4hzglory

Here was the write up on Rainer - for reference Konnor Griffin is their #1 overall prospect The Skinny: One of two high profile prep shortstops in the 2024 draft, Rainer hasn’t had the rise of Konnor Griffin in 2025, but if not for a season-ending shoulder injury he might have ranked even higher. Rainer is an advanced hitting shortstop with a plus power-hitting peak

Current slump, yes. Previous 140 games, this team was so balanced they didn’t have a losing streak greater than 3 games and had the best record in baseball. When basically every hitter and pitcher is slumping at once, it will look bad. The rotation overall is solid. The hitters as a whole are solid. The base running has been exceptional (can’t tell in this slump as they aren’t on base) The bullpen has needed swing and miss all season (and last). 140 games says a lot more about who they are than the last 11. They need a breakout, to stop pressing, and get back to working counts on offense, and pitchers not letting innings blow up. They still need bullpen help (and yes, Bednar may have prevented Tommy K from being blown up immediately after it happened before.

Bowden is known for vastly overestimating what players will get in a trade-he seems to still be thinking it is like when he was last GM. for perspective 0 top 100 prospects were traded at last years deadline. In 2023, 3 were with the highest rank being #72. 2022 was the anomaly-8 were but 3 of them were in the Juan Soto trade when he was under control for 2 1/2 years. And 2 were for a Luis Castillo under control for at least 3 1/2 years 2021 3 were 2020 -1 #73 All the way back to 2018, 0 top 10 prospects were traded, 5 top 25, 5 26-50 referenced from Baseball America article

I’d do 1 of them (or Rainer) and one of Briceno, Liranzo, C Rod plus more from the rest of our system

And the goal is setting the major league team up for the highest probability sustained success meaning the chance of competing for championships. So again, I don’t trade the top prospects for a 1 time chance, or someone who isn’t an impact player, but if I can get proven difference makers at positions of need under affordable control for multiple years, then they probably have the highest probability of meeting the aforementioned goal. (And I probably make it a top 6 with Rodriguez being #6 due to his high upside-not trading him for the rentals that are on the market.)

I honestly probably value Liranzo higher than Briceno-1 year older, can stick at C, switch hitter, even with slow start at AA (similar to last year at high A) has above average OPS. Fits timeline of Rogers hitting FA. If it’s me, I’m not trading him for a rental.

And I have no problem trading prospects. I’d definitely include 2 or our top 5 for someone like Gore who would be a difference maker for us for multiple years. I’d include 1 for Clase or Duran (Twins) who would be affordable difference making closers for multiple years. Heck, I’d include 3-4 of them for Jose Ramirez 🤪Just not any of them (top 5) for a rental or a starter without high swing and miss.

We don’t need an OF to try and fix, especially with Carpenter coming back.

Neither were top 100 at the time (which is why many pundits thought we didn’t get enough)although Liraanzo was top 150.

Cody made it clear from his sources that the Tigers have zero interest in Hayes-hallelujah!

2 really good arms is a stretch. Herring is doing really well, but both are at high A and have a long way to go. Melton by himself is likely worth close to as much as both of them combined. Pipeline has them as 8 and 21 in the Yankees system which is a mid of pack system at best. And the Yankees get a good defensive 3B who is under control for 2 years. Suarez will get more, but I’d be surprised if he gets a top 100 prospect and I wouldn’t give up our top 5 (including Lorenzo) for any rental. All the rest are available (however it would take a more proven high K reliever to part with Melton as I believe he can fill that role for us.

I'm with you. It makes logical sense, but if they think Ratledge can cut it, especially with Goff's help at the line, then I trust them. I trust them to do what is best for the overall line.

The difference between the best pitcher in baseball in the playoffs and an above average pitcher like Painter would likely be is huge. If we were the team we had shown through last July and looked multiple years out, Yes, you trade Skubal. If we are the team we have shown since and are likely in the playoffs in 2025 and 2026, you keep Skubal even if you lose him for only a comp pick after. The goal is to compete for the World Series and the $ earned by that is worth a whole lot of prospect capital as well. And with our farm system, it isn't like we are doomed if all we get is a comp pick. We aren't at all in the Angels situation at last years. deadline (although they earned a lot of $ on Ohtani that isn't factored in either which is why they didn't trade him before the season) Painter also has a greater shot of being Jack Flaherty - really good sometimes and not at all other times. Or blowing out his elbow also. Crawford and Abel also are not locks to be any better than what we have in our system now. Barring injury, Skubal is a difference maker in 2026 and that is more important to a playoff team than 3 really good players when you already have a team of really good players and a system with depth/stud prospects (who are just that, prospects).

Actually, Campbell said Anzalone is dealing with a hamstring injury and will be practicing once cleared.

the Angels didn’t have a team that had a realistic shot at the World Series.

Except for those of us in Sarasota 🤪. the Trop is an easy hour drive when traffic is reasonable. It was an extra 30 minutes this year to Steinbrenner Field. But yes, Tampa makes much more sense overall.

At least from the first 2 pitchers, it looks like they did the opposite. Picked guys with great stuff/velocity who need their command refined.

Not Edman, but he would have to be placed on the 40 man (and then active roster) to play a game. Then each year he is sent to the minors, he is burning an option. Plus it starts his service time clock for arbitration/FA. So basically no way they do it just for PR.

Yes, it's doubtful he would. It's also doubtful Cleveland would do it.

I know it’s not a desperate need, but I’d offer Cleveland 3 of Keith and our top 5 plus Any pitching prospect not named Melton (I think he’ll be needed this year) for Ramirez. I wouldn’t do that for Skenes or anyone else, but he’d be well worth it IMO.

I definitely agree on Ibanez and probably shouldn't have included him in the tradeable category. I think it's considerably more likely they take the Urshela route and release him so he can have a chance to sign with a team than he gets traded.

I do wonder if they’re thinking the deadline will take care of some of the logjam. Between Jung, Lee, Anderson, Malloy, and even Ibanez, there are a few guys who could be part of a deal for a shutdown reliever.

Yes that and he was playing for defense yesterday.

Every time he’d use him, a LH was pitching.

It was the 2nd baseman’s fault-the shortstop left the bag to catch the wild throw and Torres was right there