KANSANS BAFFLE OBSERVERS

Winners of over two hundred games in 2013-2014, the St. Francis Kansans found themselves flagging in their attempts to keep pace with New England and Brownsville in the new Grapefruit Division, despite leading all of BARB in runs scored.   

GM Scott Hatfield, usually a “stand-pat” GM in the months prior to the All-Star Break, was surprisingly active as the Break approached, triggering multiple moves that saw the club shockingly trade young stars like Stephen Strasburg and Salvador Perez. 

It was clear that, with another BARB franchise (the Rebels) cutting into the Kansas territory, the Kansans wanted to show their fan base that they were committed to winning now.  “It might seem from the outside that we are panicking,” said a sweat-drenched Hatfield, “but I prefer to think of us as being proactive.  And, frankly, our hand is being forced by the depth and health of our system, which is producing talent ahead of schedule, talent that needs to play.”

In their first move, the fireballing Strasburg was sent to Carolina along with a player to be named.  In return, the Kansans received hard-throwing reliever Cody Allen, injured SS Zack Cosart and a player to be named. In addition, the Kansans completed an earlier trade with the Wildcats that saw them receive pitchers David Hale and  Phillippe Aumont

“On the surface,” Hatfield admitted, “this seems a difficult trade to justify in terms of competing now.  Stephen is one of the game’s premier talents, and there can be no doubt that the players we received back will not have as much value this year as Strasburg is likely to provide the Wildcats.   But we feel the future value is comparable, and the move opens doors that allows to maximize our roster’s talent this year.”

The second major move was, if anything, less expected:  Hale was packaged with another minor-leaguer (Allen Webster), and sent with C Salvador Perez and 1B Carlos Santana to the Santa Barbara Angels. In return, the Kansans will receive two players to be named, which again is not a move that provides any pieces that will assist St. Francis in this year’s pennant push.

“Our situation is fluid,” said an exasperated Hatfield.  “I read an interview with Billy Beane where he said, in effect, that even if you’re in a pennant race,  you have to be both a ‘buyer’ and ‘seller’ at times.   I understand our moves are not going to be fully understood by other GM’s, but just speaking for myself, the landscape has changed, and I felt these moves ultimately will make us more competitive.”

HALE, WEBSTER IN A WHIRLWIND

Shortly after acquiring David Hale and Allen Webster, the two minor leaguers were traded AGAIN by the Santa Barbara as part of a deal that sent injured C Devin Mesoraco to Brownsville.   This meant, in Hale's case, that he had been claimed off Carolina's roster, spent a few days in St. Francis's minor-league system, then shuttled with Webster to the Angels before landing in the (very crowded) Brownsville minors.   Four clubs in as many days!   And people wonder why BARB Commissioners develop an aversion to wheeling and dealing.

KANSANS SHUFFLE ROSTER, CONTINUE TO SHOP VETERANS

St. Francis has added rookie LHP Mike Montgomery to their rotation, promoted Hank Conger to partner with Brian McCann behind the plate, while signing OF Gerardo Parra as a fourth OF.   The Kansans also continued to aggressively shop other veterans:  OF Michael Cuddyer, RHP R.A. Dickey, left-handed relievers Zach Duke and Oliver Perez.   

“Amazingly,” Hatfield concluded, “despite dealing Strasburg, we still have 12 pitchers who must be assigned to the major-league roster, including the recently-acquired reliever Cody Allen.  And, since we want to keep Mike Montgomery in the rotation, we’re carrying 13 pitchers right now, and this limits the effectiveness of my lineup and bench options.   It would be nice to find roster spots for Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Finnegan, Stephen Matz or Aaron Nola!”