House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves Winter Meeting Simulation day 1: James Paxton mock trade

By Fred Owens

The Atlanta Braves cold use a pitcher like James Paxton atop their rotation. Acquiring him would require a huge investment in terms of prospect capital. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves cold use a pitcher like James Paxton atop their rotation. Acquiring him would require a huge investment in terms of prospect capital. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
atlanta Braves
After all the calculations are made and numbers are crunched, a decision must be made /

Making the decision

This is a simulation but to do it justice I try to do the absolute right thing regardless of my preferences for a player. This decision did not come easily.

I think Max Fried is a special pitcher. He’s not Paxton special, but he’s Kershaw light and reminds me of Steve Avery. I traded Wright because he’s closer to being ready and Ian Anderson’s going to be better.

The Atlanta Braves just showcased Kyle Muller in the AZFL, and I can take a hint. Jenista’s going to be a good major league center fielder someday, but probably not for the Braves.

I discussed Paxton with the Mariners when the meeting preliminaries started. Although never fully articulated, the implied ask was a Chris Sale type return; two top ten prospects, another top 20 prospect and another B prospect and I passed.

When the Mariners SimGm contacted me late today, I reconsidered everything from the start, including all of my reservations about the cost of a potential two-year player.

At some point during this review, I realized that the roster changes brought the team within one a big piece (or two) and of being ready. So, I made the offer and they accepted.

That’s A Wrap

There’s a time to buy the piece that completes the puzzle. For this simulation, at this time, I realized that I’d regret waiting. I contacted the Mariners just in time to get them to reconsider my offer against one from the Nationals.

As I said at the start, this is an overpay. It’s not as big as some will make it out and certainly not as much as others gave up for less. Sullivan ended his piece like this.

". . . Paxton is one of those guys every team would want in a short series. He’s one of those guys every team would want in a one-game playoff. James Paxton is a potential difference-maker in the rotation and that’s why the Mariners are asking for young players you’ve heard of. You don’t get a player like this for a song."

Next. After forty years in the minors, he's NL manager of the Year. dark

There’s more to come. For now, I await your thoughts. (Actually I’ll be working but I will read them.)

Home/Braves News