Trade Review: One Nut and Munchkins

One Nut Wonders receives:

OF Ryan Braun MIL

I Ate Munchkins receives:

SP Felix Hernandez SEA

SP Ervin Santana ATL

Great to see a legit trade so early in the season. I’m not sure we have ever seen a trade like this with so few games played (last year’s Valverde for 3 rounds doesn’t qualify).  In this case, it makes a lot of sense for both teams but one team is taking considerable amount more risk than the other.

From Jason’s perspective, he gets a unique talent who is capable of being the top overall player in fantasy. And, in reality, he probably comes at a discount. But there’s a reason for that. Thumbs are funny things. You don’t think much of them until you can’t use them, or as is the case with Braun, he can’t feel them. Nerve issues can be big problems for players because so much of what they do is reliant on feel and touch as opposed to brute strength, which can be compensate for. Other than a 3 run, 3 homer, 7 rbi day against the Phillies on April 8^th, he hasn’t done much (9/3/10/2/.291). Then you have the whole little matter where he got caught with PEDs and presumably isn’t taking them anymore, thus potentially deflating like a balloon.  That said, this is a guy who posted a 108/41/112/30/.391 season in 2012. Hard to fault Jason for wanting a piece of that.

For Chris, we all know he had some problems drafting, which – teamed with Latos recurring injuries – left some rather massive holes in the pitching department, which has culminated in some rather pathetic pitching lines so far. This is a massive upgrade. The King looks as good as ever so far and there’s no reason to expect anything less than vintage Felix once again. Meanwhile, Ervin is pitching with a chip on his shoulder after getting passed on by so many teams in need of good pitching because of the draft pick compensation required in his signing.  He’s pitching for a big contract.  Though he’s been sporadic in his career, 2014 will be his first season in the NL is his career, in a division with the Phillies, Mets, and Marlins.  I expect a top 30 pitcher. If Latos gets healthy, Chris could potential roll out a rotation lead by F. Hernandez, M. Latos, J. Zimmerman, E. Stantana, and J. Lester – that is championship-caliber right there. And his offense is more than loaded without Braun, especially with the shrewd pickup of a suddenly rejuvenated Melky.

Overall, I give Chris the win here. If Braun stays healthy and productive, Jason gets one of the best keepers in the league. But that is a massive IF and judging by the articles I’ve read, he shouldn’t have needed to give up someone who – considering the injuries that have occurred – might be the best keeper pitcher in the game, along with another solid starter.