Erik Gonzalez trade revisited

At the time the Indians traded Erik Gonzalez, one of their top 30 prospects Tahnaj Thomas and Dante Mendoza I was livid.   All we got in return was Jordan Luplow and Max Moroff.

At the time Neil Huntington of the Pirates said that this was a trade down the road that could really help both teams.  General managers usually say that when they have fleeced the other general manager or when they have gotten fleeced to keep the wolves away from their door.  

Then this week I read the following:

"Pittsburgh was excited to acquire him in November, and he’s now the favorite to serve as its Opening Day shortstop. Pirates scouts were “beating the table” to get Gonzalez, who they believe will be “’above average. Dynamic. Very good. More range than anybody you’ve had at short maybe some you have managed,'” manager Clint Hurdle said."

Basically, they are saying that Gonzalez is really good and they think that he will be a well above-average starter at shortstop.   That means that we should have gotten a good return for Gonzalez, right?   Adding in Thomas and Mendoza means we should have gotten a REALLY good return.

The return for Gonzalez was pathetic.

Max Moroff is a career .233 hitter at AAA in over 100 plate appearances, which makes his ML average of .193 seem like reality, with very little chance for improvement.   Basically, he isn't even a replacement-level utility infielder.

Jordan Luplow has been characterized as a platoon outfielder who is going to have to hit much better than his .203 ML average last year although his AAA numbers of .303 average in over 500 plate appearances gives some hope.

Trading the two of them for Gonzalez would have been one-sided in Pittsburgh's favor.  Adding in Mendoza and Thomas makes it an absolute steal for Pittsburgh and a really dumb trade for the Indians.

So, it is on the Indians' scouts.  Luplow better be an outstanding player this year because that is what we should have gotten for Gonzalez, Thomas and Mendoza.    If not the Indians and their scouts just absolutely suck.   Plus, the Indians should have a plan in place to bring in a utility infielder to do what Gonzalez can do.   Moroff is NOT that player, offensively or defensively.   There better be a plan in place to get someone in here who can hold down the job if we have an injury.   So far that plan has not materialized.