Some No. 1 picks ain't what they used to be

Published Dec. 23, 2009 at 4:16 a.m.

Lots of disappointment in the local blogosphere today over the news that the Mariners will be getting Class A outfielder Yohermyn Chavez, along with reliever Brandon League, in that Brandon Morrow trade.

My first reaction was that Chavez's inclusion makes the deal a whole lot less sexy than it sounded this morning when other names were being bandied about.

My second reaction is -- stop doing it.

Stop overvaluing what Seattle had to trade.

We see this done locally all the time. Fans of teams, media that cover them and the teams themselves tend to overvalue their own prospects.

And that's what Morrow is right now, at least as a starting pitcher. He's a prospect.

Look at it from Toronto's perspective. In League, they see a reliever with a ton of potential and raw ability who has never quite put it all together. Sounds familliar, right?

Morrow has a little more value here given his potential to be a starting pitcher. He also offers Toronto one more year of club control than League brings Seattle. But what Morrow doesn't offer is any guarantees he'll be an effective starter. Hence, the added value he brings is still limited.

That's why you have Chavez to balance things out. Not a top prospect and -- after two full years of Class A -- a guy who is still a few seasons from the majors. I seriously doubt Toronto GM Alex Anthopolous viewed him as a threat to crack the big league team any time soon or possibly later.

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