OPEN THREAD - The Chance of Trading for a New, Young Starter.

Here's what I'm thinking..

Andres Gimenez is kicking arse in the winter league, Ronny Mauricio is right behind him and is supposed to be more talented, and Amed Rosario is close to being an all-star... all at shortstop.

If we are looking for a new starter, why not trade Gimenez for a top AAA starter prospect?

According to http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019/?list=prospects, here are fibe examples of top starters from various teams. There are more ranked in the Top 100, but these are the top five:

San Diego - MacKenzie Gore:

ETA: 2020   Position: LHP      Age: 20 DOB: 02/24/1999  Bats: L Throws: L     Height: 6' 3" Weight: 195 lb.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 65

Gore is lauded for his competitiveness and overall aptitude on the mound. Those qualities, along with his potential for four above-average-or-better offerings, could make the young lefty a future front-of-the-rotation piece. Already on his way toward achieving that projection, Gore stands to rise quickly through the Minors compared to his Draft-class peers, as long as he stays healthy.

Toronto - Nate Pearson:

ETA: 2020  Position: RHP Age: 23 DOB: 08/20/1996 Bats: R Throws: R      Height: 6' 6" Weight: 245 lb.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 75 | Slider: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 60

Pearson uses his height to his advantage, creating a downhill angle to the plate so as to pound his fastball and slider down in the zone, and he's athletic enough to believe that both his control and command will improve as he gains experience. Few pitching prospects in the Minors can match Pearson's high ceiling, and he can move closer to reaching it with a healthy campaign in 2019.

Detroit -  Casey Mise:

ETA: 2020  Position: RHP Age: 22 DOB: 05/01/1997  Bats: R Throws: R      Height: 6' 3" Weight: 220 lb.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Splitter: 70 | Control: 60 | Overall: 65

That Mize was shut down in 2017 at Auburn and again in the summer with Team USA due to a tired arm and flexor strain in his forearm raises concerns about his durability. However, he did his part by staying healthy throughout his 2018 campaign, and neither his athletic frame nor his clean delivery have a glaring flaw. With his plus stuff and plus command, it should surprise no one to see him move quickly through the Tigers' system.

Houston – Forrest Whitley:

ETA: 2020  Position: RHP Age: 22 DOB: 09/15/1997  Bats: R Throws: R      Height: 6' 7" Weight: 195 lb.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 |

 Slider: 60 | Changeup: 65 | Control: 50 | Overall: 60

Whitley has endured a puzzling 2019 season during which the quality of his stuff has fluctuated at times, and even so he got hit much harder than he should have in his first taste of Triple-A. His command has never been particularly sharp and has regressed this year, with scouts from other organizations raising questions about his focus and maturity. He still has the upside of a dominant No. 1 starter but hasn't looked like one as often as he had in the past.

Oakland -  Jesus Luzardo:

ETA: 2019   Position: LHP   Age: 22   DOB: 09/30/1997  Bats: L Throws: L      Height: 6' 0" Weight: 209 lb.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60 | Overall: 55

With his stuff, command and plus presence on the mound, there isn't much more for Luzardo to prove in the Minors. He'll spend the 2019 season at age 21 with the chance to pitch at, or near, the top of a big league rotation soon, though his chance to make that rotation on Opening Day ended with a left shoulder strain during Spring Training.

Ya think?