DEADLINE PASSES WITHOUT BLOCKBUSTER

Despite various rumors, news wires were mostly quiet as just two small trades were completed at the 2015 BARB trade deadline.

A total of three teams were involved in the two deals, all in playoff positions but all with different goals.

The St. Francis Kansans, with a five-game lead on the Casselton Horned Toads for the second wild card in the Grapefruit division (but 11 games back of division-leading New England) decided to “go for it” and make whatever sensible moves give them a reasonable chance of a third-straight playoff berth. With that in mind, concerned about their production against left-handed pitching, and worried about the health of infielders Justin Turner and Danny Espinosa, the Kansans sent injured righty Henderson Alvarez and a PTBN to Frostbite Falls for utility man Danny Valencia.

“Valencia will come off the bench against lefties and get starts all over the place to keep our guys rested,” said owner Scott Hatfield. “We have directed acting-GM Kevin Towers to make the roster moves necessary to get Valencia at-bats in September.”

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The Flying Squirrels, for their part, viewed this as a minor sell-off and a chance to position their team for 2016—despite a one-half game advantage for the Cactus division’s final playoff spot. Frostbite management was rumored to have had discussions about dealing bigger names on the roster to other contenders, but nothing came to fruition.

“At the onset of this season we considered our ballclub a strong contender for a division title, but many players have performed beneath their abilities,” said Frostbite Falls GM Andrew Friedman. “Yes, anything can happen in a short playoff series—but we weren’t going to gamble on a big acquisition and see others continue to struggle and miss the playoffs.

“With this deal we’ll have a top contender in 2016, to be sure.”

Not done with their positioning for a run at a first-ever league championship, BARB founder Scott Hatfield dropped a bomb in his clubhouse by dealing popular outfielder Michael Brantley, his first-round pick in March, to the Yuma Firebirds in exchange for left-handed reliever Sean Doolittle and a pair of highly-regarded prospects, Carlos Rodon and Jurickson Profar.

“This is not going to win me any fans,” admitted Towers. “People like Michael. He plays hard, and he plays hurt, and he has exceptional bat control. That’s a rare ability. But we saw a chance to get a quality southpaw in the pen, a real upgrade, and frankly we just think that, ready or not, it’s time to find out if Kyle Schwarber can handle regular duty in left field. We are going to be a team with more swing-and-miss with Michael gone, but scoring runs has not been our problem. Preventing them, especially in the bullpen, has been our nemesis more often than not the last two months.”

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Chris Melkonian didn’t provide a statement on his Cactus-leading team’s outfield pickup, but it’s clear this move wouldn’t cost Yuma a playoff spot.

Various other playoff contenders, including Brownsville, Brooklyn and Santa Barbara, didn’t have much trade discussion make the rumor mill at the deadline but had been making deals to position their teams throughout the summer.

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!”

MAY MARKED BY MAKEOVERS

Eight trades (involving eight different teams) and 15 free agent moves dot the 2015 season’s second month.

BARB teams began emerging from hibernation as the calendar rolled over from April to May. Right away, the Brownsville Cutters recognized their opportunity to compete for the playoffs in 2015 and shored up the hot corner by signing both Juan Uribe and Alex Rodriguez. Santa Barbara joined the free agency excursion and picked up “open” free agent relievers Chad Qualls and Joel Peralta.

The next day came wind of two deals with free agency fliers attached. Anthony Guerra acquired highly-touted minor league shortstop Francisco Lindor and reliever Fernando Rodney from St. Francis.

Taking no questions from reporters, St. Francis's CEO Scott Hatfield confirmed the Kansans have dealt Rodney and Lindor in order to obtain a trio of young, less expensive arms.  Rodney had closed for St. Francis in 2012 before St. Francis obtained Koji Uehara, and had performed admirably in the same role this season when Uehara was sidelined with a spring-training injury.

This was Rodney's second stint with the club, and he holds the record for most games pitched in a Finches uniform.  But, while still effective, his $7.0 M contract made him one of a handful of players who had early-season trade value despite a significant contract.  Hatfield ignored reporters who pressed him on the financial angle, or those who questioned the wisdom of dealing Lindor, often described as the next Omar Vizquel.   His brief statement outlined the return St. Francis had received:  hard-throwing setup man Ken Giles, relief prospect Nick Burdi and journeyman Mike Montgomery, an original 2009 draftee of St. Francis who now rejoins his parent organization for a third time in seven years.

With an extra four-plus million dollars in cap room, Hatfield went to the open free agent market and came away with well-traveled lefty reliever Oliver Perez.

In New York, Eric Caskey announced the signing of utility infielder Gordon Beckham—and subsequently dealt him to Worcester and brother Matt. In return, Brooklyn received infielders Josh Rutledge and Jake Lamb. Rutledge was promptly released. His roster spot was filled with open free agent catcher Brayan Pena.

“Very simply, Brooklyn continues to look for a viable option at 3B. Castellanos has not performed as expected and his days with the club may be numbered...again,” Eric Caskey said. “Lamb and Kang will form a nice combination at 3B for the near future until one player takes the reigns every day. We see upside in both players and Kang's versatility allows us to move him around the infield as needed. Lamb has the potential to be the best pure hitter on the team in time. Pena, too, offers versatility as a switch hitter and a C/1B combo. He and Norris form a terrific duo to lead our organization.”

Matt Caskey was ecstatic with the deal. “Once upon a time, there were four top-tiered prospects: Alonso, Moustakas, Lawrie, and Beckham. Each had projections of elite, hall of fame caliber careers; each would be first round picks; each would be highly coveted by certain owners. Fast forward to present time, development was slower than anticipated but each are finally reaching their potential. Fable aside, Worcester is boasting quite the turnaround in lineup. From the days of Hanley, Cano, Teixeira, etc. anchoring championship caliber teams, Worcester is seemingly adjusting its mentality.  For 8 mil, Worcester can field its entire starting infield lineup. The doors that a move like this opens places Worcester in a fantastic situation for years to come. It should be noted, also, that the trade for Jose Iglesias is looking pretty good right about now as well. Having five-plus all-star caliber infielders is quite unique.  Game on!”

Soon after, a rumored blockbuster came to fruition. James Herndon, seeking an ace to get his rotation through the summer, signed Kris Medlen and swapped him in a package with Jacoby Ellsbury, Doug Fister and Huston Street to Kansas City for left-hander Cole Hamels.

“Once again, New England is making a push to reach the BARB World Series. This time behind a powerful pitching rotation that now includes 2 bonafide aces, a lights out bullpen with Betances and Miller, and an offense that has the potential to finish first in the league,” Herndon said.

“I'd like to thank my trade partner, Ron Melkonian. While we did give up quite a bit in established players to pull this off, we know this is the right move. Lester and Hamels will always get us to the 7th inning, where the game ends behind our bullpen.

Fister and Street will be missed, good riddance to Ellsbury.

It seems every time we make a push for a championship, it's behind a player that Ron has sent our club.”

Melkonian could not be reached for comment, but rumors flew of gleeful exclamations behind closed doors and the promise that his Rebels would be competitive in 2015.

All was quiet on the roster front for a few weeks in mid-May, other than Herndon waiving Rubby de la Rosa.

And then it happened. Something BARB observers were expecting to occur in 2016, but inevitable this year after the success of their top prospects. Jeff Moore’s Pottsylvania Creepers granted Allen Craig his unconditional release and optioned Anthony Gose to the AAA Really Bad Guys. In their place came hot-hitting youngsters Kris Bryant and Joc Pederson. The press release was simple: “The future…is now. Let’s go play spoiler.”

Spoiler may still be the role the Creepers end up with, but if early returns are any indication Moore could be guzzling champagne come October. Pottsylvania has the Cactus Division’s best record since Bryant and Pederson joined the club, 11-6, a mark just a half-game behind New England for best in the loop during that time. Toward the end of the month Moore was involved in a trade that allowed him to maneuver and call up a third prized rookie: Carlos Correa.

Brendan Ryan was released to make room for Correa after a three-way deal saw Jeremy Hellickson sent to Kansas City, Anthony Gose and a PTBN to St. Francis and Pedro Alvarez and Jarred Cosart to Pottsylvania. In addition, Tim Stauffer went from Kansas City to St. Francis.

On the same day, Ronald Melkonian swung another blockbuster, sending Prince Fielder, Homer Bailey and three players to be named to Riverside. The Rum Runners, seemingly packing it in and playing for 2016, swapped effective outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Torii Hunter along with injury-prone right-handed starting pitcher Garrett Richards to the Midwest. The next day, flychasers Corey Hart and Colby Rasmus were released by the Rebels.

Alex Coffman was involved in another big sell-off, sending a long-time stalwart to St. Francis for a package of players:

"Today, former Darwin Finches founder and current St. Francis owner Scott Hatfield confirmed that long-time Darwin and Riverside DH David Ortiz, at age 39, will once again be playing for a Hatfield squad.   After repeatedly asserting that “Riverside is my (deleted) town” and claiming he was unwilling to accept a trade out of consideration of his family, Ortiz apparently had a change of heart, and agreed to accept relocation to the Midwest.

“Ortiz, drafted more than ten years ago by the Yuma Firebirds, was acquired in 2004 by Hatfield for the then-Darwin Finches and spent more than a decade with the same franchise, an unusual feat in the trade-happy BARB universe.  Even more amazing is the fact that Ortiz remained with one club despite being largely confined to a DH role in his career.

“In return for Ortiz, the Kansans have sent 1B Ryan Zimmerman and a pair of OF prospects (Josh Bell and Clint Frazier) to the Rum Runners, who at 15-23 are presently at the bottom of the Grapefruit Division, and continuing a major rebuilding effort.  Getting two prized minor leaguers for a veteran who will turn 40 this season, as well as a run-producing IF still only 30 years old wasn't easy. Only time will tell if the Kansans regret the high-priced rental of the veteran Ortiz."

Finally, Coffman was involved in a minor deal with Santa Barbara, swapping Ben Revere for Michael Choice and Luke Weaver. Guerra had acquired Choice from New England just days earlier, along with Yadier Alvarez and Erik Johnson, for Jonathan Papelbon and a PTBN.