Calzones Corner Trade Deadline Edition

[Matt]

Calzones Corner

Whew, what a whirlwind day of trade activity for the Calzones at the trade deadline. With a sudden shift from buyer to seller, the Calzones have gone all in on this season, with Gm Matt Higgins playing the part of the fearless riverboat gambler in a quest to bring a championship to South Texas.
Let's analyze the deals.

Early on in the day, the Calzones sent next years 4th round draft pick to Kentucky for much maligned starting pitcher Xue-qin Yuan. Yuan has struggled this season, and again we are looking at the Calzones picking through the garbage in a search for more pitching. Yuan has posted a 3-12 mark with a 5.60 era in 19 starts for Kentucky. Out of options, he'll be sent to the bullpen while the Calzones try to get the once prized prospect back on track. This likely makes Christian Basquez expendable, if the Calzones fail to find a taker for him they will probably be forced to release him and eat his contract. On the whole, I tend to like this deal a little, because if you are going to have a struggling pitcher on your ballclub, at least make it one who has some upside, and Yuan is younger and has much more upside than Basquez.

Also early in the day, the Calzones made a deal that at first made little sense, sending AAA catcher Chance Tidwell to Bakersfield for veteran journeyman catcher Gerald McKnight. On paper this did not look all that great, with the Calzones giving up the youner prospect in return for a veteran defensive type catcher. In light of deals made later in the day, this one made a little more sense. With Salgardo departing in a later deal, and Hawkins arriving to assume the mantle of prized catching prospect in another later deal, what the Calzones recieved here is a veteran catcher who is fantastic defensively, and his veteran presence and ability to cll a game should make him a viable backup for Manuel Gonzalez. With the Calzones in the playoff hunt, it was clear they were not ready to trust a young catcher during the stretch drive. Salgardo was already providing nothing with the bat, so in that light, even if McKnight provides nothing with the bat, a very likely scenario, his defensive contributions should make this deal more than worth it.

The next deal to be announced was the big one. And certainly the one everyone has heard about. The Calzones rolled the dice here, landing Ki-Tong Pei, Alberto Benitez, and minor league centerfield prospect Martin Griffin. In exchange, the Calzones dealt catcher Victor Salgardo, reliever Cade Phillips, outfielder Kenny Parker, and a third round draft pick to West Virginia. Hard not to love this deal for the Calzones, despite the fact that they give up a catcher who was a very good prospect, a solid middle reliever who was helping anchor a strong bullpen, and the IL leader in stolen bases. Pei and Benitez are instant offense, with Pei bringing some much needed THUMP to the DH spot, while Benitez solves a huge problem at 1b where the platoon between Duan and Garcia has been highly unproductive. Griffin goes to AAA, and joins a crowded field of outfield prospects but should be vying for playing time here in Laredo soon. It appears Pei is simply two month rental, with Gonzalez and Ortega due hefty raises soon, it is highly unlikely the Calzones can find room in the budget for a Pei after this year, not at the reported 20 million dollar asking price.

But the Calzones were not content to just land the big fish. The wheels kept churning, and the Calzones made a deal with Canton about an hour before the deadline, sending prized pitching prospect Ryuichi Yamauchi, reliever Sadao Ichihara, 1b Jing Dong, and a 2nd round draft pick to Canton for 1b Juan Otero and prized minor league catcher Donald Hawkins. My sources tell me the Calzones tried very hard to keep Yamauchi out of trade discussions, but with the deadline approaching and many other deals in discussion, the Calzones had to make an offer and Yamuichi was the best chip they had to offer. Sources say had Hawkins not been included, it's highly unlikely Yamauchi would have been dealt. Ichihara was another good prospect, but for whatever reason could never seem to get it together at the big league level. It is with mixed emotions that this writer has to say goodbye to Jing Duan. One of the more colorful characters in the Calzones clubhouse, but unfortunately also one of the most clueless of late at the plate. Otero, like Pei, is a free agent after the season, but a much more signable free agent. For the moment he gives the Calzones another option off the bench and an occassional starter against left handed pitching. Word is he might be the full time DH next season if the Calzones can resign him.

And last but certainly not least, right at the deadline the Calzones unload Mario "the Albatross" Hernandez to Arlington for CF Bob Jefferson, sending along 2.5 million dollars in cash as well just to be rid of him. Hernandez has struggled all season for the Calzones, and in a diminished role as a spart outfielder his 7.2 million dollar contract was just excessive. Getting Jefferson in return gives the Calzones a cheaper option who offers similiar skills. Despite sending the cash in the deal, the rough estimate is the Calzones still save about 2.3 mil over this season and next by having Jefferson as the 4th outfielder instead of Hernandez. Look for Jefferson to play some against lefties and be part of an odd three headed monster roaming CF and RF, as the Calzones will juggle Kichida, Yo, and Jefferson between the three spots.

There were several other hot rumors during the day, including a rumored deal that might have sent C Manuel Gonzalez to Bakersfield for OF Charles McGuire. Word is the teams could not match up players and contracts in an acceptable manner, and with the Calzones trying to move Hernandez before the deadline there was not enough time to get that deal together. Certainly Calzones fans are happy that Manuel Gonzalez is still the catcher here, but the fans may have to get used to the idea that his contract demands might be impossible for the Calzones to meet. With Ortega also due a huge raise, it is clear that Ortega is the priority and the Calzones may have to part ways with Gonzalez this winter. With the Calzones use of the credit card for the playoff drive, it remains to be seen how much payroll has to be pared next year. Another scenario possibly has the Calzones parting with one of the veteran pitchers, with Gallegos or Higgins the most likely to be shopped this winter.

Here's to hoping the Calzones wild dealing positions them well for the playoff run. See you at the game!

[John]

I find the argument for the McKnight-Tidwell trade very compelling. As you say, it does make more sense when viewed in the light of the following trades. Certainly you're going to feel a lot more confident having McKnight's defense and experience backing up González as the playoff run heats up.

I'm also intrigued by the potential deal with Bakersfield that never materialized. McGuire seems like he'd have been a natural fit for San Antonio. Alas it seems that time ran out on this deal. Then again, there's still time to make trades! It's just a matter of getting guys through waivers. Players with larger salaries are the most likely to make it through... wonder if anyone would bit on McGuire's $6M contract?

[Duane]

That's 6mil I can't afford ...