It’s been a few years since I’ve read (or thought about) The Ringer. I don’t know what they were expecting. The Lopez deal remains poor, but given the players moved and the return, I don’t see how it can be anything but ok. It’s not exciting, but it goes to the “vicious cycle” that I wrote about above. They don’t have the talent to bring back more talent. Which is why they’re going to lose over 100 games.
The argument is one that you’ve made: Lopez is a decent utility guy that the Royals basically gave away.
I read Picollo comment that the Braves made the best offer. Is there more here—like Lopez demanded a trade or that he had become a problem in the clubhouse?
I think JJ really wanted to dump Lopez because somewhat expensive, would be non-tended this winter, and was blocking assessment of others. Since optics so bad on Hearn ( I think return was fine), JJ should have told Braves give me someone else.
Those 3 reasons about cover it. And agree on the optics and Picollo asking for someone else. But I guess he was fixated on getting a reliever with major league experience because he knew he would be making deals down the road.
Probably right, but it's telling that one of the best organizations valued Lopez, which suggests to me that the Royals could have held out for more. The takeaway for me is that the Royals front office (since Picollo was Moore's right-hand man) hasn't earned the benefit of a doubt.
I’ve heard he was unhappy about his diminished role. It sure feels like the Royals were itching to move on from him.
I think the way the Braves will use him will maximize his value…a utility guy who comes off the bench as either a pinch runner or defensive replacement on the infield.
Picollo did well I think, considering he had little of any value to offer. At least he took what he could get instead of holding like gmdm did so many times.
Completely agree. In the past it would’ve been something like, “We can trade Barlow because then who would close games for us?” Picollo wanted to be transactional and while I think there’s much more to do (or that he could’ve done) this is a good start.
I guess we are learning that being more transactional means being confronted with far more irrefutable evidence of just how poorly our talent is viewed by the rest of MLB.
Good assessment as always. Surprised Craig did not praise JJ in body of article, but he did in comments. I think people need to get past Lopez. The optics were bad but Lopez was somewhat expensive, was of no significant value to Royals (plus his PA’s need to go to evaluate others), and he simply had very little trade value. Hearn might help. Good enough to be on active rosters of two high level teams this year.
I think Picollo did fine. If I were handing out letter grades, this deadline would be a C. He moved a couple of guys he needed to move and it was probably the correct call to hold on the more valued assets in an attempt to spin them for the proper return this offseason.
Ragans starts tonight. Nice that we can start assessing some of the new guys immediately.
Definitely an improvement since Sunday’s debacle. Good to see that they are targeting some Latino players, since that has been a real weak spot of their scouting and signings.
Also, Craig’s comment is exactly right: “willing to sell, but with assets that hold little or no appeal to the rest of the league.“. Singer is exception, but Royals have him for 3 years (enough to contend) and his value might even be greater this winter or next deadline.
The Ringer decided that the Royals are big losers.
https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2023/8/1/23816523/mlb-trade-deadline-2023-buyers-sellers-justin-verlander-max-scherzer
It’s been a few years since I’ve read (or thought about) The Ringer. I don’t know what they were expecting. The Lopez deal remains poor, but given the players moved and the return, I don’t see how it can be anything but ok. It’s not exciting, but it goes to the “vicious cycle” that I wrote about above. They don’t have the talent to bring back more talent. Which is why they’re going to lose over 100 games.
The argument is one that you’ve made: Lopez is a decent utility guy that the Royals basically gave away.
I read Picollo comment that the Braves made the best offer. Is there more here—like Lopez demanded a trade or that he had become a problem in the clubhouse?
I think JJ really wanted to dump Lopez because somewhat expensive, would be non-tended this winter, and was blocking assessment of others. Since optics so bad on Hearn ( I think return was fine), JJ should have told Braves give me someone else.
Those 3 reasons about cover it. And agree on the optics and Picollo asking for someone else. But I guess he was fixated on getting a reliever with major league experience because he knew he would be making deals down the road.
Probably right, but it's telling that one of the best organizations valued Lopez, which suggests to me that the Royals could have held out for more. The takeaway for me is that the Royals front office (since Picollo was Moore's right-hand man) hasn't earned the benefit of a doubt.
I’ve heard he was unhappy about his diminished role. It sure feels like the Royals were itching to move on from him.
I think the way the Braves will use him will maximize his value…a utility guy who comes off the bench as either a pinch runner or defensive replacement on the infield.
Picollo did well I think, considering he had little of any value to offer. At least he took what he could get instead of holding like gmdm did so many times.
Completely agree. In the past it would’ve been something like, “We can trade Barlow because then who would close games for us?” Picollo wanted to be transactional and while I think there’s much more to do (or that he could’ve done) this is a good start.
I guess we are learning that being more transactional means being confronted with far more irrefutable evidence of just how poorly our talent is viewed by the rest of MLB.
Bingo. You don’t have a sub .300 winning percentage by accident. This is who they are.
I do expect to see some larger trades this winter.
Good assessment as always. Surprised Craig did not praise JJ in body of article, but he did in comments. I think people need to get past Lopez. The optics were bad but Lopez was somewhat expensive, was of no significant value to Royals (plus his PA’s need to go to evaluate others), and he simply had very little trade value. Hearn might help. Good enough to be on active rosters of two high level teams this year.
I think Picollo did fine. If I were handing out letter grades, this deadline would be a C. He moved a couple of guys he needed to move and it was probably the correct call to hold on the more valued assets in an attempt to spin them for the proper return this offseason.
Ragans starts tonight. Nice that we can start assessing some of the new guys immediately.
Definitely an improvement since Sunday’s debacle. Good to see that they are targeting some Latino players, since that has been a real weak spot of their scouting and signings.
Their international scouting has been dreadful.
Also, Craig’s comment is exactly right: “willing to sell, but with assets that hold little or no appeal to the rest of the league.“. Singer is exception, but Royals have him for 3 years (enough to contend) and his value might even be greater this winter or next deadline.