Remember when your fantasy baseball team was one closer away from domination? That's essentially where the Portland Stags find themselves, except with real players and actual playoff implications. Let's break down the trade block's most intriguing options, because who doesn't love a good shopping spree?
The Big Fish: Cyrus Edwards (AZ)
If the Stags are serious about October baseball, Edwards is the type of player who moves the needle. His numbers are the baseball equivalent of finding a PS5 on sale:
- .313/.410/.626 slash line
- 174 OPS+ (translation: he's really, really good)
- 26 homers in 89 games
- 3.00 WPA (Win Probability Added)
The catch? He's 27, entering his prime, and Arizona probably wants your firstborn child in return. But when you're hitting .313 with a .626 slugging percentage, you're worth at least a conversation about said firstborn.
The Rotation Savior: Cayden Robertson (COL)
If you're looking for the pitching equivalent of finding an original Nintendo Switch in 2020, Robertson might be your guy:
- 2.96 ERA (150 ERA+)
- 7.5 K/9 (solid if not spectacular)
- 2.7 BB/9 (control you can trust)
- 4.7 WAR (hello, ace potential)
Playing in Colorado and still maintaining a sub-3 ERA is like beating Elden Ring with a Guitar Hero controller – technically possible but impressively rare.
The Steady Hands Club
Several veterans on the block could provide immediate help without breaking
Portland's prospect bank:
Noé García (NYY)- .280/.359/.434 slash line
- 117 OPS+
- Solid 9.3 wSB
The kind of veteran presence that turns "we're trying" into "we're winning"
Stephen McKittrick (ATL)
- .233/.322/.438 line
- 28.1 K% (concerning but manageable)
- 51 RBI in 85 games
Left-handed power that could play up at Portland's park
The Bargain Bin Heroes
For those who love finding value (looking at you, Moneyball rewatchers):
Kennedy Daka (ATL)- 1.8 WAR
- .237/.286/.448 slash line
- Plus defender (0.6 ZR)
Could be this year's "why didn't we think of that?" acquisition
Jace Goldenstein (MIL)
- .283/.328/.462 slash line
- 114 OPS+
- 3.5 wSB
The kind of under-the-radar pickup that podcast hosts love to predict
The Bottom Line
The Stags need to answer one question: Are they shopping at Whole Foods or trying to make magic happen at Trader Joe's? The talent is available, but as with any shopping trip, it's all about budget and priorities.
If they're serious about that Wild Card push (and that .792 team OPS suggests they should be), Edwards or Robertson would be the swing-for-the-fences moves that energize the fanbase. But maybe the smart play is grabbing a García or McKittrick while everyone else is distracted by the bigger names.
Either way, the clock is ticking, and unlike your fantasy league, there's no commissioner's veto to save you from a bad decision. Choose wisely, Portland. The right move could be the difference between October baseball and October golf.