{"id":623,"date":"2020-10-22T13:41:19","date_gmt":"2020-10-22T18:41:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/?p=623"},"modified":"2020-10-22T13:50:55","modified_gmt":"2020-10-22T18:50:55","slug":"twit-reviews-the-offseason-and-prepares-for-exciting-new-changes-in-2041","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/2020\/10\/22\/twit-reviews-the-offseason-and-prepares-for-exciting-new-changes-in-2041\/","title":{"rendered":"TWIT Reviews The Offseason and Prepares For Exciting New Changes in 2041"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">We&#8217;re finally here! 2041 is upon us and with that, Season 3 of This Week In Trades kicks off to review the offseason.  It feels good to be back, especially on the eve of Real Fake Baseball tomorrow morning.  So settle in folks, let&#8217;s get this party started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Returning as MC\/Editor\/Punctuation and Capitalization Adder of this shindig is yours truly, everyone&#8217;s favorite <span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-amber-color\">Cheese<\/span>.  Returning from his vacation to the South Pole after missing the Triple last season by a Game 109, <span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Chros <\/span>is back to mock you all from his throne atop the PL.  And finally&#8230;perhaps even most importantly, TWIT has picked up a new <s>sucker<\/s> contributor to replace the lazy editor and provide actual insight into trades, the mighty <span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Tuna<\/span> joins the team and can provide fresh perspective.  He&#8217;s got his finger on the pulse of the 3L and told me it&#8217;s dead.  Seeing as how he&#8217;s going to be contributing most of the content to this publication as he buys, then sells, then buys again within the course of a week, it&#8217;s only fitting we force him to explain himself.  In all seriousness though, big props to the <span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Chros <\/span>and <span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Tuna <\/span>tag team for putting in a huge amount of work this offseason for your reading pleasure.  Please make sure to give them the appropriate shout outs and feel free to file all complaints with Fred in HR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>BUF<\/td><td>RP Jorge Villanueava<br>C Alaska Abney (AA)<br>2042 BUF 2nd Round<br>2042 BUF 3rd Round<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>C Tom Dickinson (30%)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color\">Gave up a couple of picks for one of the better hitting catchers in the league. Like this upgrade over Fuji, and saved an additional 1.2m by trading Villanueva instead of buying out his team option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">This deal is meh, so saying that I think it&#8217;s fine for both teams. Dickinson is true to his name and is a dick. He is my kind of hitter though. Panda needs to build for the future and this deal is doing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>NV<\/td><td>C Fleix Plugge(100%)<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>2042 MON 4th Round<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">This is ok. Felix is a nice defensive backup catcher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">4th round pick for a back up catcher. With our drafts I like this deal for both teams. I am being wayyyyy too nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>LI<\/td><td>SP Martin Luther (AA)<br>3B Juan Amengual (A)<br>2042 LI 2nd Round<\/td><td>CHI<\/td><td>SP Valentin Calmahar (100%)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">I like this deal for Strong Island. Calmahar is easily a #1 in the 3L\/SL, and he&#8217;ll be healthy by ST. He does not have a history of many long term injuries. Lots of DtD stuff, but only finger blisters that last 2-3 days. Luther looks like a future #3 to my scout, and I&#8217;m not a fan of Amengual. He appears to be the type of player that tools scouts love, so he can either suddenly become a star, or turn out to be not so great. My scout sees him as quite average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Dmoney starts doing what he does. Trading an injured starter for two good prospects and a 2nd round pick on top of that. Great start in the Chicago rebuild. If Calhamahar comes back and pitches well, it won&#8217;t hurt as bad for LI. Early winner is Chi for sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ffe792\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Early thoughts are this is a highway robbery from new GM D$ in Chicago. Calmahar is hurt for another 7 months with a torn elbow ligament. He has been no stranger to injuries and this could be a bad sign for things to come. Luckily for Michael he&#8217;s paid through 2041 at whatever the arbitration number is, I guess. Luther and Amengual both look like future solid contributors for a winning PL team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>NO<\/td><td>SP Gerardo Pagan<br>$5,000,000<\/td><td>VAN<\/td><td>2041 NO 2nd Round<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Pagan probably isn&#8217;t as bad as his numbers last year, but at his age I don&#8217;t picture him performing much better. Trade is ok since NO is throwing in cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">This trade looks funny to me. NO is trading for their pick back and that always makes me laugh. This one is a wash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>COL<\/td><td>C Blythe Plumpley (100%)<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>2042 BUF 3rd Round<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Meh.. they just acquired a backup C earlier. Would rather not give up a 3rd for one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">A BUF 3rd is more like a 4th so Panda has traded two 4ths to lock up the back up catcher role. Plumpley will do fine in the 3L. I think this is fine for both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>SEA<\/td><td>SS D&#8217;Artagan Rasberry (A)<br>2042 SEA 1st Round<\/td><td>CHI<\/td><td>RP Eugenio Piniero<br>SP Alvin Randolph<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">The league has always been split on their thoughts on Rasberry, but I&#8217;m not a fan. Seattle gets a steal here for a #1 starter and a good bullpen arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">I liked Rasberry but I like Randolph a lot more. He will be our ace and while I don&#8217;t feel like every trade is a win for me (see my trade with Nova from last season), I won this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>KT<\/td><td>RP Jeffery van Veldhuizen<br>2041 KT 2nd Round<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>SP Elroy Quaid (ML)<br>RP Kent Horton (AAA)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">I don&#8217;t like Veldhuizen at all, meanwhile Quaid has the ratings of a 3rd starter but has underperformed for nearly his whole career. Decent return with the KT pick because they are bad and it&#8217;s more like a late 1st.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">If I was Panda I probably would have kept Quaid for that return but its not bad. The 2nd round pick is good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>BUF<\/td><td>2042 BUF 1st Round<br>SP Anibal Fernandez (R)<br>CF Wouter Bonsink (R)<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>SS Jose Santos<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">I might have slightly overpaid here, but I&#8217;m ok with it. Fernandez has a chance to be ok, not a fan of Bonsink. Santos is signed long term to a very friendly deal, and is a former Gold Glove winner, although at 3B. He should still provide plus defense and an upgrade offensively over what we&#8217;ve had the past few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Santos is a great fielder and I like that part but I do feel like Chros overpaid. Panda needs to keep this train going of selling the vets and building for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>FTW<\/td><td>P Luis Bongers (A)<br>P Shao-Zu Chow (R)<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>SP Ignacio Uribe (ML)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Uribe is a good cheap setup guy and I don&#8217;t like those prospects from FTW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">A jerk average RP for an average and below average prospect. This deal makes sense for both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>TOL<\/td><td>2042 TOL 2nd Round<br>$1,000,000<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>RP Jasper Jordan (3L)<br>RP Ricky McCauley (3L)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Montana gets a valuable pick for two very average relievers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Panda&#8230;. going through these trades you are doing amazing. Moving old meh players for future stuff is always smart. I hope you don&#8217;t mess it up down below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>NO<\/td><td>SP Mike Bennett (A)<br>RF Niek Bendt (R)<br>2042 NO 1st Round<\/td><td>CHI<\/td><td>SS Bren Spillane<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">I&#8217;m not sure what to make of Spillane. Even though I was admittedly going after him, I still wasn&#8217;t sure at the time. His overall ratings say he&#8217;s a backup, but his splits suggest he&#8217;s a decent platoon bat with great defense. It feels like he has really outperformed his ratings lately but if he can continue his current production, it&#8217;s a good deal for both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Another great trade for CHI. Hitting wise, Spillane way over performed. I think both of those prospects have a chance to make it and D$ gets a 1st round pick too. Easy winner for Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>COL<\/td><td>RP Pedro Huerta<\/td><td>TOL<\/td><td>2042 TOL 4th Round<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Meh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">A 4th for a guy I could find in the FA bin&#8230;. Not a huge deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>NO<\/td><td>2042 NO 5th Round<br>$1,000,000<\/td><td>CHI<\/td><td>CF Jorge Castillo (AAA)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Meh&#8230; Castillo is a good defensive backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Small win for CHI here. A 5th and 1 million is not a big deal to give up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>LI<\/td><td>SP Craig Fitzgerald<\/td><td>TOL<\/td><td>SP Jeremy Brody<br>RF Martin Pliego (AA)<br>2042 TOL 3rd Round<br>2042 TOL 5th Round<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">I really like this deal for Long Island, selling at the peak of Fitz&#8217;s value. Brody is already nearly as good as Fitz, and Pliego is a damn good prospect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">I agree that LI won this. I like Fitz but Brody is a younger\/cheaper Fitz. I don&#8217;t hate it Teej but think LI won this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>LI<\/td><td>2042 NV 2nd Round<\/td><td>CLE<\/td><td>RP Mac Hippenhammer (100%)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Hippenhammer adds a much needed pen arm to LI, and is good enough to close in the 3L. Solid deal for both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">I personally think a 2nd might too much for Hipp being he has bad control. Its a NO 2nd though so that will probably be close to a 3rd. Fine deal for both.  <em>Ed note: It&#8217;s a NoVa 2nd so this could be a very good pick and Tuna needs glasses.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>SEA<\/td><td>$4,000,000<\/td><td>STL<\/td><td>3B Jur Prokop<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Not a bad deal, but Prokop is 28 and needs to put it together this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Cash is king. I already have a Prokop on my team with Grosjean. Hopefully in my park, Prokop can produce the same way. He also can play a lot of positions and that is why I wanted him. He is penciled in as the starting RF right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>SEA<\/td><td>2042 2nd Round<br>2042 5th Round<\/td><td>NV<\/td><td>1B Mathew Mayo<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Mayo is only 25 and crushed the minors, has good ratings. Seattle got a steal here for a good bat\/DH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Davey robbed me in the Kroening trade and may have felt bad for it. I would say though that DH is an easy position to fill so maybe I gave up too much. Time will tell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>BUF<\/td><td>RP Juan Guillen<\/td><td>NV<\/td><td>$7,000,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">I jokingly put Guillen on the block after being yelled at for his extension, and didn&#8217;t expect serious interest. I also didn&#8217;t expect to trade him and was happy to put him in my pen, but I had to take this deal as it was enough cash to potentially sign an upgrade over Guillen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">7 Million for a meh SP&#8230; What am I missing here?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>CHS<\/td><td>RP Phil Soto<br>2042 CHS 2nd Round<\/td><td>NV<\/td><td>RP Juan Guillen (100%)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">I don&#8217;t care for Soto at all, but the end result of this trade is clearly worth it for NoVa. CHS gets their man as Guillen returns home, and I look forward to teeing off against him all year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">I still don&#8217;t get any of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>MON<\/td><td>SP Ton Jobse<br>2042 TOL 2nd Round<br>2042 BUF 2nd Round<\/td><td>NV<\/td><td>RP Phil Soto<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Davey turns about 7.7m in cash into three 2nd round picks and a quality mid-rotation starter who had a 3.35 ERA as recently as 2039. MON is happy to get out from that contract, but he was good very recently and should bounce back in a friendlier park and NoVa&#8217;s defense. I have often said I do not understand Davey&#8217;s &#8220;genius&#8221;, but I have to give him props here &#8211; the result of these 3 trades was masterful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Oh I see, Davey is a god. On this trade alone though I don&#8217;t hate it for Panda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>MISS<\/td><td>C Marcos Mansilha (A)<br>2B Shun Fukui (A)<\/td><td>CHI<\/td><td>SS Melvin Thomas (25%)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">This is a light return for probably the best SS in the game, regardless of his pending FA. Don&#8217;t like Fukui, and while good hitting catchers are hard to find, he has zero power and poor discipline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Dpenny was in a bad spot with Thomas. He was not going to get what he wanted and Thomas alone was not going to keep in the PL (If that is his truly his goal). Fukui is ok and I do like Mansiha. Beau was the only knocking so he won the prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ffe792\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">D$ is a jerk.  Ok, he&#8217;s mostly not I guess.  I just am sad I didn&#8217;t get Tuna.  Sad enough to make the effort to comment on this trade and publicly cry about it.  Anyway, back to the actual TWIT content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>LI<\/td><td>RF Martin Pliego (AA)<br>RP Ron Meredith (A)<br>2042 LI 1st Round<br>2042 TOL 5th Round<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>RP Jorge Villanueva<br>2042 MON 1st Round<br>2042 BUF 1st Round<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Pretty fair trade. LI is gambling here by exchanging Pliego for Montana&#8217;s 1st. Montana should be a top 3 pick, maybe #1 overall as they continue to sell. Pliego is a very good prospect, and while he&#8217;s not perfect he&#8217;s well developed so far and a safe bet. LI will have to hope the draft isn&#8217;t a dud like this year. Montana gains a little value by exchanging BUF&#8217;s 1st with LI&#8217;s, but LI gets a solid reliever at 100% retention who should do well in the 3L.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Panda, I was giving you praise above and you deserved it. IMO you would have got a better player than Pliego with the #1 overall pick next year. Your pick is probably going to be the best pick out there and you should have held on to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>ACKC<\/td><td>1B Francisco Vargas<br>P Carlos Rosado (R)<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>1B Jimbob Ghostkeeper (25%)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Ghostkeeper had a huge year last year. I know it&#8217;s hard to get value for 1B&#8217;s, but I don&#8217;t like the prospects from ACKC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Its fine&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>PORT<\/td><td>SS Gonzalo Perales (R)<br>RP Ricardo Corona (R)<br>2042 PORT 5th Round<\/td><td>THB<\/td><td>LF An-te-hai Qing<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Qing looks like a decent bat with good power. Corona is the best prospect going back to THB but looks like a long reliever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Welcome to the trade market Portland. I really like this trade for buck. Both prospects are meh for my scout and Qing has good pop and will put butts in the seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>BUF<\/td><td>RP Carlos Medina (A)<br>1B Vaclav Steur (R)<\/td><td>LV<\/td><td>RP Jeff Mahl<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">I was leading for Mahl in FA and then he went and signed with LV without so much of a contract negotiation update, but I got his ass anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Mahl will look good in the Buf pen and Chros did not have to give up alot. I like Medina but like Mahl a lot more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>SEA<\/td><td>LF Yaakov Shmerkin<\/td><td>SM<\/td><td>$3,000,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Shmerkin looks like a nice platoon bat but his defense is very questionable. Not bad to get something for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">This was an easy trade to make, Shmerkin was going to be stuck behind at least 2 other players for some time. It is nice to have injury insurance but give me the cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>SEA<\/td><td>RF Shun Komatsu<br>$1,500,000<\/td><td>CHI<\/td><td>2042 CHI 4th Round<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Komatsu is a decent platoon DH. Nice pickup by Chicago for a low cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">I save a little money for a 4th round pick. Komatsu was going to be a on the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>PIT<\/td><td>SP Maverick McNealy (AAA)<br>LF Urs van Munster (AAA)<br>P Joe Henriksen (AA)<br>P Jim Harris (A)<\/td><td>CHI<\/td><td>2B Gerrie Bond<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Bond is a great fielder whose average bat probably plays better in the infield. Chicago got a couple of decent prospects here. I think PIT overpaid a bit but Bond will do well in the 3L.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">I am not high on Bond even if he is an amazing fielder. I will say it again Chi was trying to sell and build for that future and this is a good return for a good fielder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>HOL<\/td><td>SS Quinn Albracht (AAA)<\/td><td>MISS<\/td><td>2042 MISS 3rd Round<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Ok. Albracht is a nice little utility guy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">A late round draft pick for a utility guy&#8230;..NEXT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>CLE<\/td><td>SP Rodney Johnson (A)<br>2042 CLE 5th Round<\/td><td>ACKC<\/td><td>SS Armando Altagracia<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">I don&#8217;t like Altagracia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">A guy who has struggled in the 3L will struggle in the PL. Desperate move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>CHS<\/td><td>2042 CHS 1st round<br>2042 CHS 3rd round<br>2042 CHS 4th round<br>2042 CHS 5th round<\/td><td>ACKC<\/td><td>SP Scotty Bingham (100%)<br>$2,000,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">This seems like an overpay for an average pitcher. Charleston is in a tough spot financially and with their pitching, but value wise I think all those picks should have brought something better back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">This looks like another desperate move. Bingham is maybe worth a 2nd on his best days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>HOL<\/td><td>2B James Hemwick<br>3B Ramon Degollado<\/td><td>SM<\/td><td>SS Ji-hyun Yi (A)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Hemwick is a fringe starter and Degollado is a backup. Yi looks like a nice future utility guy who can hit a little with great defense. Hollywood wins here, dumping over 6m worth of scrubs for something that can be useful in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Cheese does what Cheese does. He can take meh expensive players and turn them into better cheaper meh players&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>BOS<\/td><td>2B Roberth Bethune (R)<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>RP Luke Corner (R)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Corner looks like a good future reliever and possibe setup guy, while Bethune appears to be a backup infielder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">I dont understand this one but sometimes I just miss things. I guess its ok.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>MON<\/td><td>SP Gerald Orlebar<\/td><td>PORT<\/td><td>1B Jeff Solis<br>SP Mike Barraza (R)<br>2042 PORT 1st Round<br>2042 PORT 4th Round<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Pandas did well here to get a 1st rounder, which is all I managed to get before he got signed to that contract extension. Prediction: Next offseason, Buck will post Orly Bear on the trade block 10+ times in attempt to dump his contract while asking for your firstborn child in return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">I love Buck and have played with him for years but I really hate this trade. I saw Panda put this guy on the block and I thought hell maybe I will trade for him. I looked at him and was like oh hell no. the more I thought about it, I would not have moved a 4th round pick for him. Panda got a 1st and a 4th&#8230;..Panda, I love this trade for you. Well done sir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>PIT<\/td><td>OF David Baez (R)<br>OF Orland Trujillo (R)<\/td><td>PORT<\/td><td>SS Luis Escribano (A)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Ugh who cares. That wraps up this offseason edition, thanks for reading!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Agree who cares&#8230;.. Lots of good trades though and I had fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>NV<\/td><td>RP Jason Reynolds (A)<\/td><td>TOL<\/td><td>SP Eddie Kop (65%)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ceecff\" class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color\">Well I thought we were done but of course Davey has to make me do extra work with this non-sense. This is shit. Why even agree to pay Kop a single dollar? He is shit. This is a shit trade. I take back my comment about your genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#ff8989\" class=\"has-background\">Not sure what the plan is for both teams on this one. Reynolds is a ok prospect but is he worth covering 65% of Kop. I thought Toledo needed pitching. Interested to see how this one plays out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that&#8217;s it folks! Below are the other deals made this offseason.  I hope you tune in next week as <span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Chros <\/span>and <span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Tuna <\/span>continue to judge your trades!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td>ACKC<\/td><td>$4,000,000<\/td><td>PORT<\/td><td>2041 PORT 2nd Round<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>VAN<\/td><td>2041 BUC 3rd Round<br>2041 DC 3rd Round<br>2041 NO 3rd Round<br>2041 NO 5th Round<\/td><td>PIT<\/td><td>$8,750,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>PORT<\/td><td>2041 PORT 1st Round<br>2041 PORT 3rd Round<br>2041 PORT 5th Round<\/td><td>PIT<\/td><td>$13,000,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>NO<\/td><td>2041 NO 2nd Round<\/td><td>BOS<\/td><td>$3,900,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>LI<\/td><td>2042 LI 3rd Round<br>2042 LI 4th Round<br>2042 LI 5th Round<\/td><td>NV<\/td><td>2042 NV 2nd Round<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>PIT<\/td><td>P Timoteo Sassetti (AAA)<br>P Randy Gabaldon (AA)<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>2042 MON 5th Round<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>CLE<\/td><td>$10,000,000<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>LF Wilbur Davis (AAA)<br>2042 LI 1st Round<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>LV<\/td><td>$4,500,000<\/td><td>MON<\/td><td>2042 MON 3rd Round<br>2042 PORT 4th Round<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>THB<\/td><td>C Ambrose Watkins (AAA)<\/td><td>SM<\/td><td>SS Jesus Odilia (R)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;re finally here! 2041 is upon us and with that, Season 3 of This Week In Trades kicks off to review the offseason. It feels good to be back, especially on the eve of Real Fake Baseball tomorrow morning. So settle in folks, let&#8217;s get this party started!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[37,18,21,34],"class_list":["post-623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-bigtuna","tag-cheese","tag-chros","tag-twit"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=623"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":628,"href":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623\/revisions\/628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usba14.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}