ROSTERS SET AS DEADLINE PASSES

The 2012 BARB trade deadline didn’t see as many trades or stars swap uniforms as in the past, but contenders still picked up useful role players.

Four trades were struck on deadline day. The teams who made the most deals (at two apiece) were Eastern Division rivals Brooklyn and Frostbite Falls—and one was between the two squads. Brooklyn, already featuring a good offense and dynamic starting staff, added a slew of relievers to their bullpen. First, the Moabs sent young pitchers Casey Kelly and Daniel Schlereth to St. Francis for righty Jon Rauch and left-hander J.P. Howell.

St. Francis management issued this statement:

“The club felt, given their (Rauch and Howell) good years in 2012 and veteran status, that they would be difficult to keep next year with the (high-paid) Betancourt and Downs already in front of them. That, and mindful that the Friars are still rebuilding, it made sense to deal these proven veterans while their value was near its peak.”

Brooklyn’s Eric Caskey was short and to the point: “We can match up very well down the stretch. That was a key.”

Caskey also sent another highly-regarded pitching prospect, Julio Teheran, to Frostbite Falls—who apparently STILL can’t decide whether they’re in or out of the race (four games behind Brooklyn with 20 to play)—for ace closer Chris Perez. In Perez—a 1.75 ERA and 31-of-33 in save opportunities with the Flying Squirrels in 2012—Brooklyn finally appeared to solidify the back end of a bullpen marred mostly by injuries (Neftali Feliz, Daniel Bard and Huston Street have all closed games for the Moabs this year).

Frostbite, meanwhile, felt Perez was expendable with the return of multiple relievers (Moose and Squirrels’ main weakness this season). GM Andrew Friedman would have preferred a pitcher coming off a better year than Teheran, but they realized the righty is still very young and has already had success in AAA.

The other trade completed by the Flying Squirrels was one talked about a month ago but tabled at that point: OF Andre Ethier went to West contender for four prospects (Zach Cox, Fautino de los Santos, Drake Britton and a PTBN).

Of course, Arizona didn’t get left out of the deals. The Rattlesnakes sent OF Jason Kubel to the team above them in the Central standings (though double-digit games ahead), Casselton. In return, Chris Johnson, Joe Weiland, Drew Hutchinson and a PTBN went to the desert (or wherever the Nomads may end up next year).

With the deadline now in the past, the only way teams can add to their rosters in through free agency.