Top Prospects Dealt

The MLB offseason is underway and is finally starting to pick up some steam. This week featured a couple of big-time trades. The first swap took place earlier this week between the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays. Recently, the Royals have been known for possessing one of the best farm systems in baseball. A majority of their core players are 5 years pro or under including budding stars like Mike Moustakas, Billy Butler, Alcides Escobar, and Eric Hosmer. In an attempt to make a possible playoff run the Royals traded for pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis. However, in this trade they are certainly taking on a big gamble. The Rays received a number of top prospects including starting pitcher, Jake Odorizzi ,and outfielder, Wil Myers. The Royals also agreed to trade former top pitching prospect, Mike Montgomery, and another hitting prospect.

Now James Shields is a fine pitcher, but from a year-to-year basis you don't always know what you can get from him. In 2010, Shield had a miserable season with an ERA of 5.18. The next season his ERA improved to 2.82. Big difference. Last year his ERA stood at 3.52 and was inconsistent for most of the season. If I'm the Rays, I am happy to get rid of him. Why not get some good prospects for him. By good prospects I mean GREAT prospects. Many consider Wil Myers to be a can't-miss prospect. Surprisingly, he has yet to make a major league appearance. In 134 minor league games last year he hit .315 with 37 home runs and 109 RBI's. According to MLB.com's Prospect Watch, Myers is the number 3 overall prospect. Odorizzi is number 30 overall on the same list. Look, I know prospects don't always work out, but am I the only one that sees something wrong with this trade? Shields is not an ace. Don't trade your whole future for him.  

 KC gave up on elite prospect Wil Myers

http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/wil-myers-12312.jpg

Yesterday, a three-team deal went down between the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians. Cincinnati made out well by receiving Shin-Soo Choo, but the Indians stole this deal. The Tribe received outfielder, Drew Stubbs, Trevor Bauer (MLB.com's 5th rated prospect), and two solid relievers in Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw. The Diamondbacks received SS prospect Didi Gregorius and two other minor players. While the Diamondbacks are clearly in need of a shortstop, I can't figure out what the Dbacks were thinking here. Gregorius is known as a great defensive player but his hitting game is a question. Bauer, who was formally with Arizona, progressed through the minors fast and appeared to be a future ace for the team. Bauer will now have a chance to become a staple in the Indians rotation. Not only did they agree to give up a possible future ace but they also weakened their bullpen in this deal. They are putting a lot of faith in newly acquired Heath Bell.

You're probably asking what my point is about all of this. It's simple. Teams need to be cautious when trading away top prospects. They have to make sure that what they are trading away is going to benefit the team, not only for the upcoming season but for the future. You can't trade these guys and get minimal benefits in return. The MLB is fun because it is one of the only sports with a legitimate minor league system. The system is a great for trade purposes. Prospect trading is difficult, but you must get the most value you can for potential stars or just not trade them at all.




For more info and stats refer to the links below...
http://espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove12/story/_/id/8731167/tampa-bay-rays-trade-james-shields-wade-davis-kansas-city-royals-wil-myers
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/28474/james-shields
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=571976#gameType='R'&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level='ALL'
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/