December 27, 2008

West Virginia Coal Sox and San Antonio Calzones of Laredo

June 28th, 2009

West Virginia receives:
C Shinsaku Ito (23, AAA) - minor league contract

San Antonio receives:
SS Gus Wilson (23, AA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Ito's 2009 performance tapered off at West Virginia's AA affiliate after the trade. He grades out as an offensive oriented catcher with above average contact skills and gap power. If he continues to develop offensively, he should be a big league catcher one day. He also has shown some defensive skill in the infield and could possibly be converted there also.

Wilson performed significantly better in '09 at San Antonio's AA affiliate after the trade. He was named the #86 prospect in PEBA (4/06/09). Possessing above average speed and defensive skills, Wilson should have a big league career one day. His consistency with his bat will determine if he is a starter or bench player.

December 23, 2008

Arlington Bureaucrats and West Virginia Coal Sox

June 28th, 2009

Arlington receives:
MR José Ferrer (29, ML) - $0.62/$0.75/$0.75

West Virginia receives:
SS Alejandro Morín (18, A) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Ferrer had a productive '09 season with Arlington after the trade. In 28 relief appearances (50.1 IP), he went 1-3 with 3.22 ERA. José hoped to continue his success with Arlington in 2010; Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be. He spent the entire year rehabbing a forearm injury. 2011 will be a contract year and his main goal will be to stay healthy for the entire season in order to build up his value.

Morín played at West Virginia's SS-A and A affiliates in 2009. At both stops, he has struggled offensively and appears to be a career minor leaguer. He has excellent raw defensive skills but his limited offensive skills will prevent him from becoming a true big leaguer.

December 19, 2008

Florida Featherheads and West Virginia Coal Sox

June 28th, 2009

Florida receives:
CF Wilbur O'Billry (27, AAA) - $0.39/$0.39/$0.39/$0.39/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration

West Virginia receives:
MR Tanyu Chikafuji (34, ML) - $3.0

Since Then:
O'Billry was subpar in '09 while playing for Florida's AA affiliate after the trade. Possessing a rocket outfield arm and tremendous basestealing skills, O'Billry lacks other fundamental tools that prevents him from being a big leaguer. He is a career minor leaguer.

Chikafuji pitched solidly for West Virginia in '09. In 38 relief appearances with West Virginia, he went 2-3 with a 3.25 ERA. In his mid-30's, Chikafuji remains a solid bullpen reliever. He serves well as a secondary complementary addition to a bullpen.

Manchester Maulers and Charleston Statesmen

June 28th, 2009

Manchester receives:
2B Gabriel Negrón (37, ML) - $6.0/$7.0

Charleston receives:
Manchester's 4th round 2010 draft pick (traded to San Antonio in Bobby Wright deal - 18th pick)

Since Then:
Negrón had an average '09 season. In 61 games with Manchester, he batted .251 with 7 homeruns and 22 RBIs. The former Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal star still remains a serviceable player, but age has definitely put his best days behind him.


December 17, 2008

West Virginia Coal Sox and Duluth Warriors

June 21st, 2009

West Virginia receives:
2B António Guzmán (30, ML) - $0.39/arbitration

Duluth receives:
3B Mike Herr (19, A) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Guzmán's numbers in '09 tapered off after the trade. In 85 games with West Virginia, he batted .231 with 3 homers and 29 RBIs. Overall, Guzmán is a versatile veteran infielder best suited in a bench utility role.

Herr played decently in '09 at both SS-A and Class-A. He grades out as a future utility infielder

December 15, 2008

San Antonio Calzones of Laredo and Reno Tenpinners

June 14th, 2009

San Antonio receives:
LF Brooks Erickson (29, ML) - $9.0/$10.0/$10.0/$11.0/$12.0
C Luis Navarro (30, ML) - $5.2/$5.2

Reno receives:
C Manuel González (29, ML) - $7.8/$8.7/$9.7/$9.7
San Antonio's 3rd round 2010 draft pick (LF Dave Butler - 3rd pick)

Since Then:
Erickson struggled in the '09 season. The former All-Star and All-Leather outfielder batted .251 with 11 homeruns and 45 RBIs with San Antonio in 93 games with San Antonio. Overall, Erickson is a top talent who can do it all with his bat and glove. It remains to be seen if Erickson's subpar '09 season is an aberration or indicator of things to come.
Navarro had an ugly '09 season. He batted .178 with 3 homeruns and 14 RBIs in 64 games with San Antonio. Defensively, Navarro is below average. Offensively, he has yet to put together a decent hitting season. Overall, he is a poor backup catcher at best.

González flourished after the trade. He batted .308 with 10 homeruns and 52 RBIs in 88 games with Reno. Overall, he is one of the league's best hitting and run producing catchers.





Manchester Maulers and Canton Longshormen

June 14th, 2009

Manchester receives:
SP Tim Smith (35, ML) - $2.8

Canton receives:
SP José Contreras (22, A) - minor league contract
Manchester's 10th round 2010 draft pick (C Juan Aguilar - 18th pick)

Since Then:
Smith compiled a 3-8 record with a 4.84 ERA while spending time both as a starter and reliever in the '09 season. Overall, Smith is just a mediocre pitcher. He has incredible movement on his pitches but his lack of control and big league makeup prevents him from being a consistent effective pitcher.

Contreras pitched worse in the minor leagues in '09 after the trade to Canton. He possesses average talent across the board. An average pitcher all-around, Contreras has a shot to become a serviceable reliever in the big leagues.

December 10, 2008

San Antonio Calzones of Laredo and New Jersey Hitmen

June 7th, 2009

San Antonio receives:
MR Dave Williams (34, ML) - $6.3
CF Arthur Myers (29, ML) - $4.6
CF António Chávez (22, AA) - minor league contract

New Jersey receives:
SP Luis Peña (32, ML) - $11.6
SP Steven Barber (23, A) - minor league contract
SP Juan Hernández (22, A) - minor league contract
MR Vicente Moreno (19, SS-A) - minor league contract
MR Al Fountain (19, SS-A) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Williams had a fairly solid '09 season but it was subpar one by his standards. The former All-Star went 1-4 with a 3.38 ERA in 32 relief appearances for San Antonio in '09. Despite the subpar season, Williams signed a 2-year extension with San Antonio worth $13,000,000. Overall, Williams still projects as one the league's best setup men.
Myers had a good season with San Antonio. In 94 games, he hit .282 with 8 homers and 41 RBIs. He grades out as an above average offensive hitter who has a knack for hitting extra base hits.
Chávez spent the '09 season at AA and AAA where he played decently. Overall, he is a prime candidate to be a good big league 4th outfielder. He is excellent defensively at all 3 outfield positions. He has plus speed and bunting skills, which makes him valuable in a bunting or pinch running situation.

Peña went 8-6 with a 3.15 ERA after joining New Jersey in the '09 season. Overall, he is a solid consistent pitcher worthy of a number 3 spot in the rotation.
Barber pitched well for New Jersey's SS-A affiliate in '09. He has a very limited ceiling and rates out as a career minor leaguer.
Hernández pitched decently in '09 at New Jersey's SS-A affiliate. A projected career minor league pitcher, he grades out poorly in all areas including velocity, movement, control and overall stuff.
Moreno's poor SS-A performance led to his release by New Jersey (9/08/09). He signed a minor league deal with Fargo's organization (9/22/09). He is a below average pitcher and is expected to be a career minor leaguer.
Fountain only appeared in 8 SS-A games before suffering a strained rotator cuff muscle injury (7/02/09). He pitched poorly prior to the injury and was released by New Jersey (7/05/09). Overall, he is a subpar pitcher who is destined to spend his career in the minors.