The Darwin Finches got some attention (mostly negative) for dealing a pair of prospects for stretch drive help, and the St. Francis Friars had a deal on the table for backup C Ronnie Paulino at press time, but for the most part there were no major 'buy's' and (according to some GM's trying to make deals) a general unwillingness to deal.
The Friars, who had also managed to take a flyer on slugger Carlos Quentin in the final week by shipping out RHP Edwin Jackson, have hinted that the prospects that they secured for 3B Brandon Inge (a player of interest to more than one contender) would further dilute the Finches farm system.
But, if there were no more trades, there were some major roster moves by the Darwin organization, clearly interested in seizing a window of opportunity with some of their veterans getting long in the tooth. Consider the following, hashed out just before the deadline . . .
CLUB CUTS . . . FRANCHISE PITCHER, OTHERS?
Darwin, needing roster spots for its stretch drive, ran out of patience with 40-something's John Smoltz and Tim Wakefield. The pair had both battled injuries and had been only sporadically effective. With nearly $20 million in salary between the two, they were effectively untradeable even if Smoltz hadn't been the club's franchise pitcher. Nor did the oldsters have the option of moving to the bullpen if the club somehow reaches the post-season. Darwin was further concerned that they needed to avoid getting lumbered with the future Smoltz's contract. So, without further agonizing, the club's most venerable leaders were cut. With less ceremony, the Finches also let go versatile utility IF Mark Loretta.
BIG BATS (AND MOUTH?) TO BE SILENCED
OF Josh Hamilton, the club's great future hope, has again been activated after a bout with injury but there is no guarantee (in fact, great doubt) that he will be able to play regularly, if at all, in the season's final weeks. There is a good chance he would not make Darwin's post-season roster should the Finches qualify.
Even worse, the ticking time bomb which is Milton Bradley went off in the media, with Bradley remarking that he didn't get a good vibe this year. "I think Hatfield, when he was running the club, he kind of stuck up for me. I need a stable, healthy, enjoyable environment. The new guy, O'Connor, I don't feel like I'm supported. Well, this year, when I want to talk to the manager, or the owner, I just don't get any face time. The only people in my face are you guys (reporters), in your face with a microphone asking the same questions repeatedly. Everything is just bashing you. You got out there and you play harder than anybody on the field and never get credit for it. It's just negativity. You can see why this club has never beat out Frostbite Falls in a game where it mattered."
Club officials have indicated privately that they take a dim view of Bradley's remarks, but would not comment publicly inasmuch as Bradley leads the team in both slugging and on-base percentage. League officials, on the other hand, were much more forthcoming. "I can't say that Milton's the worst offender," said Commissioner Scott Hatfield, "but what he's doing, what he's saying, doesn't help his team and it hurts him. I'll be conferring with the Darwin GM, but it seems likely that his club may suspend him. He might appeal to the union, I don't know, but I kind of think the contract language is pretty clear. If he is suspended for cause, then he wouldn't be eligible for post-season play. As much as that might hurt Darwin's ability to contend, there are guidelines for proper conduct and these statements clearly improper."
ROTATION REVAMPED
Rookie Clayton Kershaw, the pitching prospect the Finches would not deal, has finally won a regular turn in Darwin's rotation, pitching third after Zack Greinke and Josh Johnson. The Finches have also activated LHP Scott Kazmir, struggling to recover his velocity, and placed him in the rotation ahead of RHP Chad Billingsley, who has struggled with his control and has been dropped to the fifth starter's spot.
LHP Jonathan Sanchez was considered for a rotation spot based on his strikeout potential, but it was decided that Kazmir deserved one more shot down the stretch and that Sanchez will be moved to the bullpen, where he can overpower left-handed hitters. Rodney and Valverde, the new relievers, dropped RHP Kevin Gregg in Darwin's pecking order to a setup role along with Hideki Okajima, who will battle veteran Cla Meredith and rookie Franklin Morales for the final bullpen role.
IWAMURA RECALLED: STRETCH DRIVE ROSTER SET
Darwin activated long-disabled IF Aki Iwamura as well as former starting SS Khalil Greene. The latter, a long-time Finch, lost his starting job for good earlier this year when battling anxiety disorder and was one of last players debated by GM Ryne O'Connor and his brain trust. In the end, IF Brendan Harris and C Jeff Clement were both assignable to the minors and Iwamura provided the club with a desirable bat. Greene became the roster's 25th man at the last minute, with veteran Mark Loretta being among those cut. "I hate to lose that versatility," said GM O'Connor, "but I just feel that I need some power on the bench, and Greene's got that tool."
Speaking of power, the Finches have also indicated that (for better or worse) they will try giving long-benched DH David Ortiz some at-bats in the final month of play, let recently-acquired James Loney play a bench role, and use both Ryan Doumit and Brandon Inge in the outfield, which is thinned by the lack of contributions by Bradley and Hamilton.
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