Why trade a pitcher with top of the rotation potential when the Twins have been scrambling without a guy like that for years, and everybody has been complaining about our mediocre rotation?

 

From today's chat, sort of related:

 

Comment From The Dude
Schwarber for Kluber: who hangs up first?

 

Dave Cameron
Indians. Kluber is worth more than that.

 

How is that related? Kluber is a cy young winner, Berrios is a nice prospect who hasn't logged one inning in major league ball.

 

He might be a better catcher too I'm joking here, but the reason Schwarber is up is b/c of his bat.  It's also the reason he's in LF.  They could leave him down there and develop him as a C or get him up now in the OF.  Schwarber is not a good C.  I wouldn't trade Berrios for Schwarber b/c at the end of the day, Schwarber won't be catching. 

Schwarber is an elite bat IMO, he had a .333/.429/.613 line in the minors (his AA/AAA numbers are similar to this as well)

 

I'm not sure he is good enough to stick at catcher, looking at his cs% in the minors it was pretty unimpressive (and that is just one portion of the position)

So basically you are looking at a corner OF/DH (his fielding with almost certainly get better) with .900-.950 OPS potential or a truly elite all time great hitting catcher if he can stick behind the dish.

 

I would trade Berrios for him straight up in a heartbeat, but the Cubs would never do it. (And I like Berrios quite a bit)

 

Interesting idea, really.

 

Generally, hitters are safer and more valuable than pitchers. But, Ace type pitchers have extreme value. The goodness of this trade depends on how you view their two futures, can Schwarber stay at C, and will Berrios be one of the 20 best SP in baseball?

 

I don't know, but it's an interesting topic. I bet most here say no, since we tend to over value our prospects.

Especially when the prospect in question might the the only guy in the system with ace stuff.  And in that case, for good reason.

I would prefer Berrios pitching to Murphy rather than Darnell pitching to Schwarber.

 

I would prefer Berrios pitching to Murphy rather than Darnell pitching to Schwarber.

 

Those aren't the choices, though, are they? They could sign a FA pitcher, right? 

 

Those aren't the choices, though, are they? They could sign a FA pitcher, right? 

They could, but not likely with Nolasco, Hughes, and Santana still collecting paychecks.

I am all for an FA catcher, but nothing worthwhile is out there this year.

If Murphy can't do the job, maybe a FA catcher next year. (or Garver, Turner, Navaretto)

Temporarily I would rather give Murphy his shot and upgrade the OF with a FA. (Dexter Fowler?)

 

They could, but not likely with Nolasco, Hughes, and Santana still collecting paychecks.

I am all for an FA catcher, but nothing worthwhile is out there this year.

If Murphy can't do the job, maybe a FA catcher next year. (or Garver, Turner, Navaretto)

Temporarily I would rather give Murphy his shot and upgrade the OF with a FA. (Dexter Fowler?)

 

this was posted, in fairness, before the trade.....