From players, what it's like to be traded.

[Mike Sixel]

Great stuff from players on Fangraphs about what it is like to be traded:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/players-view-what-its-like-to-get-traded/

 

[nicksaviking]

I went in expecting some heart-wrenching stories because in the back of my mind I know we as fans are monsters who have a real hard time connecting these guys as a commodity to these guys as actual humans.

 

However, most of those guys didn't sound too upset about trades and I suppose from the get-go, these guys always know their residency is not stable. Plenty of other jobs require relocation as well I suppose.

 

My favorite part was Dan Haren, 1) because I didn't remember that he pitched as recently as last year, and 2) he pays attention to his FIP?!? Fantastic, I guess not all players think that stuff is mumbo jumbo.

 

Also the Sam Fuld bit was interesting. He liked Minneapolis but was happy to go to a contender that needed him. Also it was Rob Anthony, not Terry Ryan who informed him AND it was at 1AM.

[Mike Sixel]

Ya, I loved that Dan Haren part.

 

 

None of the GM calls sounded all that personal, which I thought was a bit odd.

[Mr. Brooks]

It's a business. It's not supposed to be personal.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

However, most of those guys didn't sound too upset about trades and I suppose from the get-go, these guys always know their residency is not stable.

Pretty much.  Even a minor leaguer that stays in the same pro organization for many years, what we think of as a stable baseball career, that guy is moving every year, sometimes multiple times a year, at someone else's discretion.  Changing MLB teams isn't necessarily that big of a deal.

[gil4]

 

It's a business. It's not supposed to be personal.

How many people have a place of employment that is 100% business and 0% personal?  Granted, it was the GM calling, who probably only has a close relationship with a couple of the players who have been there the longest.  I guess when someone gets traded mid-season, there is so much to do that the emphasis has to be on business, because there's not a lot of time for anything else.

[Mike Sixel]

 

It's a business. It's not supposed to be personal.

 

Really? If you were transferred to another state, you don't think your boss would talk to you?

 

Business is BUILT on personal relationships, not icebergs.

[jimmer]

How many businesses trade their employees around?  Sports is a different animal than other businesses.  The players know, going in, that trades and releases and so on are part of the job.

[Mr. Brooks]

Really? If you were transferred to another state, you don't think your boss would talk to you?

 

Business is BUILT on personal relationships, not icebergs.

The assistant GM is their boss too.

And my job doesn't have a reasonable expectation of being "transferred" to another state.

If it did, that is something I would consider BEFORE I took the job.

"Hey, this job I'm considering, there is a fairly good chance I could get moved to another state. Perhaps even multiple times in my career. Am I comfortable going forward with this career knowing that's the case?"

 

I'm not saying people shouldn't treat everyone like human beings. That should be without question.

 

I'm just saying it shouldn't be a big deal if these guys get traded or sent to the minors, etc.

It's all part of the business that they pursued.

And how they are going to feel about being traded or demoted, or any other perfectly normal baseball transaction should not be on the GM's mind when making those decisions.

It's a business, and everyone involved is a grown ass man.

[Mike Sixel]

I was talking about the GM not really talking to them......no place did I say they shouldn't be traded....so I'm not sure what we are talking about now.

[Mr. Brooks]

I was talking about the GM not really talking to them......no place did I say they shouldn't be traded....so I'm not sure what we are talking about now.

Sorry, I was more speaking in generalities, with all the discussions about trades and promotions/demotions the last few weeks.

 

And, stuff like that is kinda what the Assistant GM is for.