I have heard Luhnow bring up feeling burned in 2015 by trading for Kazmir to early. He talks about how he didn't realize so many front line guys would be come available later. All of Cueoto, Hammels Price went closer to the deadline.
Cueto was acquired for the Royals 4th, 10th, 25th prospects. Astros equivalent, So Perez, Teoscar and so lower level kid.
Price went for Toronto's #1 pitching prospect a mid level pitching prospect and one lower level. So Martes, Cionel Perez and a lower level arm.
Hamels was dealt for RHP Jake Thompson No. 2 #Rangers prospect, C Jorge Alfaro No. 3, OF Nick Williams No. 5. All to PHI, plus 2 other lower level guys. So the Astros equivalent, Whitely, Derek FIsher and Franklin Perez and 2 lower level pitchers.
How do those trades look now?
Cueto Trade:
Royals: Cueto helped the Royals win the World Series, left for FA at the years end.
Reds: Got one young solid starter, Brandon Finnegan
Price trade
Toronto. Price pitched 11 games in the regular season Jays with 9-2 in those Price had a 2.30 ERA. Post season He made 4 starts, Jays went 1-3 in those starts while Price sported in 6.17 ERA in 22 innings. In his 4 starts he allowed, 5,3,5, & 3 earned runs. Jays bombed out in the ALCS
Detroit, the jewel of the trade was highly rated Daniel Norris, he has started 41 games for the Tigers, he is 10-10 with a 4.29 ERA, the other 2 guys they acquired look to be fringe MLB guys at best.
Hamels
Rangers: Hamels is now 27-7 with a 3.53 ERA in 3 seasons. In 2015 the Rangers went 10-2 down the stretch when he started, and he had a 3.66 ERA. In the Playoffs he pitched twice in the ALDS, which the Rangers lost. He has also pitched once in the ALDS in 2016. He had 2 good, not great starts in 2015 and was absolutely hammered in his 1 start in 2016.
Phillies. Their haul includes their current #5 & #8 prospects, none of the other guys have done much or have been released or traded.