Like we said - why not both. Bats for arms. Mead for Early
In losing Mead they lose a power bat whose prospect history suggests could keep this up. The major league results are spottier but he’s young enough you can see a team still buying into scouting
In gaining Early the get a rotation worthy arm who’s probably more a 3/4 but a 3/4 with lots of control left. A spot that doesn’t have to be filled with cash or FA gambles. That is if he can stay healthy. He already missed time with an inflamed elbow
Quick take - I like the deal. It turned nothing into a decent chance at 100s of innings
15 comments:
Good move taking a chance on Early. Hate to lose Mead but hopefully House can step up
On the day a trade is announced, both sides think they have won the trade. In a year, it will be clear who really won. First reaction, not thrilled we got a pitcher on IR but willing to see how it plays out in the next two months. We now have six pitchers on IR and there isn't room for all of them on the 40 man roster post
World Series.
I like the move, but fear that it means that the Nats won't sign Foster Griffin -- another mid-rotation lefty. I'd really like to keep Griffin. This would be a decent (not great) rotation: Cavalli, Griffin, Early, Irvin, pitcher to be acquired, with Alvarez and Lord for long-relief and/or as injury fill-ins. Add a couple of competent relievers and the Nats would have a team that could contend for a playoff spot.
Matt Krook: coming into the game with a 5 run lead, he walks the bases loaded. Needs to be cut loose immediately. Put Jorbit Vivas in the bullpen. At least he throws it over the plate.
I like the trade to a degree. They definitely could use another MLB-quality arm in the rotation, especially one with a few years of control.
The downside is that this offense feels powered by one or two guys being hot for a stretch to complement Abrams and Wood (who themselves can sometimes go cold, in which case they need even more from the supporting cast). Losing one of the people who would periodically hold that role could hurt over the rest of the season if others don't step up.
If the Nationals have confidence in House at 3B, it is a great deal. If they don't, it still strikes me as an OK deal, although pitching is always an unstable isotope. I keep assuming that Toboni's goal is to be respectable next year, and fearsome in 2028 on out.
“B-b-b-but he has the ‘stuff’ to succeed, he just needs to figure it out - the experiment isn’t over!” \s
It is over. I am so tired of seeing these retread throwers who can’t pitch. Throwing strikes is the job—he can’t do that. What an embarrassment. I wonder what his fancy stats say that keeps getting him opportunities? That he’s really tall? Or that his index finger is longer than his ring finger? End this please.
Here’s a neat marketing idea. Give a lucky fan an opportunity to throw an inning. Vet them beforehand to see if they can throw a baseball, pay them $100 on a one day contract, and watch them walk the bases loaded instead. It’s the same result as Matt Krook, costs a whole lot less, and…what if they succeed?? Extra-extra read all about it. A great story. Until you’re a serious organization, bring in some banana ball instead of acting like you’re trying by signing clowns like Matt Krook or Justin Lawrence.
I think resigning Griffin will depend on what kind of money he is looking for rather than having another pitcher acquired through a trade. Even with Early, the Nats rotation will need three pitchers for next year, so one could easily be Griffin. But valuation could be tricky; he’s obviously been great this year, but doesn’t have a track record of success. Sure he could be Merrill Kelly good for several years, or he could be Fedde redux (two pitchers coming back from overseas success). I can see his camp thinking best case scenario ($15m-$20m a season) and the Nats being a little more cautious in their valuation ($10m-$12m). There is still a lot of risk there.
But Early does really help set a path forward for the rotation — Ace(FA), Cavalli, Griffin (or other FA), Early, Irvin/Lord/Susana/FA. You can start to see a playoff caliber rotation coming together.
I personally really like the deal even if House doesn’t work out — although as previous anon noted, if House becomes a productive Major Leaguer it is a great deal. You basically turn found money into a starting pitcher with five years of control. Especially when your farm system has plenty of top end infielders. Heck, extend CJ, move him to 3rd if House doesn’t work out, and let Willits take over SS. The Nats need young controllable pitching more than anything else and they turned a waiver-wire pick up into their next Gio Gonzales. That’s really good business even if Mead turns out to be this level of player over the long term.
New police chief, new sheriff, new deputies….looks like they know how to run a town. All the commentators on MLB and ESPN have been saying it would take trading CJ or Luis to add credible pitching. Not one mentioned Mead—-waiver claim to pitching help, held the fort until a rising star—House—was ready to return. Regardless of how it plays out in the long run, the new team is doing an impressive job.
A very good trade. In some ways, it increases the chances of signing Griffin. The guy obviously wants to test the free agent market -- the guidance of any good agent. But when the Nats suddenly have a major rotation piece in place? Makes him reassess.
If he's walking, then ask whether he is needed for this seasons' run. And the value of a pick from a qualifying offer.
Sure players want to get paid. But being on a winning team with a good coaching staff? Ask Soto in October how he feels about being baseballs' highest paid player on a last place team.
If Griffin is going to test the market (why shouldn't he?), you have to figure some GM out there is thinking "we're just one solid arm away from being a contender - give him whatever he asks for". And you know that won't be the Lerners.
I agree. How many times does he have to do this before you realize he's bad?
In looking at fan sites for the two teams, a sizable contingent of both fan bases think that "their" team got screwed in the deal.
The Early trade has nothing to do with whether the Nats extend Foster Griffin (which isn't happening, regardless of this trade). I like Griffin, but his half-season in MLB has made him un-extendable. Put yourself in the shoes of his agent. He is just a few months away from a 30-team auction. It would be agent malpractice to advise him to sign with the Nats before the auction happens. There are only two plausible outcomes for Griffin in the next month: traded or kept (with a plan to make him a qualifying offer at the end of the season). An extension is pie in the sky.
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