Your name is Chris Melkonian. You're one of the most successful GM's BARB has ever seen, dominating the Western Division since 2004, missing the playoffs just once in nine years of operation while winning two World Series (2007, 2009). You've built your success on superior starting pitching able to dominate a short series in the post-season. So what have you done, then, in the last 18 months? You've.....traded Roy Halladay, Matt Cain and C.C. Sabathia. WHAT?
Yes, that's right, BARB fans. Yuma Firebirds GM Chris Melkonian has once again made one of the boldest moves in the off-season, and in the process restocked a minor-league system that was already one of the league's best. Here's the tale of the tape:
#1 As previously reported, the Firebirds dealt a prospect (RHP Jarrod Parker) to the Arizona Rattlesnakes for a young pitcher (Alexei Ogando) and two picks.
#2 Concerned about the long-term future of former mainstay and leadoff man Brian Roberts, Melkonian sent RHP Matt Cain to the Brooklyn Moabs and received versatile IF/OF Ben Zobrist along with minor-league lefty Nick Hagadone.
#3 As if that wasn't enough, Melkonian packaged ace C.C. Sabathia (and his $23 M salary) along with reliever Luke Gregerson, and sent both to the Pottsylvania Creepers for yet another pair of picks, and minor-leaguer IF Jonathan Singleton and Nick Franklin.
"There is a certain ruthlessness about the Yuma organization that I really admire," one owner remarked to another in confidence. "The guy doesn't fall in love with his aces, and he has the confidence in his organization to move top talent for picks and prospects." Indeed! Yuma now has two extra picks in the second, one in the third and one in the fifth while adding Zobrist and four prospects, at least one of which is a blue-chipper. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the Firebirds have not been seriously challenged in their division in two years.
The Yuma brain trust was certainly happy with their moves. "We came into this off-season with a plan, and oh boy, did we ever execute it," said owner Chris Melkonian. "We needed to shed salary; CC was just going to be too big of a burden on our payroll for now and for our future, and Matty....boy, Matty....he is a pending free agent that would be signing a very expensive and lengthy contract, and considering we have several of players also in line for new deals or increases in salaries (Zimmerman, Votto, Braun, Markakis), it was the right opportunity to maximize value (and in Cain's case, move an affordable salary before it became expensive) without other clubs realizing the difficult choices we would've had to make for next season ."
"Moving CC wasn't an easy choice," Melkonian admitted. "He is a front line pitcher who was our MVP in the series several years ago, and Matty has been a mainstay in this organization, but we were confident in our young, talented, and inexpensive rotation that is buoyed by other young starters waiting in the wings. Although initially it will be tough to replace those veteran stalwarts, we still have a very talented and capable rotation. Not to mention, the offense, bullpen, organizational depth, and financial flexibility gives us a lot of room to maneuver and compete for both the present and the future......Our organization is built on flexibility, and personally, I don't think any other team can match that."
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