Royals ready to move minor-leaguer of the year?

Minor Is Less Than Major, Bros.

The Rays have the pitching depth to pull off this deal. The Red Sox don't have anyone on the roster right now that could replace Lester in the rotation.

A front line pitcher for the Royals might get them 5 to 10 more wins next year. Not good enough to give up minor league player of the year just to finish above the Twinkles.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:59 AM ET  11.27 by toad

A front line pitcher for the Royals might get them 5 to 10 more wins next year. Not good enough to give up minor league player of the year just to finish above the Twinkles.

I disagree. Front of the rotation pitchers are much harder to come by than offensive prospects. The Rays would want more than just Myers for Shields.

The Royals are more than one more starting pitcher away, sometimes your best move long term is to do keep what you have. See where it all goes. Price is a worthy piece to any puzzle, but Lester? Really?

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:35 AM ET  11.27 by 50yearfan

The Royals are more than one more starting pitcher away, sometimes your best move long term is to do keep what you have. See where it all goes. Price is a worthy piece to any puzzle, but Lester? Really?

But we are talking about a prospect here. You are not going to get David Price for a prospect. John Lester should be about type of pitcher the Royals should expect to receive.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:42 AM ET  11.27 by jnorman41

But we are talking about a prospect here. You are not going to get David Price for a prospect. John Lester should be about type of pitcher the Royals should expect to receive.

That is exactly why you sit tight with the prospect. Do you want Lester's contract and health questions in return? Two years and then what with him? Would he make a big enough difference to the Royals?
The Red Sox would make that trade.

If the Royals go only by Lester's performances against them, they'll gleefully hand over their top minor leaguer. Lester's thrown both a one hitter and a no hitter at them. But if they do so, they'll make the same mistake that the Sox seemed to be doing with Mike Napoli. He might kill your team but the question should be: "what does he do against the rest of the league?"

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 10:37 AM ET  11.27 by Hatrunner

If the Royals go only by Lester's performances against them, they'll gleefully hand over their top minor leaguer. Lester's thrown both a one hitter and a no hitter at them. But if they do so, they'll make the same mistake that the Sox seemed to be doing with Mike Napoli. He might kill your team but the question should be: "what does he do against the rest of the league?"

That's an interesting observation, hat. Also, I didn't realize Lester pitched so well against the Royals.

Lester has 12 million coming his way next year and then a team option for 13 more the following year. He had a bad record last year. Yes the team was bad, but so was Dickey's Mets team. You don't make that trade if you are the Royals.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:17 AM ET  11.27 by 50yearfan

That is exactly why you sit tight with the prospect. Do you want Lester's contract and health questions in return? Two years and then what with him? Would he make a big enough difference to the Royals?The Red Sox would make that trade.

Lester's 4.82 ERA from last year is also a concern. He's 28 so it's probably an aberration, but it's certainly going through my mind if I'm contemplating dealing my top prospect for him.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:45 AM ET  11.27 by 50yearfan

You don't make that trade if you are a smart organization.

Fixed.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:45 AM ET  11.27 by 50yearfan

Lester has 12 million coming his way next year and then a team option for 13 more the following year. He had a bad record last year. Yes the team was bad, but so was Dickey's Mets team. You don't make that trade if you are the Royals.

I'm not sure if I make that deal if I'm the Red Sox. Lester had one bad year and one month, but overall he's been pretty good and durable. He has shown no signs that his recent troubles are physical. He's got his binky John Farrell coming back, so there is a pretty good chance he can turn this around. To give away a top of the rotation starter for a prospect, who may or may not turn into an all star is a very risky move. Throw in the fact that Lester is still young, I may just want to keep him around.

If have have them then trade them ....

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:17 AM ET  11.27 by 50yearfan

Do you want Lester's contract and health questions in return?

*What* heath questions, doc?

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 11:29 AM ET  11.27 by jnorman41

I'm not sure if I make that deal if I'm the Red Sox. Lester had one bad year and one month, but overall he's been pretty good and durable. He has shown no signs that his recent troubles are physical. He's got his binky John Farrell coming back, so there is a pretty good chance he can turn this around. To give away a top of the rotation starter for a prospect, who may or may not turn into an all star is a very risky move. Throw in the fact that Lester is still young, I may just want to keep him around.

I agree with Farrell back and Beckette gone Lester should bounce back. If I was to make that trade I'd send Bucholz to KC. He's not a very big guy and he'll lose his stuff just like Lincecum has.