In the lab: The trade that wasn’t
Did Jim Crane make the right call when he vetoed the Larnach trade?
A trade was discussed that involved sending Trevor Larnach to the Twins in exchange for Bryan Abreu. Jim Crane vetoed the deal. The primary criticism of the proposed Varsho deal is that it involved trading a pitcher with years of control for a player with no control beyond the current season. However, Arrighetti's performance has been inconsistent.
In contrast, Larnach has had solid batting statistics over the past three seasons, with an OPS above the league average. His chase rate and swing rate suggest he is a patient hitter. However, his contact rates are slightly below average, and his defensive metrics, particularly in the outfield, are concerning. Larnach's value in terms of FWAR is 2.1 this season.
Abreu, on the other hand, has been worth 0.5 FWAR. Despite the potential for Abreu to be re-signed by the team, Crane's decision to veto the trade suggests he may have other reasons for opposing it.
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