Jack Torrance - contributing reporter
Hindsight is 20/20, while it will be a few seasons before we know how well these deals worked out for both teams, let's go ahead and take a look back at a few deals that were made this season.
Hartford (96-66) traded Domonic Malone (2B) to New Orleans (107-55) for Rafael Ciriaco (RP) and Gabriel Quixote (SP). Both teams ended up winning their division so a win for all players involved and both ended up losing to Buffalo in the playoffs. This deal made a lot of sense for both teams with Hartford picking up a S53 NL RotY candidate as a back of the rotation starter, though Ciriaco failed in the bullpen. Malone struggled as well but he went from a starter to a bench role with Quevedo already manning 2nd base. Without a title for the NOOFs, Hartford gets the W on this deal as they'll get a few more years out of Quixote in the least. Malone is set to be a FA this offseason unless he resigns with New Orleans before hand.
Montreal (64-98) dealt starter Santiago Terrero to Vancouver (74-88) for Dioner Amezaga (SP) and Denny Matsuzaka (RP). Vancouver was coming off their first division title since S35 and they made a play to add more depth to their rotation. Terrero didn't quite live up to his previous three seasons in Montreal. At least Canada still came out ahead on this deal, Montreal gets the W but it's not a complete loss for west coast Canada, as Vancouver flipped Terrero to Santa Fe (84-78) who was pushing for a wild card slot....Santa Fe missed the wildcard by 6 games, thanks to a 6-11 stretch to end the season. Terrero pitched much better in Santa Fe and the Canucks picked up starter Ted Suppan who ended the season in AAA. In the end it's likely a wash for Vancouver. Suppan's stint in the ML for Santa Fe was rough to the tune of a 7.44 ERA on a 1.87 WHIP through 17 games; of which 4 were starts. Santa Fe signed Terrero to a 5/$30M extension so plenty of value in return for Santa Fe, who gets a W for their portion of the Terrero deals.
In another deal of eventual division champs, we saw Atlanta (116-46) move Akinori Yoshii (DH) to Colorado (91-71) for Esmil Polanco (RF) and Ruben Suarez (SP). As likely a sign and trade, Atlanta had inked Yoshii to a 5/$24M extension just a day before the trade. Yoshii seemed to play a backup role, though he produced at close to the same rates (OPS) has he did in Atlanta. Signed through S57, we'll see what else he can do for the Colorado franchise in the years to come, but that will depending on their new upcoming owner. Polanco started the year in AAA where he seemed to have been stuck in Colorado. He played the same role in Atlanta that Yoshii would have with the added benefit of being a better defender. Saurez has only seen A+, and spent his 3rd season there (of 3) but had his best season to date. He likely becomes trade bait as an adder with another player in the next season or two. I think Atlanta might could have gotten a little more for Yoshii.
New Orleans (107-55) likely didn't want to take on the contract of Tike Cosby (RF) as a bench roleplayer and traded him to Milwaukee (75-87) for Nefi Brogna (SS). Milwaukee is Cosby's 4th team in as many seasons. In a full time role he slipped a bit from his year prior in New Orleans but given a green light on the base paths he stole the most bases he ever had. I believe he enters Arb2 next season so could still remain with the Metronomes another season or two. Milwaukee had Matty Doubront (SS) already on the roster and might I add, he won the AL SS Gold Glove this year so he dealt from a roster strength. Brogna may have started the season as a back-up he eventually found himself starting for the NL South division champs. he enters Arb3 so we should see at least one more season playing for the NOOFs. Solid major league trade for both teams.
It's not often we see deals between division rivals, but Minnesota (78-84) sent Ernest Collins (LF) and Joaquin Cordero (2B) to Milwaukee (75-87) for Butch Womack (RP) and Rubi Bocachica (1B). Milwaukee got what they paid for in Collins, a 20 HR / 14 SB season on a .279 AVG. But we didn't see much growth for Cordero in the minors. We'll see what this off-season brings, but still a good add for a team trying to find their way back to the playoffs. Minnesota moved Womack into the closer role after trying him out as a starter in AAA. Womack likely becomes a SuB type at the ML level, if he makes it that far. Rubi saw a little improvement during the season, which is nice to have during an age 24 season. He has the power to make the majors, but that speed and low contact might prevent us from seeing much of him. But did trading Collins free up some cash for the North Stars to sign Guilder Paredes in IFA this season? If so, I'd give Minnesota a W instead of an L for the deal.
In likely the biggest player move of the offseason, Atlanta (116-46) acquired TJ Christenson (LF) from division rival Augusta (77-85) for highly regarded pitching prospect Miguel Pena (SP). The progress Pena made this season was fantastic and Augusta has to be happy with their return, even when they read about TJ Christenson being a AL MVP candidate. Atlanta won the last game of the season, enough said. But will TJ accept the $11.5M final year of his contract or opt out after back to back MVP caliber seasons in hopes of a larger contract. He has the ring, does he want the money now? Steep price to pay in giving up Pena but I'm sure most owners would do so if they knew they'd win the World Series that season. In a later deal, Atlanta shed the contract of Christian Seung (SS) to Anaheim (67-95) for prospect Javier Urbie (1B). Atlanta had plans to try out Adam 'Batman' West out at SS, which meant they had less room for Seung. This deal likely helped free up some of the $31M spent in IFA on Alcides Johnson (SP), that likely helps the loss of Pena from the deal earlier in the season. Overall a W for combined deals. I get picking up a great defensive SS for Anaheim, but as they are still rebuilding it hard to see spending nearly $5M on him when the money could have been spent elsewhere. Applaud them for spending money on their ML roster, but definitely seems outside the norm of the league.
In a deal of prospects we saw Portland (71-91) send Carmen Arnold (SP) to Houston (86-76) for Boone Maxwell (RF), Jay Norton (3B), and Hanser Whiten (SP). This one is hard to gauge in terms of hindsight for S53 as none of the players hit the majors last season. But this up coming season could be our first look at a few of them. Stay tuned on this deal, especially for the promising Houston team as they are coming out of their rebuild.
This next deal saw Oklahoma City (80-82) making a turn and started looking to acquire a few ML names as evident by this and a few future trades. This one for Philadelphia (98-64)'s Stretch Story (RP), giving up prospect Don Lin (SP). Story was great out of the pen last year, to the tune of 3.39 ERA, 1.11 WHIP in pitcher friendly confines of OKC; appearing in 78 games and saving 16 of 20 for the Barons. We'll give Philly the L on this trade as it appears Lin will be nothing more than a AAAA star. In 6 appearances at the ML level after being acquired he scored a weak 5.10 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP before being demoted to AAA.
In this five player deal, we saw Houston (86-76) trade three prospects from depth including Benny Ward (LF), Robinzon Beltre (DH), and Felix Monroe (RP) to Milwaukee (75-87) for Dario Lester (RF) and Michael 'I'm not Ric Flair' Woo (SS). Like's Houston's previous deal, this one is another one that is hard to gauge as it's focused purely on prospects and whose scouting department like who the best. But I will say Woo could play SS for many teams this season in the majors. If you make me pick, I give Houston the W and Milwaukee the L on this deal. Majority of the time, the team receiving the fewest players will typically get the best players; and when dealing prospects I think the team with the best player wins the deal because you never know how they will turn out.
Chicago (92-70), looked to acquire their prototypical player, weak defense but decent bat. Even if a 71 pitch calling rating, you never know what position the Chicago owner will play Adalberto Ontiveros (C). For his services they gave Oklahoma City (80-82) Rob Webster (SS) who is shaping out like a quality defensive player. Webster was good in his 35 starts, causing only 7 errors and recording 3 plus plays. Will Chicago still have the same mindset of how they play their position players or even the same ownership by the time Ontiveros gets the call; only time will tell.
Colorado Springs (78-84) shopped Sergei Griggs (RP)' expiring contract early in the year only to hold on to him for the start of the season. Oklahoma City (80-82) took the chance to beef up their bullpen by adding him and John Jiang (SS); not quite an ML SS he was allowed to walk at the end of last season. Could we see Griggs resign with CSP this offseason? In return, they nabbed Hector Park (SS) and Marshall Banks (SS). Banks looks amazing in the field, though his limited ability to hit versus righties, his power, and his speed will likely keep him hitting near his weight (182); even if he is highly rated contact. With a failure to make it deep in the playoffs, we'll go with acquiring Banks as the W for CSP. Between teams he combined for only 15 errors in nearly 160 games with 25 plus plays.
Augusta (77-85)'s new owner was finally able to deal Brace Lansing (RF) to Oklahoma City (80-82). It was another typical year for Lansing though moving from 1B to RF means less of a chance for a Gold Glove for the two time winner. His 27 HRs, 119 RBIs, 30 SBs, on .271 hitting have been great for the Barons who enters his Arb3 season this year. In return, the Barons gave up Juan Gonzalez (CF); who should likely shift off CF at some point before reaching the majors. We'll give the W to OKC and an L to Augusta as this writer thinks they could have gotten more for Lansing.
Another late season deal for Augusta (77-85), saw them dealing Wil Johnston (3B) to the eventual World Series champs, Atlanta (116-46). He had a 30 HR season and nearly crossed the 100 RBI threshold; but he has a RING! In return the Expos traded away Del Manaea (C) and Hector Mota (RP). Manaea should be great for his pitchers with a high pitch calling but he'll have a limited bat that you generally see with shortstops; though he misses that high defensive ratings as a late inning's catcher. Would hate to lose a game because of a passed ball. Mota is the get for Augusta on this deal, with two pitches, his palmball and slider rating higher than 80. High control, and ability to control righties much better than lefties will likely keep him as an SuA type. Season to season he might dip into the SuB area if he can't keep the ball down.