Cueto is my top choice due to the fact that he is a little younger than some of the other alternatives. If they can get a negotiation window with Cueto, and if Cueto accepts the Lester offer (6 years 135 milliion) then I would trade for Cueto. Cueto is two years younger than Lester, and so the back end of the contract is less problematic.
If these conditions are met, I would be willing to trade the following for Cueto:
(1) one of Swilhart or Margot (I would prefer trading Swilhart).
(2) Owens.
(3) a lesser quality hitting prospect, e.g., Brentz.
(4) a lesser quality pitching prospect, e.g., Escobar.
We keep hearing how great Swilhart is, but he is already 22 years old and hasn't had an elite offensive season in the minor leagues. He could be on the verge of bigger things, like many are predicting, but who knows. . . . This might be the best time to trade him--the Red Sox need a top of the rotation starter and Swilhart's value is a little hyped.
If these conditions are met, I would be willing to trade the following for Cueto:
(1) one of Swilhart or Margot (I would prefer trading Swilhart).
(2) Owens.
(3) a lesser quality hitting prospect, e.g., Brentz.
(4) a lesser quality pitching prospect, e.g., Escobar.
We keep hearing how great Swilhart is, but he is already 22 years old and hasn't had an elite offensive season in the minor leagues. He could be on the verge of bigger things, like many are predicting, but who knows. . . . This might be the best time to trade him--the Red Sox need a top of the rotation starter and Swilhart's value is a little hyped.