Who Brought The Better Package: Callaspo or Podsednik?

by Will McDonald on Jul 30, 2010 12:38 AM EDT in Kansas City Royals Minor Leagues Comment 38 comments

Just to recap:

Callaspo brought back Sean O`Sullivan and Will Smith. O`Sullivan is a 22 year old pitcher already in the Majors, and Smith is a 20 year old arm.
Podsednik generated Luke May and Elisaul Pimentel. May is a newly born catcher, age 25, who is out of options. Pimentel is a 21 year old minor league starter of growing repute.

Poll

Better Package?

O`Sullivan & Smith

345 votes

May & Pimentel

208 votes

553 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 38 comments |

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Comments

wow... all about SOS and Smith right now...

are people just all about SOS being already in the Majors?

by Will McDonald on Jul 30, 2010 12:44 AM EDT reply actions

I'm all about SOS being 22, rather than 25.

- "But Frank, that's the worst shortstop in the league."
- "That's what they keep tellin' me."

by hawkinscm87 on Jul 30, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions

That's an interesting question, and very close, imo

Voted for Sully/Smith b/c of the likelihood of actually making it. May is no more likely than Sully to have a ML impact, and while I think Pimentel looks great from an upside standpoint, Smith looks a little closer to actually making it.

'The Writers Junction'
in Santa Monica, CA

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 30, 2010 12:46 AM EDT reply actions

I voted for May/Pimentel

though didn’t dedicate a ton of time to it… seemed like Pimentel was the most interesting piece out there

now, I’m wondering…

by Will McDonald on Jul 30, 2010 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

well, I really do like what Pimentel has going for him, which makes it close

i’m interested how some others weigh in

'The Writers Junction'
in Santa Monica, CA

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 30, 2010 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Well

Snith looked good at Wilmington tonight.

Any chance we just bring May up right away and move Pena to Omaha (I guess)?

by 102win on Jul 30, 2010 12:55 AM EDT reply actions

Doesn't sound like it

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 30, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Voted for SOS/Smith

Because SOS is likely to produce some WAR, while May appears to be backup C at best. Pimentel is a lottery ticket – as likely to produce 0 WAR as he is to suceed.

That being said, nothing wrong with rolling the dice on the higher ceiling/lower level guy – in fact, that probably makes the most sense for the Royals.

I guess my vote is because there is maybe an 85-90% chance that SOS produces the most WAR out of the four players – but if the 10-15% chance hits, the WAR could dwarf SOS’

OK, I’m rambling now. I guess poll answer depends on your penchant for risk.

"We're gonna win with pitching and defense" General Manager Dayton Moore, circa winter 2009

"Where did all these Indians come from?" General George Armstrong Custer, circa summer 1876

by loyal2sdad on Jul 30, 2010 12:59 AM EDT reply actions

Initially I was all about the Pods haul

But Rany makes a pretty good case that May may have actually been a counterproductive acquisition. I’m still thrilled we moved a mirage like Podesdnik for actual value, but I’m not as high on the deal as I was when I first heard about it.

In my head Smith and Pimental are about the same. I’m not a smart enough baseball fan to be able to differentiate between two decent A-ball prospects. So if it comes down to SOS vs May, I’ll take SOS. As sad as it is, we now find ourselves in the position where we need mediocre major league pitching depth.

by big matt on Jul 30, 2010 1:32 AM EDT reply actions

in any case, it is GREAT that Dayton is willing to trade these guys

I seriously thought the Callaspo deal was going to be the only one. I’d just assumed guys like Pods and Bloomy were untouchable.

by big matt on Jul 30, 2010 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Differentiate between Smith and Pimentel

I’m not real smart either, but I’ll tell you a couple reasons they’re different. The Angels had smith in AA and we assigned him to High-A. Pimentel has been in Low-A and we assigned him at the same level. Also, Smith walks very few…he seems to be more mature and a control pitcher—while his age is good for the level he’s at. Pimentel strikes out many, but needs to mature. His walk numbers aren’t bad, but he needs to get something going since he’s a little old for Low-A. That’s what I have to offer based on what I’ve read and from looking at their stats.

- "But Frank, that's the worst shortstop in the league."
- "That's what they keep tellin' me."

by hawkinscm87 on Jul 30, 2010 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions

that's a good summary, I'll add that I think Pimentel's ceiling is higher due to

having some more pitches to develop, especially his changeup, and his velocity seems to be still developing. If he can throw 94 with a solid changeup, then he could be a #2 starter (not his expectation, just his ceiling). But Smith is more polished with a decent ceiling himself, and thus a tick better as a “ranked” prospect in my book.

'The Writers Junction'
in Santa Monica, CA

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 30, 2010 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions

OT: (but not off the Royals) Top 5 Royals Facebook comments of the day Fanshot

I’d like to get a running recap of the best/worst Facebook comments going. I can’t do it everyday b/c I don’t have access to Facebook at work, but if others want to chip in, it’s definitely a funny diversion from the boring, morose August and September we’re about to go through (except for the battle for 4th place, of course!).

'The Writers Junction'
in Santa Monica, CA

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 30, 2010 1:49 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

I agree with this idea and will try to assist when possible.

The Royals FB fans for the most part are clueless and look at most of these trades so far as devastating. I even saw one the other day that said something along the lines of “HEre we go again! The Royals trading off all the good players for nothing!” I was seriously considering de-friending the Royals until I read this suggestion. Rec’d

Ned likes Kendall in the 2-hole!

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Jul 30, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

we need something to keep us busy

for the four days between MUST-SEE Chen starts

'The Writers Junction'
in Santa Monica, CA

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 30, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I like both trades

Voted for O’Sullivan-Smith because O’Sullivan might help us in the next couple of years, as we fight for .500 in 2014, and he’s better than May, who could also play in the majors now.

"The bowler's Holding, the batsman's Willey" - Unfortunate cricket commentator

by Juancho on Jul 30, 2010 4:21 AM EDT reply actions

I saw Smith in his uniform ...

and it would be tough to have bigger package than he seems to have

- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …

by Jeff Zimmerman on Jul 30, 2010 8:35 AM EDT reply actions

I had about four different reactions to this at one time.

Well played, Zimmerman.

"Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic."

by MinnesotaRoyal on Jul 30, 2010 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

I Thought The

Question was about Callaspo and Podz’s packages. I have no idea; maybe ask her for starters.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 30, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm really down on May

Even before Rany’s post, but that really solidified it for me.

Old for a prospect.
Out of options.
Home park inflated offensive numbers.
Weak numbers vs RHP.
Supposedly needs more development time to be a good defensive catcher.

So what do you have? A guy who must be on the ML roster next year, but he’s probably really not ready to be defensively. The next couple of months of Omaha data about his hitting will be really telling.

by sfeldkamp on Jul 30, 2010 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

Don't forget

If May IS actually on the 25-man out of ST next year, that will mean the Royals got rid of Pena (probably a better hitter, at least, if not defender based on experience at the position alone) without ever really giving him a chance. None of that is May’s fault, but it’s a big part of looking at the acquisition.

"Never get less than 12 hours sleep. Never play cards with a guy who's got the same first name as as city. And never go near a lady who's got a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Now you stick with that, and everything else is cream cheese." -Coach Bobby Finstock

by Sweep_the_Leg on Jul 30, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

you mean

they're not going to admit their mistake with Kendall and cut him?

'The Writers Junction'
in Santa Monica, CA

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 30, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

How sad is that?

Next year our choices at catcher will be Pena, Pina, May, and Kendall. The one that shouldn’t make the team, is the only one guaranteed to make the team.

by Antibawang on Jul 30, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Of course, Pena already has experience filling the role of:

“Third Catcher.”

Maybe he’ll get to do that again next year. That way, we can double the return on Kendall’s mentoring-value.

by kcemigre on Jul 30, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

May is younger than Kila, so how is he old for a prospect?

He will be 26 at the beginning of next season

by Mr. Jones on Jul 30, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Why

was May converted to C in the first place? Anyone seen anything informative on that subject?

The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them. -- Albert Einstein

by The Ol' Perfesser on Jul 30, 2010 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

That's a good question

Given their needs, they might be better converting him BACK to a SS.

by Sweep_the_Leg on Jul 30, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I can't believe

the Royals Review crowd is forgetting the all-important humor factor. The O’Sullivan-Smith package brings possibilities for Irish tangents, O’Sullivan vs. Butler stoutness comparisons, and a whole array of Fresh Prince jokes and .gif possibilities. There’s nothing funny about the name “Lucas May”, and Pimentel only offers the prospect of lame jokes about gross cheese spread. O’Sullivan-Smith in a landslide.

The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them. -- Albert Einstein

by The Ol' Perfesser on Jul 30, 2010 10:45 AM EDT reply actions

I think you hit the nail on the head.

The first thing I thought of with the Pods trade was cheese. Maybe because I have been dieting and miss cheese, but I did make the connection immediately either way.

Ned likes Kendall in the 2-hole!

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Jul 30, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I like both trades.

O’Sullivan gets the edge because he is a starter and young enough to help us now and for a few years to come. I am most excited that GMDM is starting to move young players. Holland should have been here much sooner and Coleman should be next. Guillen’s pending trade rumors should be spot on. A bag of used balls would be fair to me just so he takes the next bus out of town. I would like to see Clint Robinson moved to Omaha after K. comes up here. Go Blue….

by grudz96 on Jul 30, 2010 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

I'm shocked that May/Pimentel got 139 votes

O’Sullivan and Smith are much better prospects. I don’t think it is close.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 30, 2010 12:38 PM EDT reply actions

I voted for Sully/Smith

but an answer I would accept for voting in the other direction is “Pimentel’s upside”, especially the 9+ K/IP he has been sporting.

'The Writers Junction'
in Santa Monica, CA

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 30, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I really haven’t read anything about Pimentel having a big upside. From what I’ve read, his stuff isn’t particularly impressive. One season’s K/9 bump isn’t enough to make me excited about him. While I’m not excited about any of these prospects, it seems like the prospect analysts (BA, etc.) like Sully and Smith considerably more than May and Pimentel.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 30, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Thinking about it some more

That’s exactly how they should rank, right? I mean, Callaspo probably had more trade value, considering he is under team control for a while longer, and Podsednik is basically a 2 month rental (assuming he gets 90 more PAs, which is a lock barring an injury)

"We're gonna win with pitching and defense" General Manager Dayton Moore, circa winter 2009

"Where did all these Indians come from?" General George Armstrong Custer, circa summer 1876

by loyal2sdad on Jul 30, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, Callaspo should definitely generate more WAR and more surplus value than Pods—perhaps 3 to 5 WAR over 3 years for Alberto versus (maybe) 1 WAR for Pods this season.

by BlueEyes_Austin on Jul 30, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely

The Royals should have gotten more for Callaspo than for Pods and they did.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 30, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

The thing is, those analyses date mainly from the beginning of the year. What I’m hopeful is that the Royals midwest scouts saw something in Pimentel that suggested he’d moved up a notch.

by BlueEyes_Austin on Jul 30, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions