Bayou Brief: Let the tweaking begin

[Reg]

By Scott Plack, Sportswriter

The Dixie league champions don’t have to reinvent the wheel. They just need to smooth out the components, so if they are lucky enough to get to the playoffs again, the transition might be kinder. Six players will be going to arbitration this year (if the rumor is true that Lloyd’s services will not be retained), All of the players are pitchers. Perhaps the biggest question mark in the off season is whether the Trendsetters keep Edwards or will they decide he is simply asking for too much?

Tanner has been busy since the early exit from the playoffs. The Trendsetters have completed a trade with Kentucky which benefited both teams. Kentucky received a quality SP in Jorge Sanchez as well as a decent bat in 1B Robby Shepherd.

“Neither player fit well into the future of the Trendsetter organization,” stated Tanner, replying by email, “Sanchez was decent for us but too inconsistent to be making over a mil a year. Plus, he was looking at having to battle for the fifth starter spot or work long relief and it was decided it was best for both sides to move on.”

Sanchez is now playing for his fourth PEBA team. He was drafted by the Nutmeggers, traded to the Coal Sox, traded to the Trendsetters and now finds himself looking for a home in Kentucky. Sanchez joins former Trendsetter Hashimoto, who was picked up off waivers and won four games for Kentucky.

Shepherd, on the other hand, was a player that simply never developed into what scouts thought he would be. Shepherd went hitless during a stint on the bench for the Trendsetters and then finally ended up in AAA. There he was able to demonstrate some of his offensive skills. Unfortunately, Shepherd plays 1B like he has two left feet, and improved little during his stay in the minors. The Trendsetters have a very capable Valdez starting and prospects like Ty Green chomping at the bit and ran out of roster space for Shepherd.

In return, New Orleans received middle reliever Isei Imamura. Imamura pitched in 29 games for Kentucky and 10 for their AAA affiliate. Imamura is slated to be in competition for middle to long relief appearances. Imamura stats are not dominant but Tanner believes that with a top notch defense and experienced pitchers, Imamura will be able to truly pitch up to his potential. Even if he doesn’t moving Sanchez results in an immediate morale boost for the Trendsetter bullpen.

The rumor mill is turning and it seems that Trendsetter ownership is making no money available to spend on offering contract extensions. Instead, they await the announcement of the new budget numbers and the result of player arbitration. That being said it seems that the Trendsetter players who will be set free are as follows: 2B Jason Lloyd, MR Jonathan Shannon, and MR Yang. The front office is particularly being tight lipped about LF Cal Edwards. Will they let him slip into free agency or will the ownership come up with the money to keep this run producer where he is?

Tanner indicated that he was not finished on the trade front and that it was expected that a blockbuster type deal would be announced sooner, rather than later.

[Tyler]

Was it ever.