#122: Kelsey Skubal, or Tarik Plum?

Who are the MLB and WNBA comps as we approach the trade deadline in both leagues

Are you locked in? The WNBA trade deadline is on Sunday, while MLB's trade deadline is on Monday.

Baseball's will be busier, of course, since it always is with the number of levels, players, teams, no salary cap, and everything else that goes into it.

But there are top players available in both leagues.

As we approach both deadlines, how do the players compare to each other in context within their own leagues?

Well, I took 16 different players who are rumored to be in trade talks in their respective leagues and tried to find a line between them as a comparison.

Did it work?

I have no fucking idea.

Let's have fun, though.

Tarik Skubal = Kelsey Plum: The two biggest respective names available on the market. Both are All-Stars, both are face-of-the-franchise-type players. Plum isn't going to return to Los Angeles next year, so they need to move her to get something for her before she enters free agency. Skubal is a free agent, and while the Tigers won't for sure move him, he can swing the pendulum for the team that could land him.

Mason Miller = Napheesa Collier: We'll call these two players the All-Stars who could be moved, but really? Collier just returned from double-ankle surgery in the offseason, which made her miss Unrivaled. She's one of the top-five players in the league, but she only signed a one-year deal with Minnesota. Without her the Lynx were the top team in the league. But would they really trade the face of the franchise? As for Miller, I hate relievers, but he's so damn dominant - like Phee. The Padres have him for three and a half seasons, but a team will overpay for that type of control and dominance.

Luis Arráez = Emily Engstler: We'll call this duo just fine, because that's what they are. But just fine is good! Arráez' value is capped given his skill set is all about contact and drawing walks. That's valuable, but there's also a reason that he bounces around the league. As for Engstler, she's been a great rim protector and can score for the Fire, but on most teams, she's a depth wing player. There's value in that.

Freddy Peralta = Alanna Smith: This is the "oh no, we fucked up!" group. Smith was coming off of a Co-Defensive Player of the Year season, and as a max player, she hasn't come close to giving a positive return on the investment by the Wings. As for Peralta, well, anything that the Mets touch just goes wrong. Both are talented and both can be saved ... I think?

Casey Mize = Maddy Siegrist: This is the "elite college player" duo. Siegrist was a walking bucket (heh) at Villanova. She's been my preseason pick for Sixth Player of the Year for like three years running, but injuries have gotten in her way. Her role has shrunk this year with the Wings, playing fewer than 13 minutes in six of her last eight games. As for Mize, he was dominant, too, at Auburn, and injuries muddled his outlook early for the Tigers. However, he's turned into a really solid arm. Both could help teams immediately.

Kevin Gausman = Nneka Ogwumike: This is the salute the vets grouping. Gausman would love to stay with Toronto, but he may have made his last start with the Blue Jays. Likewise, Nneka would love to stay with the Sparks after returning to them in the offseason, but it's been a mess of a season for them. Both vets have a lot left in the tank.

Daulton Varsho = Alyssa Thomas
Shane Bieber = DeWanna Bonner
These four are the package deal combo. Where AT goes, DeWanna will go. We know that. So we had to find two players on the same team who will likely be moved. AT has two torn labrums in her shoulders, so we know that she does the push shot and had to evolve her game. Varsho was a catcher turned elite outfielder, so that ... tracks? Bonner and Bieber are both veterans who have been around. They are closer to the end than the beginning, but still have a role.

Gleyber Torres = Georgia Amoore: This is called the "I still believe, dammit" duo. I'm not writing off Amoore, who missed her rookie season after tearing her ACL in training camp. The Mystics, though, are ahead of schedule, and the last missing piece is a true point guard to facilitate the offense. I'm keeping my Amoore stock, though. As for Torres, he was helped by Yankee Stadium and now he's helped by his beard. He's a gorgeous man. So, yeah. I think there's more for him, too? Maybe modeling if not baseball.

Zach Neto = Aneesah Morrow: This is the "y, tho?" duo. The Angels have control of Neto. The Angels suck. He's one of the bright spots, even if he has his flaws. I get dumping everyone, but I don't trust the Angels to get a good enough return for Neto. The same goes with Morrow. It was a bad fit from the beginning in Connecticut, and her usage has been inconsistent. She's a high-motor player whose ceiling has yet to be reached.

Hunter Goodman = Kahleah Copper: This is the on-paper duo. Goodman has been in trade talks all season, and while it looks good on paper, will any team actually match the ask that the Rockies want? The Yankees, maybe, but fuck them. As for Copper, she's a hooper. But she's making big money. Every team should inquire about her, but can anyone actually acquire her with the cap restraints?

Mickey Moniak = Olivia Nelson-Ododa: We'll call these two the underrated duo. Moniak has finally had a breakout in Colorado, and it isn't all because of Coors Field. The outfielder will be moved and still have an impact as an everyday player. As for ONO, her game gets overlooked by her tunnel fits. She's a perfect sixth or seventh player for a contender who needs a big off of the bench.

George Springer = Betnijah Laney-Hamilton: This is the name value duo. Both are relying on their past to carry their current and future value. Springer is a DH at this point who is still productive but battles a number of injuries. As for B, she's out of the Liberty rotation for a reason. She isn't hitting her shots. Her knee injuries have caused her to lose a step in her lateral quickness which hinders her ability along the perimeter defensively.

Antonio Senzatela = Rachel Banham: This is the specialist grouping. I'm not a fan of Banham's game, but in an era where spacing is essential to thrive in the WNBA, she's able to offer that with her three-point shooting. It's like Senzatela as a failed starter turned good reliever who can give teams valuable innings out of the bullpen.

Joe Ryan = Skylar Diggins: This is the veterans who ball. Diggins isn't happy in Chicago. We all knew this would happen, right? She has another year on her contract and is coming off of a good run with the Storm. Will she need to land on a contender? If so, which team makes sense if any? As for Ryan, his makeup was always weird to me. His fastball sharpe is odd and isn't what I like to see in key arms.

C.J. Abrams = Lauren Betts: This is the "y, tho (Washington edition)." Abrams is having a breakout power year despite being 150 pounds soaking wet. Maybe they want to sell high on him? But the Nats' offense has been fantastic. I don't think they move him. I don't think the Mystics move on from Betts, either. Yes, they are ahead of schedule and I'm not the biggest Betts fan, but they drafted her No. 4 for a reason. They want to develop her. If anything, it would make more sense to move Cotie McMahon or Angela Dugalić in a deal to land a point guard.

Until next time

I'm heading to the Washington Spirit and San Diego Wave match on Sunday. It's two teams toward the top of the standings and should be a good time.

I'm still planning on putting out a newsletter on Sunday. It all depends on how busy the trade deadline is with the Atlanta Dream for the job that pays me.

Fuck ICE. Fuck transphobes. Fuck bigots.

You're cool, though.