Boomer5

He's not a consensus top 25 prospect (he's #39 by mlb.com and #73 by baseball prospectus) and he's in low A where he's not dominating by any means. How many guys who are ranked high as low level players flame out or see their stock drop? The answer is many. It's absolutely the right move by Dombrowski, who'll have plenty of opportunities to replace Espinoza before he makes an impact at the major leagues. True enough. Let's also remember this the next time people here claim Nottingham is the next Gary Carter. Prospects are definitely a risk. And going for volume doesn't work, you need to go after guys with plus plus tools, not "lottery tickets".

The innings number is a bit of a scare. He's been just as good away from Petco this year as he has in it. I will be the first to point out that it is a small sample away from there and that Boston won't be so kind...but Boston won't be so kind to any pitcher. 2.5 years + the ability to keep/extend/get comp pick for Pomeranz with durability/Petco risks known OR 6 years of a guy beginning at the earliest in 2019 that we have no idea will ever get to the majors. The Padres could definitely run away with this trade if Espinoza is legit, but I think the value is pretty fair given all the risks. EDIT: I forgot to add that he was the #5 pick with tons of talent. This has been noted by several on the thread. Well when you trade for very young players (like Stearns is doing btw) yes the odds of them making a MLB roster yet alone starring on one go down as the level they are playing. That's in part why I have questioned going for rookie league players vs high A or AA guys unless they have an incredible pedigree. Pomeranz is the perfect guy to trade now for all the reasons we mentioned. Former high pick everyone has coveted, hot season, and right at that innings limit where he can go south in a hurry. He is also a nice move for Boston as they need a hot pitcher and if he helps them to a WS they made a great trade with 2 more years of control as a bonus. Espinoza has that pedigree. Yes, it's possible Pomeranz may have already pitched in more MLB games this season than Esponoza will his whole career, but with his ceiling that's how you build as Pomeranz may not be around for the next great SD team. I will also say I'm a big fan of going for those potentially mega stars rather than depth guys in volume. Impact pitchers are so tough to obtain

Braves would be ideal. Lots of great prospects to choose from.

I'm the one who made the statement so I'll address it. I'm not a fan of Stearns work so far. Actually this season so far has been a worse case scenario. He hasn't improved the minors to the degree of adding an elite talent and he has rode Luc and Braun to a meh draft position. I am assuming that will change when they are traded. Those are two huge chips and he needs to bring in some serious studs back. I like Sneed and saw him as being a legitimate back of the rotation guy in Milwaukee or at least quality bullpen arm. That said Villar right now is worth more than what Sneed should become. You have to give Stearns this one. A 25 year old infielder with Villar's offense doesn't come along everyday and for the price of a quality bullpen arm, maybe, that's a good trade.

Davis hasnt been great with Oakland though he does have 19 HRs and 55 RBI's at the break for you old school stat folks. Both Derby and Nottingham haven't lit it up down in the minors though so its not like anyone can say the trade is a win, especially since we dont know if Nottingham can play C at the MLB Level. Only the Villar trade was a true win. Diaz may be something interesting in the Segura trade, though we did give up $5.5M for him so he wasnt exactly free. The rest of the moves have been churning moves where we gave up nothing and got nothing back. The team is one game better than last year at this time and the minors may or may not be marginally better than when he took over. We have more quantity but Im not sure we have added that next mega star. We never had problems producing Scooter's and Davis', what we lacked was a Bryant or now a Bergman type that was must see TV everytime he stepped to the plate in the minors. Stearns will earn his grade on the Luc/Braun/JJ/Smith trades.

Pomeranz had a career high of 86 innings prior to this season's 102 where he pitched in a pitchers park in SD. This is great deal for SD. We need to get in on some of this action if Dom is just giving away his farm for a WS this year.

The team has pretty much treaded water and has lived off Braun and Luc for the most part. We will find out what Stearns is or is not with the Luc trade. But to the OP, MLB teams seem to like dealing with Stearns based off the fairly large number of trades he has made in his short time.

I agree. Other teams are just smarter than we are. I still cringe at what Atlanta did to Dave Stewart.

I would too. The guy is an All Star catcher.

Stearns has certainly made a lot of moves so teams dont mind working with him. Most of his moves in the offseason and with Hill to Boston (Villar move aside, that was a great trade) seem to be more the churning type rather than the blockbuster Melvin made with the Astros last year. It makes sense he sets his price high with assets as big as Braun and Lucroy, and to a certain degree with Smith and JJ.

Is Texas on Braun's trade list?

I get the move. It wasn't the classiest thing to do but the guy wasn't going to pitch so in theory his roster spot could go to someone who could contribute. On the other hand the guy Davies made room for was Wilkins, not Hank Aaron. Boras was just doing his job protecting his client.

I'm in the camp where summer league matters if you flat out stink. I expect a lottery pick to play well again this competition but that rarely happens. He can clearly rebound and is a shot blocker. He covers crazy ground on D. On offense I haven't seen much but if set up he can finish If he is a younger higher motor version of Earvin Johnson, I will be happy.

I saw. This guy might be something outer worldly.

I hated the pick but clearly I was wrong. I'm not sure of his offense but on D he could be special.

The guy looked unbelievable especially on D. He covers so much ground. Hammonds must have been sweating he was there at 10 because he clearly knew something all the scouting reports didn't. But will he score his age?

Well that is seriously impressive. I remember Bogut getting worked over in his summer debut.

It's Aaron Hill. What did anyone expect? Two farm guys, one at least is young. I'd be curious how much cash they gave up?

PEDs are very much still in today's game as we saw with Byrd and others.

I have no idea what is in it for either Wade or the Bucks for him to play here. He isn't coming here and we don't need him unless the goal is the 8th seed at the cost of developing our young guys.

I am not a fan of this FO, but there is Zero chance they blew their 2017 first round pick. I'm quite confident they stayed within the boundary of the cap over the pool money.

I agree. This has not been the minor league season I had hoped for. Very few players have made the leap. I know we were looking at a top 10 system to start the year, I wonder where we rank now? Still top ten. Opinion or link? I couldnt find midseason rankings of farm systems, only top 100 lists of players?

I had Maker as one of our 2nd round picks, so its not like I didn't want him at all. This team really needed a rebounder and rim protector (and shooter) now so that's why he isn't the 10th pick in the draft material for this team. Obviously Summer League will be well watched to see what we have in this guy as he has never played any meaningful competition.

I agree. This has not been the minor league season I had hoped for. Very few players have made the leap. I know we were looking at a top 10 system to start the year, I wonder where we rank now?

Im no fan of Braun the man these days, but Braun the player should have been in, and it isn't all that close. PEDS are still very much a part of the game and maybe the fans, players, and coaches still see him as a PED guy??? I have no idea, just guessing why he wasnt selected.