Crystal Lake Makes a Furry of Trades to Solidify Depth

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Crystal Lake Makes a Furry of Trades to Solidify Depth

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CRYSTAL LAKE HERALD

SPORTS – GNATS NOW
Crystal Lake Makes a Furry of Trades to Solidify Depth
Updated: December 11, 2024 – 11:15PM CDT

By Howard Heskin, Staff Writer – Twitter @HowardHeskin1

Crystal Lake GM RJ Ermola announced a press conference today to introduce a flurry of off-season trades focused on filling some holes and increasing the depth at some positions. Here's a run down of the recent moves:
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LF Roberto Ruíz was acquired from the Hartford Harpoon in exchange for minor league RP Tim Riggs and a 4th round draft pick. The former 5th round pick posted a .251/.308/.434 over 251 at bats last season. He will serve as Outfield/DH depth this up-coming season. I anticipate him to be optioned back and forth between AAA Evansville and Crystal Lake this season. In his last option year, this looks to be Ruíz's chance to break through when the inevitable injuries occur in 2025.
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2B Hirohisa Inoue was acquired from the Reno Zephyrs in exchange for a 3rd draft pick. Inoue looks to be the utility man and/or insurance player should Crystal Lake not be able to re-sign SS Juan Hernández Inoue is strong defensively at SS, 2B and 3B. His leadership will be welcome in the clubhouse. In 2024 he posted .283/.318/.376 with 35 stolen bases and 51 RBIs over 526 at bats. He is well needed speed for the infield that ranked near the bottom in the SL for stolen bases. Known as a high-leverage hitter, he will also be important for those one-run games that Crystal Lake was decimated in last regular season.
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SP Dean McNeil was acquired from the Florida Featherheads along with a 1st and 3rd round pick in exchange for 30-year-old PEBA Championship MVP first baseman Wilson Muñóz. After losing 3 key starting pitchers to free agency, this acquisition of the 25-year-old starting pitcher will bring long term stability to the starting rotation. Although losing a key offensive contributor, this move is great for the long run. McNeil finished 2nd in 2024 PEBA IL Wunderkind Award voting. He is known for his strong leadership skills which will be greatly needed after the departure of SP Manuel Corona. Crystal Lake has also regained its first round pick this season that was given up in the Kouno deal mid-season last year. The 3rd round pick acquired was quickly sold to help acquire infielder Inoue.
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Lastly, Crystal Lake addressed some questions at outfield with the acquisition of RF Colin Crow from Kentucky. Could this mean the end of Jarrod 'Merlin' Ricks who was rumored to be asking for a $40million/year 8 year deal to re-sign? Crow posted a .281/.348/.490 last season. He will likely fill the role of the nearly departed Ricks. Although he won't fill the power bat role that Ricks carried, he could fill the role of on-base machine from the departed catcher Norihide Yamamoto. Crow posted 41 walks over 459 at bats last season compared to Yamamoto's 66 walks over 502 at bats. Crow does add slightly more power that makes up for it, so we should see comparable production with this replacement. His 20 home runs last year will be helpful in that regard.

The only question remains on how to replace the 60 home runs and 175 RBIs from Ricks and Muñóz... With question marks now at first base and DH. That could be a the answer for the remainder of Free Agency for Crystal Lake.

Go Gnats. @HowardHeskin1
RJ Ermola
Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations
Crystal Lake Sandgnats

*2024 PEBA Champions*
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