Orioles/Indians

[Orioles GM (Michael)]

1st Round Pick
3B Yunel Escobar: 16-18: $5M, 19: $5M club option
P Andrew Faulkner: $300k
OF Mason Williams: $300k
P Zach Bird: $300k
OF Nathan Mikolas: $300k
P Alec Asher: $300k

for

Giancarlo Stanton 16: $6.8M

I get a big bat to add to my lineup. Indians, who are looking at rebuilding, get lots of big-league ready or near-big league ready talent. Yunel Escobar is a controllable, affordable player at a thin position (third base), while Faulkner, Asher and Williams have all made their big-league debuts already. The first-round pick nets him an elite prospect from this year's draft, and moving Stanton also gives Thomas the option to franchise Kinsler next year and hang onto a top player at another thin position offensively.

With Stanton being a health risk and in a contract year, we came to agreement that it was fair compensation.

Indians to confirm.

[Guardians GM (Thomas)]

Indians confirm for the reasons listed above.

[Dave (Former Nationals GM)]

Approve

[Mariners GM (Phil)]

Approve

[Das (Former Giants GM)]

Veto. Looks like the Indians are trying to move to Florida again. The structure of the deal (7 for 1) is fine, it's the quality of players that are being exchanged. It's also the lack of reasoning for making such a big trade that raises red flags. I dislike vetoing deals, because I know how hard it is to even get someone to respond to an offer, and I think there is an art in being able to sell ice to eskimos, however the Orioles win this 90-10 and can't justify to myself voting to allow this trade, just so I can be guilt free when I try to improve my franchise by taking advantage of what looks to be the start of a fantastic fire sale.

My views of the pieces being dealt:
Pick #16 is not likely to be an "elite" selection but is possible, Escobar does offer value if the Indians are planning on starting to be a more active team. Zach Bird and Andrew Faulkner are currently RP's, neither are being looked at as late inning options. Asher, has a ceiling of a #4 SP, but he has seen time in the bigs so he does have that going for him. Mason Williams has shown the ability to handle MLB pitching, so far he doesn't look like an everyday player but that can always change. I had to look up Nathan Mikolas, he was drafted by the Yankees in 2012 as a 3rd round selection, he had his best season and did put up decent enough numbers last season in rookie ball and is currently in extended spring training to prepare for what will be a make or break season for his future with the Yankees.

Giancarcio Stanton is a top tier player and will probably be one for many seasons to come, him being in a contract year would be more of positive for at least my team.

[Pirates GM (Max)]

Very easy veto here

Exactly 0 of these prospects even sniff a Top 100 list. No, that is not the be all end all in terms of evaluation, but for a legitamite superstar like Stanton, there is no excuse for not getting at LEAST 2, probably more, that are consensus Top 100. None of these guys project to be anything more than 5th starters, middle relievers, 4th outfielders, or utility players. The 16th pick is okay, but nothing special. You'll probably get 20-30 players from any given draft class that make legitamite fantasy impact (and I'm being generous). The chances of getting one of those guys at the 16th pick don't come anywhere close to what Stanton does. The COMBINED production of these guys over the course of not one, but maybe even 2-3 seasons will not equal the sole production of Stanton in a single season, barring anything unforeseen obviously. The one year contract does not matter near as much in this league with very generous tagging options and salary cap.

This is honestly ridiculous. No disrespect to Cleveland (I don't know him), but this is the type of thing that makes me think we may need a new owner before things get worse.

2-2

[Royals GM (Bill)]

Veto - I normally don't veto deals but this one boils down to a mid first round pick and a useful midling 3B that has no upside, for an elite power hitter that is still young. Cleveland could do way better here. Easy veto.

[Brewers GM (Tim)]

Veto

I understand how it's hard to find a 3B, but this trade is still way out of balance.

In general I would align with the thoughts already noted. My additional thoughts are:

If the O's restrict and don't keep Stanton, then it's more like a pick swap where they just trade down a few spots from the middle/end of the 1st to the Comp A round.

Injury concern about Stanton is noted as a reason for the trade, but if Stanton gets hurt, he can be franchised for potentially below-market value. (Or he can be restricted and kept or just franchised, either of which is a good outcome if he stays healthy).

It's not necessarily a plus that Escobar's $5M salary continues in 2017 and 2018. He's 33, and could well be a platoon/utility/backup option by the time next year or 2018 rolls around.

Stanton's relatively low salary means he could be fit onto any team with aggressive reimbursement.  Should the O's fall out of contention, then Stanton would command a king's ransom at the deadline.

[Rockies GM (Alex)]

(2-4)

Deal is cancelled.