Off Season Move, Trading Fielder

[yount19.u]

I think the only way D.M. trades Prince is if we get at least one top of the rotation pitcher plus something else. With Sheets likely leaving this summer, this is the Brewers' best hope to fill in that hole.

[interestobserver]

Even with Prince being a couple of years younger than LaPorta would be, I'd be leery of projecting his replacement to hit the same stats. Even if he did, obviously it's unlikely he hits the same growth rate.

Everybody wants a young top of the rotation starter. Only the Mets were dumb enough to give one away. Since the Kazmir debacle and the fury that immediately ensued, no one trades those guys away. You can forget about getting Kershaw. As good and as young as Prince is, overweight, one dimensional first basemen have a lot less market value than other positions. Throw in that he's about to get expensive and the choice is down to either good prospects, or other good, but nearing walk year players.

 

Texiara being a FA could also hurt his trade value. The best move is probably to keep him and give him a five to seven year contract. After that, you're probably in his post Red Sox Mo Vaughn years and you'd be better off letting him walk over to a DH spot.

[Never Outhustled]

LaPorta hit almost as well as Alex Gordon did in AA so he'd definitely come in and mash

Why does LaPorta need to come in and mash? He's replacing a guy who has a sub-850 OPs at mid-season. Fielder had a great year last, but we're past the point where you could expect him to get hot and even approach that. Last season could end up being the best year of his career, as he'll likely never be in decent shape again. Also, just about anyone would be an upgrade defensively from Fielder, something you consistently ignore.

[interestobserver]

I think an 850's ops is pretty good for a rookie and probably a bridge too far. If he brings something else with the glove and on the bases, he makes up for some of that.