Saturday, July 05, 2014

A's and Cubs pull off a Win-Win deal, win(now) versus win(later)





Billy Beane is clearly pushing all his chips to the center of the table, he wants / needs to win now given the A's past playoff failures and he just took a big step towards that end. Theo Epstein continued to build for the Cubs future by acquiring two elite prospects who are a couple of years away at least.

One borrowed from the future to invest in the present, the other borrowed from the present to invest in the future.

In a sense both are taking a bit of a gamble here. Beane has to really hope that this is the A's year. It looks like he sense that at least the AL half is his teams for the taking and he wants to add some insurance.

Epstein really has to hope that the vaunted patience of Cubs fans lasts a couple of more years longer for him. He was brought in so that Cubs fans could begin to see light at the end of the tunnel. Withe deals like this, it seems like the light keeps getting pushed further and further into the future. This team waited a long time for Samrdzija to develop into the kind of pitcher he is today. I'm not sure they really got enough value in trade for their patience and development. Now you're asking fans to go through the same process with Russell and McKinney.

I do like the number of quality young bats the Cubs have in their system and perhaps this sets up a Castro deal down the road to bring in some young arms.

from ESPN Chicago:

Greenberg: Future-focused deal good for Chicago Cubs, Jeff Samardzija - ESPN Chicago:

In a deal with their long-term vision in mind, the Cubs are getting an elite prospect in shortstop Addison Russell, this past year's 24th overall draft pick in outfielder Billy McKinney and pitcher Dan Straily. The deal wasn't official as of late Friday night, but there's a player to be named later involved. I'm sure Mr. PTBNL will be awesome as well.
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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
  • 12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
  • 14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.

2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects

  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
  • 3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
  • 4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
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2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
  • 2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
  • 3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
  • 4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
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