Jack Torrance - contributing reporter
Mixing things up a bit this season, going to do this team by team rather than trade by trade. If a team traded away a player it received in a deal, they are not listed. Only starting players and ending roster is noted. 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.
Traders:
- 11 - New Orleans
- 5 - Salt Lake City
- 4 - Anaheim, Colorado Springs, Helena
- 3 - None
- 2 - Buffalo, Hartford, Tacoma, Augusta, Chicago
- 1 - Atlanta, Columbus, Houston, Huntington, Jacksonville, Mexico City, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Montreal, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Salem, Vancouver
All grades are just for this season alone, with the understanding that looking back in 4-5 seasons that grades could drastically change with prospects or one year rentals that didn't end in a championship or extended playoff run.
Anaheim (91-71) - Lots of moves that propelled the Diablos into the playoffs this season, picking up their staring SS, backup C, a starter, a bullpen piece, and power hitting RF. But unfortunately RF Hunt remains unsigned beyond S59. Cleto was offered an extension, Perez was signed through S62, Weathers through S61, even Rudolph the back of the bullpen piece is signed for next year. So we'll see what Anaheim does this offseason to continue getting value out of these trades.
Traded: $5M, Quilvio Infante, Daniel Fordham, Harry Belliard, Rico Campos, Gorkys Dotel
Received: $8M, Teoscar Cleto, Matt Weathers, Kristopher Rudolph, Davey Perez, Josh Hunt
Grade - B+
Atlanta (113-49) - A single trade for the back to back champs? Is the world ending?!? This is why they didn't make it to the World Series, not enough trades. Though Atlanta gets more years of control over the guys they received so there's always next year.
Traded: Tony Lim
Received: Junior Morris, Ted Nelson, Kendrys Espinoza
Grade - B
Augusta (72-90) - As expected this season's trades were about adding prospects with the real prize being Dave Cisco, a former #7 overall pick in S56; though it did cost the team rookie contract Miguel Pena; gave up a lot of control for the future piece.
Traded: Miguel Pena, Johermyn Leonard, Yan Galvez
Received: Dave Cisco, Junior Perry, Adam Hearn
Grade - B+
Austin (60-102) - No trades, currently rebuilding - has been sub .400 since S55's .66-96 (.407) record. Hopefully good times are ahead for this franchise.
Boston (86-76) - No trades, missed the playoffs as a Wildcard by 5 games. A strong off-season is likely what this team needs.
Buffalo (86-76) - Finished with the same record as Boston but won their division. They traded from their catcher and bullpen depth at the ML level to pick up some prospects who will help them out in the future years. Ayala is former S57 #52 and Northcraft is former S58 #18 overall picks. Both should find a home in Buffalo before too long.
Traded: Roy Street, Braulio Guardado
Received: Felipe Ayala, Jonathan Northcraft
Grade - A
Charleston (70-92) - No trades. Routinely finishing 2nd in this division, we wonder if a strong FA off-season is what they need to catch the new division leader, Santa Fe.
Chicago (63-99) - Aside from two trades the team was on rebuild autopilot majority of the season. Fordham's 1.50 whip and 4.71 era definitely helped the rebuild cause of trying for a top draft pick. Howard wasn't much more productive in centerfield. But the real win was getting rid of future payroll from S60 & 61. Saved the team nearly $12M in S60 and $6M the year after.
Traded: $1M, Kristopher Rudolph, Mike Karsay
Received: Daniel Fordham, Brennan Howard
Grade - B-
Colorado Springs (66-96) - Still in rebuild mode but managed to not lose 100 games this year. Props! And they were even able to add to their prospect list along with a fantastic defensive 3B with a few smart moves.
Traded: Engel Ayala, Heinie Browne, Hideki Shibata, Todd Torreyes
Received: Orlando Samuel, Roy Robinson, Chaz Ogden, Herman Baker, Omar Sanchez
Grade - B+
Columbus (71-91) - Lost the division and the wildcard slots, means looking back that adding a 34 yr old starter who is signed through his age 38 season at $8M per might not have been the best move. But we've seen Columbus bounce back quick, so stay tuned and don't count them out.
Traded: Junior Morris, Ted Nelson, Kendrys Espinoza
Received: Tony Lim
Grade - C
Dover (63-99) - No trades, but second place in their division. Just don't pay attention that they still lost 99 games. That's 6 straight seasons with 99+ losses. Can't wait to see what prospects this team has built up and when they get their promotions to the majors. The division is theirs for the taking.
Hartford (108-54) - After a few seasons of closer by committee, Hartford traded for Yao-Hsun and immediately moved him into the closer role where he's seen his WHIP and ERA hit highs since his early days in Chicao back in S50; but hey they got him effectively for less than $2M with the money they received. He's signed on for next season too so hopefully he can turn it around. Lee was fantastic as a starter for the team this year with a 1.11 whip and 3.03 era over 31 starts.
Traded: Yean Carlos Navarro, Louie Connelly
Received: $7.6M, Rolando Lee, Yao-Hsun Higashioka
Grade - A - Won the World Series for first time ever ranked as the top NL team, can they get any less grade when you win it all?
Helena (103-59) - Solid season for Helena, claiming their second straight division title and improving to 103 wins this season. Didn't give up much to acquire RP Latos who was fantastic out of the pen and still under contract for another season. Guardado was a key acquisition at the catcher position and contracted through S61; who even won a Gold Glove this season. Gave up Northcraft to get him, but everything has a cost and Helena is in a win now mode. The franchise also picked up a blog favorite, William Martin even if he didn't do as well for the club, with a career low 1.57 whip and 4.76 era; compared to his New Orleans days, maybe he just pitches better drunk. Also from New Orleans but via a late deadline deal with Salt Lake City, they also acquired Danys Solis; S58 NL Cy Young, two time World Series champ, and former S53 Rookie of the Year. His contract expires after S60.
Traded: Al Lee, Todd White, Jonathan Northcraft, Gregor Maduro, Alex Terrero, Alexei Reynoso
Received: Juan Latos, Braulio Guardado, William Martin, Danys Solis
Grade - A+
Houston (109-53) - Already ready a favorite of the AL, though AI is not a fan of the team; Houston only made one deal during New Orleans fire sell; picking up a pair of backup Catcher practically for free once you factor in the $5M NO also paid; and it only cost them some AAA/AAAA players.
Traded: Brad Parent, Lenny Lee, Jo-jo Fabregas
Received: $5M, Welington Nunez, Peter Kang
Grade - B+
Huntington (101-61) - The top teams in the AL from last year didn't make many moves this year, mostly deciding to hold tight and rightfully so; why mess with what's not broken. Infante was a solid add for minimal cost even if he had a down season; we'll see at least one more of him as a Tropic. The team traded SS Cleto but found Baltz to fill the position who lacks power but still finished the season with a .314 average.
Traded: Teoscar Celto, Matt Weathers
Received: $5M, Quilvio Infante
Grade - A
Jacksonville (80-82) - Not quite the outcome I assume the Jacksonville fans had hoped, but mostly grabbed two bullpen pieces. For the pieces they gave up, the return feels just about right if not every so slightly on the low side but you say po-tay-to, I say po-tah-to, and the commish says soar-ee.
Traded: Felipe Ayala, Brennan Howard
Received: $1M, Roy Street, Mike Karsay
Grade - B-
Mexico City (90-72) - Missed the playoffs by a single game after a 4-6 finish compared to Anaheim's 7-3 finish. Perhaps another deal could have gotten them all the way into the playoffs. Which would be pretty amazing consider this same franchise has to contend with both 100+ game winners Houston and Huntington in their division. Gutierrez enters Arb next year and Drew is still signed through S61 though you have to wonder if he'll start to decline soon. The blog was said #5 overall pick Hall was a .285 hitter good for low 20s HRs.
Traded: Larry Hall, Oscar Laffey, Enny Ramirez
Received: $2M, Giancarlo Gutierrez, Alton Drew
Grade - A+
Milwaukee (61-101) - Sheds the contract of Latos but didn't really pick up much in return. For a team entering a rebuild, their fans had homed for more. Appears there will be a new owner involved with this franchise so we'll see where they take the team from here. jbburner bought the team prior to S29 so he's been around awhile and will be missed. He has one division title to his name and two playoff appearances in those years.
Traded: Juan Latos
Received: Al Lee, Todd White
Grade - C+
Minnesota (79-83) - As we've said before Minnesota won the division....if you call a sub .500 record winning. The division is still theirs for the taking Navvarro likely doesn't end up much more than a SuB at the ML level. While Lee had a career year playing for the eventual World Champion Hartford Rising Stars.
Traded: $2.6M, Rolando Lee
Received: Yean Carlos Navarro
Grade - B-
Montreal (89-73) - A surprise run by Montreal claiming a Wildcard slot, FW_K finds a deal with old trade partner Ploppie during his fire sale; netting the franchise Rubi Pujols who was sent to the pen, though not quite the same setup NO used him in as a Tandem B where he was a near Cy winner. Montreal wins the deal, receiving the best player back though they gave up some talent.
Traded: Omar Sanchez, Lew Kennedy, Rymer Nesbitt
Received: Rubi Pujols
Grade - B+
New Orleans (65-97) - Not even sure where to start on this one, that's A LOT of talent heading out the door. The deals feel more shedding contracts than it does obtaining prospects in return. The owner wanted to get a quote in but we both know the blog don't take quotes. Here's a quote for you, go hit Bourbon Street and pick up everybody's bar tabs with all that money you are giving out. With as many big names, you'd think the return would have been slightly better but not in this day in age of Cobbfather. Even trading .300+ avg, 40+ hr, 100+ rbi hitter Laxton didn't really net much but AAAA types at best. You can't blame a team's Advanced Scouting when an owner as this many year's experience in the league. This fire sale has been bigger than the one Columbus ran a few seasons back.
Traded: $35M, Danys Solis, Davey Perez, Douglas Laxton, Rubi Pujols, Flash Eveland, Yao-Hsun Higashioka, Josh Hunt, William Martin, Welington Nunez, Peter Kang, Avisail Mujica
Received: Vic Neal, Derrick Dydalewicz, Harry Belliard, Rico Campos, Victor Granados, Rick Wright, Lew Kennedy, Rymer Nesbitt, Jesus Lopez, Louie Connelly, Gorkys Dotel, Todd Torreyes, Gregor Maduro, Brad Parent, Lenny Lee, Jo-jo Fabregas, Paco Parra
Grade - TBD
New York (52-110) - No trades but hey they secured the #1 pick in the draft....again.
Oklahoma City (105-57) - Solid play here, giving up some AA player for an ML pitcher whose salary was 99% covered. Unfortunately shoulder tendinitis hit Mujica who is signed through S63. We'll see what the OKC medical staff can do with him and he returns even better!
Traded: Paco Parra
Received: $4M, Avisail Mujica
Grade - A
Philadelphia (60-102) - Huge difference in last year's results and this season's. Perhaps it was a mixture of playing above their heads last season and well below this. In an easy division, we'll have to wait and see just what Philly does going forward. Are they entering a rebuild just like New Orleans? Seems a neutral trade for similar players at different positions.
Traded: Bengie Bonilla
Received: Starling James
Grade - B
Pittsburgh (54-108) - Are the Yinzers sleeping? No trades, lost the top overall pick the last weeks of the season.
Salem (87-75) - This deal was about future seasons for the Bourbon Makers. Though perhaps a deal with New Orleans and Bourbon Street might have propelled them into the playoffs as a Wildcard over Montreal.
Traded: Junior Perry, Adam Hearn
Received: Johermyn Leonard, Yan Galvez
Grade - TBD
Salt Lake City (76-86) - New Orleans v1.2 made quite a few deals this season. But in true fashion, foolsgold just can't seem to figure out these old NOOF players. The team feel apart at the end, and even put their freshly acquired talent back on the block; only being able to redeal Danys Solis. Laxton will be back next year but will he sign an extension to stick around? We'll see. Lots to look forward to for SLC, I think they'll be back in the hunt next year.
Traded: $2M, Dave Cisco, Orlando Samuel, Roy Robinson, Vic Neal, Derrick Dydalewicz, Victor Granados, Rick Wright, Jesus Lopez, Giancarlo Gutierrez, Alton Drew
Received: $13M, Miguel Pena, Engel Ayala, Douglas Laxton, Flash Eveland, Alex Terrero, Alexei Reynoso, Larry Hall, Oscar Laffey, Enny Ramirez
Grade - B+
Santa Fe (106-56) - No trades, though they had plenty of money to take on contracts. And Santa Fe is back on top of their division...though still struggling in the playoffs. The fans are excited for this offseason to see where money is spent.
Tacoma (84-78) - Instead of waiting for Atlanta to acquire a player from Colorado Springs, it seems this year he's gone straight to the source in two separate deals with the top loin. Ogden was really the only worth player they gave up, though not quite rated enough to play Short at least not while also having a weak bat. Defensive Shibata looks alright but you have to wonder if Tacoma knows something Colorado Springs didn't and we end up seeing him as a future DiTR in the next season or two. Seems possible. Brown on the other hand rarely throws a full inning but did so at a rate of sub 0.75 whip and era numbers while the pitcher haven of Tacoma. I'd assume the salaries will stay low but if he continues with those numbers that's at least 100-120 at-bats the team doesn't have to worry about in a season.
Traded: Chaz Ogden, Herman Baker
Received: Heinie Browne, Hideki Shibata
Grade - B
Tokyo (93-69) - No trades for this other big budget team, but unlike Santa Fe they missed the division and the Wildcard came down to the wire. A solid trade could have been useful here, even if they beat Buffalo in the Wildcard round and lost to eventual World Series champs.
Vancouver (81-81) - Going into rebuild mode and the team trades away a cheap defensive catcher for someone entering Arb3 who hit 40+ HR, 100+ RBI, and 145+ K. The power bat is nice but those easy outs and additional payroll are tough. Luckily he should come relatively cheap with an extension; though he did miss quite a bit of time on the DL this year. Next year he turns 30 and given his contact rate and (lack of) ability against pitchers, his numbers will drastically drop going forward so you really have to question if that extension is worth it.
Traded: Starling James
Received: Bengie Bonilla
Grade - C-
Washington DC (68-94) - No trades, though second in the division by a large margin and not close enough to make a deal for a deadline player to the Wildcard slots. Perhaps next year for the Nationals.
That about does it for S59's trades.
