12 team NL-only trade offer--which side?

[scottw]

I have an offer on the table that may or may not make sense: My $5 T Story for his $3A Altherr, both going into their 3rd [long-term contract or not?] year.
There is a swap of reserve picks also involved, but nothing particularly game changing.
My thoughts are that Story will likely provide a bit more power, but with that horrible BA. Story though, will play full time until Rogers is ready, then, who knows?
Altherr I really like, but right now he is one of a 4 headed outfield crew, sharing RF with another of my players, Nick Williams. The other owner's contention is that no matter which one is playing RF, I still get the stats.
He needs SS's and I have 4 starters, locking up SS, MI, and both Utility slots--not good! So I need to move either Story, Arcia, Swanson, or A Russell.
This is the initial offer, but it is intriguing enough that I would like to hear some reasoning one way or the other.
What say you?
Thanks in advance!

[The Dane]

Well, this decision appears to be made for you. If you already have FOUR keeper SSs, then you need to do the deal. I think I like Story more than Altherr but not A LOT more. And Altherr saves you a couple of bucks and frees up a UT spot.

Do it.

[harmon]

This looks like a natural trade for you but in the event it doesn't happen, do you really want to protect Dansby?

[scottw]

Yes I want to, but I probably will not due to tying up both U slots. I really think this will be the year he comes out, but, with 4 of them and Dansby costing $15.B, I will have to throw him back if/when I get no takers.
Thanks for the quick feedback! Any other POV's?

[revo]

No!!!

He’s enticing you with a fakeout usually reserved for fantasy football — “I’ll trade you your key handcuff (i.e. a guy you can’t start) for a guy I could start.”

At this moment, it’s just as you said, Altherrr doesn’t have a set job. And he may not have one in 2018. So why trade an All Star caliber SS who could potentially hit 40 HRs for him?

If you really want Altherr, offer him Swanson.

[the heat]

sounds like you have it solved.
Do not keep Swanson, do not trade Story for Altherr.

or do as Revo suggested, Swanson for Altherr

[Hornsby]

Ed's right, it's an old FF ploy indeed. If you really want to deal Story, you should be able to do a lot better than Altherr, who's potentially nothing more than a 4th outfielder at this point. While story may be headed for the bench eventually, I don't think that it's going to be this season...shop Story elsewhere and get a better return, IMO.

[pitbull]

I don't like the deal either because Story has a starting job Altherr doesn't. I like what Revo posted and would agree moving Swanson is a better deal or ask for more if moving Story.

[harmon]

Don't undervalue Altherr. Talented player entering his prime years and well priced at $3. He will get his share of playing time, worst case around 400 AB. Story has Rodgers breathing hot air down his neck and carries a lot of risk this season.

[scottw]

I asked him if he would swap Story for Swanson. I doubt he will do it at $15 for Swanson, 1st year, though.

[Gregg]

I asked him if he would swap Story for Swanson. I doubt he will do it at $15 for Swanson, 1st year, though.

I wouldn't. Maybe he will.

[The Dane]

Obviously, if you can give Swanson instead of Story, that would be ideal, but I really don't think you're getting faked out here.

As I see it, this is a much more even deal that some of the others may lead you to believe.

1. Story has big power, granted, but he also has HUGE holes in his game. Plus, the Rockies #1 prospect is breathing down his neck. Truth is, in today's day and age, lousy hitters with big power are a dime a dozen, and while it's great to get that from a serviceable shortstop, it's not like Colorado really needs his bat that badly. They can't find a place for McMahon, for crying out loud. If COL is smart, they'd trade Story the instant Rodgers is ready. How much do you like Story outside of Coors? I know I like Altherr a hell of a lot more in that case.

2. Altherr's upside is higher than Story's current reality. Altherr doesn't have his power, but he's better in every other stat. In addition, their crowded outfield is not really that crowded. I believe strongly that Kapler will keep all three of Williams, Altherr and Herrera playing regularly. So, assuming every stays where they are, he's still getting 450 ABs, and that's worst cast scenario. He'll play against every lefty, and will certainly play more when he's hot if they ride the hot hand. Williams played well in his 300 ABs last year, but he's far from a sure thing, and Hoskins is really a 1B playing in the OF because they signed Santana. He'll be sitting when they need their best defense on the field, which will always include Altherr.

Story is clearly worth more than Altherr right now, but Story can't really go up much from here, and will likely go much further down. Altherr has higher upside and if he sniffs any of that, this will likely be the cheapest you ever get him. So, while YES, you're giving up the better player, I've found that championships are not won by maximizing every trade, but by selling high and buying low, in trades just like this one.

Plus, imagine how much more you can do in the draft with that open UT spot.

I'd still do this deal.

[cavebird]

In a vacuum... ... your players can't breathe and die. I don't like this trade. Yes, what The Dane says has some validity, but you should be able to get something better for Story if you market him. The problem with The Dane's argument is that he has Hoskins on the bench a lot. That's just not going to happen unless he tanks or gets hurt.

[The Dane]

In a vacuum... ... your players can't breathe and die. I don't like this trade. Yes, what The Dane says has some validity, but you should be able to get something better for Story if you market him. The problem with The Dane's argument is that he has Hoskins on the bench a lot. That's just not going to happen unless he tanks or gets hurt.

Not to belabor the point, and I certainly respect your opinion, cavebird...

I'm assuming Hoskins is the ONLY full-time OF. His days off will be covered by whatever one of Williams/Altherr/Herrera would otherwise be sitting. This also holds for Santana's days off, because Hoskins will cover 1B, opening that spot again. Granted, that's not THAT many starts, but any days off for any of those five means that the OF trio benefits. We don't know what kind of manager Kapler will be, but I know he's a smart guy who listens and has an open mind. I believe the best thing for that team is to play Hoskins every day and rotate the other three equally, assuming everyone is healthy and playing well. That's 400-450 ABs for all three of Williams/Altherr/Herrera. Plus, all three will be sat against their toughest pitching foes, and put in situations to succeed. Not sure Kapler will have the gravitas to make those moves the way a veteran skipper like Maddon or Bochy can, but I feel confident he has the intelligence.

And another point for/against Altherr that hasn't been mentioned: It's not obvious, but he's two years OLDER than Story, and with a lot less exposure, more injuries and a weaker park. However, he is in his 27 year, so if you're a believer, he's due for his peak and now is the time to own him.

What cavebird says is true: if you can get even more for Story, then you should do it.

[cavebird]

I can live with that analysis. It is a five for four situation in Philly, so he'll get plenty of PA's. Then again, Story should be full time this year, but 100 extra K's doesn't help. Both have plenty of risk.