Four clubs made last-minute moves to their rosters as the league prepares for Opening Day this weekend (about time!) Both of these clubs had submitted their deals more than a week ago, but there has been significant dragging of feet from the Commissioner's Office (more on that below).
TORNADOES SWAP PROSPECTS FOR GARZA, SPARE PART
In the first deal of the season, the Texas Tornadoes have acquired RHP Matt Garza, who will immediately move into their starting rotation, along with long-running 'next greatest thing' Conor Jackson, from the Los Angeles PF Flyers. In return, Los Angeles acquired starting pitcher John Maine and a trio of prospects (RHP Daniel Bard, OF Mike Stanton and RHP Jake Arreita). The Tornadoes, of course, acquired a legitimate future ace in Garza, but they were forced to give up quite a bit, one of many nagging problems with this deal in the eyes of some observers. There could be little doubt that new Flyers GM Brian Chae was enthusiastic about the prospects he added to his system:
"Daniel Bard is the type of impact arm you just love to have in your system," said Chae. "As his control improves and he hones command of secondary offerings, we're looking a shutdown reliever who will help us shorten the game. Jake Arrieta brings a quality 4-pitch arsenal, with a great feel for changing speeds on his fastball while mixing in his slider. He needs only seasoning and sharper command to see his game improve. We're excited to see him develop and along with Trevor Cahill, Jordan Zimmerman, Jeremy Jeffress, Brett Cecil, and Gio Gonzalez, we have an exciting combination of pitching talent and depth in our system."
"Last but not least, we are very excited to see Mike Stanton. The kid has light-tower power from the right side of the plate, a comfortable '70' on the 20-80 scale (that's present power, not future power) with every scout in our system and with whom we've conversed with. Even more, he has an outstanding feel for the game for a 20 year old kid who only began playing baseball full-time as an 18 year old. "
People may claim that Mike's a 3-outcomes kind of guy and I say, if you have something wrong with the good old fashioned walk and home-run, then you probably don't believe in this business - there's no such thing as a free lunch and a strikeout is an out. Mike Stanton will be an impact player in this league. Along with Andrew Lambo, Dominic Brown, Carlos Gonzalez, and Ryan Sweeney...well, suffice to say, that I'm very excited about the LA PF Flyer outfield situation in our minor league system."
For more details and another point of view on this epochal move, consult Texas's blog, here.
YUMA, FROSTBITE SWAP FORMER FREE AGENTS...IS THIS LEGAL?!?!
In the other deal, the defending world champion Frostbite Falls Flying Squirrels came to an agreement with the Yuma Firebirds that allowed each team to reacquire previously-released free agents, a pretty slick trick. According to a Frostbite source, the teams "found common ground" in having to release veterans because of roster squeezes and salary issues, so the opportunity to have someone else sign them and pay them less and then make an equal trade was appealing. With this strategy, the Squirrels signed Travis Hafner and A.J. Pierzynski as their first two picks of free agency and the Firebirds selected Ben Sheets. The second player Frostbite wanted to retain was not available when Yuma got to pick a second time, so they threw in a young lefty, Scott Elbert, to complete the two-for-two deal.
"I have to admit that I had to look at this deal carefully," a chagrined Commissioner Hatfied said sheepishly. "It seems that the Yuma and Frostbite GM's have found a subtle, but entirely legal way to retain players at below-market prices. I would be more upset if I didn't think that both Hafner and Sheets are unlikely to be Type A free agents in the future, and that their respective clubs may yet cut them. But the league may have to look at this loophole in the future, especially if the player's union gets wind of this and screams 'collusion'."
Any misgivings by the Commissioner's Office were off the radar at Frostbite HQ, which was apparently more than satisfied to reacquire the oft-injured Sheets. "Ben Sheets has been a mainstay in our rotation the past two and a half seasons," said Squirrels GM Jack Zduriencik. "We know he's injured right now, but when he returns he will bolster a rotation that is already one of the top three in the league. And Elbert, a guy who we originally drafted but traded away a few years ago, will be a good lefty to keep in AAA until he's needed. This deal certainly helps both teams. The way things have gone in league history, you might see Sheets facing Pronk in a critical situation in a playoff game in October."
Sheets' return date is still unknown, but when healthy he will likely be the fourth starter in a young, star-studded rotation.
BARB gameplay will begin this weekend. It would be nice if all GM's had their manager cards completed and returned, but if not, games will be run on 'default' settings. I can't wait any longer!~SH
TORNADOES SWAP PROSPECTS FOR GARZA, SPARE PART
In the first deal of the season, the Texas Tornadoes have acquired RHP Matt Garza, who will immediately move into their starting rotation, along with long-running 'next greatest thing' Conor Jackson, from the Los Angeles PF Flyers. In return, Los Angeles acquired starting pitcher John Maine and a trio of prospects (RHP Daniel Bard, OF Mike Stanton and RHP Jake Arreita). The Tornadoes, of course, acquired a legitimate future ace in Garza, but they were forced to give up quite a bit, one of many nagging problems with this deal in the eyes of some observers. There could be little doubt that new Flyers GM Brian Chae was enthusiastic about the prospects he added to his system:
"Daniel Bard is the type of impact arm you just love to have in your system," said Chae. "As his control improves and he hones command of secondary offerings, we're looking a shutdown reliever who will help us shorten the game. Jake Arrieta brings a quality 4-pitch arsenal, with a great feel for changing speeds on his fastball while mixing in his slider. He needs only seasoning and sharper command to see his game improve. We're excited to see him develop and along with Trevor Cahill, Jordan Zimmerman, Jeremy Jeffress, Brett Cecil, and Gio Gonzalez, we have an exciting combination of pitching talent and depth in our system."
"Last but not least, we are very excited to see Mike Stanton. The kid has light-tower power from the right side of the plate, a comfortable '70' on the 20-80 scale (that's present power, not future power) with every scout in our system and with whom we've conversed with. Even more, he has an outstanding feel for the game for a 20 year old kid who only began playing baseball full-time as an 18 year old. "
People may claim that Mike's a 3-outcomes kind of guy and I say, if you have something wrong with the good old fashioned walk and home-run, then you probably don't believe in this business - there's no such thing as a free lunch and a strikeout is an out. Mike Stanton will be an impact player in this league. Along with Andrew Lambo, Dominic Brown, Carlos Gonzalez, and Ryan Sweeney...well, suffice to say, that I'm very excited about the LA PF Flyer outfield situation in our minor league system."
For more details and another point of view on this epochal move, consult Texas's blog, here.
YUMA, FROSTBITE SWAP FORMER FREE AGENTS...IS THIS LEGAL?!?!
In the other deal, the defending world champion Frostbite Falls Flying Squirrels came to an agreement with the Yuma Firebirds that allowed each team to reacquire previously-released free agents, a pretty slick trick. According to a Frostbite source, the teams "found common ground" in having to release veterans because of roster squeezes and salary issues, so the opportunity to have someone else sign them and pay them less and then make an equal trade was appealing. With this strategy, the Squirrels signed Travis Hafner and A.J. Pierzynski as their first two picks of free agency and the Firebirds selected Ben Sheets. The second player Frostbite wanted to retain was not available when Yuma got to pick a second time, so they threw in a young lefty, Scott Elbert, to complete the two-for-two deal.
"I have to admit that I had to look at this deal carefully," a chagrined Commissioner Hatfied said sheepishly. "It seems that the Yuma and Frostbite GM's have found a subtle, but entirely legal way to retain players at below-market prices. I would be more upset if I didn't think that both Hafner and Sheets are unlikely to be Type A free agents in the future, and that their respective clubs may yet cut them. But the league may have to look at this loophole in the future, especially if the player's union gets wind of this and screams 'collusion'."
Any misgivings by the Commissioner's Office were off the radar at Frostbite HQ, which was apparently more than satisfied to reacquire the oft-injured Sheets. "Ben Sheets has been a mainstay in our rotation the past two and a half seasons," said Squirrels GM Jack Zduriencik. "We know he's injured right now, but when he returns he will bolster a rotation that is already one of the top three in the league. And Elbert, a guy who we originally drafted but traded away a few years ago, will be a good lefty to keep in AAA until he's needed. This deal certainly helps both teams. The way things have gone in league history, you might see Sheets facing Pronk in a critical situation in a playoff game in October."
Sheets' return date is still unknown, but when healthy he will likely be the fourth starter in a young, star-studded rotation.
BARB gameplay will begin this weekend. It would be nice if all GM's had their manager cards completed and returned, but if not, games will be run on 'default' settings. I can't wait any longer!~SH
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