A trade deadline plan

[Seattle or Bust]

Mariners trade 1B Tyler Locklear, OF Jonatan Clase to the Jays for 1B Vlad Jr.

Why it works for the M's: I was short on Vlad but he's quietly turning in a season that is EXACTLY what the Mariners need. His .297 BA and .379 OBP clears any Mariner by a good 50+ points in either direction. He's quietly turned on the slug of late with a .554 slugging % over his last 30 games. He's now a perfect fit. He and Julio also appear to be very close, so that's a bonus.

Why it works for the Jays: The Jays are quietly going nowhere with an aging roster. They would get a direct replacement for Vlad Jr. in Locklear with 6 years of control. Their outfield is an absolute mess. Clase would start day one. The Jays also are not in a rebuild mode given contracts paid out and veterans on the roster. They could use MLB-ready players for 2025.

Mariners trade SS/2B Cole Young, OF Jonny Farmelo, SP Logan Evans, OF Mitch Haniger to the White Sox for OF Luis Robert and RHP Michael Kopech

Why it works for the M's: Getting rid of Haniger's contract in one of these trades would be ideal. The White Sox are not money averse and can afford to take money dumps to sweeten prospect return. Just like Julio, Robert has no protection in the White Sox lineup. Putting Julio, Vlad, and Robert together would certainly offer protection to all of them. The reason why I bring this up is that Robert has struggled to create his usual contact numbers and the K rate has gone up. The prospect of having all 3 of these guys in their prime and getting them for relatively cheap has to be enticing. When he's right, Robert is a superstar. Kopech is only under control through 2025, throws 101... perhaps the M's can put him in the workshop and help him reach his potential.

Why it works for the White Sox: The White Sox current middle infield is made of Paul DeJong and Nicky Lopez who will both likely not be on the team next year. Their top prospect is a SS that is MLB-ready, so adding Young would give them a SS/2B tandem that will be together for 7 seasons. Farmelo gives them a young OF prospect with a lot of upside. Logan Evans fills a need for a farm that doesn't have much in the way of top-end pitching prospects. Including Haniger is a salary dump they can take on to sweeten the prospect return. Just like the M's did in 2019 when they traded for Encarnacion and Bruce, the Sox can do the same while they don't figure on contending.

Lineup:

1. JP Crawford SS
2. Julio Rodriguez CF
3. Vlad Jr. 1B
4. Luis Robert Jr. RF
5. Luke Raley LF
6. Jorge Polanco 2B
7. Cal Raleigh C
8. Ty France DH
9. Josh Rojas 3B

Backup C: Mitch Garver, Util: Dylan Moore

Bullpen:

High Leverage: Andres Munoz, Gregory Santos
Mid Leverage: Ryne Stanek, Michael Kopech, Austin Voth, Trent Thorton, Gabe Spierer
Low Leverage: Tayler Saucedo, Mike Baumman

[Vogelbomb]

LOL

why would the Jays deal Vladdy? Keeping his exclusive negotiating rights is important. Remember, this is a club that was in the Ohtani sweepstakes. They aren't adverse to shelling out the peanuts

[Vogelbomb]

M's need to make decisions on the current 26. I don't think it makes sense to trade away more young talent. Look at what Ketel Marte and Jarred Kelenic are doing. Why'd we trade those guys? We knew they were elite players.

The M's need to move on from France, Haniger, Canzone, Polanco and Moore.

Go with Locklear, Bliss, Raley, Robles, Rojas and get ready for Ford, Young, Montes in 2 years.

[Seattle or Bust]

LOL

why would the Jays deal Vladdy? Keeping his exclusive negotiating rights is important. Remember, this is a club that was in the Ohtani sweepstakes. They aren't adverse to shelling out the peanuts

What are you laughing at?

You once suggested the M's trade for Giancarlo Stanton. You have suggested that the M's have the talent in house to turn this around and no trades are necessary.

You've suggested you think you have what it takes to manage the Mariners.

I don't think a single person here agrees with you.

[GL_Storm]

I would take either of those deals. I'm not super excited about Vladdy Jr. but if they would take that deal I would do it. I think the money would be a problem for the Mariners though.

[bpj]

Good stuff SoB.

Vlad Jr. is only 25 years old with 1.5 years remaining on his contract.

If he won't sign an extension, not sure what good exclusive negotiating rights are going to do for them.

Vlad, Rooker, and Luis Robert Jr. are the right age and talent level to shoot for imo.

It would be foolish to make a trade to just improve the 2024 team.

But if they can fill a future hole with any of those guys, they should.

Dumping Dylan Moore who has played at a 3 WAR pace that you can put anywhere would be peak stupidity for this team.

[D-train]

Mariners trade 1B Tyler Locklear, OF Jonatan Clase to the Jays for 1B Vlad Jr.

Why it works for the M's: I was short on Vlad but he's quietly turning in a season that is EXACTLY what the Mariners need. His .297 BA and .379 OBP clears any Mariner by a good 50+ points in either direction. He's quietly turned on the slug of late with a .554 slugging % over his last 30 games. He's now a perfect fit. He and Julio also appear to be very close, so that's a bonus.

Why it works for the Jays: The Jays are quietly going nowhere with an aging roster. They would get a direct replacement for Vlad Jr. in Locklear with 6 years of control. Their outfield is an absolute mess. Clase would start day one. The Jays also are not in a rebuild mode given contracts paid out and veterans on the roster. They could use MLB-ready players for 2025.

Mariners trade SS/2B Cole Young, OF Jonny Farmelo, SP Logan Evans, OF Mitch Haniger to the White Sox for OF Luis Robert and RHP Michael Kopech

Why it works for the M's: Getting rid of Haniger's contract in one of these trades would be ideal. The White Sox are not money averse and can afford to take money dumps to sweeten prospect return. Just like Julio, Robert has no protection in the White Sox lineup. Putting Julio, Vlad, and Robert together would certainly offer protection to all of them. The reason why I bring this up is that Robert has struggled to create his usual contact numbers and the K rate has gone up. The prospect of having all 3 of these guys in their prime and getting them for relatively cheap has to be enticing. When he's right, Robert is a superstar. Kopech is only under control through 2025, throws 101... perhaps the M's can put him in the workshop and help him reach his potential.

Why it works for the White Sox: The White Sox current middle infield is made of Paul DeJong and Nicky Lopez who will both likely not be on the team next year. Their top prospect is a SS that is MLB-ready, so adding Young would give them a SS/2B tandem that will be together for 7 seasons. Farmelo gives them a young OF prospect with a lot of upside. Logan Evans fills a need for a farm that doesn't have much in the way of top-end pitching prospects. Including Haniger is a salary dump they can take on to sweeten the prospect return. Just like the M's did in 2019 when they traded for Encarnacion and Bruce, the Sox can do the same while they don't figure on contending.

Lineup:

1. JP Crawford SS
2. Julio Rodriguez CF
3. Vlad Jr. 1B
4. Luis Robert Jr. RF
5. Luke Raley LF
6. Jorge Polanco 2B
7. Cal Raleigh C
8. Ty France DH
9. Josh Rojas 3B

Backup C: Mitch Garver, Util: Dylan Moore

Bullpen:

High Leverage: Andres Munoz, Gregory Santos
Mid Leverage: Ryne Stanek, Michael Kopech, Austin Voth, Trent Thorton, Gabe Spierer
Low Leverage: Tayler Saucedo, Mike Baumman

[Big_Maple]

I like this plan, TBH. Thanks for putting it together.

By all accounts, the Jays are motivated to move Vlad. Yeah, he's been the face of the franchise, but it looks like he will be testing free agency rather than signing an extension. So why shouldn't they move him, especially now that he's heating up (last week's AL player of the week). I don't know if that package would be enough to do it or not, but it seems reasonable. That said, there will be about 25 other teams in on the bidding, too.

The second deal gets rid of Mitch's contract (he's a hull of his former self), and adds a potent bat as another arm in the bullpen. Again, I don't know if it's enough, but it seems like a doable deal to me. The only concerns I have are around Robert's health and durability as well as the fact that some of his value comes from his presence in CF. What do you do with him? Full time DH? Can he swing to RF to replace Mitch?

I am not sure Kopech needs to be added here to make the deal work - he's 2-6 with an ERA over 4.00 Might we swing a different deal with another team for a different arm?

[Seattle or Bust]

Mariners trade 1B Tyler Locklear, OF Jonatan Clase to the Jays for 1B Vlad Jr.

Why it works for the M's: I was short on Vlad but he's quietly turning in a season that is EXACTLY what the Mariners need. His .297 BA and .379 OBP clears any Mariner by a good 50+ points in either direction. He's quietly turned on the slug of late with a .554 slugging % over his last 30 games. He's now a perfect fit. He and Julio also appear to be very close, so that's a bonus.

Why it works for the Jays: The Jays are quietly going nowhere with an aging roster. They would get a direct replacement for Vlad Jr. in Locklear with 6 years of control. Their outfield is an absolute mess. Clase would start day one. The Jays also are not in a rebuild mode given contracts paid out and veterans on the roster. They could use MLB-ready players for 2025.

Mariners trade SS/2B Cole Young, OF Jonny Farmelo, SP Logan Evans, OF Mitch Haniger to the White Sox for OF Luis Robert and RHP Michael Kopech

Why it works for the M's: Getting rid of Haniger's contract in one of these trades would be ideal. The White Sox are not money averse and can afford to take money dumps to sweeten prospect return. Just like Julio, Robert has no protection in the White Sox lineup. Putting Julio, Vlad, and Robert together would certainly offer protection to all of them. The reason why I bring this up is that Robert has struggled to create his usual contact numbers and the K rate has gone up. The prospect of having all 3 of these guys in their prime and getting them for relatively cheap has to be enticing. When he's right, Robert is a superstar. Kopech is only under control through 2025, throws 101... perhaps the M's can put him in the workshop and help him reach his potential.

Why it works for the White Sox: The White Sox current middle infield is made of Paul DeJong and Nicky Lopez who will both likely not be on the team next year. Their top prospect is a SS that is MLB-ready, so adding Young would give them a SS/2B tandem that will be together for 7 seasons. Farmelo gives them a young OF prospect with a lot of upside. Logan Evans fills a need for a farm that doesn't have much in the way of top-end pitching prospects. Including Haniger is a salary dump they can take on to sweeten the prospect return. Just like the M's did in 2019 when they traded for Encarnacion and Bruce, the Sox can do the same while they don't figure on contending.

Lineup:

1. JP Crawford SS
2. Julio Rodriguez CF
3. Vlad Jr. 1B
4. Luis Robert Jr. RF
5. Luke Raley LF
6. Jorge Polanco 2B
7. Cal Raleigh C
8. Ty France DH
9. Josh Rojas 3B

Backup C: Mitch Garver, Util: Dylan Moore

Bullpen:

High Leverage: Andres Munoz, Gregory Santos
Mid Leverage: Ryne Stanek, Michael Kopech, Austin Voth, Trent Thorton, Gabe Spierer
Low Leverage: Tayler Saucedo, Mike Baumman

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Screenshot 2024-07-01 5.31.22 PM.png

I think MLBTV is light on what it would take to acquire Vlad. With 1.5 years I'd put him more in that 15 point range... that value also doesn't reflect a recent surge in production.

Looks like I'm pretty right on with the Robert trade based on the model. Even then, I think 28 is light on Robert.

[D-train]

Looks like they are keeping Vlad

https://clutchpoints.com/mlb-rumors-blu ... ot-2-stars