Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Kansas City Royals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Earlier this week, we asked how you felt about Jim Bowden’s proposed Michael Wacha trade.
80% of you would give the trade a passing grade. I find that result fascinating given the comments I saw on both the poll and the article, suggesting people are very over both Matt Shaw and Kevin Alcántara as prospects. I’m divided in my own mind, believing the deal should be either an A if you believe in both of those guys or a C if you think they’re a bit overrated. But the plurality of you split the difference, with 33% voting that such a trade would result in a B from you.
Now I find myself wishing I’d asked instead which prospect you’d be more excited about if the Royals made such a deal. I think that could have interesting results because it seems clear to me that Alcántara has the higher upside, but Shaw has the higher floor. Let me know in the comments below: which do you prioritize?
I also find it amusing that fully 40% of people graded this a C or lower, even knowing that Jim Bowden would consider this a pretty hefty overpay by the Cubs. That’s something Baseball Trade Values agrees with, calling it a $20 million value overpay by the Cubs. Also of note to me is that both of these players are still being tied to the Royals for a starting pitcher one year after they and Owen Caissie were being suggested as potential trade candidates for Seth Lugo. Caissie, of course, ended up going to the Cubs as one piece in the deal to acquire Edward Cabrera. Looked at a certain way, Alcántara and Shaw for Wacha makes sense in that context. Wacha was much better than Cabrera last year, and both players are under club control through the end of 2028. Maybe it’s not so far-fetched after all?
These survey results are sponsored by FanDuel.
