Post by Rog on Dec 5, 2015 6:37:49 GMT -5
As the free agent market begins to spiral out of control, the trade market becomes more viable. And that is an area in which the Giants have done quite well, although usually near the trade deadline.
One obstacle on the trade market will now be the price of cost-controlled players will be rising. Teams with good cost-controlled players will be willing to trade them more and more for only good prospects they can turn into cost-controlled major league players. Contending teams will be forced more and more to trade good prospects for cost-controlled talent. That enhances competitive balance.
The Giants may be looking more foolish for not exercising the net $4.7 million option for Nori Aoki. Assuming he's healthy, the Giants should perhaps have looked to extend him rather than let him go. Their desire for flexibility now appears to have been a way of making more money available for Zack Greinke. Now that they have failed to land their prize, they need to go in another direction.
I have pointed out that if they want to go for a top free agent at another position, Jason Heyward is an excellent candidate. But as much as we hate the idea of not landing a top player, they may be able to get more value by spreading their money around, adding trades to free agents signings and perhaps taking a close look at a few non-tenders.
Unlike a year ago, the Giants seem to be in good position to trade prospects and young major leaguers. Has Andrew Susac established his value? Probably not as fully as we would like, but he certainly appears to have trade value. The Yankees traded a lesser prospect IMO for a decent center fielder in Aaron Hicks.
Christian Arroyo seems to be building value, as are the Giants' two first round pitching prospects of the past two or three years. Young pitchers such as Chris Heston and Clayton Blackburn built value this past season. Kelby Tomlinson came from seemingly nowhere.
Trevor Brown seemed to impress the Giants enough behind the plate that perhaps they feel he can hold the fort as Buster Posey's backup until 2014 2nd round pick Aramis Garcia is ready to take on that role. Garcia hit a homer every 21 at bats for Low A Augusta before going homerless in 75 at bats for High A San Jose. Aramis's average also dropped from .273 to .227 with the promotion, but I believe the Giants are still high on him. Garcia is 22 and will need to play well enough to advance quickly if he is to earn a spot as a top Giants prospect.
In short, the Giants have some prospects to trade, and with the cost of doing free agent business, that could be more important than ever.
One obstacle on the trade market will now be the price of cost-controlled players will be rising. Teams with good cost-controlled players will be willing to trade them more and more for only good prospects they can turn into cost-controlled major league players. Contending teams will be forced more and more to trade good prospects for cost-controlled talent. That enhances competitive balance.
The Giants may be looking more foolish for not exercising the net $4.7 million option for Nori Aoki. Assuming he's healthy, the Giants should perhaps have looked to extend him rather than let him go. Their desire for flexibility now appears to have been a way of making more money available for Zack Greinke. Now that they have failed to land their prize, they need to go in another direction.
I have pointed out that if they want to go for a top free agent at another position, Jason Heyward is an excellent candidate. But as much as we hate the idea of not landing a top player, they may be able to get more value by spreading their money around, adding trades to free agents signings and perhaps taking a close look at a few non-tenders.
Unlike a year ago, the Giants seem to be in good position to trade prospects and young major leaguers. Has Andrew Susac established his value? Probably not as fully as we would like, but he certainly appears to have trade value. The Yankees traded a lesser prospect IMO for a decent center fielder in Aaron Hicks.
Christian Arroyo seems to be building value, as are the Giants' two first round pitching prospects of the past two or three years. Young pitchers such as Chris Heston and Clayton Blackburn built value this past season. Kelby Tomlinson came from seemingly nowhere.
Trevor Brown seemed to impress the Giants enough behind the plate that perhaps they feel he can hold the fort as Buster Posey's backup until 2014 2nd round pick Aramis Garcia is ready to take on that role. Garcia hit a homer every 21 at bats for Low A Augusta before going homerless in 75 at bats for High A San Jose. Aramis's average also dropped from .273 to .227 with the promotion, but I believe the Giants are still high on him. Garcia is 22 and will need to play well enough to advance quickly if he is to earn a spot as a top Giants prospect.
In short, the Giants have some prospects to trade, and with the cost of doing free agent business, that could be more important than ever.
