To name it a stunner can be an understatement. Over the weekend within the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers attached for one of many greatest trades in sports activities historical past. It is definitely some of the stunning: Luke Doncic for Anthony Davis. Two top-15 gamers on the earth traded for each other. There have been different gamers and draft picks within the commerce, nevertheless it boils right down to Doncic for Davis.
“We actually really feel like we bought forward of what was going to be a tumultuous summer season,” Mavericks GM Rico Harrison mentioned. “(Doncic) being eligible for the supermax and in addition a yr away from him with the ability to choose out of any contract, and so we actually felt like we bought out in entrance of that. We all know groups — they’ve had it on the market — groups have been loading as much as attempt to signal him as soon as that comes accessible.”
MLB stars get traded on a regular basis. Nolan Arenado, Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor, and Juan Soto (twice) have all been traded throughout the final 5 years. Baseball stars get traded for younger gamers and prospects although. Not different stars. MLB’s final star-for-star commerce was what, Alex Rodriguez for Alfonso Soriano? I do not assume Yoenis Cespedes for Jon Lester rises to the extent of Doncic/AD.
Both means, it has been some time since baseball’s final star-for-star blockbuster, so on the heels of the Doncic/AD commerce, let’s put collectively some hypothetical star-for-star MLB trades, lets? The sort of trades that, while you have a look at your telephone half-awake within the morning, spring you off the bed and make you go 😮. Include me, will not you?
When the nice folks at FanGraphs ran their annual Commerce Values sequence final July, Henderson was No. 1 and Skenes was No. 3 (Bobby Witt Jr. was No. 2). It is among the finest younger hitters within the sport and the finest younger pitcher within the sport. The 2023 AL Rookie of the Yr for the 2024 NL Rookie of the Yr. This might be enjoyable, eh?
You’d needn’t squint an excessive amount of to see how it could make sense for each groups too. The Orioles badly want a prime of the rotation starter, and to exchange Henderson, they may slide Jackson Holliday again to shortstop, and flank him with Jordan Westburg at second and Coby Mayo at third. Baltimore sacrifices some offense (OK, a lot of offense) to get a authentic frontline starter.
The Pirates, in the meantime, add a sorely wanted middle-of-the-order bat, they usually want a shortstop too with Oneil Cruz now enjoying middle discipline. Pittsburgh would nonetheless have a reputable 1-2 rotation punch in Jared Jones and Mitch Keller, and prime prospect Bubba Chandler is not too far-off. How else are the Pirates speculated to get a difference-making bat? Signal one? Hah.
Who says no? Each groups. Younger gamers are like kids. Everybody loves their very own greater than they love everybody else’s. I feel the Pirates can be nearer to saying sure than the Orioles although. O’s GM Mike Elias would not seem to be the sort to pay enormous for pitchers both by way of commerce or free company, and giving up 4 years of Henderson to get 5 years of Skenes qualifies as enormous.
Hey, Correa’s title has popped up in commerce rumors this offseason. Nothing severe, they have been extra like “groups have requested about Correa” rumors than “the Twins would possibly really commerce him” rumors. Nonetheless, Minnesota has had a quiet offseason, ostensibly as a result of they’re out of money. Whether or not they’re really out of money or simply pretending they’re out of money is one other matter, however I digress.
The Mariners are in perpetual want of extra offense and their projected second baseman is 2 children in a trench coat (Dylan Moore, really). Correa has by no means performed second base within the huge leagues, although he was going to play third for the Mets earlier than that deal fell aside. Seattle can put Correa on the scorching nook and slide Jorge Polanco again to second base, his most acquainted place.
As for the Twins, they may slot erstwhile prime prospect Brooks Lee in at shortstop, and would get a badly wanted beginning pitcher. An excellent one with long-term management too. It would not have the identical title worth, however this commerce would possibly finest match the Doncic/AD mannequin as a result of we’re buying and selling a big-name participant in his early 30s for a 20-something who ranks among the many sport’s finest at his place. I see the imaginative and prescient.
Who says no? The Mariners, clearly. Nearly as good as Correa is (it appears like he is change into underrated), he is owed some huge cash ($128 million from 2025-28), and groups do not tackle that a lot cash in a commerce and surrender good gamers. The Twins may store Kirby round and discover a package deal constructed round youthful gamers. Then once more, the Mavs did not do this with Doncic, so who is aware of?
Look, I did not say these trades can be real looking, solely that they’d qualify as jaw-droppers, and a Trout commerce would positively be a jaw-dropper. The technology’s best participant has been unable to remain wholesome the previous few years, however he has been very productive when on the sector, and we all know Trout would waive his no-trade clause to go to Philadelphia.
The person deserves happiness. The Angels haven’t been to the postseason since 2014 and the Phillies have a necessity in middle discipline. Slot Trout into the No. 2 lineup spot between Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, and let him go. Trout will get to return to the postseason and compete for a championship, and the Phillies add an enormous star and a nonetheless productive participant (when wholesome).
The Angels, in the meantime, would save face by touchdown arguably one of the best pitching prospect in baseball. Painter has been unable to remain on the sector himself (he is getting back from Tommy John surgical procedure), however he is so spectacular when wholesome. Buying and selling your franchise participant is rarely straightforward, even in his decline years, however the Angels would shed Trout’s contract and get a foundational piece in return.
Who says no? The Phillies. My tepid take is Trout might be extra precious to the 2025-29 or so Phillies than Painter, however they are not buying and selling Painter for Trout and taking over the rest of his contract ($212.7 million from 2025-30). Additionally, Painter would not qualify as a “star,” does he? I am undecided many informal baseball followers know who he’s. Hmmm. Our hypothetical commerce could have hit a sang.
