(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
In the vast majority of cases (with a few notable exceptions), a team that acquires an MLB star via trade ends up getting the most value of the deal if prospects are going to the other side.
Prospects are exciting, yes, but nobody knows if they will end up being contributors because they haven’t faced big league pitching and there are lots of other variables.
Stars have already performed well in the majors and are worth the cost almost every time.
A recent trade between the Oakland Athletics and the Atlanta Braves is the perfect proof of this.
Before the start of the 2022 season, the Braves sent four prospects to the A’s in exchange for first baseman Matt Olson.
Twitter user @YankeeWRLD is bringing us the stats of each of those prospects.
Knowing that Olson just hit his 40th homer of the season (on August 10!), you be the judge of the trade.
“Thinking about the A’s return for Matt Olson and: Shea Langeliers: -0.3 fWar in 137 MLB games; Christian Pache: DFA’d and is now a Phillie; Ryan Cusick: 6.31 FIP and 5.69 BB/9 in AA; Joey Estes: 5.79 ERA and 8.95 FIP in AAA. Lol,” he tweeted.
Thinking about the A’s return for Matt Olson and
Shea Langeliers: -0.3 fWar in 137 MLB games
Christian Pache: DFA’d and is now a Phillie
Ryan Cusick: 6.31 FIP and 5.69 BB/9 in AA
Joey Estes: 5.79 ERA and 8.95 FIP in AAA
Lol pic.twitter.com/snZT5s4HEU
— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) August 10, 2023
Oof.
That’s rough.
Prospects don’t always pan out and those who do need time and reps in most cases.
The verdict is certainly not there yet, but things are not looking good for Oakland when it comes to the return of this specific trade.
They thought Pache could be their center fielder of the future but that wasn’t the case.
Perhaps Langeliers is their catcher of the future, but he has been a negative so far.
Estes and Cusick have a lot of work to do.
On the other hand, the Braves are enjoying a proven slugger who is having a career season.
Talk about opposing realities: Atlanta has the best record in baseball, and Oakland owns the worst.
The post The Braves Robbed The A’s In The Matt Olson Trade appeared first on The Cold Wire.