Three years ago near the trade deadline, the Orioles engaged in the selling-off of their remaining top assets. It brought a glimmer of hope to a team careening toward a disastrous 47-115 season. The reality hasn’t been so cheery. Upfront, let’s be clear that the Orioles lost these trades, particularly the Britton and Machado deals, regardless of what these players do in the future. The team could have gotten a greater return at the 2017 deadline or during the 2017-18 offseason than they ever could have received at the 2018 deadline.
I often wonder in organizations like this, where they trade for pieces viewed as good, but they literally all flame out, whether they are bad at identifying talent, bad at developing talent or both. The Indians were constantly trading for pieces no one heard of then turned into stars (like Corey Kluber). Did they identify talent or where they better at developing it. Same with the Rays. I don't have an answer, I just wonder.
I often wonder in organizations like this, where they trade for pieces viewed as good, but they literally all flame out, whether they are bad at identifying talent, bad at developing talent or both. The Indians were constantly trading for pieces no one heard of then turned into stars (like Corey Kluber). Did they identify talent or where they better at developing it. Same with the Rays. I don't have an answer, I just wonder.