Aurora Borealis and Crystal Lake Sandgnats

November 22, 2008

Aurora receives:
SP León "Long Haul" Rivera (21, AAA) - Minor League Contract

Crystal Lake receives:
SS Pablo Espinosa (23, AAA) - Minor League Contract

Since Then:
Rivera has seen continued success at AAA.
Espinosa has struggled in an every-day role in the majors.

Intent: Crystal Lake acquired Espinosa to be their starting shortstop in 2009. An anonymous Sandgnats official stated

I'm sorry to see Rivera go, but we needed a SS, and Pablo fills the role. Good trade!

Aurora made no statement about the trade.

Arlington Bureaucrats and London Underground

November 22nd, 2008

Arlington receives:
LF Hugh Murray (18, SS-A) - minor league contract

London receives:
SS Rob Sullivan (23, AAA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Murray has shown the ability to hit for a high average at Arlington's Class-A and AA affiliates in the '09 season. Possessing only the ability to hit for a high contact, Murray is a one trick pony that makes it hard for him to stick in the big leagues.

Sullivan has struggled offensively in '09 at London's AA and AAA affiliates. Excellently defensively, Sullivan's lack of offensive skills make him a one dimensional player. With the exception of being a defensive sub, it will be hard for him to make it to the big leagues.

Arlington Bureaucrats and Kentucky Thoroughbreds

November 14th, 2008

Arlington receives:
CL José Hale (18, A) - minor league contract

Kentucky receives:
SP Steven Norris (23, ML) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Hale pitched well at Arlington's Class-A affiliate in '09. He had a brief stint up in AA but was demoted due to his struggles. Overall, Hale has excellent with a plus fastball. His lack of control will make it a challenge for him to become a big league reliever.

Norris has had a decent '09 season at Kentucky's AA affiliate. Lacking velocity and big league stuff, Norris appears best suited as a career minor league pitcher.

New Orleans Trendsetters and San Antonio Calzones of Laredo

November 10th, 2008

New Orleans receives:
SP Alberto Semblano (30, ML) - $9.9/$9.9/$9.9
LF Roberto Rodríguez (30, ML) - $16.0/$16.0/$17.0/$18.0

San Antonio receives:
RF Cooper Scott (33, ML) $1.5
SP Chris Nicholson (30, ML) - $9.3
SP Alfredo Pinto (34, ML) - $3.9/$3.9 (mutual option)

Since Then:
Semblano had a magnificent '09 season with New Orleans. In 31 starts, he went 18-8 with a 3.03 ERA. A number 4 starter in New Orleans' rotation, Semblano is a number 2 or number 3 starter on most other pitching staffs. Lacking electric stuff and velocity, Semblano relies on his pinpoint control to carve up opposing batters.
Rodríguez, an '09 All-Star, batted .310 with 28 homeruns. He has drove in 81 RBIs while scoring 122 runs on the season with New Orleans. Overall, Rodríguez is a dangerous hitter worthy of hitting in the 3-hole or cleanup spots any big league team.

Scott was released shortly in the '09 season (4/26/09). He signed a 1-year deal worth $1,500,000 with Kentucky a few weeks later (5/11/09). He grades out as a decent offensive platoon outfielder who could play the role of a 4th outfielder on a big league ballclub.
Nicholson had a forgettable '09 season with San Antonio. He went 8-21 with a 4.88 ERA in 34 starts. Despite his poor '09 season, Nicholson is not particularly a terrible pitcher. He rates as a number 4 or number 5 starter.
Pinto was traded to West Virginia a month later (12/17/09). He splitted time between West Virginia and their AAA affiliate in the '09 season. With West Virginia, he struggled with a 3-8 record and 5.97 ERA. The aging pitcher is nothing more than a number starter or mop-up reliever at best. Most teams probably would not have Pinto on their big league roster.

Commentary: I love how you guys aren't at all shy with the blockbusters, and this here is a doozy of one. Another "untradeable" contract moving in Roberto Rodriguez (no relation to Mexican director Robert Rodriguez of El Mariachi fame. New Orleans is getting a couple big guns, while San Antonio is getting payroll relief starting in 2010. Looks like a good move for both sides.

Arlington Bureaucrats and the Kentucky Thoroughbreds

November 10th, 2008

Arlington receives:
MR José Vargas (27, AAA) - $0.39/arbitration/arbitration

Kentucky receives:
$50,000 cash

Since Then:
Vargas pitched terribly for Arlington in '09. In 29 relief appearances, he went 0-4 with a 6.46 ERA. Although he has shown decent stuff and good control, Vargas throws straight as an arrow. He is a mop-up reliever or long reliever at best.

Kentucky Thoroughbreds and Tempe Knights

November 6th, 2008

Kentucky receives:
2B Ron Ryan (27, ML) - $0.39/arbitration
LF Kee Chaim (22, SS-A) - minor league contract

Tempe receives:
3B Josh Emery (26, ML) - N/A (eligible for free agency on 11/25/08)

Since Then:
Ryan played admirably in a backup platoon role for Kentucky. He batted .278 with 23 RBIs in 97 games in the '09 season while playing primarily 3B. A mediocre talent all-around, Ryan is a decent average player worthy of filling a utility role on a big league ballclub.
Chaim had an excellent '09 minor league season. Making stops at Kentucky's SS-A and Class-A affiliates, Chaim held his own offensively. Above average defensively, it is uncertain if Chaim's offensive numbers will translate at the big league level. Talent-wise, he is expected to be a limited player who is best suited for the minor leagues.

Emery opted for free agency a few weeks later (11/25/08). Due to a lack of club interest, Emery signed a 1-year deal worth $7,428,400 with the Nezahualcóyotl Coyotes of the Alianza Béisbol Al Sur de la Frontera. Currently a free agent again, Emery has loads of talent but seemingly has yet to deliever in PEBA.

Manchester Maulers and New Jersey Hitmen

November 6th, 2008

New Jersey receives:
CF Daniel Ríos (32, ML) - $11.0/$11.0/$12.0/$12.0/$12.0/$15.0
SP Jesús González (27, ML) - $3.2/$3.2
RF Alejandro Alemán (24, AA) - minor league contract
Manchester's 11th round 2009 draft pick (C Germán Collazo - 9th pick)
Manchester's 13th round 2009 draft pick (1B Pedro Durán - 9th pick)

Manchester receives:
RF José Cortéz (26, ML) - $8.3
MR Dan Mosley (34, ML) - $6.4
2B Naizen Nakayama (31, AAA) - $1.9/$1.9
$3,000,000 cash

Since Then:
Ríos' career continued to downspiral in '09. The highly overpaid outfielder batted .215 with 6 homers and 46 RBIs in 136 games with New Jersey. These days Ríos is nothing more than a contract albatross.
González had a solid '09 season with New Jersey. He went 12-10 with a 3.41 ERA. Overall, he grades out as a dependable number 3 type starter.
Alemán struggled at New Jersey's AA affiliate after being promoted in July '09 from his splendid Class-A performance. He has plus defensive skills and average offensive skills. His mediocre hitting skills will prevent him from being an established big leauger. He is a fringe bench player at best.
Collazo quit baseball to rock out on Rock Band.
Durán disappeared and was presumed dead while traveling to Panama to celebrate his great uncle's 58th birthday.

Cortéz was traded to Connecticut a month later for a 2nd and 3rd round draft pick(12/29/08). He has since then been traded to New Orleans in prior to the trading deadline (7/12/09). A former All-Star, Cortéz has gradual declined in production but is still capable of putting up productive numbers.
Mosley had his best season as a pro in '09. He delievered a 5-3 record with a miniscule 1.38 ERA. He also compiled 4 saves while pitching mainly in the setup role. The aging veteran has shown no signs of slowing down and has gotten better with age. He is one of the league's best setup men.
Nakayama has provided solid bench play for Manchester in '09. In 106 games, the utility infielder batted .277 with 2 homeruns and 18 RBIs while playing primarily filling in at SS and 2B. It appears he has found a home and niche in Manchester serving as an invaluable utility player.


Commentary: This will likely be my favorite pre-Winter Meetings trade. First, it's a bona fide blockbuster. Second, it's a challenge trade: My top outfielder for your top outfielder, let's see who's better! Third, it involves a player (Rios) that everyone said was untradeable, proving once again that there's no such word as "untradeable" (there really isn't, actually). Fourth, it's the first trade to involve draft picks from our newly added rounds 11-20. - Commissioner John

New Jersey responds to the trade.