MLB The Show 25 - Trade Discussion Thread

[Cyrus09]

Re: MLB The Show 25 - Trade Discussion Thread

A bit of a weird question I am not sure there even is an answer too.

As someone whose first contact with baseball was the movie Moneyball I always keep interest in the approach with how they handled player moves. Even now that I learned that the movie and book just didn't mention the best players on the team to make it look more impressive.

But if a team would take an approach like that today: Which names would them target in 2025? Or is that something that would only make sense with some numbers regarding in-game performance?

[Bard]

Re: MLB The Show 25 - Trade Discussion Thread

A bit of a weird question I am not sure there even is an answer too.



As someone whose first contact with baseball was the movie Moneyball I always keep interest in the approach with how they handled player moves. Even now that I learned that the movie and book just didn't mention the best players on the team to make it look more impressive.



But if a team would take an approach like that today: Which names would them target in 2025? Or is that something that would only make sense with some numbers regarding in-game performance?

The "Moneyball" approach in 2025?


To build a "Moneyball"-style team in 2025, the focuse on undervalued assets, high on-base percentage (OBP), and cost-effective performance... a team would look for players who meet some or all of the following criteria:

High OBP relative to cost

Positional flexibility

Strong plate discipline (low K%, high BB%)

Good defensive metrics, ideally with versatility

Minor league or recent breakout players with high upside and low salary


Now the likely targets for this experiment!

1. Luis Rengifo (Angels) – Versatile infielder with improving OBP and sneaky speed.


2. Connor Joe (Padres) – High OBP guy, underappreciated due to lack of power flash.


3. Willi Castro (Twins) – Offers speed, switch-hitting, and positional flexibility.


4. Brice Turang (Brewers) – Elite defense, improving contact and OBP skills.


5. Ryan Noda (Angels(?)) – High walk rate, low cost, decent power.


6. Michael Busch (Cubs) – Lefty bat with solid plate approach and emerging power.


7. David Fry (Guardians) – Super-utility player with sneaky production and OBP upside. Little more on the expensive side, though



Key Traits for Pitchers:

Low walk rates

High groundball rates

Undervalued due to velocity or traditional scouting

Effective but non-flashy stuff (think Paul Sewald types)


Examples:

Bryce Elder (Braves) – Soft-tosser, contact management style.

Cody Bradford (Rangers) – Underrated control pitcher.

Ben Lively (Guardians) – Journeyman success story with solid peripherals.


i tried to be realistic with these options as well. I just don't really think Moneyball works the same way in 2025 as it did in 2001-2003.





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[GoDucks1224]

Re: MLB The Show 25 - Trade Discussion Thread

David Fry is on the Guardians. But good post.

[Bard]

Re: MLB The Show 25 - Trade Discussion Thread

David Fry is on the Guardians. But good post.

Lol, got him and Myles Straw teams mixed up.

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[KLima878]

I'm using the Pirates in my franchise and looking to trade for Evan Carter from the Rangers. Not really sure what to realistically give up for him. He hasnt had much playing time in the game but I know he's a young up and coming player.

[Cyrus09]

So I finally followed my heart and started a Cleveland franchise as well. It only makes sense because I tried the Rays and Brewers and couldn't do it because of the stadiums so picking the 3rd team in that row makes sense, especially because the stadium is beautiful.

I still want to run things the way those franchises are doing business, so trying to be competitive while being cheap. I already have a deal in mind for David Fry which I will do later in the year and now I try to think of other ways to improve the teams long-term development.

A Clase trade just makes sense. He is great, but we already have a younger and cheaper high leverage reliever on the team who is not really worse. Plus he is probably the best bet to get some reinforcements for the short and long term. But I struggle to see the value he could return in detail.

Teams that make sense are the Phillies, Dodgers, Cubs, Dbacks and Braves I guess. The last one is tough because we share similar weaknesses(corner outfield, middle infield) but the other 3 have plenty of options. But it would be great to get some ideas from those who know better, because I really can't tell the value for a closer compared to position players.

EDIT: What I need is pitching, a corner outfielder and both middle infield positions. I think with Clase I should get an interesting pitching prospect not too far away from MLB at least, right?

[jcar0725]

I'm using the Pirates in my franchise and looking to trade for Evan Carter from the Rangers. Not really sure what to realistically give up for him. He hasnt had much playing time in the game but I know he's a young up and coming player.

The only trade I see that makes sense for Texas would be if they landed a healthy SP Jared Jones in this deal. Carter is a young and cheap future star so they would ask for a lot in return.

[jcar0725]

So I finally followed my heart and started a Cleveland franchise as well. It only makes sense because I tried the Rays and Brewers and couldn't do it because of the stadiums so picking the 3rd team in that row makes sense, especially because the stadium is beautiful.

I still want to run things the way those franchises are doing business, so trying to be competitive while being cheap. I already have a deal in mind for David Fry which I will do later in the year and now I try to think of other ways to improve the teams long-term development.

A Clase trade just makes sense. He is great, but we already have a younger and cheaper high leverage reliever on the team who is not really worse. Plus he is probably the best bet to get some reinforcements for the short and long term. But I struggle to see the value he could return in detail.

Teams that make sense are the Phillies, Dodgers, Cubs, Dbacks and Braves I guess. The last one is tough because we share similar weaknesses(corner outfield, middle infield) but the other 3 have plenty of options. But it would be great to get some ideas from those who know better, because I really can't tell the value for a closer compared to position players.

EDIT: What I need is pitching, a corner outfielder and both middle infield positions. I think with Clase I should get an interesting pitching prospect not too far away from MLB at least, right?

A contending team at the deadline that needs a closer would probably give up a top prospect for Clase. I struggle with understanding why a cheap team like the Guards would trade Clase who is under an affordable contract for the next 3 years, but that is what is being discussed locally here. Cleveland has Bazanna for 2B, but they need a SS and an outfielder more than they need pitching, assuming you keep Bieber around. If I was running your franchise I would look for a contender that really needs a closer, not a team that already has an established closer.

[Cyrus09]

A contending team at the deadline that needs a closer would probably give up a top prospect for Clase. I struggle with understanding why a cheap team like the Guards would trade Clase who is under an affordable contract for the next 3 years, but that is what is being discussed locally here. Cleveland has Bazanna for 2B, but they need a SS and an outfielder more than they need pitching, assuming you keep Bieber around. If I was running your franchise I would look for a contender that really needs a closer, not a team that already has an established closer.

Why I think trading him kinda makes sense:
- you already have a cheaper replacement (comparable to Hader/Devin Williams in Milwaukee)
- his value is as high as it gets right now while relievers are sometim losing that quickly
- you have to trade from a position of strength and other then him you only have Kwan or J-Ram of interest

I thought another starter would be needed as well to at least get a good potential playoff rotation going and a lot of the options right now in the club are on a 1 year deal as well. That's why I thought another pitching prospect could be nice for balance.

[jcar0725]

Why I think trading him kinda makes sense:
- you already have a cheaper replacement (comparable to Hader/Devin Williams in Milwaukee)
- his value is as high as it gets right now while relievers are sometim losing that quickly
- you have to trade from a position of strength and other then him you only have Kwan or J-Ram of interest

I thought another starter would be needed as well to at least get a good potential playoff rotation going and a lot of the options right now in the club are on a 1 year deal as well. That's why I thought another pitching prospect could be nice for balance.

Fair enough. Cleveland seems to be a pitching success factory but they can't seem to have the same success with position players, that's why I would trade for something other than pitching if you have Bieber, Bibee, Williams, Ortiz as your top 3 or 4 for the next 2 seasons and sign another starter in 2026, along with the solid bullpen for the next 2 seasons, you could trade Clase for a top notch young position player that can hit for some power. That's what I would do.