May 21, 2008

Kentucky Thoroughbreds and New Orleans Trendsetters

March 28th, 2008

Kentucky receives:
CF Manny Chávez (26, AA) - minor league contract

NO receives:
SP Sterling Weichard (27, AA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Chávez had a subpar '08 season with Kentucky's AA affiliate. He batted .238 with 7 homers and 37 RBIs in 86 games. He remains with Kentucy in '09 but projects to be a career minor leaguer.

Weichard was selected to the 2008 Great Northern League All-Star Game. In '08, he compiled a 14-9 record with a 3.05 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 28 games started with New Orleans' AA affiliate. He has followed that up with an excellent '09 season but appears destined to be a career minor leaguer.

May 14, 2008

Gloucester Fishermen and Kentucky Thoroughbreds

February 26th, 2008

Gloucester receives:
3B Biao Jiao (28. ML)
C Francisco Rivera (20, SS-A)

Kentucky receives:
Gloucester's 10th round 2008 draft pick (RF Todd Shields - 9th pick)

Since Then:
Jiao batted .231 with 10 homeruns and 68 RBIs in 127 games with Gloucester in '08. He has been out of baseball since after the '08 season.
Rivera played well at Gloucester's SS-A affiliate in '08 hitting .300 in 51 games. He played sparingly in '09 and was released by Gloucester (6/21/09). He signed a minor league contract with San Antonio a week later. (6/29/09).

Shields has played well in Kentucky's lower level minor league systems. At best, Shields projects to be a 4th or 5th outfielder in the big leagues. Most likely though, it appears Shields may be best served as a career minor leaguer.

May 13, 2008

San Antonio Calzones of Laredo and New Orleans Trendsetters

February 11th, 2008

San Antonio receives:
SS Kunimichi Kato (35, ML) - $2.7/$2.7

New Orleans receives:
LF Daron Little (37, ML) - $2.3

Since Then:
Kato played 44 games with San Antonio in '08 before being traded to Connecticut (7/14/08). In 44 games with San Antonio, he batted a paltry .189 with 3 homeruns and 20 RBIs. He has played much better in a reserved role in the second half of the '08 season and '09 with Connecticut.

Little played 75 games with New Orleans in '08 before being traded to London (7/14/08). In 75 games with New Orleans, he hit .244 with 9 homers and 33 RBIs. He retired after the '08 season.

May 9, 2008

Gloucester Fishermen and Kentucky Thoroughbreds

January 27th, 2008

Gloucester receives:
MR Juan Canó (24, ML) - $2.5
3B Lorenzo Luján (20, AAA) - $0.38/$0.38/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration

Kentucky receives:
SP Steve Vance (24, ML) - $0.38/arbitration/arbitration

Since Then:
Canó pitched extremely well for Gloucester in '08. He went 5-3 with a 2.99 ERA along with 6 saves in 81.1 innings. He signed a 3-year extension worth $15,650,000 with Gloucester. He is one the league's best setup men but has missed all of the '09 season with a torn bicep.
Luján played poorly for Gloucester in '08 hitting .211 with 8 homeruns and 50 RBIs in 127 games. He was claime off waivers by San Antonio in September (9/18/08). He has played poorly in '09 and it appears his big league opportunities are closing.

Vance pitched poorly with Kentucky in '08 going 1-8 with a 6.22 ERA in 22 games. He has pitched better in '09 with Kentucky but still remains a questionable starter.

Gloucester Fishermen and Canton Longshoremen

January 27th, 2008

Gloucester receives
2B Scott Veeck (29, AAA) - minor league contract
LF Jesús Sánchez (20, A) - minor league contract

Canton receives:
1B Frank King (22, ML) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Veeck had a solid '08 season with Glocester batting .274 with 2 homeruns and 46 RBIs in 117 games while playing shortstop. Despite this, he has been out of baseball since the '09 season.
Sánchez has played decently at Gloucester's Class-A affiliate in '08 and '09. Although having decent seasons, it does not look like he has the potential to become a big leaguer.

King has had solid '08 and '09 seasons with Canton's AAA affiliate. He has the potential to make a big league roster one day.

May 5, 2008

New Orleans Trendsetters and Kentucky Thoroughbreds

December 13th, 2007

New Orleans receives:
SP David Olivas (30, AAA) - minor league contract

Kentucky receives:
New Orleans' 10th round 2008 draft pick (SS Elmer Shirley - 22nd pick)

Since Then:
Olivas had a solid '08 season with New Orleans. In 74 relief innings, he went 1-2 with a 3.28 ERA and 2 saves. He remains with New Orleans in '09 serving as a mopup and long reliever.

Shirley had a mediocre '08 season at Kentucky's SS-A affiliate. A talented defensive utility infielder, Shirley projects to be nothing else than a defensive specialist. The future looks bleak for him to crack a major league roster.

May 3, 2008

New Jersey Hitmen and the San Antonio Calzones of Laredo

December 13th, 2007

New Jersey receives:
CF Bob Jefferson (29, ML) - $3.6
2B Naizen Nakayama (30, ML) - $1.9/$1.9/$1.9
3B Francisco Morales (31, ML) - $1.5/$1.5/$3.0

San Antonio receives
C Lorenzo Vega (31, ML) - $6.8/$6.8/$6.8/$6.8

Since Then:
Jefferson batted .254 with 2 homers and 53 RBIs in 120 games with New Jersey in '08. He signed a 2-year contract worth $2,400,000 with Crystal Lake in the offseason (12/09/08). He serves as a solid platoon outfielder in '09 with Crystal Lake.
Nakayama played the entire '08 season with New Jersey's AAA affiliate. He was traded to Manchester in the '08 offseason (11/06/08). As of '09, he continues to be a solid veteran utility infielder.
Morales has played subpar in a backup role with New Jersey in '08 and '09. He batted .239 with 9 homeruns and 43 RBIs in 100 games in '08.

Vega hit .301 with 11 homeruns and 50 RBIs in 128 games with San Antonio in '08. He was traded to Omaha in the offseason (12/17/08). As of '09, he remains a solid veteran catcher with with above average hitting skills.

May 2, 2008

West Virginia Coal Sox and Tempe Knights

December 12th, 2007

West Virginia receives:
SP Wilbur Garland (18, AA) - minor league contract

Tempe receives:
SP Bernardo Sánchez (27, A) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Garland has pitched decently in the '08 and '09 season at West Virginia's SS-A affiliate. He has a rather low ceiling and does not project to be much of a big league talent.

Sánchez was released by Tempe a month later (1/27/08). He currently is out of baseball as of the '09 season.

New Jersey Hitmen and Tempe Knights

December 12th, 2007

New Jersey receives:
SP Clancy O'connell (24, ML) - $3.2/arbitration
SP Ross Hanlon (24, AAA) - minor league contract

Tempe receives:
LF Brian Patton (23, ML) - $0.38/$0.38/$0.38/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration
MR Vaughan Farris (23, ML) - $1.2/arbitration
SP Patrick 'Cosmos' Hunter (21, A) - minor league contract
SP Barney Sharp (21, A) - minor league contract

Since Then:
O'connell went 14-10 with a 4.36 ERA in 33 starts with New Jersey in '08. He remains with New Jersey in '09 and rates as a top tier middle rotation starter.
Hanlon was traded back to Tempe by midseason after spending all of the season at New Jersey's AAA affiliate (6/28/08). He appears to not be much of a big league talent.

Patton spent the majority of ;08 in Tempe's minor league system. He remains with Tempe in '09 and has been a fringe big league player. Overall he is 5th or defensive outfielder at best in the big leagues.
Farris went 1-4 with a 4.18 ERA in 37 relief appearances with Tempe in '08. He was traded to Charleston at the '09 trading deadline (7/31/09). He grades out as an average solid middle reliever.
Hunter quickly moved through Tempe's minor league system in '08. Promoted to Tempe in '09, he has struggled throughout the season. According to Baseball America, he ranks as the #24 prospect in PEBA (4/06/09). Overall, Hunter is a tremendous talent and still could potentially be a frontline starter one day. Some minor league seasoning could help Hunter in achieving his potential.
Sharp was traded to San Antonio midseason (6/28/08). Possessing top notch movement on his pitches, Sharp projects to be a number 2 or number 3 starter one day.

Charleston Statesmen and West Virginia Coal Sox

December 12th, 2007

Charleston receives:
SP Anthony Cox (30, ML) - $3.1
MR Cade Phillips (25, ML) - $2.6/$2.6
1B Yong-zhan Hu (20, AA) - minor league contract
SP Bud McCullough (18, A) - minor league contract

West Virginia receives:
SP Ralph Dean (29, ML) - $7.8/$8.6
MR Shigeaki Otani (24, ML) - $0.93/$1.2
3B Alard van der Kooij (18, A) - minor league contract
Charleston 4th round 2008 draft pick (RF - Jim Fisher - 18th pick)

Since Then:
Cox went 12-10 with a 4.14 ERA in 30 starts with Charleston in '08. He left Charleston after the '08 season via free agency and signed a 3-year deal worth $11,400,000 with London. He grades out as a middle rotation pitcher.
Phillips had a solid season with Charleston in '08. In 50 relief appearances, he went 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He remains with Charleston in '09 and has served as a versatile member of their bullpen.
Hu ranks as the #2 prospect in PEBA according to Baseball America (4/06/09). After dominating at Charleston's AA and AAA affiliates in '08, Hu has continued his offensive prowessness with Charleston's big ball club in '09. He is the favorite to win the '09 IL Wunderkind Award.
McCullough has pitched well at Charleston's SS-A and Class-A in '08 and '09. He was selected to the North American Farm Team Affiliation All-Star Game in '09. Despite his success, he projects to be a fringe player at the big league level. His lack of velocity, control and overall stuff will make it tough for him to translate his success to the big league level.

Dean went 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA with West Virginia in '08. He was traded to Reno in the offseason (12/18/08). As of '09, Dean has had a bad season compared to his previous solid seasons of '07 and '08. He is considered backend rotation starter.
Otani went 8-5 with a 4.75 ERA with West Virginia in '08. He was traded to San Antonio in the offseason (12/17/08) who subsequently traded him to Canton a day later (12/18/08). Overall, he rates as a mediocre middle reliever.
van der Kooij has played well at every minor league level with West Virginia and currently is at their AAA affiliate as of '09. Historically showing a good contact bat, van der Kooij has the potential to become an everyday third baseman. At the very least, he will become a bench or platoon player.
Fisher played well at West Virginia's SS-A affiliate in '08 but has struggled in Class-A in '09. According to Baseball America, he ranks as the #65 prospect in PEBA (4/06/09). Fisher has above average skills across the board offensively and defensively. He has the potential to one day become a solid starting outfielder.

Kentucky Thoroughbreds and Arlington Bureaucrats

December 12th, 2007

Kentucky receives:
Arlington's 5th round 2008 draft pick (MR Bobby Jackson- 14th pick)

Arlington receives:
SP Paul Martin (25, AAA) - minor league contract
RF Fernando Garza (28, AAA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Jackson only appeared in 7 games in '08 at Kentucky's SS-A affiliate. In '09, he has gained more playing time at SS-A and has performed decently. An average talent all-around, Jackson has the potential to become a big league reliever one day but nothing special can be expected of him.

Martin has pitched decently in '08 and '09 at Arlington's AAA affiliate. He grades out as nothing more than a career minor league pitcher.
Garza had an excellent All-Star AA season with Arlington in '08. He however was waived by Arlington and claimed by Tempe after the season (10/26/08). As of '09, he has had a respectable season with San Antonio. Overall, he rates as a good 4th big league outfielder but he has yet to prove himself due to a lack of opportunity.

Kentucky Thoroughbreds and Bakersfield Bears

December 12th, 2007

Kentucky receives:
SP Dustin Breedveld (26, AAA) - $0.38
MR José Vargas (26, AAA) - $0.38/arbitration/arbitration

Bakersfield receives:
CL César Leal (24, AAA) - $0.38/arbitration/arbitration

Since Then:
Breedveld spent time at both Kentucky and their AAA affiliate in '08. He had some success at AAA but struggled during his time at Kentucky. He was released by Kentucky after the '08 season (10/02/08). As of '09, he has rejoined the Bakersfield organization with a minor league contract (2/28/09).
Vargas had a mediocre season at Kentucky's AAA affiliate in '08. He was traded to Arlington in the '08 offseason (11/10/08). He rates as a below average reliever who is best suited as a mop-up reliever.

Leal had an average '08 season at Bakersfield's AA and AAA affiliates. He was released by Bakersfield after the season (11/02/08). Since then he has attempted to revive his career by playing in the Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal. Overall, Leal does not have enough talent to be much of a pitcher at any level.

May 1, 2008

San Antonio Calzones of Laredo and Omaha Cyclones

December 11th, 2007

San Antonio receives:
SS Miguel Angel Hernández (29, ML) - $4.4/$4.4
CF Edmond Cliche (24, AAA) - $1.2/arbitration
Omaha's 6th round 2008 draft pick (CF Jason Davis - 13th pick)

Omaha receives:
MR Bob Boyd (32, ML) - $3.2/$3.2
1B Martin Higgins (23, AAA) - $0.38/$0.38/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration
SS Ángel Zúñiga (24, AAA) - $0.38

Since Then:
Hernández batted .276 with 2 homeruns and 26 RBIs in 82 games with San Antonio before being traded to Connecticut in a midseason deal (7/14/08). Marred by injuries in his career, Hernández is a good versatile infielder with above average offensive skills.
Cliche batted .302 with 6 homers and 27 RBIs in 61 games. He was traded to Canton midway through the season (7/14/08). Overall, Cliche is an average ballplayer worthy of being a 4th outfielder.
Davis had a dismal '08 minor league season at San Antonio's SS-A affiliate. He has been let go after suffering torn ligaments in his ankle (5/17/09). A limited player prior to injury, it appears Davis may have played his final game.

Boyd went 1-3 with a 3.82 ERA in 62 relief appearances with Omaha in '08. Boyd was released by Omaha midway in the '09 season due poor pitching performances.
Higgins hit .239 with a homer and 14 RBIs in 35 games while serving as a backup catcher primarily. He has had a terrible '09 season in a limited backup role. Overall, Higgins has yet to show much at the big league level and quite possibly may never will.
Zúñiga had an average '08 season with Omaha. In 108 games, the shortstop batted .254 with 32 RBIs. He has served decently as a utility infielder in '09 and overall rates as a below average utility infielder offensively and defensively.

West Virginia Coal Sox and Duluth Warriors

December 11th, 2007

West Virginia receives:
CF Gian-Carlo Avellino (32, AAA) - minor league contract

Duluth receives:
1B Matthew Allison (25, AAA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Avellino spent most of '08 down at West Virginia's AAA affiliate. He appeared in 37 games with the big ball club where he played horribly including a .167 batting average. He was released right after the season (10/2/08). He retired after the '08 season.

Allison spent the whole '08 season at Duluth's SS-A affiliate. As of '09, he plays for Duluth's AA affiliate. He projects to be nothing more than a minor career leaguer.