Originally posted on 04/16/2014:

Most people do not understand how trades work. Felix Hernandez may be a net asset, but not a huge trade value, as his salary (about 25 m per year) is close than his expected on field value for next years. I think it is a good value for Mariners organization, as he is identified with the team and helps them to sell more tickets and better TV ratings.

If your team takes Pujols for a bag of baseballs, they are being stolen. Pujols contract is way too expensive for his declining ability, so the only way for LAA to get rid of him is paying a big chunk of his contract, directly or indirectly (sending him with positive value players, or receiving another albatross).

So, it is not a player for another. It is a player and his contract vs another player and his contract. You must estimate his projected ability for next years, and only then you can get a fair trade value.