Tampa Bay Rays: Fake GM Simulation Update

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PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 23: Paul Goldschmidt #44 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts after hitting a foul ball during the bottom of the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field on September 23, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

At least today, the asking price was too high for the All-Star and perennial MVP candidate. Yes, I need to find a powerful replacement for Cron (which is where Abreu comes in), but I simply couldn’t part ways with multiple top prospects for a one year rental. God forbid, I make the fake trade and he tears his ACL on opening day, there goes at least 3 top prospects down the drain.

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I couldn’t part ways with Jesus Sanchez and Jake Bauers in the same deal and honesty I had a hard time including Sanchez at all.

My deal, which fell through, was this: (Rays Prospect Ranking)

2B(11) Nick Solak, OF(17) Joe McCarthy, and LHP(20) Resley Linares

It wasn’t enough to get a deal done, but who knows, maybe the asking price will drop in the following days.

My rationale in offering Solak and McCarthy is that both are blocked entry to the MLB level in the coming years even though both are a year or less away from having an impact at the major league level.

As for Resly Linares, the D-Backs “GM” was high on him and I was more comfortable adding him into the deal as opposed to Matthew Liberatore or Shane Baz.

As for the prospects I made untouchable during trade talks:

Ronaldo Hernandez, C

Brent Honeywell, RHP

Brendan McKay, LHP, 1B

Wander Franco, SS

Vidal Brujan, 2B