Fangraphs ranked the prospects traded at the deadline (this isn't a critique of our trades, which I hope pan out fantastically for us).
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/ranking-the-prospects-traded-at-the-2024-deadline/
No. 4 - Bloss
No. 40 - $750k Int. Pool Space (chuckle)
No. 56 - Wagner
No. 78 - Austin
Loperfido was considered a MLB player so not listed, but in the trade analysis they have him with a 45 FV grade, which would slot him in at the Nos. 8-11 range for prospects traded.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/yusei-kikuchi-returns-an-astronomical-haul-for-the-blue-jays/
Edit (adding part of the blog because it was interesting):
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/ranking-the-prospects-traded-at-the-2024-deadline/
No. 4 - Bloss
No. 40 - $750k Int. Pool Space (chuckle)
No. 56 - Wagner
No. 78 - Austin
Loperfido was considered a MLB player so not listed, but in the trade analysis they have him with a 45 FV grade, which would slot him in at the Nos. 8-11 range for prospects traded.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/yusei-kikuchi-returns-an-astronomical-haul-for-the-blue-jays/
Edit (adding part of the blog because it was interesting):
Quote:
. . .
I understand why the Astros need Kikuchi. But based on returns at the past few trade deadlines, Bloss alone was right around what I'd expect the Jays to get for dealing him. Maybe a Wagner-type player or two if the Astros were particularly keen to get the deal done. Loperfido, too? That's a lot of good young players for 2-3 months of a solid-but-not-overwhelming pitcher.
The more I mull this over in my head, the more I think the Astros wanted Kikuchi specifically. If they were calling every team in baseball and saying "We need starting, and we'll offer Jake Bloss plus…" someone would have dealt them an arm in fairly short order. I'd trade some of the starters who haven't yet been moved (Jack Flaherty and Zack Littell spring to mind) for less than this return, and I suspect that their teams might too. This only makes sense to me if the Astros wanted Kikuchi specifically and weren't willing to miss their guy. That's how you end up making an offer that makes analysts across the board go "Whoa, really?"
I think it's worth bumping expectations of Kikuchi up slightly given this context. When a team wants someone this badly, it surely has a reason. But I also think the Astros front office is a strange mishmash of old and new, and that they're working at cross purposes. The part of the org that sagely selects college pitchers with interesting peripherals and then helps them unlock new heights in their game probably isn't the same part that ships out a mountain of top prospects for two-plus months of a mid-rotation starter. I understand the Astros' motivation in the deal, and yet I still think they gave up too much.
