So level setting on what someone like Sean Manaea might cost. Sonny Gray with two years of team control just went for a late 2021 1st round pick. Chris Bassitt with only one year of control went for a 2020 overslot 2nd round pick and an older, late bloomer arm. What’s fascinating is I’d probably argue that the A’s got the superior package, although Petty offers far more upside than Ginn. Regardless, neither headliner was a top 100 type yet, but has the ceiling to become one with time.
The challenge is the Sox don’t have a ton of guys with that type of pedigree. Jared Kelly would be the closest as his $3M bonus was actually larger than both Ginn & Petty’s and he was a higher regarded prospect by most publications heading into each of their respective drafts. The problem for him was a disastrous 2021 season that was both short on health and results. Could he headline a trade for Manaea? Maybe if the A’s were high on him pre-draft, but you’d potentially be selling him for $0.50 on the dollar.
Besides Kelly, maybe you could make a argument for Matthew Thompson plus a decent secondary piece, but he like Kelly posted poor results in 2021 and his value has taken a hit, even if his athleticism & projectability remain there. I think Vera could easily headline a Manaea trade, but the Sox aren’t moving him now when he a chance to be a top 50 prospect in a year or two. Dalquist & Burke, our next two best pitching prospects, aren’t going to be enough to headline this type of trade.
Honestly, that leaves positional guys and out of all of them I really think Burger makes the most sense. The A’s are likely to lose both Olson & Chapman in the near future and will need to help to replace the power they provide. Zack Gelof will certainly be in the mix, but having another guy that can fill in at 3B, 1B, & DH makes a ton of sense. To me, Sheets flashed enough last season to be worth more than one year of Manaea, especially with the NL getting the DH now. And Colas is in a similar boat to Vera where it’s difficult to move him now when his value is likely to jump after a year statewide. Burger plus an arm like Jason Bilous seems like a reasonable package for both sides.