Value: OPS, Center fielders, and Left handed SP

by Hang Man on Jul 27, 2005 10:54 PM PDT

Earlier this year (May) Billy Beane learned a lot about the value of center fielders and starting left handed pitchers when quite a few teams made offers for Kotsay and Zito.

The first action that Billy took was to go out and trade for a center fielder (Payton) and a starting left handed pitcher. (Kennedy)

While the trade threads are fun, it seems as if we are throwing darts in the dark. We know who we like, but we don't know what the other GM's would want for them.
Billy knows.

The question now, were the trades that Billy made to be used as chips at the trading deadline or for during the off-season?

While we don't know what was offered for Kotsay and Zito, we can compile a monetary valuation for OPS.

The top ten players with the highest OPS, salary & age:

D. Lee OPS 1.163 $7.7 million 30 yrs
A. Pujols 1.039 11.0 25
M. Cabrera 1.018 .370 22
A. Rodriquez 1.017 24.7 30
T. Hafner 0.995 .377 28
M. Ensberg 0.976 .450 30
A. Dunn 0.973 4.6 25
J. Giambi 0.973 13.4 34
A. Ramirez 0.972 8.2 27
A. Jones 0.970 13.0 28

I was surprised to see Giambi up there. I knew he was doing better, but not that good.

As you can see the real steals are Cabrera, Hafner and Ensberg. Dunn falls into a singular middle tier. While the big bucks fill out the rest of the list.

Gammons suggested a trade of Suziki, Branden, Cruz and Kennedy for Dunn. At first I thought "No Way!" but now think that it would work out for us. We would have him for at least two more years. This would allow Barton to be groomed without rushing him. It would also allow us to control him for the years closer to his prime. 22-28 rather than 20-26 yr of age. And if I were the Reds GM I would do the trade as well. Small market, needs pitching, loaded with offense, four players for one.

Someone else mentioned that the Marlins need pitching as well. What would it take to pry Cabrera from them?

Either trade would be an A trade.

The last bit of news is that Arizona pulled up Connor Jackson to play first. They dropped Cruz Jr. moved their 25 yr old first baseman Chad Tracy to left and moved Green to center. Man that team needs a center fielder. Cough Payton Cough Is Jackson being showcased before the trade deadline?

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What would it take to pry Cabrera from Flordia?

Probably Crosby and Chavez, and we'd take Lowell and his contract.

Dr. Baron Von Evil Satan, in person.

by Zonis on Jul 27, 2005 11:08 PM PDT reply actions

OK

So... if it would take most of our best players to get a guy with an OPS of 1.018, then wouldn't a trade for a guy with an OPS of 0.973 for a headcase, a Colorado cast off, a AA pitcher and a A catcher make since?

by Hang Man on Jul 28, 2005 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions

I read on

an Angels forum, "Hey I heard this trade was proposed by Oakland" (which it wasn't, it was just an example of a trade by gammons on espn), "Suzuki, Braden, Cruz and Kennedy for Dunn. If that happens we'd be in so much trouble. By the way, when did Oakland get Ichiro?"

hahahaha....also how is a scrawny guy like ensberg so good? I remember he was almost last in my 3b cheatsheet for drafting last year in my fantasy draft.

Btw it would take a LOT to pry cabrera because though its not talked about a lot, its obvious that age is one of the highest rated values in baseball. Except apparently to the Yanks and the Giants.

Change is for the better. For both the A's and in life.

by WhiteElephantGuy on Jul 27, 2005 11:09 PM PDT reply actions

to all the dunn trade fans:

listen to the beane interview in the top recommended diary.

If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be... "in the Ultimate Fighting Championship." -Rich Harden

by xbhaskarx on Jul 28, 2005 3:13 AM PDT reply actions

All I am trying to say is

Avg. age 28 yr old
avg salary: 7.2 million

Dunn: 25 yrs old, 4.6 million

Dunn should not yet be at his peak, and at 4.6 million he is under valued.

by Hang Man on Jul 28, 2005 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

this reminds me of the spring

when the Cameron trade was a daily ritual, we are not going to trade for Dunn, and fortuntely after Sunday it won't be a daily post on AN. BB doesn't make those kind of deals, if anything we will trade Rincon and Rouse for some guy most of us have not heard much of, and then be surprised when he is successful for what we got him for. I would love one more hitter to replace Hatte, but doubt it will happen.

by china bob on Jul 28, 2005 4:29 AM PDT reply actions

Billy also said

that the one weakness of the team was a lack of power!

He verbalized the problem, he recognizes the problem, and he usually takes action to rectify problems.

The first half of the season is when the holes in the team are identified, and the trading deadline is usually when holes in the lineup are rectified. Billy has identified the hole, our game is to guess at his solution.

Players in the top ten of OPS are not usually traded. To acquire one you have to wait until they are free agents and then over bid for them. The Reds have acknowledged that they are entertaining bids for Dunn. The one thing the Reds need is pitching. Oakland is rich in pitching.

If we are ever going to acquire a player in the top ten in OPS this is our chance to do it.

by Hang Man on Jul 28, 2005 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions