Prospect for prospect trades? How frequent?

[HaloMilliVanilli]

Was wondering how frequently MLB teams trade prospects for prospects to improve depth at positions of weakness.  For instance, could we trade top #100 prospect Brandon Marsh, OF, from a position of strength and depth for an upper level top #100 prospect catcher in another organization.  Seems like catcher is the one position system-wide that we don't have answer coming long-term.  Any thoughts or suggested targets?

[Docwaukee]

2 minutes ago, HaloJustinBieber said:

Was wondering how frequently MLB teams trade prospects for prospects to improve depth at positions of weakness.  For instance, could we trade top #100 prospect Brandon Marsh, OF, from a position of strength and depth for an upper level top #100 prospect catcher in another organization.  Seems like catcher is the one position system-wide that we don't have answer coming long-term.  Any thoughts or suggested targets?

I can't remember the last time teams exchanged top 100 prospects without their being major league players involved as part of a bigger deal.  

Part of the reason is that teams know and likely value their own prospects more than the other teams.  

Plus, I wouldn't call our depth a position of strength as of yet.  We've got a lot of talent but the vast majority of it hasn't gotten out of A ball.  

[Chuck]

I wondered the same thing. If I were a GM I would look at more trades like this. 

The Dodgers have two catchers in their top 10 list in Will Smith and Keibert Ruiz, it would be awesome to get a guy like Smith for the likes of Marsh or Jones as I'm sure Ruiz would cost way too much as their top prospect. 

[Second Base]

Earlier in the offseason, I proposed trading Marsh for one of Padres pitching prospects.

[HaloMilliVanilli]

26 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

I can't remember the last time teams exchanged top 100 prospects without their being major league players involved as part of a bigger deal.  

Part of the reason is that teams know and likely value their own prospects more than the other teams.  

Plus, I wouldn't call our depth a position of strength as of yet.  We've got a lot of talent but the vast majority of it hasn't gotten out of A ball.  

My wording could have been better.  OF, more than most other positions in our system, seems like a position where we have quite a few names that could breakout and be top prospects in the organization (Adell, Marsh, Jahmai Jones (?), Adams, Deveaux, Knowles to name a few).  Threw Jones in the mix as another team may like him as an OF considering his experience even though we've moved him to 2b.  

[m0nkey]

What about Tyler o’Neil for Marco Gonzales

[m0nkey]

Though I guess Gonzales was a bit older and his prospect status had dimmed due to injury

[Chuck]

2 minutes ago, m0nkey said:

What about Tyler o’Neil for Marco Gonzales

Yeah, I forgot about that one. 

Of the two I would rather have O'Neil by quite a bit. 

[halomatt]

Challenge Trades are rare, apparently because each team values (or overvalues) its own prospects and developmental abilities.  (Read this somewhere. Keith Law?)

[Docwaukee]

1 hour ago, Second Base said:

Earlier in the offseason, I proposed trading Marsh for one of Padres pitching prospects.

I think this is more realistic.  

Teams with a top catching prospect that will actually stick at C long term hold on to them like they're gold.  But how many catching prospects become top mlb guys?  

Just as a snapshot of top C prospects from 2011:

Jesus Montero, Devin Mesoraco, Willin Rosario, Gary Sanchez, Travis d'Arnaud, Austin Romine, Yasmani Grandal, Sebastian Valle, Tony Sanchez, Derek Norris.  

Meanwhile, we pick up an aging Lucroy and in combo with Kevan Smith, we are projected to have the 11th best catching tandem.  A win less than being in the top 3.  A win more than being in the bottom 3.  

 

[totdprods]

11 hours ago, Second Base said:

Earlier in the offseason, I proposed trading Marsh for one of Padres pitching prospects.

Atlanta would be a reasonable option too, considering how interested the Braves were in Marsh prior to the draft. 

[ten ocho recon scout]

9 hours ago, Dochalo said:

I think this is more realistic.  

Teams with a top catching prospect that will actually stick at C long term hold on to them like they're gold.  But how many catching prospects become top mlb guys?  

Just as a snapshot of top C prospects from 2011:

Jesus Montero, Devin Mesoraco, Willin Rosario, Gary Sanchez, Travis d'Arnaud, Austin Romine, Yasmani Grandal, Sebastian Valle, Tony Sanchez, Derek Norris.  

Meanwhile, we pick up an aging Lucroy and in combo with Kevan Smith, we are projected to have the 11th best catching tandem.  A win less than being in the top 3.  A win more than being in the bottom 3.  

 

How crazy is that. 

We all make mathis jokes, but i guess it goes to show how important a good catcher is.

Mathis/napoli were like a gold combo.

[Docwaukee]

1 hour ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

How crazy is that. 

We all make mathis jokes, but i guess it goes to show how important a good catcher is.

Mathis/napoli were like a gold combo.

I think Eppler views catchers like he views relievers.  You can get a slightly lesser version for a lot less dough.  

[Stradling]

Mets and Astros just pulled off a 5 player trade, all minor leaguers.  

[Stradling]

 

[Lou]

On January 4, 2019 at 11:19 AM, Dochalo said:

Meanwhile, we pick up an aging Lucroy and in combo with Kevan Smith, we are projected to have the 11th best catching tandem.  A win less than being in the top 3.  A win more than being in the bottom 3.  

I found this interesting. 

who were the top 3? 

[tdawg87]

8 hours ago, Stradling said:

 

Lol @ Ross Adolph

[Stradling]

2 minutes ago, tdawg87 said:

Lol @ Ross Adolph

He was the least popular “Friend”