All you guys that are saying why did we trade him now and not at the deadline, or why did we trade him because we only have one available OF at this exact moment.
1. I trust Atkins knows the market for Pillar.. There is NO guarantee that there is a match or that Pillar's value is higher at the deadline. To make a trade, you need someone with a need and values your player. If SF went out now and filled their OF need, who says any other team wants him at the deadline. If I am doing the risk vs reward analysis.. I am calculating that there is a hela good chance Pillar's value could decline more between now and July.. (Hi Josh Donaldson). A bird in the hand is better than two is the bush. SF has a need and has some value associated with him. Pull the trigger. Great job FO!
2. We have a s*** load of OF and a log jam. True, not today April 2nd, but we do. When Vlad, and Bo, and Biggio gets here or Pompey is green lighted to play, where do Drury, Gurriel, Teo and Mckinley play with Pillar in the mix. I am not even counting Alford.
3. Concur with many here.. what benefit does another few month in AAA do for Alford.
4. Travis should not even be considered in future plans, I hope they feel same.. There is no space for him, he doesn't fit what we are trying to achieve. When he is off the 60, trade or DFA etc..
5. Look to see Smoak moved prior to the deadline if gets off to a good start. Need to start giving Vlad reps there in between 3b and having Tellez, Mckinley and wanting to DH Teoscar..
EDIT TO ADD:
6. Smoak is not the leader on this team. Giles is the leader.. Watch the Montoyo first win video.. We all know about the other incident with Giles. If we can get value for Smoak, pull the mother fnnn trigger... Smoak is not the veteran/player leadership holding this team together.