October 6, 2008

New Jersey Hitmen and San Antonio Calzones of Laredo

December 19th, 2008

San Antonio receives:
C Manuel González (28, ML) - $7.8/$8.7/$9.7/$8.7
SP Luis Peña (32, ML) - $11.6
SP Keith Bandelow (25, A) -minor league contract

New Jersey receives:
CF Yoshino Miyata (27, ML) -$19.2
SP Norris Moncrieff (28, ML) -$4.0
3B Lee Kohler (18, A) - minor league contract
LF John Knapp (22, A) - minor league contract
CF Jason Davis (21, SS-A) - minor league contract

Since Then:
González appeared in 60 games with San Antonio before being traded to Reno (6/14/09). With San Antonio, he batted .260 with 5 homeruns and 30 RBIs. Slightly above average defensively, González earns his paycheck with his bat. He is a great run producer and one of best overall hitting catchers in the league.
Peña was traded back to New Jersey midway through the '09 season (6/07/09). The former '08 All-Star went 6-6 with a 3.76 ERA in 12 starts with San Antonio prior to the trade. In his early 30's, Peña might be showing signs of slowing down. Overall, he still a solid number 3 caliber pitcher.
Bandelow spent the '09 season at both the minor league and big league levels. In 14 games with San Antonio, he went 4-6 with a 5.90 ERA. Overall, he is a below average talent who is best suited to be a career minor league pitcher.

Miyata had a stellar '09 season with New Jersey. He batted .306 with 4 homeruns and 52 RBIs. More impressively, he punished opposing teams with a .482 on base percentage while lacing out 37 doubles. A former All-Star and All-Leather winner, Miyata is one the league's greats. He is a future hall of famer.
Moncrieff went 5-7 with a 5.03 ERA in '09 in both starting and relief roles for New Jersey. Overall he is a serviceable pitcher if expectations are kept low. He makes for a decent 5th starter or long reliever.
Kohler had a subpar '09 season while playing primarily for New Jersey's AAA affiliate. He was named the #81 prospect in PEBA (4/06/09). Defensively, he has an excellent arm and infield range. Offensively, he is raw but has tools to develop into a potential solid hitter. He should be a starting caliber infielder in the future if he continues to develop accordingly.
Knapp split the '09 season at New Jersey's AA and AAA affiliates. Not possessing any plus skills, Knapp is a borderline big league talent.
Davis appeared in 23 games with New Jersey's AAA affiliate before suffering torn ankle ligaments (5/17/09). He was released shortly after (6/07/09). Aside from good speed and above average defensive skills, Davis grades out poorly in many areas. He does not project to be a big leaguer and it is arguable that he may not even be a worthy minor league talent.

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