So, let's just assume worst-case scenarios for your team and they completely fall apart and out of the race by the trade deadline. They've decided to become sellers. Who are your most tradeable assets? Not just who your best players are, but who would your team actually be willing to trade at the deadline?

As a Rangers fan, I'd rank them in this order:
Darvish - obvious, given his impending free agency
Lucroy - same as Darvish
Hamels - I would say it's unlikely they'd deal him, but w/ 2 years remaining on his contract, I'm sure they'd be willing for the right price
Bullpen pieces - no telling who this could be since the BP has been pretty sketchy so far, although Dyson is the main culprit.

For the Astros it would be Beltran, Gregerson, Friers, & Gurriel. Gregerson might be worth something, but the rest, probably not.

I am not worried about it. 'stros will be buyers come the deadline. Left-handed bullpen and another horse for the playoffs.

Edit: Hamels & Darvish just may be what the Astros are looking for for our playoff push.

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Hamels & Darvish just may be what the Astros are looking for for our playoff push.

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What do you think the Astros would have to give up for Hamels or Darvish?

MSFC Aggie said:

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Hamels & Darvish just may be what the Astros are looking for for our playoff push.

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What do you think the Astros would have to give up for Hamels or Darvish?

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The rumor to get Quintana was Bregman or Musgrove, our top pitching prospect (Martes) and top hitting prospect (Tucker). Most felt both were asking way too much. Plus Quintana would be a long-term solution and not a rental. It would have to be less than that. At this point, it would be a wild guess on my part. You would think the Rangers would not want to work the Astros anyway.

MSFC Aggie said:

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Hamels & Darvish just may be what the Astros are looking for for our playoff push.

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What do you think the Astros would have to give up for Hamels or Darvish?

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Oh I imagine the Rangers would have to absolutely be blown away in order to trade them, especially for Hamels since he has 2 years remaining on his deal, to Houston. I just couldn't see that happening.

And I'm not sure what, if any, no-trade restrictions each would have. Hamels has already used a no-trade clause to prevent a trade to Houston in the past.

If the Rangers ended up as sellers I'd imagine Yu and Lucroy would certainly be out. Possibly Gomez if he's playing well. Same for Napoli.

If Gomez is playing well why would they cut him? His contract isn't bad, so someone would certainly have interest.

I'll add the Washington Nationals to the discussion.

Jayson Werth would be ripe for a trade, but has a full no-trade clause this final season of his contract. Would he waive it? I say why not, but you see differing opinions.

You could raid the bullpen; none have been very good this season so far. But you've got Joe Blanton coming up on free agency who has been pretty good the past few years.

The right price and you could claw away Daniel Murphy a year early. He will be a free agent after 2018. He'll be due $17.5 million. Well worth it if he plays like he has this year and last season.

And maybe Gio Gonzalez is up for a trade. He has a 1-year, $12-million player option for 2018. A trade with an expectation to negotiate on a new contract might make that work.

free_mhayden said:

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If Gomez is playing well why would they cut him? His contract isn't bad, so someone would certainly have interest.

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Given that his player value is barely above that of a replacement player, i think any MLB contract is going to be to much for a team to trade for.

Look i know rangers fans really wanted Gomez to pan out, obviously not related at all to him being cut by the Stros, but it ain't happening...

CorpsAg11 said:

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free_mhayden said:

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If Gomez is playing well why would they cut him? His contract isn't bad, so someone would certainly have interest.

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Given that his player value is barely above that of a replacement player, i think any MLB contract is going to be to much for a team to trade for.

Look i know rangers fans really wanted Gomez to pan out, obviously not related at all to him being cut by the Stros, but it ain't happening...

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Or, you know, they read the part of the post that said "if he's playing well".

I think most people understand that if a player isn't playing well that he's not going to be very much value in a trade.

It'll really depend on who is contending as far as a market for Gomez.

Relative to a pitcher or a traditional stronger hitter, he feels a narrower role.

He found a home last season, but it was via a minor league contract and the Rangers had been playing left field by committee. Worked out fine and there was absolutely no risk.

Got traded in 2015, as part of a package. Houston had a hole in center field. Marisnick was flailing.

His market for "playing well" is going to depend on what that actually means. 2013 and 2014---yes, that's attractive.

2015 with the Brewers or just about any other point, his "playing well" was barely passable for a starter but enough to not make you too upset and it'll take some very specific circumstances for him to have much of a market. You didn't expect much more than that and you say "sure, he's playing well."

Anyways, I hope someone bites on the Nationals post or something so this isn't just a Astros-Rangers bicker thread. But who am I kidding.

It was a joke. He was so ****ty the Astros cut him and ate millions of dollars so he wouldn't show up anymore. I don't actually expect him to get cut.

TXAggie2011 said:

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His market for "playing well" is going to depend on what that actually means. 2013 and 2014---yes, that's attractive.

2015 with the Brewers or just about any other point, his "playing well" was barely passable for a starter but enough to not make you too upset and it'll take some very specific circumstances for him to have much of a market. You didn't expect much more than that and you say "sure, he's playing well."

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So what you're saying is if you think his "playing well" involves him playing significantly above a "passable starter" then he would have some trade value.

Thanks for clearing that up. At least the other guy was just joking.

Interesting regression for someone who declared "if he's playing well, someone will be interested." Always fascinating how you see yourself relative to the world. ****, I wasn't even disagreeing with you.

And to help out, I'm saying if he's not at All-Star level "playing well" then the conversation gets more interesting because he's a relatively niche player, especially now that he's not going to give you 30-40 stolen bases.

If he's, I don't know, (healthy) Colby Lewis 2016 playing well, the market may or may be there, and really dependent on who is contending, relative to a position player with more versatility (or a pitcher...everyone needs a pitcher.)

I wasn't regressing from my original post -- if Carlos Gomez is playing well then he will return something in trade if Texas decides to dangle him.

If he's playing barely above replacement level then yeah, he's not going to return much if anything... because he's not playing well.

KC: Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas potentially available if their coming free agent contract price is driven up too high.

You can have Alcides Escobar for a bag of nice rocks as far as I am concerned.

And Alex Gordon, I'll let you keep the rocks. What a damn boondoggle.

TXAggie2011 said:

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So what you're saying is if a 31 year old making $11 million doesn't play well he won't have much trade value?

Thanks for clearing that up. At least the other guy was joking even though someone completely missed the joke.

/laughcryface

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That was kinda my point... The comment was that if Carlos Gomez plays well then he'll absolutely have some trade value as his contract isn't overly cumbersome and you then decided to reply and analyze what "plays well" really means and let us all know that playing slightly above replacement level isn't "playing well".

Thanks? We all appreciate you stating the obvious -- we know that if Carlos Gomez plays at slightly above replacement level that he won't have much trade value -- to most people that's not "playing well".

TheAngelFlight said:

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Between observations on the basketball board and this board, I have to wonder if anyone admired and thinks so highly of mahyden as to think half as much of him as he thinks of himself.

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I have to say if you're perusing Texags looking for people to admire then you've got a lot of things you need to work out.

But ignoring that I'll make the same comment I make to the handful of blowhards -- any time you'd like to put some real money on the line in a sports wager I'm game -- most of you like to think you know sports a whole lot more than your pocketbooks can really handle.

I'm going to look at a few teams based on Fangraphs projected standings that will likely be sellers...

Padres

• 2B/3B, Yangervis Solarte - Solarte has been a sneaky good hitter for his entire career and is off to a good start this year. His contract is very team friendly through 2018 and has 2 option years through 2020.

White Sox

• 3B, Todd Frazier - he's a rental, but he'll be a chip that should land the White Sox a decent amount.
• 1B, Jose Abreu - signed through 2019, the White Sox may have to eat a little salary.
• SP, Jose Quintana - obviously the biggest pitching trade chip at the moment. White Sox fans better hope he starts pitching better really soon to maximize return.
• OF, Melky Cabrera - above average hitter, terrible outfielder.

Edit to say I'm going to do more later... real life interjected.

Good list. For the White Sox, it will also be interesting to see if Holland can continue his hot start. As Rangers fans, we're familiar with seeing those glimpses of what his ceiling could be. But it just started seeming look fool's gold after a while. But, perhaps he's just one of those guys that needed a change of scenery. Not saying he'd bring in a good return, but just adding his name to the list of someone who will be interesting to keep an eye on. Is he closer to WS Game 4 Holland or 4.50+ ERA Holland? I'd say the latter, but he's off to a great start.

free_mhayden said:

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TheAngelFlight said:

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Between observations on the basketball board and this board, I have to wonder if anyone admired and thinks so highly of mahyden as to think half as much of him as he thinks of himself.

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I have to say if you're perusing Texags looking for people to admire then you've got a lot of things you need to work out.

But ignoring that I'll make the same comment I make to the handful of blowhards -- any time you'd like to put some real money on the line in a sports wager I'm game -- most of you like to think you know sports a whole lot more than your pocketbooks can really handle.

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Any ignorant overweight high school dropout can walk into a casino and wager on sports. Many do. And hell, they'll even win almost half the time.

If you think you've ascended somewhere in life because you like to wager on sports, I have a hotline for you call.

What do you want to wager on?


p.s. Having a go-to response for internet blow hards is not a good sign.

free_mhayden said:

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That was kinda my point... The comment was that if Carlos Gomez plays well then he'll absolutely have some trade value as his contract isn't overly cumbersome and you then decided to reply and analyze what "plays well" really means and let us all know that playing slightly above replacement level isn't "playing well".

Thanks? We all appreciate you stating the obvious -- we know that if Carlos Gomez plays at slightly above replacement level that he won't have much trade value -- to most people that's not "playing well".

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You keep using that phrase "slightly above replacement level" as if I said anything about replacement level.

Call me Shaggy, it wasn't me. I never said anything about replacement level.

For the Os it would take absolute catastrophe because they are operating in a small window anyway.(before Manny hits FA...Britton and Tillman as well)

I could see them kick the tires on trading Britton if someone wanted to offer a big package. Otherwise I could see Adam getting some interest both ways but you're not looking at a big return there.

I also think someone wouldn't mind taking on Trumbo if they are completely out of it. His number isn't atrocious if you need an upgrade at 1B/DH. I can't imagine too many other contenders wanting him in The OF.

TXAggie2011 said:

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free_mhayden said:

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That was kinda my point... The comment was that if Carlos Gomez plays well then he'll absolutely have some trade value as his contract isn't overly cumbersome and you then decided to reply and analyze what "plays well" really means and let us all know that playing slightly above replacement level isn't "playing well".

Thanks? We all appreciate you stating the obvious -- we know that if Carlos Gomez plays at slightly above replacement level that he won't have much trade value -- to most people that's not "playing well".

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You keep using that phrase "slightly above replacement level" as if I said anything about replacement level.

Call me Shaggy, it wasn't me. I never said anything about replacement level.

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Not going to go round-and-round with you this early in the season over something trivial. I commented that if Gomez is playing well then he could return something at the deadline -- you then went on to say that if his "playing well" consisted of performance akin to the years in which he was not playing well then he wouldn't return anything.

So yes, I agree with you -- if someone considers playing well the same thing as "barely passable for a starter" then correct, he won't return much of anything. However to most people "playing well" and "barely passable for a starter" are two completely different levels of play.

free_mhayden said:

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But ignoring that I'll make the same comment I make to the handful of blowhards -- any time you'd like to put some real money on the line in a sports wager I'm game -- most of you like to think you know sports a whole lot more than your pocketbooks can really handle.

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I'm still waiting, tough guy.

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What do you want to wager on?

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You're welcome to PM me, I figure it's best not to clutter up a decent thread with more of your ramblings about observing and admiring my posts.

You were hoping that would have been forgotten, huh?

You could have laid out the wager in the time it took you to type that. The ball is, of course in your court. I'll await your proposal. Don't think I can PM, but you knew that.

Sorry to intrude on this dick measuring contest with some actual content... but here goes.


Braves

• Freddie Freeman - signed through 2021 at roughly $21 mil per. He's a great player, but that's a lot of contract.
• Ender Inciarte - signed through 2021 with a 2022 team option, he's a piece a rebuilding team might want to hang onto. He's a league average hitter, but a stud defender in center.
• Brandon Phillips - old dude is still balling, could fetch a low A lottery pick.
• Julio Teheran - signed through 2019 with 1 option year. I think he's overrated, but he could net a nice little package at the deadline.

Reds

• Joey Votto - signed through 2023 (age 40) at $25 per, they would nearly have to give him away or foot over a lot of $.
• Zack Cozart - will be free agent next year, so a league average rental for someone with a black hole at short stop.
• Billy Hamilton - unlikely to be traded... but he would be an interesting add as a 4th OFer/pinch runner for a good team.