A common piece of feedback: “You've got starting pitching listed as depth for the Nats — it's actually a need.” That's usually because a team has plenty of names but nobody who profiles as a mid-rotation-or-better starter. We now score need on Top-N Quality, not headcount.
The 11 slots we score
- SP — top 5 starters (rotation)
- RP — top 6 relievers (bullpen)
- C — top 2 catchers
- 1B / 2B / 3B / SS — top 1 at each infield slot
- LF / CF / RF — top 1 at each outfield slot (bucketed by primary position)
- DH — top bat available at DH
Top-N Quality score
- Take the top N players eligible for the slot (by trade value).
- Average their model value.
- Compare to league benchmarks for that slot.
Each slot lands in one of four color-coded buckets:
- Strength — well above the league average at that slot.
- Solid — near league average.
- Depth — quantity present but no impact bat/arm.
- Need — clearly below the bar; a trade at this slot moves the needle.
How this affects grades
The Trade Grading Rubric weights fit heavily:
- Sending a player from a Strength slot to a team's Need is a big fit bonus.
- Trading away a Need without replacing it triggers a red flag in the pros/cons.
- Prospect acquisitions apply partial fit credit based on ETA — a 2028 SS doesn't solve a 2026 SS hole.
Limitations
- Positional eligibility uses primary position; utility guys don't get credit at multiple slots.
- Injuries reduce a player's value but don't remove them from the depth chart.
- Platoons aren't modeled — a LHH-only bat counts the same as an everyday player.