RATE MY TRADE...

[JBH3]

As the O's GM it was time to move Aubrey Huff...He had $8mil and 1 yr remaining on his contract. I scoured rosters looking for a likely candidate...Someone who could use his bat, and use him as DH or spot starts at 3B.

I needed an ace, and have young guys developing too but Danny Cabrera and Jeremy Guthrie are going to cut it w/ 3 other prospects. I want to compete dammit!

Of course if trading w/ the Twinkies there was the lure of Liriano (who because of the stupid AI in this game spent the whole season in AAA...using my imagination I could say he was "rehabbing").

*Disclaimer* I used that option before starting the chise that doesn't allow trades of players over 80. Although I thought it was CPU to CPU only. As it turns out the CPU will show NO interest to you in trading ANY player they have over 80 too...It's not just CPU to CPU...which sucks because for some strange reason I seek the approval of this stupid trade logic. But not to worry I have the OS community to help me!

Here's the deal...

O's Send

3B/DH A. HUFF (80 OVR)
LHSP GARRETT OLSON (69 OVR/82 POTENTIAL)
CF ANDREW MCCUTCHEON ( 65 OVR/93 POTENTIAL)

Twins Send

LHSP Francisco Liriano (85 OVR/90 POTENTIAL)
3B MIKE LAMB (70 OVR)

What do you guys think of this deal?

[muktownballer33]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

I wouldn't say its fair. Liriano was the reason the Twins were ok dealing Santana. He's their future and I don't see them parting with him any time soon.

I have this problem trying to decide what is a fair way of doing trades in this game. There are so many players that are untouchable in real life that you can easily trade for in the game. I feel myself putting a lot of "house rules" on myself to try to keep things as sim as possible.

Either way the game is there for you to have fun. If the CPU accepts the trade and you feel its fair then go ahead. Try to think that Liriano had some off the field issues and the Twins don't want him on the roster anymore. At least that way the deal can have a realistic view on the trade.

[pinnacleguy2]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

I wouldn't say its fair. Liriano was the reason the Twins were ok dealing Santana. He's their future and I don't see them parting with him any time soon.

I have this problem trying to decide what is a fair way of doing trades in this game. There are so many players that are untouchable in real life that you can easily trade for in the game. I feel myself putting a lot of "house rules" on myself to try to keep things as sim as possible.

Either way the game is there for you to have fun. If the CPU accepts the trade and you feel its fair then go ahead. Try to think that Liriano had some off the field issues and the Twins don't want him on the roster anymore. At least that way the deal can have a realistic view on the trade.

Or b/c of his arm troubles, they decided to part ways with him.

[JBH3]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

I should mention that the Twins had like 4 or 5 pitchers in their farm system all rated w/ potential ratings in the mid to low 80's. Plus they had Neshek as a starter rated overall at 84.

After the deal their rotation was:

R-Boonser 81
R-Livan 79
R-Slowey 77
R-Blackburn 75
L-Perkins 75

So you guys don't think that the CF in return (Andrew McCutcheon) was enough? His potential is a 93, and w/ him and Gomez coming up that would figure to give the Twins one of the best OF's in the game...

Plus Liriano only has two yrs left, and the Twinkies would have to sign him longterm for booku bucks.

[muktownballer33]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

Thats true. It really depends on when the trade was made. In the offseason it would be realistic. I just don't see a deal like that coming in the regular season. Liriano is really high with the twins and if they are willing to give Joe Nathan a long term deal, the would be willing to give Liriano a long term deal. Santana was just hard cause he's the best pitcher in the game.

I do agree that he could be traded though because of his history with arm problems. Deal seems good to me.

[JBH3]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

Thats true. It really depends on when the trade was made. In the offseason it would be realistic. I just don't see a deal like that coming in the regular season. Liriano is really high with the twins and if they are willing to give Joe Nathan a long term deal, the would be willing to give Liriano a long term deal. Santana was just hard cause he's the best pitcher in the game.

I do agree that he could be traded though because of his history with arm problems. Deal seems good to me.

I started questioning it myself since the interest meter is disabled in my chise due to turning ON the "Do not allow trades of players rated an 80 and over" slider at the Franchise start-up menu...

The trade was done in the off-season so it does add that realism factor there.

I'm going to make the same trade in a fake chise just to see if the CPU would've been interested.

[pinnacleguy2]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

I think you're okay with the trade, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[JBH3]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

I think you're okay with the trade, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Yea...I just strive for realism...And don't want to cheat the CPU.

[TripleThreat1973]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

O's Send

3B/DH A. HUFF (80 OVR)
LHSP GARRETT OLSON (69 OVR/82 POTENTIAL)
CF ANDREW MCCUTCHEON ( 65 OVR/93 POTENTIAL)

Twins Send

LHSP Francisco Liriano (85 OVR/90 POTENTIAL)
3B MIKE LAMB (70 OVR)

The Twins traded a great young pitcher that will likely ask for more money than they could afford (given his past injuries), and they gain a good hitter (with 1-year left on his deal), and two guys with good potentials.

On the surface, one could think "The Twins would never trade Liriano". But, we all know teams like the Twins trade players they cannot sign for prospects (No one would have thought the Marlins would trade Cabrera and Willis either).

The "realism" aspect always comes up, especially for those that don't want to feel as though they "cheated".

For a GM goal, I had to obtain a player with a 90 RAT or better. I traded Isringhausen and Glaus for Joe Nathan. IN real life, there's no way the Twins would have taken on 22M in salary for two aging players, but I didn't sweat it because I needed to complete the GM goal, and I wasn't trading Pujols to do it.

Once Glaus was gone, my 2 AAA 3B cal-ups were hitting a combined ~.195, so I started looking for a young 3rd baseman, preferrably a lefty hitter. That led me to Alex Gordon, who has a lot of potential, but isn't that good on the game. The Royals accepted Chris Duncan (who was/is having a great 2k8 year) for Alex Gordon. I thought about it for awhile, because in real life the Royals wouldn't give up Gordon no matter how much he underachieves. But, in the deal the Royals got a "better now" guy with a small contract with "B" potential and let go of a guy that is a "C-" player with "A" potential. (Duncan has continued his good season and is the Royals best hitter, unlike his poor performance in the "real" 2008, and Gordon has picked up the pace, namely because I am good with hitting with lefties. Had he stayed on the Royals roster, he'd likely still be hitting .255 with below average power numbers.) I also brought up Colby Rasmus, who made Duncan tradeable.

You sort of have to throw out their reputations and their hype and just consider the deal "in the game", since each team/GM in 2k8 doesnt have their own "tendencies".

[JBH3]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

The Twins traded a great young pitcher that will likely ask for more money than they could afford (given his past injuries), and they gain a good hitter (with 1-year left on his deal), and two guys with good potentials.

On the surface, one could think "The Twins would never trade Liriano". But, we all know teams like the Twins trade players they cannot sign for prospects (No one would have thought the Marlins would trade Cabrera and Willis either).

The "realism" aspect always comes up, especially for those that don't want to feel as though they "cheated".

For a GM goal, I had to obtain a player with a 90 RAT or better. I traded Isringhausen and Glaus for Joe Nathan. IN real life, there's no way the Twins would have taken on 22M in salary for two aging players, but I didn't sweat it because I needed to complete the GM goal, and I wasn't trading Pujols to do it.

Once Glaus was gone, my 2 AAA 3B cal-ups were hitting a combined ~.195, so I started looking for a young 3rd baseman, preferrably a lefty hitter. That led me to Alex Gordon, who has a lot of potential, but isn't that good on the game. The Royals accepted Chris Duncan (who was/is having a great 2k8 year) for Alex Gordon. I thought about it for awhile, because in real life the Royals wouldn't give up Gordon no matter how much he underachieves. But, in the deal the Royals got a "better now" guy with a small contract with "B" potential and let go of a guy that is a "C-" player with "A" potential. (Duncan has continued his good season and is the Royals best hitter, unlike his poor performance in the "real" 2008, and Gordon has picked up the pace, namely because I am good with hitting with lefties. Had he stayed on the Royals roster, he'd likely still be hitting .255 with below average power numbers.) I also brought up Colby Rasmus, who made Duncan tradeable.

You sort of have to throw out their reputations and their hype and just consider the deal "in the game", since each team/GM in 2k8 doesnt have their own "tendencies".

Hey triple, thanks and nice post...Yea I've since decided that everything is good to go. I did do what I said I would in another post, and offer the deal in a new franchise w/o "Trade Restrictions" OFF.

The green meter was full all the way, so had "Trade Restrictions" not been ON I would've had the warm and fuzzy of knowing the CPU was down w/it from the beginning.

I would've jumped right into my 2nd season last night w/ Francisco at the helm, but I opted to watch gm 1 of the NBA Finals instead.

I can't wait to start my new season...I'm excited about my team...Here's what the 2009 O's look like.

Starting 9
2B Brian Roberts
CF Adam Jones
RF Nick Markakis
DH Wily Mo Pena
1B Lyle Overbay (signed as a FA)
LF Luke Scott
C Ramon Hernandez (Owner says I gotta trade him this yr)
3B Prospect Bill Rowell
SS Alex Cintron

Bench
UTIL Ronnie Belliard
(FA, will play LF vs LHPs and Platoon at 3rd)
SS Luis Hernandez
(platoon at SS/3B)
3B Mike Lamb
(platooning at 3B, Corner OF)
C Matt Weiters
(prospect who is going to be the starter before too long)
OF Alex Saunders
(Good contact hitting minor leaguer, needed for is RH Bat)

Rotation
LHP Francisco Liriano
RHP Danny Cabrera (developed a nasty fork ball)
RHP Jeremy Guthrie
RHP Matt Albers
LHP Adam Loewen

Bullpen
CL George Sherrill
(disappointing in 08, Chris Ray could take job)

SU Chris Ray
(back from Tommy John)

MR Fernando Cabrera
(4FB has gotten nasty)

MR Jamie Walker
(Declining, young lefties in AAA ready to take job)

MR Ambriox Burgos
(acquired from NYM at deadline along w/ Pelfrey for Jay Payton, Tike Redman, and Chad Bradford)

MR Jim Johnson
(developed a nasty cutter)

LR Mike Pelfrey
(hasn't improved much a lot of young arms in minors, if he doesn't perform he could be sent down/traded)

[TeixeiraFanatic]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

Yeah go Matt Weiters!
Georgia Tech rules!!!!!!!!

[derekjeter76]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

it seems pretty realistic, but it would be more realistic if it was at the trade deadline and MIN was out of the race.

[JBH3]

Re: RATE MY TRADE...

it seems pretty realistic, but it would be more realistic if it was at the trade deadline and MIN was out of the race.

True...But Minny finished 4th in the NL Central, and their offense was stagnant. The CF I traded them (McCutcheon) will blossom into a star, and Garrett Olson is a highly serviceable lefty. Huff gives them a little pop in their lineup...

I must say I loved pitching w/ Liriano...Opening day 2009 was a GREAT one.

The Angels sent John Lackey, and he was pretty much unhittable through about 7 1/3 surrendering only 1 hit.

Liriano had a rough 1st inning walking two, and a run scored but it wasn't charged to him as Figgins got on because Adam Jones missed a routine flyball. Nevertheless he got out of a bases loaded jam w/ a big K. He the proceeded to shut the halos down only giving up a solo shot to Vlad in the 5th.

I finally got to Lackey in the 8th, and ended up tying the game 2-2 after Lackey walked a batter, I got a single, and Ramon Hernandez doubled in two runs to tie it up.

I then took the lead in the top of the 9th, and Liriano pitched a complete game.

His line....

9 IP 4H 1 ER 2BB 8K for the win.