Cubs & Royals

Submitted by: Benjo

GM Override

GM Override: Because Assad is undervalued.

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Cubs

NameAgeLevelP1P2AvailabilityYearsAFVSalarySurplusLowMedianHigh
Cole Ragans26MajorsSPMedium4.8135.862.173.658.973.688.4

Total Value:

73.6

Royals

NameAgeLevelP1P2AvailabilityYearsAFVSalarySurplusLowMedianHigh
Javier Assad26MajorsSPLRPMedium4.877.436.640.932.740.949

Total Value:

40.9

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Benjo

Last season when both pitchers had around 50 innings experience and similar stats, I proposed the same trade to expose what I thought was a big disparity in evaluation between Ragans and Assad, with Ragans being given the higher value. At the time, I was told that Ragans was the better prospect of the two. Here it is a season later. Ragans has 198 MLB innings tcompared o Assad's 200. Ragan's WAR for 2024 is 1.3. Assad's is 2.4. Ragan's lifetime WAR is 3.6. Assad's is 5.7. Yet Ragans BTV is nearly double that of Assad. First of all, I do not understand what a prospect's value has to do with anything once they reach the big leagues. Once a player reaches the majors he should be judged by results alone. Secondly, both players are in their second seasons. They each have a track record. Assad has been the best pitcher in baseball since June 2023 according to multiple sources. He throws 95 mph. He has 5 pitches. His ball moves like crazy. He has great command. He is composed on the mound and knows how to pitch. Yet, he is way undervalued by this website, despite my many rants on this same subject. I am not sure what criteria is used for ranking pitchers, but it would seem to be way off, and I don't know what more Assad can do to get the credit he deserves. If Ragan's is a 73, Assad should be a 100, based on WAR alone.

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