MLB Trade Deadline: Pitching Commanding Steep Prices
By Ron Juckett
Early returns before this year’s MLB trade deadline show the cost of pitching is extremely high. Here is why.
The MLB trade deadline is always an overpriced shopper’s paradise. Teams needing that missing championship piece pay a higher price in prospects and contract dumps than they would in the offseason. The addition of a second Wild Card in each league cut the clarity between teams buying and selling, causing prices to go higher.
If you look at what it cost the Chicago Cubs to get Aroldis Chapman and the Boston Red Sox Drew Pomeranz, this week of shopping has turned into an afternoon of binging on Beverley Hills’ Rodeo Drive.
If getting the perfect diamond runs a few months’ salary, grabbing the needed pitcher sets teams back roughly the same. Friday, the Miami Marlins sent last year’s first-round pick in Josh Naylor, Carter Capps, Jarred Cosart and another prospect for Andrew Cashner, Colin Rea and Tayron Guerrero. Cashner can pitch at a high level, Rea was lit up at Petco Park regularly and Guerrero is unproven. Yet, the Marlins hold a Wild Card spot and still think they can catch the Washington Nationals in the National League East. That is like going to a steak house and being charged another $10 for a baked potato.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
The Cubs packaged Adam Warren, super-prospect Gleyber Torres, Rashad Crawford and Billy McKinney for a rental of Chapman. Now if the Cubs win the World Series as Chapman celebrates on the mound, losing Torres will go down as a small price to pay. If Chicago cannot get to the World Series, then they have thrown an entire paycheck for a tuxedo rental. On paper, the Yankees and Padres got the better end of both deals as San Diego landed top Red Sox farmhand Anderson Espinoza for Pomeranz.
The Chicago White Sox are asking for the moon, stars and a time-share on Jupiter for disgruntled ace Chris Sale. Some team may call their bluff. Why are prices so high?
Two reasons.
That additional playoff spot makes holding on to a wanted player that much easier. Before, a team considered sellers could bargain to a degree before taking the best deal on the table. Now those teams still may be in contention themselves, such as the Yankees. Teams like Miami are finding themselves in a position to win and will gamble to do so. Desperation opens vaults.
Perhaps the bigger reason becomes apparent after the season ends. With Stephen Strasburg staying in Washington, the number of aces hitting free agency come November hits zero. When Cashner and Clay Buchholz top the list, teams’ options are limited. Sure, you can grab a Jeremy Hellickson or R.A. Dickey for a decent price, but none of those names will get you 200 innings with a sub-3.50 ERA consistently.
Next: MLB's Top 10 Lopsided Deals
In a basic business lesson, supply cannot meet demand. At this year’s deadline, the word value is in no one’s vocabulary.