I don’t know how to analyze the return on these trades; the general consensus it seems like they could have gotten better prospects for at least some of the individual trades. But for me, it all seems haphazard, and could have been executed more strategically. If they knew Wednesday they were going to trade the best five relievers, I think they could have packaged players together to get more than they got. For example, could they have traded Varland and Castro together for a couple of better prospects? Could Duran and Jax together have netted Painter? (But actually, maybe Abel, Tait and Bradley together is actually a good return for Duran and Jax, and better than getting just Painter?)
Anyway, doesn’t feel like they had a clear direction with these moves, with clarity on what they were trying to get back, or how to maximize what they got back.