Quote:
Originally Posted by Gozer
I disagree with "worst trade ever" analysis.
For the Royals, two members of a starting rotation is worth more than a stud hitting prospect.
It's a sensible step in their organization's plan: draft heavily for a certain strength (hitting), develop some prospects into major league contributors (Moustakas/Hosmer), and once the hitting is good enough to compete then move high value non-contributors for obvious holes (starting pitching).
Having the aforementioned line-up with a starting pitching staff with a negative WAR doesn't amount to much when the games start to really matter. The Royals need an "ace" so they are competitive in game 1 of a playoff series - otherwise what are you building towards?
In 2011, three pitchers were MVP nominees: Verlander, Sabathia, and Shields.
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I don't believe Shields is an ace. While his 2011 was strong, he's still a #2, a quality one at that. It was a great season but he's more likely to produce around a 2-3 WAR per season pace. But the big thing is, you only have 2 years of Shields control!! When we look at other pitchers traded over the last 2 years, almost every team got less value back, even though they were getting more years of control. It's also not fair to access this trad as just being Will Meyers, as I would've had no problem with Will Meyers for James Shielders straight up. The Rays got some really nice extra pieces and all for a bullpen arm.
I think I totally overreacted with some of the hyperbole I used. The Royals are a better team in 2012, and GirlySports seemed to be the only one talking about them at least going for it.
One trend I really am starting to dislike in sports, is the why didn't so and so team offer a free agent the same money he signed for. People criticized the Royals for not just spending money on Sanchez and not trade anyone. We're lead to believe that thee would be some desire to play in Kansas City, over other teams. I also hate the lazy statement of "well he's just a prospect, he could be a bust" that people seem to throw out liberally now to every single player. There has to be some intelligent thinking re: the player himself, and not just one size fits all about every prospect ever being a bust perhaps.
Kansas City has a truly awful ownership and the only way they were going to get a player like James Shields was trading for him. I just believe they got sucked into giving up pieces they didn't need to, and over valued Wade Davis.
They make the playoffs this year or next, the trade is a win. Their division sure does still suck, although I love the Indians trade from tonight. I want to get behind KC, I just dislike so much the other moves they've made this season.