Overvaluing One's Players/Prospects?

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

With all the rumors swirling around the winter meetings, i found it interesting that several Twin Cities radio shows were discussing the Twins and the likelyhood of each team overvaluing their own players/prospects. Part of a good/experienced GM is to cut through the lip service to really make a sound transaction.

 

The player in the Twins talks who has ZERO chance of being traded, was Joe Mauer, but callers chimed in and were debating what Joe might be worth. David Wright's name was mentioned, as was Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, and a few others.

 

Question of the night (for fun since none of these players will ever be traded in their pre-arby or even arby years)

 

Would you trade Prince Fielder for either Joe Mauer or David Wright? Why or why not?

[chadomac]

I wouldn't do it just because we have a perfect situation with Prince right now. He's locked in for cheap and I think his prime is going to be early in his career and most likely during his time in Milwaukee. He's also younger than both Mauer and Wright.

 

But I do agree that we overvalue our players. You can tell by how many people think we can get Carl Crawford, Dan Haren, or some other elite player for a combination of Vargas, Gwynn, and Zach Jack. There's been a million posts on this forum that are just flat out ridiculous. Nobody wants 3 of our mediocre players for one superstar. Nobody wants quantity over quality.

[Raw Biz]

I agree that Prince's prime will be early in his career (i.e. NOW). I wouldn't trade him for Mauer but maybe I would in a couple years for Wright (and move LaPorta or Braun to 1st). As much as I like Prince, I think his size and build may start to slow him down once he hits 27/28 (most people's prime).

[Brewtacular]

on aside,

 

TwinBrewersWS...Who did you cheer for when they played? Great atmosphere between the fans at the games. I live up in MN but heart the crew. Although, the twins are only MN team I actually enjoy and root for.

 

sorry to rob a thread but curiosity got me

[ILuvDaBush]

The guy I find myself overvaluing more and more is Yo! The kid can hit AND pitch. He's Mexico's answer to Babe Ruth!

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

Brew- i have to confess. I wore my Joe Mauer Jersey for all three games at the Keg and the MetroDump. I am passionate about the Brewers, but the Twins were my first love.

 

Twins-Brewers atmosphere at Miller Park has been by far, my favorite baseball experience of the past decade. I happened to sit in the loge section along the RF line for that series and my section was approx 80% Twins Fans. I wouldn't say we "invade" Miller Park, but i bet the Twins Fans takeover more of Miller Park than the sCrUBS do. (Granted its one series versus 3-4 each year), and considering the atmosphere in the MetroDump is NEVER great (the Twins/Brewers series is like our main rivalry these days), or atleast most "fun" rivalry

[Raw Biz]

I saw a few brawls actually break out this year between the Crew and Twins. And I have to say, there were a few fans that I wanted to slug myself. I can only hear the "MVP" chant so many times. After awhile it just gets stupid, especially when he goes 0-4.

[TURBO]

I don't understand anyone who can have 2 favorite teams...

 

That logic makes no sense to me.

 

I have one team, and one team only.

[JJHardy7]

But I do agree that we overvalue our players. You can tell by how many people think we can get Carl Crawford, Dan Haren, or some other elite player for a combination of Vargas, Gwynn, and Zach Jack. There's been a million posts on this forum that are just flat out ridiculous. Nobody wants 3 of our mediocre players for one superstar. Nobody wants quantity over quality.

 

Agreed. Zach Jack's value has shrunk. I was pretty excited we got him in the Overbay trade, but I don't think he'll really ever mount to much in Milwaukee...and the thing is the guy is still very confident in his ability. He got crushed in Nashville. Those that have compared Capuano to Zach Jack should take in a Sounds game...Zach Jack has a way to go and he's not really young anymore compared to Yo, CV, and Parra -- who are younger or the same age and have had some success in the bigs.

[Brewtacular]

Well i done screwed this thread,

 

nonetheless,

 

I thought the atmosphere down at miller was great. Although, some of the twins fans were overly frat guy. However, it was so much better than the dome simply for the experience outside. At the the crapdome loads of crew fans but that place blows. I do look forward to some snowbaseball in 2 years!!

[TooLiveBrew]

This thread has some nice potential. Mauer's an interesting case, simply because he's a C. Plus, he doesn't K much, and BBs quite well. I wouldn't trade Prince, but Mauer's value is sky-high imho.

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

Obviously, i'm biased in two different ways here (since both Prince and Joe are hometown players for me), but here is my logic. I WOULD trade Prince for either player (if they would all be under the Brewers control for the same amount of time). The Brewers still control Prince for another 4 years I believe, Mauer for 2 more years, and Wright for 3 more years

 

I believe that Mauer and Wright are both better all-around hitters than Prince, and are leaps and bounds better on defense. Given that the Brewers could plug Braun or Laporta into 1B (with acquiring Mauer), or Braun or LaPorta into 1B (if they acquired Wright), I would probably lean towards the trade.

 

However, having Prince in our control for four more years is HUGE to a small market team, and makes Prince more valuable to us than he would be to the Mets.

 

If money were no object, talent wise, I'd trade Fielder for Mauer or Wright in a heartbeat (since they play much more difficult positions), but given where we are I'd probably pass.

 

I can pretty much guarantee that there is no way Minnesota would trade Mauer for Fielder or that the Muts would trade Wright for Fielder.

[hp2444]

When evaluating Fielder I think most people overlook the fact that he is a horrible first basemen. I can remember watching him take infield in Beloit and nearly laughing out loud. He has made trememdous strides since then, but he will never be even an average first basemen. We should trade him to the American League where he belongs. I do understand he is a tremendous value right now, but once we have to pay him, ship him.

[Brewtacular]

I dont know about Mauer. Seems to be injury prone and lacks the power you would suspect. I would assume that he is going to move positions at some point. I like him but not on a Wright/Fielder level.

[Hsee2006]

To answer the question from the thread. I would take Fielder over Mauer. Two years ago I would have taken Mauer in a second but the lack of development in the power department has left me a little disappointed.

 

This thread made me think of the earlier article on young players. The question I had at the time is whether I would trade Prince Fielder for Hanley Ramirez. They both have similar contract situations and ages. Ramirez has superior defense, plays a premium position, put up good slugging and averages, and will likely have a prime that extends beyond that of Fielder's. So the question I have is: would you trade Fielder for Ramirez straight up?

 

I honestly have a hard time making the call and it is probably because I slightly overvalue Prince and love having a first-baseman that can absolutely mash. It doesn't help that I have some irrational hatred for Ramirez (think it is because he was a Sox prospect-in which case the hatred is completely rational).

[hp2444]

I always hear the change in position for Mauer pitch, but I just don't see it. Mauer's value is that he is a plus catcher and a plus plus hitter as a catcher. Most teams are lucky to has just a plus in one area from their catcher. If you move Mauer to first base you have Lyle Overbay. A nice player but below average power for a first basemen.