The Twins Have Their Shortstop; Another Starting Pitcher Next?

[gagu]

5 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Arraez, Balazovic, Enlow, Kepler, Strotman, and Steer for Montas and either Soderstrom or Longeliers (two top catching prospects).

 

So...2 MLB starters (right now, Arraez is starting either as our DH or 3B and Kepler is still our starting RF) one under team control and one with a team-friendly contract, our best starting pitching prospect (#4 overall), two more of our top 20 prospects, AND another pitcher? For Frankie Montas? Talk about buying high.

It isn't just Montas. terrydactyls included either Soderstrom or Longeliers in the deal. Both catchers are in MLB's the top 100 list, 56th and 59th, respectively. Balazovic isn't on the list.

Fangraphs lists them 36th and 70th overall. Balazovic is ranked 90th.

So it's certainly debatable that either of the catchers would more than make up for the loss of Balazovic.

From MLB:

...Soderstrom entered pro ball without a ton of catching experience and that part of his game is still behind the bat, leading some to wonder if it would be better to move him to first, a position he saw some time at in 2021, to let his bat advance more quickly. There’s still work to be done, but the A’s are pleased with the progress he made in terms of blocking and receiving, as well as with using his above-average arm strength.

...the A’s wanted Langeliers to be one of the headliners in the deal that sent Matt Olson to Atlanta...

...Even if he doesn’t hit, Langeliers’ defense will make him a big leaguer. He has one of the best arms of any Minor Leaguer at any position and he threw out 42 percent of potential basestealers a year ago. He’s a strong leader and works very well with pitchers and after his experience on the postseason taxi squad, he’s close to being ready for a job as a big league regular.

[Doctor Gast]

Bassit went pretty cheap so if we would've acted sooner w/ OAK and gave them a reasonable offer up front, we should have came up with Montas or Bassit. Now that DET and KC is in the bidding it'd make it that much worse, because I believe they have a better farm system.

We lack very much depth at key positions SS, CF and C. Yet we like to hoard good bat and poor glove types (we gained 1 more Sanchez). Although I don't like to depend on young prospects to step up and play regularly (last season is a good example) yet we need Martin, Lewis and Godoy (hope that Celestino could recover from last season) to step up to add depth to this season.

Like was said earlier Means could be an option and they need an upgrade at 2B. Yet the price could be steep.