Greenville/Atlantic City

[udlb58]

Greenville receives:
CF William Kidd
RP Joost Breakwell
P Gary Williamson (AA)

Atlantic City receives:
OF Marc Miller (A)
C Chip Saunders (WL)
OF Juan Martínez (WL)

[Cliche]

ATC confirms. Thanks Tyler!

[udlb58]

I definitely didn't think I'd be in the market for a 33yo outfielder and 29yo reliever, but the trade just seemed to fit. We have to do something to try and field a MBBA quality lineup and if Kidd is able to have a good first half, he could always be moved again.

As for the prospects we give up, I think Saunders is the key to the deal. I can see where some rate him very high because of his defense, but I just don't place a ton of value on catcher defense (so long as it is above a respectable level). Still we give up (and AC gets) three teenagers, including a 2024 top 10 pick that was ranked in the top 50 prospects this season. The price isn't insignificant, but in the end Saunders just didn't fit in my organizational plans (unless he had seen increases in his ability at the plate)

Thanks Ryan and good luck

[elligator]

I do love me some Sarge Saunders. Wish I could trade for him in the EBA, where he would be pretty outstanding as he currently projects.

[Cliche]

I like Saunders as a future LH catcher. The big arm helps, but I'm not huge on catcher defense overall.

Mostly I was looking to move on from Kidd and spend less there (or get more production for that $), so this made sense for me.

[agrudez]

I have this back and forth with many of my prospects as well - guys that I don't personally value very highly; however, that I recognize *are* very valuable (from a trade asset perspective) to other people. Do I sell them for what *I* think they are worth when an opportunity presents itself or do I hang on to them until I get what I know *others* think they are worth - running the risk that I get 'stuck' with them in the end? I share similar thoughts as you on catcher defense - and probably overall on Saunders' value (though I'd argue a 6/6/6 as a LHB isn't necessarily something to be ignored at a non prime offensive position), but from a macro view I think you could've gotten a lot more for him despite what you (and I, and maybe some others) think of him.

[indiansfan]

Hey if you give up on Sarge let me know

[udlb58]

I have this back and forth with many of my prospects as well - guys that I don't personally value very highly; however, that I recognize *are* very valuable (from a trade asset perspective) to other people. Do I sell them for what *I* think they are worth when an opportunity presents itself or do I hang on to them until I get what I know *others* think they are worth - running the risk that I get 'stuck' with them in the end? I share similar thoughts as you on catcher defense - and probably overall on Saunders' value (though I'd argue a 6/6/6 as a LHB isn't necessarily something to be ignored at a non prime offensive position), but from a macro view I think you could've gotten a lot more for him despite what you (and I, and maybe some others) think of him.

He's a lefty bat, but he is actually developing reverse splits and is becoming better against LHB than RHB. I'm betting that he never gets that 7th point in Con,Pow,or Eye against RHP; while Ryan is betting he does.

I think the trade really boils down to me not valuing Saunders as much as some others may. He wasn't really in my long-term plans (unless he gets a bump, I'm sure I'd have been looking for an upgrade if we were competitive by the time he was in Greenville), so it was really a choice of holding on to him and trying to flip him for a prospect I liked better, or accepting a trade that I thought was fair value in my mind. It was a tough choice, but I'm hoping Kidd can have a solid season and either be useful for a few seasons, or be flipped for future assets of his own.

This won't be my last trade and I'm sure I'll make some mistakes along the way, but scared money don't make money

[recte44]