprods]

Baez has the power and enough speed.    But where does he project to play ultimately, SS or 2B?

He still appears to be a high Ks/low BBs guy, meaning he will need to put up a rock solid BA to have a solid OBP.

 

Do we want to trade a big package of players for someone who may end up at 2B anyway, when SS is crying out for a replacement not long from now?

 

I assume we could use him long-term at 2B or SS. Heck, sometimes those MIFers can develop into a 3B - which may be needed if Kubitza/Cowart don't pan out, or if Baldoquin does.

[marcosantinia12]

I'd think the Cubs would have to at least consider something even as bold as Richards for Schwarber/Soler and Baez.

Richards slots in nicely into the rotation, possibly to the point where they don't need to sign Price for 200m. They instead sign Heyward, making Soler/Schwarber even more expendable.

Man, that would be great but no way it happens. I would imagine Richards would fetch Baez + 2 mid to above average level position prospects. If we could get a young 20-22 y/o OF with high upside and an mid-level infield prospect, I would do it. In addition to Baez of course. Edited November 11, 2015 by marcosantinia12

[wopphil]

I'd consider Richards for Baez and Schwarber, but Schwarber appears nothing more than a DH. Not sure how much that trade could help us.

[gotbeer]

Problem with Richards.  Approaching his most expensive club control years.  1.25 WHIP 3.65 ERA is about a middle of the rotation starter.  Minors, he had a 3.41 ERA, 1.26 WHIP.  He had one great year, but was injured.  Only one year of over 200+ IP but it was after coming off an injury so that's a plus.  So there are lot's of question marks.  But he's probably more of a #3 starter, maybe a #2.

 

Baez has 6 years of club control left.  Can be used at SS, 3B, 2B.  His MLB numbers haven't been great, but he was a part time player.  His minor league numbers .288/.346/.541/.888 career and .287/.349/.517/.866 in AAA.  Potential is there, but still a big chance that he can't adjust.

 

Baez probably has a lot more trade value.  Mainly because he still has almost all of his club control left, and he can play multiple infield positions.

[totdprods]

I'd consider Richards for Baez and Schwarber, but Schwarber appears nothing more than a DH. Not sure how much that trade could help us.

 

We'd pretty much have to take our lumps with him splitting time at LF, C, 1B, and DH. Would probably make Cron expendable, and again, probably not worth it. 

 

I'd lean more towards one of Baez, Russell, Castro and one of Soler, Almora, Alcantara, with a low-level, high-upside SP depending on the strength of the two other players.

[Second Base]

I tink the whole board pretty much is valuing a Richards-Baez swap from the standpoint of an Angels Fan, which isn't a bad thing at all.  But the Cubs would probably look at it as "superstar infielder for inconsistent, but high upside pitcher", which also isn't the truth. The real value lies somewhere in between, as in "superstar potential but unproven middle infielder for ace potential #2 starter".

 

But you have to look at this from the Cubs point of view in any trade discussion.  Yes, it's clear they need pitching, but they're also more inclined to trade Castro instead of Baez.  So if they do trade Baez, it has to be an offer that blows them away.  Like a very good pitcher now, plus another good pitcher that'll arrive in a year or two, and a relief prospect with upside. 

 

So if we came at the with a Richards-Baez offer, they'd probably think on it and counter something ridiculous like Richards, Tropeano and Bedrosian for Baez.  The actual fair value that should be able to get it done is likely Richards + a pitching prospect like Gatto, who Angels fans really haven't caught onto yet because he's been in Rookie Ball but he should turn into a solid Tropeano-like start. 

 

Regardless, it isn't what I'd do.  As far as I'm concerned, pitching is what will get this team to the promised land.  We need to accumulate as many high-upside pitchers as we can, trust our hitting prospects and use free agency to supplement our homegrown hitters.  This means keeping Richards, Heaney, Tropeano and Newcomb, signing someone like Cueto, trust Kubitza at 3B and Bandy at catcher, trade for Prado and sign someone like Cespedes, all the while keeping our first round pick. 

 

That's what's going to win a championship though.  Richards-Cueto-Newcomb-Heaney-Tropeano.  Three aces and two mid rotation starters. 

[totdprods]

Problem with Richards.  Approaching his most expensive club control years.  1.25 WHIP 3.65 ERA is about a middle of the rotation starter.  Minors, he had a 3.41 ERA, 1.26 WHIP.  He had one great year, but was injured.  Only one year of over 200+ IP but it was after coming off an injury so that's a plus.  So there are lot's of question marks.  But he's probably more of a #3 starter, maybe a #2.

 

Baez has 6 years of club control left.  Can be used at SS, 3B, 2B.  His MLB numbers haven't been great, but he was a part time player.  His minor league numbers .288/.346/.541/.888 career and .287/.349/.517/.866 in AAA.  Potential is there, but still a big chance that he can't adjust.

 

Baez probably has a lot more trade value.  Mainly because he still has almost all of his club control left, and he can play multiple infield positions.

I think Richards still has enough value, upside, and ability that a lot of teams would be willing to even slightly overpay for his services. Look at the cost of pitchers in free agency. 

 

Baez may have enormous value too, but the Cubs system is so strong that they really don't have a place for all of these guys. That makes them a little more likely to overpay and risk some club control, especially if it nets them an affordable, talented pitcher like Richards. Having someone as relatively inexpensive as Richards for the next two seasons will allow them to determine which of these young stars they need to lock up to extensions. Signing David Price would help them, but at a major, major cost, one that may preclude them from affording all of these stars. As good as that team is now, it's going to be expensive as hell once they start hitting arbitration and receiving extension offers.

[totdprods]

There's also teams like the D'Backs, who I could see overpaying for Richards, and the Red Sox, who like the Cubs have a glut of young players, though not quite with the same shine.

[wopphil]

There's also teams like the D'Backs, who I could see overpaying for Richards, and the Red Sox, who like the Cubs have a glut of young players, though not quite with the same shine.

Yep. The D-Backs, in particular, might give up a lot to get him.

[totdprods]

Yep. The D-Backs, in particular, might give up a lot to get him.

All those OFers, Lamb, that O'Brien guy...

[beatlesrule]

I figured this is to suggest a trade for Frazier?

They have good players that are upgrades to the positions the Angels need. Hell, at this point, why not go all Dodgers Red Sox and get Votto, Frazier, Bruce and Phillips or some other combo? If the opportunity is there, pounce on it.

[nikkachez]

They have good players that are upgrades to the positions the Angels need. Hell, at this point, why not go all Dodgers Red Sox and get Votto, Frazier, Bruce and Phillips or some other combo? If the opportunity is there, pounce on it.

Cause that's a tooooooooooon of money to take on. 

[TroutField]

The Zobrist idea is looking more and more like a must for this team, if they can get upton and aoki I think that this team will be much better. I'm on the side that thinks a starter isn't a necessity, fix the offense and bullpen and then worry about the rotation if the FO isn't feeling confident in it

[beatlesrule]

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=cin

Aroldis Chapman

Todd Frazier

Joey Votto

Jay Bruce

Brandon Phillips

Do they help us win the A.L West? I think so. World Series?? Maybe if Scioscia goes to lasagna rehab and Bud Black takes over.

Edited November 11, 2015 by beatlesrule

[TroutField]

I'd think the Cubs would have to at least consider something even as bold as Richards for Schwarber/Soler and Baez.

Richards slots in nicely into the rotation, possibly to the point where they don't need to sign Price for 200m. They instead sign Heyward, making Soler/Schwarber even more expendable.

Makes sense for both teams and as much as I love Richards it would be tough to be mad about bringing in young offensive talent like that. And then you can use the money we have to sign a good pitcher whether it be Zimmerman, price, etc.

[TroutField]

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=cin

Aroldis Chapman

Todd Frazier

Joey Votto

Jay Bruce

Brandon Phillips

Do they help us win the A.L West? I think so. World Series?? Maybe if Scioscia goes to lasagna rehab and Bud Black takes over.

That's trade porn right there but having the best team on paper rarely, if ever turns out to be the World Series winner.