If we take him at his word (and he was surprisingly frank and open in the interview) then this trade makes a lot of sense.

The more I’ve read and researched on Mazzaro and Marks the more I’m on board with the return they got back for DDJ. Again my point isn’t that I have a problem with the players they got back, I find the timing a little curious. I say that having already watched what he did to open the 2009 offseason as well. My question still stands: why the rush to make a move?

Gage is absolutely correct, the market figured to work in the Royals favor and DDJs value as a trade commodity was likely to go up in the coming weeks. You don’t need to be a GM with inside information to see that.

That said, based on his comments this morning, they CLEARLY love Vin Mazzaro and see something there. If this was their chance to get a guy they coveted and get a power lefty prospect on top of that I’m on board.

I don’t think slots on the 40-man roster really had anything to do with making this deal. The Royals, and most teams, have plenty of chum on their 40-man that can be jettisoned at this point in the offseason.

As an aside I came away from his interview today greatly encouraged. Not because of his trade thoughts, but because for the first time that I can remember he was relaying the orginization’s philosophy and plans in very plain and simple terms. For once I feel like the amorphous “process” finally had some definition.

I finally feel like the organization top to bottom has a direction and the “Royal Way” has finally be defined.

I’m not really against this trade, but I don’t particularly like what Dayton brought in for DDJ. Injury or no, it seems that there might have been a better deal out there somewhere. But, like you say, we fans can only speculate as to potential offers. Maybe Dayton really is more knowledgeable this time, but it mainly seems like cost cutting. When Dayton already said they’re cutting costs this offseason, I’m not sure it’ll lead to much, so why do it now? The timing is the biggest thing that bothers me, but again, that’s from an outside perspective.

When Dayton makes a trade, sure, he has to consider what other offers might come available next month, but he has to discount them against the fact that some of his current leverage might leak away by unforeseen moves reducing the available trades. Dayton might have more information about what other teams have mentioned to indicate reduced need to make the deal, such as mentioning alternatives, and indicating they aren’t going above a certain level for a player. Dayton also has the benefit of knowing what teams were offering in July when the market was hot. If he feel that this was the best time and return then he should make the trade. Don’t forget the adage, ‘One in the hand is better than two in the bush.’

If Dayton can break even on half his trades (which is probably what this is), and win 40%, and only lose 10% where he was in a corner because of timing, long term, he will come out ahead.