First, a history lesson: in the mid-to-late 1950s and early-60s, the
New York Yankees swung a number of deals (16, to be exact, over a seven-season
period) with the (then-) Kansas City Athletics. Many of those trades ended up
lopsided—while the A’s received a bunch of no-names and role players (Dick
Kryhoski, Rip Martin or Zeke Bella, anyone?), the Bronx Bombers added a number
of young players (such as Roger Maris, Bobby Shantz and Clete Boyer) who would
become cornerstones of their early-to-mid 60s domination.
The discrepancy in trade value was so bad that historians continue
to refer to that Kansas City organization as part of the Yankees’ farm system.
In fact, the A’s would receive young players from the Yankees, give them Major
League playing time, and send them back a few years later (chief among them
Ralph Terry).
Why is that pertinent to the 2012 edition of BARB?
WORCESTER, ARIZONA TRADE AGAIN
Yes, it’s true. The Eliminators, just
five games back in the Eastern division, have increased their chances of
gaining a playoff spot. How? All through the wheeling and dealing of “Trader”
Ron Melkonian.
Melkonian always shops his big name
guys. This time, he was offering starter Yovani Gallardo (26 years old) and
outfielder Justin Upton (25). One would think those talents could command a top
prospect or two and another established player to fill a current need.
What did the pair of young stars net?
Adam Dunn, Chipper Jones (subsequently released by Arizona so they could sign
Mark Reynolds) and Anthony Rizzo. Yes, two of Worcester’s free-agent signees
and a prospect seemingly (finally?) capitalizing on his potential.
Not exactly a world-beater for the
Nomads.
Worcester GM Matt Caskey was much more
brash than bashful in celebrating the trade:
“This is an amazing trade for us. Not
only did Arizona hand us Jason Heyward a few weeks ago, but they are handing us
Justin Upton now too. Rizzo and (Paul) Goldschmidt should be fine players for
years to come, but where would they play in Worcester? Without trading any
(impact) players, we have upgraded our team for many years to come. Gallardo,
seemingly, was a throw-in by Arizona, which boggles the mind. We would make
this trade all day. Hopefully, (their) impact this season can shorten the
distance to first.”
And the comparison to the old Yankees/A’s
arrangement? This is the third trade between these two clubs just this season. Previously,
Worcester traded Brett Lawrie to the Rattlesnakes for four players (all
highly-rated youngsters) and a draft pick. Next came an attempt by Melkonian to
re-create the roster of the real-life Arizona Diamondbacks: Paul Goldschmidt
and Jason Kubel, along with up-and-down starter Jair Jurrjens, went west for JJ
(Josh Johnson), J-Hey (Jason Heyward) and two top pitching prospects.
See the connection now? Analysts
everywhere are wondering what, exactly, Melkonian is indebted to Caskey for. I
mean, these deals couldn’t just be one owner not knowing what he’s doing…or
could they?
Also, rumors suddenly sprang up that
three different teams had contacted the agent for a certain Alex Cintron in
hopes of signing the former “next A-Rod”—and trading him to Arizona.
IN OTHER NEWS:
As the trade deadline quickly
approaches, all three division races are getting tight.
The East, where Brooklyn recently held a
nine-game advantage over second place, now sees Sin City just four games back
of the Moabs and Frostbite Falls and Worcester a game behind the Aces.
After biting at the heels of the Horned
Toads (do frogs have heels?) for much of the season, Pottsylvania has started
to get healthy and taken over the top spot in the Central. And with Johan
Santana again struggling to stay on the field, most prognosticators opine that
Casselton will have a hard time catching Pottsylvania.
Finally, New England held onto first for
most of the summer in the West. But a recent 2-8 spell has allowed the Yuma
Firebirds to catch up and take a one-game lead. Both teams are relatively
healthy, so this should be a tooth-and-nail race to the finish (though New
England does hold a three-game advantage in the wild card race).
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