Trade Review: Grumpy and One Nut

Grumpy receives:

OF Ryan Braun MIL

2B Chase Utley PHI

One Nut receives:

1B Albert Pujols LAA

SS Jose Reyes TOR

SP AJ Burnett PIT

There were conflicting reports out of both camps on how this trade developed. Bottom line is it sounds like they were both ultimately OK with it, though there obviously should’ve been a discussion following the ESPN biogenesis report. Call it courtesy, in general, if there’s an unforeseen circumstance that might change an owner’s view of a trade, you should always double check with them. Gain your advantage through well-thought out pursuit of players, not thievery.

That said, I still think this is pretty fair. In the end, I too have doubts about whether this will result in suspensions. With numbers comparable to Colby Rasmus at this point, Pujols is not who he once was. He rebounded last year, but he’s a watered down version of his past self. Reyes meanwhile is obviously a top 3 guy, but his well documented injury history in non-contract years and ankle injury (not to mention stinky team) makes you wonder how much of an asset he’ll be this year. His name is bigger than his production, with a good not great obp of .343 lifetime, 100 runs, 5-10 homers, 40 sbs. At a shallow SS position, it’s an asset definitely, just not what it once was. Burnett is revitalized in Pittsburgh and Jason was smart to grab him and get a major contributor with minor name recognition. He has a QS in 8 of his 10 starts this year.

Brandon gets one of the top 3 players in the game*. In a straight up deal, I think Brandon wins hands down. The names might be elite and the resumes excellent, but Pujols, Reyes, Utley are all being outplayed by lesser known players this year. Braun is in his prime and if he manages to avoid this threat of a 100 game suspension, you just don’t find that type of consistent across the board production easily. I don’t blame Brandon taking this despite the controversy. At this point, sitting last in the standings, why not? At team facing a hot Miguel and Braun has no chance.