QUOTE (GreenSox @ Jun 17, 2016 -> 08:17 AM)
If the Sox had won, say, 84 games last year, but with a huge 3B void, then I could understand it. But it made no sense to me for a 76 win team (actually worse per run differential) to trade the only CF on the roster, esp considering the org is so short on quality outfielders (Eaton showed last year that he's below par in CF; but the great thing is that he's shown this year that he's above par in RF). They filled one hole to create another.
Players blossoming after so-so minor league careers isn't that unusual (Saladino will be the next, imo). The HR total is a surprise, but the Sox knew Semien could hit (they had some MI depth in the minors). They thought Trayce was a fluke, I suppose, but the D alone should have been good enough.
The other factor is, I believe, that the Sox farm, while still substandard, is improving. The FO approach to drafting finally got serious 5-6 years ago. Some second tier players are going to push through when you draft well. Sox seem to be caught unaware of their own improvement.
I do agree with ya but I still feel the trade was worth it. They sold high on those three. It did suck having to part with Trayce. I didn't mind losing Semien because of his defense and Montas I thought was a reliever in the end.