SOT's First Annual Trade Deadline Top 50
Bill Simmons does it, Fangraphs does it, and now WTNY does it. My version of the Top 50 players in SOT land. I view this list as a trade meter, so player #1 should not be traded straight up for anyone else in the league. My criteria is as follows:
- current contract
- position eligibility
- league perception of ability
- current and future production in all stat categories
- injury/playing time in organization concerns
- in the case of minor leaguers, proximity to the majors. Enjoy and debate!
1. Evan Longoria
2. Grady Sizemore
3. Matt Weiters
4. Adam Jones
5. BJ Upton
6. Dustin Pedroia
7. Josh Hamilton
8. Nick Markakis
9. Ian Kinsler
10. Felix Hernandez
Zach Greinke
Gordon Beckham
Curtis Granderson
Jon Lester
15. David Price
Aaron Hill
Billy Butler
Ben Zobrist
Robinson Cano
20. Nelson Cruz
Alex Gordon
Carlos Quentin
Adam Lind
Joe Mauer
25. Matt Laporta
Justin Smoak
Joba Chamberlain
Justin Verlander
James Shields
30. Clay Buchholz
Mike Napoli
Shin Soo Choo
Jacoby Ellsbury
Carl Crawford
35. Kevin Youkilis
Justin Morneau
Matt Garza
Jon Danks
Brett Anderson
40. Rick Porcello
Edwin Jackson
Carlos Santana
Victor Martinez
Travis Snider
45. Brett Wallace
Trevor Cahill
Asdrubal Cabrera
Jokim Soria
Andrew Bailey
50. Nolan Reimold
Just Missed (alphabetical)
David Aardsma
Elvis Andrus
Howie Kendrick
Derek Holland
Desmond Jennings
Jesus Montero
Jhonny Peralta
Alexei Ramarez
Rickey Ramiro
Kevin Slowey
Chris Tillman
Brandon Wood
If I’m reading this correctly then as an owner you wouldnt trade Napoli for guys like Ellsbury, Crawford or Youk?
Hypothetically, yes. But when talking about players in a similar grouping, like Napoli, Ellsbury, Crawford, and Youk, it could go either way. Obviously Napoli’s positional rankings is what pushed him ahead of the other players mentioned. I only have 4 catchers total in the top 50, and only two started the year in the bigs (Napoli and Mauer). For Napoli, the increased PT (on pace for 480 AB’s), lower K rate, and increased in Bavg + counting stats, really pushed him forward in my eyes. The power is still there, on pace for 28HR’s, and a triple slash of 278/364/510, while under control for the next three years. Crawford’s contract status and position pushed him down the list. Same with Ellsbury, less contract status. And Youk gets expensive at the wrong time. He hits 10+M per season while entering his early 30′s.
No love for Miguel Cabrera out of 50?
10:$20M, 11:$20M, 12:$21M, 13:$21M, 14:$22M, 15:$22M
That type of contract just can’t be justified as a top 50 in a league with a cap. I realize he’s more productive than most if not all on the list, and if you have the room, you have to do it. But the net is, that’s one out of 23 players taking up over 20% of your payroll. If he was at C or MI, I think it would’ve been a closer call, although still can’t see him making my list.
Oh ok, that makes sense
No Kendry Morales?
Kendry was an oversight, and a big one too. He looks for real, should be in 20′s probably. Although the position and age questions hurt a tad. But no question he should’ve been on the list.