Just getting caught up here, so my first reaction to trading JW is NOOOOOO!
However, I think most people around baseball would have to agree that he's a dude. He's become my favorite Oriole just because of his approach at the plate and also his workman-like attitude. Leaving out my preferences and putting on my front office hat I have to admit he would be attractive to other teams for his ability to play three positions in the IF and his steady performance with the bat. And unlike Holliday, he's proven himself.
While Holliday is the more high profile guy to other teams I'm not sure he's seen as more valuable. JW can play SS-has the arm for it-and he's versatile. I think Holliday could learn to play 2B but has neither the arm for 3B or SS. He likely has more range and as earlier stated by another poster, some team may want to try him at SS. Maybe that works, maybe it doesn't.
I feel like I'm making the case to keep JW and trade JH. Back to the question, which guy gets the Orioles what they need to be the favorite going into the playoffs? Number one pick or a guy who's a ML starter right now? Let's set that aside, maybe it's either one. Can either of them get us Skubal in the right package? Yes. That's the guy who IS a ML pitcher and who will move the needle.
What's the package? Elias has earned some level of respect with the Burnes trade and the trade that sent Bundy to the Angels when Elias first arrived. That one was even more evidence of his ability to read the tea leaves. So, I trust he'll make it work. I may not like the immediate results (i.e. trading Westy or Kjerstad), but if he can get Skubal in the right deal I'd make the deal. But Scherzer is a good back up and won't cost nearly as much.
