jcomey

The Tampa Bay Rays Trade: IF Jean Segura (ML) SP Grayson Rodriguez (AAA) OF Alek Thomas (AAA) 2B Nick Gonzales (A) 1B Evan Waxman (AA) The Cleveland Guardians Trade: OF Cade Cahill (ML) IF Kunitaro Suzuki (ML) Big swing here. I've been looking for a good all-around outfielder, one who can likely play CF and allow for O'Connell and Plummer to play LF or DH. Enter Cahill, who can also play RF. He checks off all the boxes of what I'm trying to do with the club. Suzuki helps lessen the salary load going back to Cleveland, and he may provide reasonable cover off the bench. It's a considerable cost, given the prospects in the deal (Thomas, in particular, hurts), but it's a cost I'm clearly willing to pay. We wish them well in Cleveland, and thank Andrew for the pleasant and seamless trade talks.

This is another strength-for-weakness deal. We have an abundance of young starting pitchers. We do not have an abundance of good young outfielders. Mangum is akin to Bobby McDonald; he's not a perfect solution, but he will make us better, especially with late-game defense. Bitsko has good potential, and should do well in San Francisco. I probably paid a little more than most, but I value what Mangum brings to the franchise quite a bit. So, I'm happy with it. Danke, Heinz. May it work out for both sides.

Rays approve the deal. I drafted McDonald once upon a time, and need a fourth outfielder. He fills an absolute need for me, and checks off the boxes I want. (I know his offense has not been great, but if he can be a defensive sub late in games, and fill in here and there, I’m pleased). Archer and Sands have a chance to be pretty decent; however, we have solid organizational depth at both 1B and in the bullpen. So, they’ll head to Milwaukee, and hopefully blossom into productive players there!

Rays agree to this trade. It's no secret that we have wanted to move on from Leon, who we do not see as with us when we are formally ready to contend. There were a few offers that came through here and there, with one that would have moved him a long time ago. As it is, I'm happy to do this deal, with consolidates some of our arms and improves our rotation immensely in Beck. My scout absolutely loves him, and I think he can play really well in our park, whether in the bullpen, or in the rotation. Hanna is a guy, but he's a lefty who can perform. With Gallo losing a lot of his opportunities to rookie Craig Williams this season, I'm cool with taking Hanna into the same role. I'm happy Leon is reunited with Hodges, and may he have success in Pittsburgh!

Rays confirm this…this is, admittedly, a sentimental trade, as both Benny and Morales are from where I grew up, and I wanted both of them in my organization. Benny is rounding into hopeful form, and Morales has some solid potential as well. So it’s not all up in my feels.

Well...... Okay, so I've been high on Schultz for awhile. Actually, I was unhappy when he was dealt to Oakland in the first place; had I known he was available, I'd have simply worked to acquire him from KC. Regardless, I've been steadfast in trying to acquire him. I think he plays well in Philly, and so, I'm delighted to have him. Roxa....well, he's back. He's back because Odubel Herrera happens. If anyone wants him, come get him. I never really wanted to part with Roxa in the first place...well, here's hoping he can perform in his second stint in Philly. I bet he's thrilled to be back. The guys we gave up...I'm not a fan of parting with Kevin Jones, but with Bobby McDonald becoming a monster in the minors, he's kind of expendable. The other guys don't really factor into my long-range plans. I still don't know what this team is, but they seem to want to compete. The offense is broken, and this won't entirely fix it...but it may make it less broken. Thanks to Jason for the quick negotations (done before I can head off to hoops!).

With the team floundering, and the analytics saying we're already exceeding expectations, I might as well look to move people. So, I will listen to offers on anyone. The following will be quite difficult to part with: SP Sean Gilmartin SP Chance Magana SP Carson Palmer C Logan Moore Anyone else is fair game. All I ask is that, due to my schedule difficulty (though I will be around this evening, 5.16), you send me offers or tell me the parameter of players available in such deals. Please give me a starting point; that's all I ask. I'm best on Slack or at [email protected] -John

Hi, Philly confirms the deal. We need versatility on both offense and defense. Both of these players do just that. And they might hit, too...something we desperately need. We give up two players we like, but that's the cost of progress. Field wasn't going to stay long-term, not with whatshisface at first base right now. And Higginbotham wasn't quite the guy our scouts hoped after he healed from injury. He's still solid, but he stopped factoring into our longer-range plan. We hope they contribute to Kansas City's magical season!

We approve. Need the depth, and getting a pitcher who should play well in our system, with years of club control, is very important. My organization is high on Jenkins. Castro is a valuable upgrade, and Valle gives us depth we need behind the plate. It isn't flashy, but it makes our overall team better. And we need that. The earlier, the better. I know Brooks is likely the best player in the deal...but that's not absolute. And I'm in a spot where we need current versus potential. Thank you to Mitch for the easy discussion and completion of the deal.

Hi all, I'm looking for a 2B, SS, 3B, or a LF. I'm willing to pay...Pedro Magana or Carson Fulmer could be had, depending on the quality of player(s) involved. The same goes for Thomas Field or Ryobe Kamida. Please send me a note on Slack, but know that I am not the quickest to respond these days. I'll do what I can, though.

I would like to know what the adjustments would be for CBP, before I make a decision.

Philky confirms, with an explanation coming later.

Philly confirms. Will explain later. At work.

Philly confirms. Explian later. At work.

Well, this looks lopsided. I imagine Joe will be ripping the Phillies apart tomorrow morning. So, here's where it is...I needed to make a move, one way or another. This group has been good, maybe better than expected...the thing holding them back the most is me. We lack offense. We lack right-handed bats. Now we have two. As far as what we're giving up, Nicholas had become a hot commodity recently...but I have Will Chambers and Emilio Martinez, who are essentially him now. I really like Serrano, but I have Ibarra just about ready to come up, and otherwise have a good pen that will hopefully remain good for awhile. Komatsu fell out of favor and wasn't going to see the parent club. Kim was our third-ranked prospect, but he's too all-or-nothing for my taste. Carlson could turn into something, but Hatfield is just a guy to our scouts. It's telling that, in our organization, he isn't among the top pitching prospects. This didn't take long, which was nice. I still probably paid too much for the risk, but the risk was necessary with where this franchise is. Thanks, Ayden. I hope those guys work out for you.